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Integrated Common Case Plan
The court-mandated or voluntary Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS) plan is integrated into the client’s Welfare-to-Work (WTW) plan.
In CalSAWS, the activity "DFCS" is used for Social Worker (SW) Home visits/contact, Court, doctor visits (if listed on case plan), parenting class, Child and Family Team (CFT), child visitations, and all other case plan activities. Mental Health Services (MHS), Substance Abuse Services, and Domestic Abuse survivors are individually recorded.
The Partnership Associate Employment Counselor (AEC)/Employment Counselor (EC) must evaluate the DFCS court plan, review the case with the DFCS SW, and meet with the client to initiate the integration of the court-mandated activities into the WTW plan. During the meeting, the Partnership AEC/EC must review with the client:
- CalWORKs Employment Services (CWES) participation requirements (hours of participation, satisfactory progress),
- Time limits (60-month time on aid (TOA) clock),
- Exemptions from CWES,
- Good cause,
- Advantages of integrating the DFCS court plan into the WTW plan, and
- Supportive services.
The Partnership AEC/EC makes a referral to assessment/re-assessment, as appropriate. A referral to assessment is not necessary for clients whose approved activity is Self-Initiated Programs (SIP) or if the client is full-time employed.
Reminder: Domestic abuse, drug, alcohol, and/or mental health issues should be explored using established procedures. Refer to CalWORKs Handbook Chapter 55 Domestic Abuse. For more information on Drug, Alcohol, and/or Mental Health, refer to CWES Handbook Chapter 16 Health Alliance.
The client must comply with DFCS and CWES requirements separately if plan integration is declined.
Note: The client must agree to CWES plan integration prior to referral to the Family Services Program (FSP).
CalWORKs 2.0
At the point of contact with the Partnership AEC/EC, the My Road Map, Potholes & Detours (SCD 2503) may be reviewed.
Supportive Services
Child care, transportation, and ancillary expenses are paid by the Partnership AEC/EC, if needed, for any DFCS services that become part of the WTW plan or are included in an integrated Family Reunification (FR) plan.
Participation Problem
With the exception of FR (Assembly Bill (AB) 429), clients who cease to participate and/or refuse to attend the required number of hours are considered to have a participation problem. A case conference which includes the Partnership AEC/EC, DFCS SW, and the client must be scheduled to determine the cause of non-participation. When the client is receiving Family Services (FS), the FS AEC/EC Specialist shall also be part of the case conference. If the client fails to show up for the case conference appointment, the Partnership AEC/EC must initiate the non-compliance process.
Note: FR (AB 429) clients are not subject to the non-compliance or sanction process. Please refer to the CWES Noncooperation section of Family Reunification Services Only (AB 429).
The Partnership AEC/EC and DFCS SW must keep each other informed of any participation problems. In order to prevent a sanction, the Partnership AEC/EC may accompany the DFCS SW on the home visits on a case-by-case basis.
Reminder: Because DFCS/CalWORKs common clients have many barriers, multiple measures to avoid a client sanction will be used, including phone calls, message media (text), emails, home visits, and sending certified letters. A client must not be sanctioned if the reason for non-compliance is related to a DFCS activity.
Upon issuance of the Notice Of Action - Welfare To Work Plan (NA 840) or the Notice Of Action - Sanction and Removal Of The Other Parent's Needs (NA 845), the Partnership EC Supervisor informs the SW Analyst and DFCS-DEBS SSBS Liaison.
Good Cause
The client is considered to have good cause if a DFCS court case plan has not been issued and required court appearances/legal issues prevent the client from participating in a CWES activity. The client must provide documentation of any court appearances. Other good cause reasons may include, but are not limited to, lack of necessary supportive services, homelessness, and if the client is a victim of domestic abuse.
Related Topics
Family Reunification Services Only (AB 429)
DFCS/DEBS Common Cases Overview