Coordinating Case Plan

The following are procedures to follow after a case has been identified and assigned to the Partnership Associate Employment Counselor (AEC)/Employment Counselor (EC) as a Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS)/Department of Employment and Benefit Services (DEBS) Common Case.

  1. The Partnership AEC/EC:
    1. Conducts one-on-one CalWORKs Employment Services (CWES) Orientation, if necessary.
    2. Conducts on-site interviews at different district offices, shelters, and public places.
  2. The Partnership AEC/EC, DFCS Social Worker (SW), and client, if possible, must coordinate to develop a Common Case plan.

If the child is...

Ideally, collaboration must be held...

Not in protective custody,

Within five working days.

In protective custody,

Before the case is presented in court, which is usually between 18 and 25 days.

The meeting will include:

  • Identifying the client's strengths, barriers, needs, and concerns.
  • Making appropriate referrals.
  • Reviewing and identifying the client’s CWES activities and hours within the plan to be integrated with DFCS.
  • Reviewing and identifying the client’s DFCS plan (may be under development or already set) activities and hours within the plan to be integrated with CWES.
  • Reviewing expectations and verifying the client’s requirements.
  • Having the client sign a CalWORKs/DFCS Common Case Communication and Coordination Form (SCD/SCZ 1811) and a Welfare-to-Work Plan Activity Assignment (WTW 2) and forwarding a copy to Imaging.
  • Identifying and approving supportive services to support the plan.
  • Planning the next steps with the client at completion of their CalWORKs DFCS Integrated Plan or end of Common Case status.
  1. The Partnership AEC/EC provides assistance and case management services for the client, including working with the DFCS SW to:
    1. Monitor the client’s CalWORKs/DFCS plans for progress and compliance.
    2. Communicate client issues and barriers.
    3. Make adjustments as needed.
    4. Coordinate supportive services and authorize ancillary expense payments.
    5. Attend DFCS Child and Family Team (CFT) and Family Unification Program (FUP) as needed (mandatory DFCS clients).

In coordination with the DFCS SW, identifies clients who may benefit from Family Services Program (FSP) and DFCS Bringing Families Home (BFH):

If...

Then...

Case is FSP,
  • Coordinates triage and initiates referral to FSP when requested
  • Follows up with the Family Services AEC/EC Specialist as necessary for participation outcomes.
  • Invites SW to FSP case conference.

Case is DFCS BFH,
  • Initiates referral to BFH as needed.
  • Follows up with the BFH Service Contractor on outcome.
  • Attends BFH Team Meeting to coordinate case plan and services.
  1. The DFCS SW sends an email to the assigned Partnership EC Supervisor.
    1. The DFCS-DEBS SSBS Liaison and/or SW Analyst sends an email to CommonCase@ssa.sccgov.org when the DFCS case is closed.
  2. The Partnership AEC/EC:

If...

Then...
The case is still active with CWES, Submit case transfer to appropriate Case Management (CM) district office.

The case is discontinued,

Over income: Post-Aid Services (PAS)

Failure to comply with DEBS: closed files.
  • Notifies the DFCS SW if the CalWORKs case or CWES case closes.
  • End dates the Special Indicator in CalSAWS.

Participation Hours

The time a CWES client spends participating in a DFCS activity is counted towards their CWES participation hours. DFCS activities include, but are not limited to, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings, counseling, parenting classes, visitations, court appearances, domestic violence service, and drug treatment.

Note: The activity must be listed on the SCD/SCZ 1811 and WTW 2.

The Activity Tracking (SCD/SCZ 1811 A) is used to track the client’s DFCS activities. Progress in a DFCS activity is based on attendance and participation as defined by the service provider.

Related Topics

Family Reunification Services Only (AB 429)

Identifying Common Cases

Integrated Common Case Plan