Transcript of 1 CalWORKs California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids October 2007.
- Slide 1
- 1 CalWORKs California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to
Kids October 2007
- Slide 2
- 2
- Slide 3
- 3 A Little History
- Slide 4
- 4 Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) Federal/State
Relationship Federal/State Relationship Entitlement Program
Entitlement Program No Limits No Limits
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- 5 1996 Federal Welfare Reform Personal Responsibility and Work
Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families (TANF) Federal/State Relationship Change Block Grant
Funding Time-Limited Aid Flexibility Reauthorization
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- 6 CalWORKs CalWORKs is a major component of Californias
implementation of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families),
the federal welfare reform effort authorized by the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) in
1996. CalWORKs is a major component of Californias implementation
of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), the federal
welfare reform effort authorized by the Personal Responsibility and
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) in 1996. CalWORKs was
enacted by state legislation (Assembly Bill 1542) and became
effective in California January 1, 1998. CalWORKs was enacted by
state legislation (Assembly Bill 1542) and became effective in
California January 1, 1998.
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- 7 Principles of CalWORKs Welfare is temporary in times of
crisis time limited cash aid. Welfare is temporary in times of
crisis time limited cash aid. Personal
responsibility/accountability is encouraged and rewarded assisting
families to achieve self-sufficiency. Personal
responsibility/accountability is encouraged and rewarded assisting
families to achieve self-sufficiency. Work first attitude is
fostered through strict work requirements minimum hourly
participation requirements. Work first attitude is fostered through
strict work requirements minimum hourly participation requirements.
Counties have flexibility to meet recipients needs for services.
Counties have flexibility to meet recipients needs for services.
Requirement for new and expanded partnerships. Requirement for new
and expanded partnerships.
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- 8 CalWORKs Caseload Total caseload = 424,060 - Single-parent
families = 166,378 - Two-parent families = 29,455 - Child-only =
158,066 - TANF timed-out = 26,868 - Safety net = 43,293 *Data
source: CalWORKs Cash Grant Caseload Movement Report (CA 237), June
2007
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- 9 CalWORKs Budget $7.3 Billion - State, local, and federal
funds $5.1 billion CalWORKs program, incl.: $5.1 billion CalWORKs
program, incl.: - CalWORKs cash grants - Employment Services/Admin.
-Automation $2.2 billion non-CalWORKs assistance, incl.: $2.2
billion non-CalWORKs assistance, incl.: - Foster care - Adoption
assistance - Refugee cash assistance
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- 10 CalWORKs Eligibility... Caretaker Relatedness Child must be
deprived of parental care or support due to: Death Death Incapacity
Incapacity Absence Absence Unemployment Unemployment
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- 11 Other Eligibility Factors Property Income Minor Parent
Requirements WTW requirements Time Limits
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- 12 Personal Responsibility and Accountability Immunizations
Immunizations School attendance School attendance Child support
Child support
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- 13 CalWORKs Grants... Grant Levels Grant Levels Two Grant
Structures Region 1 & 2 Region 1--Higher cost of living
(coastal counties) Region 1--Higher cost of living (coastal
counties) Region 2--Lower cost of living Region 2--Lower cost of
living Exempt/Non-Exempt Maximum Aid Payment (MAP )
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- 14 Whos In the Assistance Unit? Child for whom aid is requested
Child for whom aid is requested Any eligible sibling or
half-sibling in the home Any eligible sibling or half-sibling in
the home The parents of all eligible children The parents of all
eligible children Optional persons Optional persons Non-parent
caretaker relative Other eligible children Other essential
persons
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- 15 Whos Ineligible? FLEEING FELONS FLEEING FELONS DRUG FELONS
DRUG FELONS FRAUD FRAUD
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- 16 Special Needs Pregnancy Pregnancy Homeless assistance
Homeless assistance
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- 17 Determining Eligibility Application Application Annual
Redetermination Annual Redetermination Quarterly Quarterly
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- 18 60-Month Time Limits Adult parents are eligible for 60
months of cash aid. Adult parents are eligible for 60 months of
cash aid. Clock Stoppers--exemptions that stop month(s) of aid from
counting toward the 60-month time limit. Clock Stoppers--exemptions
that stop month(s) of aid from counting toward the 60-month time
limit. Time Extenders--exceptions that can result in a recipients
remaining on aid beyond the 60-month time limit. Time
Extenders--exceptions that can result in a recipients remaining on
aid beyond the 60-month time limit.
