New Community Based Adult Services Program Receives Final Approval from Federal Government 

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has given final approval to California’s request to implement a new Medi-Cal adult day health care option called the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. 

The new CBAS program was created as part of a settlement between the state and advocates for the elderly and disabled, who had sued (Darling et al v. Douglas) after the Legislature dismantled the current Medi-Cal Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) due to fiscal constraints. The new CBAS program will also be an optional benefit, and eligibility for the program will be narrower than ADHC eligibility, as participants will need to have documented intensive health care needs. The CBAS program will provide medical and social services in a community-based setting and should begin operation as soon as this week. 

CalWORKs

SB 970 (de Léon) – Support
As Amended on March 29, 2012

SB 970, as introduced by Assembly Member Kevin de Léon, would help integrate the process for applying for public programs such as CalFresh and CalWORKs with the new online health coverage application process that is under development by the state. 

SB 970 would build on California’s existing service integration by ensuring that people applying for health coverage through CalHEERS can also begin the application process for other public programs, including CalFresh and CalWORKs. A comprehensive stakeholder workgroup, including representatives from county human services departments, among others, would be established by the bill to review whether additional programs should be included in the process.

SB 970 also provides that if a health program renewal form has the necessary information to renew eligibility for CalWORKs or CalFresh, that the renewal for those other programs is satisfied. This is important not only to ensure that applying for and retaining eligibility for multiple programs does not become more difficult after 2014, but so that the state can continue working towards full participation in federally funded human services and work support programs. 

Finally, SB 970 would maximize enrollment into health coverage by enabling CalFresh recipients who are uninsured to allow the information in their CalFresh case file to be used to file an application for health coverage. This will ensure that as many eligible individuals and families as possible get the health coverage they need through the Medi-Cal expansion and subsidies in the Exchange. 

The Author amended SB 970 on March 29, and it will now be heard by the Senate Health Committee on April 11. 

SB 1060 (Hancock) – Support
As Introduced on February 13, 2012

SB 1060, by Senator Loni Hancock, would allow parents who have been convicted of a drug-related felony and completed a government-recognized treatment program to qualify for CalWORKs program employment services and benefits. 

Senator Hancock’s SB 1060 would allow California to join with 13 other states in opting out of the federal lifetime ban on receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF grants – CalWORKs here in California) funding for those with past drug felonies. California already allows those with certain drug-related felonies to receive Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps, called CalFresh in California) benefits. 

Counties believe that SB 1060 provides an important tool for counties post-2011 realignment. By removing the lifetime ban on receiving CalWORKs benefits for parents convicted of drug-related felonies, counties will be able to provide employment activities and services to recipients with the goal of achieving employment and self sufficiency, as well as safely reintegrating them back into our communities. Additionally, CalWORKs grants are primarily used by families towards housing costs. Access to CalWORKs will provide parents assistance with housing – a key component necessary to get and retain a job.

Counties believe that in the long-tern SB 1060 would assist in reducing recidivism, saving our counties, the state, and communities significant social and fiscal costs. The Senate Human Services Committee passed SB 1060 on March 27, and it is now referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

AB 1640 (Mitchell) – Support
As Introduced on February 13, 2012

AB 1640, by Assembly Member Holly Mitchell, would change the state’s CalWORKs statute to allow for pregnant women (with no other children in the household) to become eligible for CalWORKs basic needs grants and full-scope 1931(b) Medi-Cal benefits upon verification of a pregnancy.
CSAC supports the bill, which was heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on March 28. The Appropriations Committee referred AB 1640 on their Suspense File. 

AB 1691 (Lowenthal, B.) – Support
As Introduced on February 15, 2012

AB 1691, by Assembly Member Bonnie Lowenthal, would allow non-English speaking CalWORKs recipients, which include refugees and other legal immigrants, to participate in English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction for eight months. Time spent in ESL instruction would count as a core activity and counties would have the option of extending ESL participation for up to 12 months on a case-by-case basis. 

CSAC supports AB 1691, which was passed by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on March 28 and is now on the Third Reading File of the Assembly. 

AB 1970 (Skinner) – Support
As Introduced on February 23, 2012

AB 1970, by Assembly Member Nancy Skinnner, would streamline the eligibility structure across the CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal programs.

This measure, titled the Social Services Modernization and Efficiency Act of 2012, would conform eligibility requirements for the above programs to existing federal law, allow recipients to choose electronic forms for certain types of communication, interviews, and notices, and simplifies the interview process for people in immediate need of benefits. The measure will also codify the practice of recertifying CalFresh households at the end of their Traditional CalFresh Period to prevent lapses in nutritional benefits. 
Counties also support the provision requiring the state to make state plans for changes in service to the federal government electronically available, and we understand that Assembly Member Skinner will take an amendment to ensure that individuals with small children are not penalized if they are meeting the federal 20-hour work requirement in CalWORKs. 

Taken all together, these small modernization changes will streamline human service programs for recipients and counties, and serve to illustrate the efficiencies to be gained from the careful use of technology. The Assembly Human Services Committee will hear AB 1970 on April 10.

Child Welfare Services/Foster Care

SB 1319 (Liu) – Support
As Introduced on February 23, 2012

SB 1319, by Senator Carol Liu, is a highly technical measure that would make three small changes to existing law, but it will streamline certain components of the system for the homes, agencies, and treatment facilities that treat and house our state’s most vulnerable children.
The technical changes in the measure were proposed by San Bernardino County and are supported by the County Welfare Directors Association. The Senate Human Services Committee will hear SB 1319 on April 10. 

AB 1712 (Beall) – Support
As Amended on March 21, 2012

AB 1712, by Assembly Member Jim Beall, is a technical clean up measure relating to 2010’s Fostering Connections to Success Act. The Act extended foster care services to youth up to age 21 and helps the state draw down additional foster care funding from the federal government. 

AB 1712 was created with input from counties, foster family agencies, and myriad other stakeholders, all with a singular goal in mind: To make foster care services as accessible and efficient as possible for all youth and nonminor dependents that need them. 

The Assembly Human Services Committee will hear AB 1712 on April 10.

CalFresh

AB 1560 (Fuentes) – Support
As Introduced on January 30, 2012

AB 1560, by Assembly Member Felipe Fuentes, will help low-income families who are eligible for the state’s Medi-Cal program to also receive CalFresh nutritional benefits. 

Specifically, AB 1560 would waive the gross income test for any individual who receives, or is eligible to receive, Medi-Cal medical benefits. The measure would also allow those who live in households with those who receive or are eligible to receive Medi-Cal benefits to qualify for the CalFresh program. 

CSAC supports AB 1560, which will be heard by the Assembly Human Services Committee on April 10.