Dual Agency Rates (DAR)

The CDSS provided information regarding the new dual agency rates, effective July 1, 2007, for children who are served by both California Regional Centers and California Child Welfare and Probation Agencies. These are children receiving AFDC-FC, AAP or Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment (Kin-GAP) benefits. For more information refer to Dual Agency Children (DAC) and for Dual Agency Rates refer to Santa Clara Foster Care Rates.

New AAP cases, where the child was already in receipt of the DAR while in FC, a Regional Center Letter is not required for the FC EW case file. The adoption SW will keep the original letter from the FC case and transfer it to the AAP service case (SW case file). The AAP 2 will reflect the DAR rate.

During the reassessment period or at the request of the adoptive parents the adoption SW can approve the youth for the DAR. The rate change can be negotiated back to the date of the request, however, a new AAP 2 with the effective date is required.

DAR are always paid to the adoptive parents. These rates are subject to the annual CNI increases July 1 of each year without a new AAP 2. When a youth is eligible for the DAR there is no requirement for a new reassessment, however, the adoption SW may assess the child’s need and either increase or reduce the rate. When there is a rate change the adoption SW must provide new AAP 2.

Children Under Three Years Old

Children under three years old are eligible to receive the CESISA rate when they are not yet determined to be developmentally disabled. The rate is lower than the DAR. To avoid an overpayment the adoption SW must provide two AAP 2s, one for the CESISA rate and one for the basic rate until a determination for the DAR has been approved. Children under the age of three years old are eligible for the DAR but are not eligible for the dual agency supplements until they have reached the age of three.

Note: Whenever there is a change to the AAP rates, a new AAP 2 is required except for the CNI.

Dual Agency Supplements (DAS)

In addition to the DAR, dual agency children are also eligible for the DAS not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per month. These rates are only for dual agency children three years of age and older. The supplements has four rate levels, ($250, $500, $750, and $1000) based on the assessed severity of the dual agency child’s conditions. For AAP children the adoption SW must make the assessment and provide new AAP 2 instructions.

Documentation Required for Payment

The following documents are required for payment but are maintained in the adoption service file. In order to pay the DAR, the FC EW only requires a new AAP 2 with an effective begin date, but the following documents must be maintained in the adoption service file:

• “Supplement to the Dual Agency Rate – Multiple Questionnaire Worksheet”(SOC 835),
• “Supplement to the Rate Eligibility Form” (SOC 836),
• “Supplement to the Rate Questionnaire” (SOC 837), and
• “Dual Agency Rate and/or Supplement Authorization (SCZ 4).

Note: All DARs are subject to the annual CNIs without a new AAP 2, however, the DASs remain the same.

Related Topics

Adoption Assistance Program [EAS 35325 - 35352.2]