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- 19 CalWORKs Time Limit Exemptions Clock Stoppers Eligible for,
participating in, or exempt from Cal- Learn program. Eligible for,
participating in, or exempt from Cal- Learn program. Living in
Indian Country Living in Indian Country Advanced Age Advanced Age
Disabled Disabled Aid reimbursed by child support Aid reimbursed by
child support Grant amount $10 or less Grant amount $10 or less
Employed and receiving only supportive services Employed and
receiving only supportive services Caretaking responsibilities for:
Caretaking responsibilities for: Ill or incapacitated person
Dependent child of the court or child at risk of placement in
foster care Unaided Unaided Domestic Abuse (Good Cause) Domestic
Abuse (Good Cause)
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- 20 CalWORKs Time Limit Exceptions--Time Limit Extenders
Advanced Age Advanced Age Caretaking responsibilities Caretaking
responsibilities Disabled--receiving SDI, TDI, IHSS or SSP benefits
and the disability impairs ability to work/participate
Disabled--receiving SDI, TDI, IHSS or SSP benefits and the
disability impairs ability to work/participate Unable to maintain
employment or participate Unable to maintain employment or
participate Unaided Unaided Domestic Abuse (Good Cause) Domestic
Abuse (Good Cause)
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- 21 Safety Net Eligible children continue to get cash aid after
their parents have exhausted their 60-month time limit. Eligible
children continue to get cash aid after their parents have
exhausted their 60-month time limit. Timed-out adults are not
eligible for General Assistance until the youngest child on aid is
18. Timed-out adults are not eligible for General Assistance until
the youngest child on aid is 18.
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- 22 CalWORKs Focus on Families CalLearn: services for CalWORKs
pregnant and parenting teens to help them stay in school and get a
high school diploma or equivalent. CalLearn: services for CalWORKs
pregnant and parenting teens to help them stay in school and get a
high school diploma or equivalent. Family Planning Project: family
planning services information material for CalWORKs clients. Family
Planning Project: family planning services information material for
CalWORKs clients.
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- 23 CalWORKs Family Reunification Program Established May 2002
Established May 2002 Eligibility: Eligibility: CalWORKs recipient
families whose children are removed from the home and determined to
need CalWORKs services for family reunification Up to 180 days of
services, with exceptions Up to 180 days of services, with
exceptions No CalWORKs cash aid or cash-linked MediCal: eligible
for Food Stamps No CalWORKs cash aid or cash-linked MediCal:
eligible for Food Stamps
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- 24 Meeting the Challenge Eligibilitys role in supporting work
efforts Eligibilitys role in supporting work efforts
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- 25 Welfare-To-Work Federal reauthorization and reforms Federal
reauthorization and reforms Californias challenge to meet federal
WPR Californias challenge to meet federal WPR requirements
requirements CalWORKs WTW participation requirements CalWORKs WTW
participation requirements Services to remove barriers to
employment Services to remove barriers to employment
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- 26 2006 Welfare Reform TANF Reauthorization TANF
Reauthorization In the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 Signed by the
President February 8, 2006 Signed by the President February 8, 2006
Federal Interim Final Rule Published June 29, 2006 Published June
29, 2006 Governors Budget 2006-07 (AB 1808) Governors Budget
2006-07 (AB 1808) Approved by Governor and filed with the Secretary
of State July 12, 2006
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- 27 Major Impacts of TANF Reauthorization Recalibration of the
caseload reduction credit Recalibration of the caseload reduction
credit Newly identified work eligible individuals Newly identified
work eligible individuals Work activities defined Work activities
defined Work verification plan requirement Work verification plan
requirement
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- 28 Work Participation Rate Those participating the required
number of hours -------------------------- Those required to
participate All-families = 50% All-families = 50% Two-parent = 90%
Two-parent = 90%
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- 29 Caseload Reduction Credit and Work Participation Rate
Caseload Reduction Credit (CRC) base year changed from 1995 to 2005
