The California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS), has now
finalized and posted the
MOU Implementation Guidance for counties.
The passage of Assembly Bill 2083 (Chapter 815, Statutes of
2018) requires counties to work with local agencies, entities,
and stakeholder groups to develop these MOUs. CSAC supported this
bill that was sponsored by the County Welfare Directors
Association of California and authored by Assembly Member
Ken Cooley. AB 2083 also required the state to establish an
interagency placement resolution team with representatives from
the relevant state departments to provide guidance and technical
assistance to counties and other entities on establishing MOUs to
identify and secure the appropriate services for youth who have
experienced severe trauma.
CHHS convened numerous state departments, county associations,
counties, and other local partners to discuss coordination of
services for high-needs children and youth. The purpose of this
meeting was to begin a partnership between state, regional
center, and county experts to identify best practices, explore
new strategies, and improve positive outcomes for children and
youth who are served by multiple public programs and have often
experienced trauma. The stakeholder meetings also provided a
collaborative framework to develop the required guidance for
counties and other entities.
The published MOU implementation guidance provides counties and
other entities with guiding principles, questions and best
practices to assist entities in developing their MOUs. CHHS
separates the guidance into the 11 MOU requirements listed below.
Establishment and operation of an Interagency Leadership Team
Commitment to implementation of the Integrated Core Practice
Model (ICPM)
Information and data sharing agreements
Processes for screening, assessment, and entry to care
Processes for child and family teaming and universal service
planning
Establishment and operation of an Interagency Placement
Committee
Alignment and coordination of transportation and other foster
youth services
Staff recruitment, training, and coaching
Financial resource management
Development of dispute resolution process
Recruitment and management of resources families and delivery
of therapeutic foster care services
Action Required
In conjunction with the release of the MOU guidance, the relevant
state departments also issued All County Letter 19-116
that outlines a deadline of July 1, 2020 for all county MOUs to
be submitted to AB2083@chhs.ca.gov.
CHHS has developed the Joint Interagency State Resolution Team
that can provide technical assistance throughout the process of
developing MOUs. For questions related to AB 2083 or to request
technical assistance please email AB2083@chhs.ca.gov.
