Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an Agreement with California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for a zero cost Data Sharing agreement between the two entities for the purposes of administering Community Benefit programs, retroactive to July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025; and
b. Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to the agreement as long as the amendment do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an Agreement with California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for a zero cost Data Sharing agreement between the two entities for the purposes of administering Community Benefit programs, retroactive to July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025; and
b. Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to the agreement as long as the amendment do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARYDISCUSSION:
Through this Agreement, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) shall facilitate the linkage of Monterey County Department of Social Services’ (MCDSS) customer records to the Employment Development Department (EDD) base wage administrative files. The process requires CDSS to transmit client records to EDD, EDD then performs the matching and makes the matched records available to CDSS for access and subsequent distribution to MCDSS.
Matching customer data with quarterly wages will provide MCDSS with robust employment and earnings data that can be tracked over time for customers of California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS), CalFresh Employment & Training, and General Assistance programs. Monterey County data does not currently provide any information on employment or earnings of MCDSS customers, and EDD quarterly base wage files are the only accessible source for tracking the earned income of customers after receiving services from MCDSS.
This data will enable MCDSS to measure the effectiveness of program efforts and influence programmatic design and resource allocation decisions by developing caseload forecasts to adapt employment services programs to respond to labor market trends.
MCDSS and CDSS shall request and use the EDD’s confidential information only for the purpose of conducting internal research, budget development, performance monitoring and program evaluation pursuant to the Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 10533, 10540.5, 10541, 10606.1, 10609.4, 10850, 11322.63, 11525, 15204.6 and, and Section 1095(ai) of the CUIC, and Sections of 7 United States Code (USC) 2020(e) (16) and (17), 42 USC Section 611, 42 USC Section 677 of the Social Security Act.
This Agreement was delayed in being brought to your Board due to late receipt of the agreement from CDSS.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has approved the Agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
This zero-cost agreement has no financial impacts.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This Agreement correlates to the Economic Development Strategic Initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors by providing information to help CalWORKs and Employment Services administer benefits in an efficient manner and providing visibility to CDSS about the effectiveness of the program.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
X Economic Development
__Administration
__Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Juan Plascencia, Departmental Information Systems Manager l, x7036
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director. x4430
Attachments: Agreement
Proposed agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.