Caseload Reduction Credit (CRC) base year changed from 1995 to 2005
Projected All Families CRC for Federal Fiscal Year 2007 50%
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- 30 Projected WPR for FFY 2006 with New Populations Projected
All Families WPR: 22.2% (FFY 2006) 50%
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- 31 Who is work eligible? Adult (or minor child
head-of-household) receiving assistance under TANF or SSP Adult (or
minor child head-of-household) receiving assistance under TANF or
SSP Non-recipient parent living with a child receiving assistance
(child-only recipients) Non-recipient parent living with a child
receiving assistance (child-only recipients) Work-eligible
individuals that are in Separate State Programs funded with state
Maintenance of Effort dollars (two-parent recipients) Work-eligible
individuals that are in Separate State Programs funded with state
Maintenance of Effort dollars (two-parent recipients)
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- 32 Effect on WPR Denominator Cases in WPR Denominator "Work
Eligible Individuals" Based on 2005 Caseload Data Denominator Prior
to DRA 179,216
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- 33 Welfare-To-Work Federal reauthorization and reforms Federal
reauthorization and reforms Californias challenge to meet federal
WPR requirements Californias challenge to meet federal WPR
requirements CalWORKs WTW participation requirements CalWORKs WTW
participation requirements Services to remove barriers to
employment Services to remove barriers to employment
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- 34 The Challenge: Balance between CalWORKs and TANF CalWORKs is
designed to provide flexibility to counties to meet the unique
needs of their diverse populations CalWORKs is designed to provide
flexibility to counties to meet the unique needs of their diverse
populations Participation requirements are different, more flexible
in CalWORKs than TANF Required hours of participation vary from
TANF Required hours of participation vary from TANF Activity time
limits vary from TANF Activity time limits vary from TANF
Exemptions/Disregards vary from TANF Exemptions/Disregards vary
from TANF
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- 35 The Challenge: Balance between CalWORKs and TANF (Cont.)
CDSS and others have worked hard to maintain the structure of the
CalWORKs program CDSS and others have worked hard to maintain the
structure of the CalWORKs program Goal: Find balance between
maintaining the fundamentals of CalWORKs while meeting federal
requirements and safeguarding the state from fiscal penalties Goal:
Find balance between maintaining the fundamentals of CalWORKs while
meeting federal requirements and safeguarding the state from fiscal
penalties
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- 36 Meeting the Challenge Maintain the participation level of
those currently meeting the WPR requirements Maintain the
participation level of those currently meeting the WPR requirements
Increase participation for those partially participating Increase
participation for those partially participating Fully engage those
who are not participating Fully engage those who are not
participating Re-engage sanctioned and noncompliant cases Re-engage
sanctioned and noncompliant cases Strive for better data Strive for
better data
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- 37 AB 1808 Policy Required data master plan and data publishing
Required data master plan and data publishing Required county peer
reviews Required county peer reviews Ended durational sanctions
Ended durational sanctions Clarified shared penalties Clarified
shared penalties Required county plan addendum Required county plan
addendum
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- 38 Welfare-To-Work Federal reauthorization and reforms Federal
reauthorization and reforms Californias challenge to meet federal
WPR Californias challenge to meet federal WPR requirements
requirements CalWORKs WTW participation requirements CalWORKs WTW
participation requirements Services to remove barriers to
employment Services to remove barriers to employment
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- 39 Typical CalWORKs Flow Orientation Orientation Appraisal
Appraisal Job Search (4 weeks) Job Search (4 weeks) Assessment
Assessment WTW Plan with assigned activities WTW Plan with assigned
activities Exception to flow Self-Initiated Programs (SIPs)
Full-timed employed (no WTW Plan)
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- 40 Welfare-to-Work Plan After assessment, able-bodied
recipients must enter into a written WTW Plan. After assessment,
able-bodied recipients must enter into a written WTW Plan. Exempt
recipients who volunteer to participate must also have a WTW Plan.
