Bill Text: CA AB3238 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: CalFresh: nonminor dependents exiting foster care.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-06-03 - In committee: Held under submission. [AB3238 Detail]
Download: California-2019-AB3238-Amended.html
|
Amended
IN
Assembly
May 11, 2020 |
|
Amended
IN
Assembly
May 04, 2020 |
| Introduced by Assembly Member Smith |
February 21, 2020 |
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
This bill would require each county human services agency, on or before January 1, 2022, to designate at least one employee to serve as a CalFresh eligibility liaison to assist nonminor dependents who are aging out of the foster care system with the
application process for CalFresh benefits. The bill would require the State Department of Social Services to assist county human services agencies in developing educational materials to help CalFresh eligibility liaisons effectively assist exiting nonminor dependents in completing their CalFresh applications, and would specify minimum content for those educational materials. The bill would also require a nonminor dependent’s child welfare worker, 120 days prior to the termination of foster care, to begin transitional meetings with the nonminor dependent and would authorize the child welfare worker, 90 days prior to the termination of foster care, to submit the nonminor’s CalFresh application on behalf of the nonminor dependent. By imposing new duties on counties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state.
Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program:Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 18921 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:18921.
(a) The department, on or before January 1, 2022, shall establish a pilot program in up to five counties to appoint at least one CalFresh eligibility liaison with the purpose of increasing CalFresh enrollment and participation among nonminor dependents aging out of the child welfare system.(a)On or before January 1, 2022, each county human services agency shall designate at least one employee to serve as a CalFresh eligibility liaison to assist nonminor dependents who are aging out of the foster care system with the application process for CalFresh benefits.
(b)The CalFresh eligibility liaison shall do all of the following:
(1)Serve as an expert on CalFresh applications for nonminor dependents exiting the foster care system.
(2)Assist an exiting nonminor dependent, upon request of the exiting nonminor dependent, in filling out CalFresh forms and completing the application process.
(3)Ensure that the CalFresh application is properly submitted.
(4)Maintain contact with the exiting nonminor dependent on a consistent basis to provide guidance through the CalFresh application and approval process via email, first-class mail, telephone, or text message.
(5)Allow a notice of action regarding CalFresh benefits to be sent to the county human services agency on behalf of an exiting nonminor dependent until stable housing is obtained by the exiting nonminor dependent.
(c)The department shall assist county human services agencies in developing educational materials to help CalFresh eligibility liaisons effectively assist exiting nonminor dependents in completing their CalFresh applications. The materials shall include, at a minimum, all of
the following:
(1)The location and mailing address of the local CalFresh office.
(2)The telephone number of the local CalFresh office and the facsimile number where applications may be submitted.
(3)A procedural guide and checklist of requirements to help exiting nonminor dependents complete their CalFresh applications. The procedural guide shall also explain options if an exiting nonminor dependent receives a notice of action regarding their CalFresh application or benefits.
(4)The internet website for CalFresh.
(d)In addition to subdivisions (a) and (b), 120 days prior to the termination of foster care, the nonminor dependent’s child welfare worker shall begin transitional meetings
with the nonminor dependent and may, 90 days prior to the termination of foster care, submit the nonminor’s CalFresh application on behalf of the nonminor dependent.
(e)CalFresh eligibility liaisons, county social workers, probation officers, and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to collaborate to locate nonminor dependents exiting foster care and to circulate information to them regarding CalFresh eligibility.
(f)County social workers, probation officers, and nonprofit organizations are also encouraged to request educational materials from county human services agencies to assist nonminor dependents exiting foster care in applying for CalFresh benefits.
If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
