Health Alliance Services Program Requirements

Program Eligibility

Refer to CWES Handbook Health Alliance (HA) Services Program Eligibility.

Informing Requirements

All CalWORKs applicants and recipients must be informed of the availability of HA services.

Clients must be assured that utilizing HA services will not result in negative consequences (e.g., reduced benefits, law enforcement involvement, etc.).

EWs and ECs must inform the client that they can self-disclose any substance abuse or mental health issues at any time. Prime opportunities may exist at the time of benefits application or during Employment Services participation.

The CalWORKs Community Health Alliance Behavioral Services for CalWORKs Clients (SCD 2230) brochure must be provided to each CalWORKs assistance unit (AU):

During the intake process,
At the annual CalWORKs RD, and
Any time the client requests substance abuse/mental health services.

EWs and ECs must review the SCD 2230 brochure and document on the CalSAWS Journal Detail page that substance abuse and mental health information was explained and provided.

Confidentiality and Disclosure

A client’s confidentiality must be protected at all times. With the exception of mandated reporting responsibilities associated with child or elder abuse and/or the client is at risk of harm to themselves or others, information is not to be shared with any other agencies, resource and referral program or to any employee of the agency who is not directly involved in the client’s case, unless a written release of information has been signed or the information is required to be disclosed by law.

When a client chooses not to disclose participation in the HA to their EW or EC, the information must be held confidential by the HA provider.

The client must be advised that they will not be permitted to:

Utilize "a temporary absence" to continue to be eligible for CalWORKs when confined to a treatment facility for more than 30 days.
Integrate HA activities into their WTW plan. They must meet their required hours of participation through other CWES activities.
Benefit from support services, such as transportation and child care for the specific purpose of participating in HA activities.

The Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information Pursuant to HIPAA (SCD 27) is completed by HA with the client to obtain their consent to release information to EWs or ECs.

Temporary Absence

Clients may be confined to a treatment facility which may exceed the "30 days" or the "one full calendar month" time limitation. Clients entering a medical hospital, psychiatric care facility, or a drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation treatment facility are considered "temporarily absent" from the home for the entire duration of their confinement under the "hospitalization" exception criteria and may continue to be eligible for cash aid. Refer to Temporary Absence.

The HA service provider will notify the EW via the CalWORKs Referral Results (SCD 29) if the client is in a residential treatment that will last 30 days or more.

Note: To be in compliance with Cal-Learn requirements, Cal-Learn clients who are confined to a treatment center/hospital must submit verification of their treatment to their case manager to determine Good Cause/Deferral.

Participation Requirements

Refer to CWES Handbook Health Alliance (HA) Participation Requirements.

Support Services

Refer to CWES Handbook Health Alliance (HA) Support Services.