Family Services (FS) Program CalSAWS & DEBS Referral Application

This section provides a summary of the service [Need] types used when referring clients to the Family Services (FS) Unit, adding FS/Welfare-to-Work (WTW) related Plans into CalSAWS, activities associated with FS,  and identifying FS individuals. 

DEBS Referral Application

The DEBS Referral Application is used to refer eligible WTW clients to the FS Unit and track referral outcomes. To initiate a referral to Family Services, the Associate Employment Counselor (AEC)/Employment Counselor (EC) will create an internal referral. The DEBS Referral Application can be accessed through the DEBS Refer icon listed under SSA Applications. For additional guidance, AECs/ECs can refer to the, DEBS Referral App User Guide. The AEC/EC will follow the guidance below when initiating a Family Services Referral:

• In the Program field, select 'WTW'.  If the client is a Cal-Learn participant select 'CL'.  
• In the Referral Type field, select 'Employment Services'.
• In the Provider Name field, select 'Family Services Referral'.
• In the Referral Comments field, the AEC/EC should include as much information received to describe the client's housing need and situation. 
• Attachments: The Family Services Program Cover Sheet (SCD 2417) is mandatory. Additional supportive documents to substantiate the client's need are desired. 

CalSAWS FS Plans

To track participants in an FS Plan and those who transition from an FS Plan to a WTW Plan, the FS AEC/EC will enter a FS Agreement plan. The following agreement descriptions are to be entered by the FS EC in the Activity Agreement Detail page:

To add a FS Agreement Plan the FS EC will:

• Select the  participating FS client in the Name field. 

• Select 'Other' in the Form Type field.

• Enter the date of the signed Family Service Plan (SCD 2392) in the Signature Date field. 
• Select 'Family Stabilization' in the Program field. 
• Select 'Yes' in the Family Crisis field. 

To add an integrated plan, which is both an FS Plan and a WTW Agreement, follow the instructions above and also the steps below:

• Select the participating FS client in the Name field.
• Select 'WTW 2' in the Form Type field.
• Enter the date of the signed Welfare-To-Work Plan Activity Assignment (WTW 2) in the Form Type field.
• Select 'Family Stabilization' in the Program field.
• Select 'Yes' in the Family Crisis field.

Note: For a one-day/one-time FS payment without ongoing services, a one-day FS Plan (SCD 2392) is required, and a one-day FS Plan is entered in CalSAWS.

CalSAWS FS Barriers

When the FS Plan is a one-day plan or a 12-month plan, the FS AEC/EC will add the appropriate housing barrier in the Barriers Detail page:

• Select the Participating FS client under the Name field. 
• Select 'Family Stabilization' in the Category field.
• Select 'Housing' in the Type field when the client signs a 12-month CalWORKs Housing Support Program (CHSP) Plan, or 'Homeless' in the Type field when the client signs a one-day or 30-day plan.
• Enter the Begin Date (use the enrollment date if the client is participating in the CHSP) in the Begin Date field. 
• Enter the End Date (completion date of the FS Plan) in the End Date field. 

FS Recipients

FS individuals can be children and/or parents. In the Activity Agreement Detail page, select the appropriate eligible participant for the FS plan.