Exempt recipients who volunteer to participate must also have a WTW
Plan. Plans include: Plans include: Activities and services that
will move the participant into employment and toward
self-sufficiency One or more core and/or non-core activities for
the required minimum hours. No minimum hours for volunteers Adult
basic education, when necessary Description of needed supportive
services (transportation, child care, ancillary expenses) School
attendance requirements for children
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- 41 CalWORKs Work Requirements Strict work requirements support
the programs focus Strict work requirements support the programs
focus on work first on work first Single parents must participate
32 hours per week Single parents must participate 32 hours per week
2-parent families must participate 35 hours per week 2-parent
families must participate 35 hours per week Noncompliance with work
requirements results in a financial sanction equal to the adults
portion of the familys grant. The adult is removed from the AU
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- 42 Work Requirement Exemptions Under age 16 Age 16, 17, or 18
and attending school full time Age 16 or 17 with a high school
diploma (or equivalent) and enrolled or planning to enroll in
postsecondary educational, vocational, or technical school training
60 years of age
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- 43 Work Requirement Exemptions (contd) Disability that
significantly impairs ability to be regularly employed Nonparent
relative caring for a dependent/ward of the court or child at risk
of foster care placement Caring for a disabled family member
Parents with very young children Pregnancy that impairs ability to
be regularly employed Full-time VISTA volunteer
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- 44 CalWORKs Work Activities At least 20 hours per week in core
activities directly related to work. The balance of the 32/35 hour
participation requirement can be spent in non-core activities. Some
non-core hours can be counted toward the 20-hour core
requirement.
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- 45 CalWORKs Core Activities Unsubsidized employment Subsidized
private or public sector employment Subsidized private or public
sector employment Self employment Self employment Job search and
job readiness assistance Job search and job readiness assistance
Work experience Work experience On-the-job-training (OJT)
On-the-job-training (OJT) Grant-based OJT Grant-based OJT Supported
work or transitional employment Supported work or transitional
employment Work study Work study Community service Community
service Vocational education and training (up to 12 months)
Vocational education and training (up to 12 months)
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- 46 Adult basic education Adult basic education Education
directly related to employment Education directly related to
employment Job skills training directly related to employment Job
skills training directly related to employment Satisfactory
progress in secondary education Satisfactory progress in secondary
education Barrier removal activities - mental health, substance
abuse, and domestic abuse services Barrier removal activities -
mental health, substance abuse, and domestic abuse services
Non-core work activities that can count toward 20-hour core
requirements CalWORKS Non-Core Activities
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- 47 CalWORKS Non-Core Activities (contd) Non-core activities
that cannot count toward the 20-hour core requirement Vocational
education and training Vocational education and training (after
counting as core for 12 months) Participation in non-core
vocational education prohibits counting any non-core activity
toward the 20-hour core requirement Participation required by the
school to ensure a childs attendance Participation required by the
school to ensure a childs attendance Other activities necessary to
assist an individual in obtaining unsubsidized employment Other
activities necessary to assist an individual in obtaining
unsubsidized employment
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- 48 Supportive Services Child Care Child Care Three-phase system
Child care reimbursement rates are standardized with the California
Department of Education (CDE). Transportation Transportation
Counties provide reimbursement for the least costly form of public
transportation. If public transportation not available, mileage
reimbursement for individual to use vehicle. Ancillary Ancillary
Books, tools, clothing specifically required for the job, fees and
other necessary costs (tuition is not considered an ancillary
expense.)
