Approved Relative Caregiver (ARC) Funding Option Program

The Approved Relative Caregiver (ARC) program establishes that the amount paid for a non-federally eligible child is equal to the basic foster care rate. The ARC program changes the denial process for relatives who would be referred to CalWORKs after a federal foster care determination has been denied see Miller vs. Youakim.

The DFCS is required to provide a “Statement of Facts Supporting Eligibility For the ARC Funding Option Program” (ARC 1) to all relative caregivers at initial placement. Clients who choose to apply for ARC benefits will return the application to the FC bureau for processing.

ARC Case Processing

ARC applications from NNCR will be processed and maintained by the Foster Care Bureau. All CalWORKs applications for NCR will be forwarded to District Office for case processing.

If the Approved Relative Caregiver is a . .	Then Foster Care Eligibility will...
Non-Needy Caretaker Relative,	Process the application for the ARC eligible child.
NCR and wants to apply for CalWORKs benefits,	Process the application for the ARC eligible child. Provide the NCR with a SAWS 2 Plus, Refer the NCR to District Office to complete the CalWORKS application process.

District Office Staff will follow the existing business process for file clearance and application registration for NCR CWs applications.

The following process must be used when an approved caretaker relative requests to apply for CalWORKs:

STAGE	WHO	ACTION
1.	Client Services Technician (CST)	Receives SAWS 2 Plus stamped with ARC in upper right hand corner. Follows existing application registration procedures. Note: NCR with no children other than the ARC eligible child shall be processed according to CWs BEnDS 15-11.
2.	Intake Eligibility Worker	Will follow existing intake interview process.
		If...	Then
		Not eligible for Cal- WORKs,	Deny CalWORKs application Refer client back to Foster Care EW.
		Eligible for Cal- WORKs,	Approve and authorize CalWORKs application. Email Foster Care EW to inform of case disposition. Transfer case to designated Continuing EW following existing business procedures.
3.	Designated Continuing ARC EW	Receives NCR case. Follows existing ongoing case maintenance procedures.

Approved Relative Caregiver (ARC) Funding Option Program

ARC Case Processing

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