- Slide 49
- 49 Good Cause for Temporarily Not Participating in CalWORKs WTW
Activities Lack of necessary supportive services Lack of necessary
supportive services Child care not reasonably available during
hours of training or employment Child care not reasonably available
during hours of training or employment Other reasons, as defined by
county, such as: Other reasons, as defined by county, such as:
Death in the family Court appearance Sick child Individuals who are
excused from participation with good cause are subject to the
60-month time limits Individuals who are excused from participation
with good cause are subject to the 60-month time limits
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- 50 Noncompliance When determined noncompliant, within 20 days,
the recipient can When determined noncompliant, within 20 days, the
recipient can Provide a good cause reason not participating Agree
to a compliance plan when no good cause exists With no good cause
reason and no compliance plan, a financial sanction is imposed With
no good cause reason and no compliance plan, a financial sanction
is imposed Noncompliant participant removed from assistance unit,
resulting in a reduction in familys cash grant
- Slide 51
- 51 Noncompliance Noncompliance means a participant
Noncompliance means a participant Failed to sign a WTW Plan Failed
to participate in assigned activity Failed to provide proof of
satisfactory progress Failed to accept or continue employment at
same level of earnings
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- 52 Welfare-To-Work Federal reauthorization and reforms Federal
reauthorization and reforms Californias challenge to meet federal
WPR Californias challenge to meet federal WPR requirements
requirements CalWORKs WTW participation requirements CalWORKs WTW
participation requirements Services to remove barriers to
employment Services to remove barriers to employment
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- 53 Learning Disabilities (LD) LD: A heterogeneous group of
disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition
and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or
mathematical abilities LD: A heterogeneous group of disorders
manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use
of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or mathematical
abilities Enrollees screened no later than appraisal and at other
specified times, such as in good cause determinations Enrollees
screened no later than appraisal and at other specified times, such
as in good cause determinations Recipients can waive right to LD
screening Recipients can waive right to LD screening Referred to LD
evaluation when screening shows potential LD Referred to LD
evaluation when screening shows potential LD When evaluation shows
LD, the WTW Plan will include accommodation based on evaluation
When evaluation shows LD, the WTW Plan will include accommodation
based on evaluation
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- 54 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Mental health
services include assessment, case management, treatment, and
rehabilitation services Mental health services include assessment,
case management, treatment, and rehabilitation services Substance
abuse services include assessment, treatment, employment
counseling, provision of community service jobs, or other
appropriate services Substance abuse services include assessment,
treatment, employment counseling, provision of community service
jobs, or other appropriate services Counties must work with mental
health and substance abuse treatment providers to establish
linkages to treatment services Counties must work with mental
health and substance abuse treatment providers to establish
linkages to treatment services
- Slide 55
- 55 Domestic Abuse Services The Federal Family Violence Option
PRWORA of 1996 allows states to address domestic violence in state
welfare plans under TANF by: PRWORA of 1996 allows states to
address domestic violence in state welfare plans under TANF by:
Confidentially screening applicants for domestic Confidentially
screening applicants for domestic abuse abuse Providing referrals
for counseling and supportive Providing referrals for counseling
and supportive services services Granting good cause waivers
Granting good cause waivers
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- 56 Goals of CalWORKs Provisions for Domestic Abuse Victims are
not placed at further risk or unfairly penalized by CalWORKs
requirements Victims are not placed at further risk or unfairly
penalized by CalWORKs requirements Program requirements do not
encourage a victim to remain with the abuser Program requirements
do not encourage a victim to remain with the abuser Participation
in WTW activities is encouraged to enable clients to obtain
employment and move safely toward self-sufficiency Participation in
WTW activities is encouraged to enable clients to obtain employment
and move safely toward self-sufficiency
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- 57 Domestic Abuse Waivers A county may waive, on a case-by-case
basis with good cause, any program requirement, including, but not
limited to A county may waive, on a case-by-case basis with good
cause, any program requirement, including, but not limited to Time
limits on receipt of aid Work and education requirements Paternity
establishment Child support cooperation requirements Maximum family
grant rule
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- 58 Domestic Abuse Waivers (contd) Program requirements that
cannot be waived Program requirements that cannot be waived
Deprivation Assets Income Homeless assistance
- Slide 59
- 59 Importance of Collaboration Between Child Welfare Services
and CalWORKs 60 percent of Child Welfare Cases have history of
welfare receipt 60 percent of Child Welfare Cases have history of
welfare receipt Close collaboration can ensure program requirements
do not conflict Close collaboration can ensure program requirements
do not conflict Families receive services they need to achieve
child well being and self-sufficiency Families receive services
they need to achieve child well being and self-sufficiency
- Slide 60
- 60 Questions and Answers...