Santa Clara County Social Services Agency

Agency Memorandum #09-25

July 8, 2009

DFCS Staff

Updates on Dual Agency Rate and Supplement
Overview
/ This memorandum is to provide the following updates:
§  For children under the age of 3 years participating in Early Start, it may be financially advantageous for the foster care provider to receive a basic foster care rate and a Special Care Increment (SCI), rather than the $898 Dual Agency rate. This might be particularly the case when the child has special medical needs. If it is higher, the basic rate and SCI can be authorized rather than the $898 Dual Agency Rate.
o  Note that if the child reaches the age of 3 and is determined by the Regional Center to be developmentally disabled, the Dual Agency rate of $2,006 a month, plus a Supplement to the Dual Agency rate may be more financially advantageous and can be considered at that time.
§  The California Department of Social Services and the Department of Developmental Services must report to the State Legislature various data on a semi-annual basis. Certain data elements regarding the Supplement that cannot be collected via CWS/CMS are being collected in quarterly statistical reports. Procedures are updated to facilitate the collection of this non-CWS/CMS data.
Procedures to Gather Non-CWS/CMS Data for Quarterly Statistical Reports
/ The quarterly statistical report will be prepared by Administrative Support Bureau staff. The non-CWS/CMS data that needs to be collected falls into 2 categories:
1.  Pending requests for eligibility determination for the Supplement
§  Pending request information will be gathered via responses from Social Workers to an all staff email to be issued soon after the end of each quarter. Social Workers will be asked to report pending requests to specified Administrative Support staff via email.
2.  The rate level requested by caregivers
§  It is best practice to review the Supplement rate eligibility process with the caregiver and to maintain ongoing communication about the status of the eligibility process with the caregiver as it proceeds. While the Social Worker does not need to try to obtain a specific rate level amount requested from the caregiver, if during the eligibility determination process, the caregiver requests a specific Supplement rate level ($250, $500, $750 or $1,000), the requested amount is recorded on the revised “Dual Agency Rate and/or Supplement Authorization” form (SCZ 4 – Rev. 6-25-09). A copy of the revised SCZ 4 is attached. It is available on the G drive and via a link in OPP Chapter 18-7.1 – Supplement to the Dual Agency Rate.
Background and References
/ In 2007, SB 84 authorized Dual Agency rates for AFDC and AAP eligible children under the age of 3 years who are receiving services under the California Early Start Intervention Services Act (Early Start) in the amount of $898 a month, and for children age 3 years and older who are determined by the Regional Center to be developmentally disabled in the amount of $2,006 a month. The law also authorized a Supplement to the Dual Agency rate for children ages 3 years and older. The Supplement rate levels are $250, $500, $750, or $1,000.
References:
§  Agency Memorandum #08-18, “Dual Agency Rates (June 27, 2008)
§  OPP Chapter 18-7 – Dual Agency Rates.
§  Agency Memorandum #09-03, “Instructions for the Supplement to the Dual Agency Rate” (January 21, 2009)
§  OPP Chapter 18-7.1 – Supplement to the Dual Agency Rate

Reviewed by:

Lori A. Medina

Acting Director, Department of Family and Children’s Services

Contacts
/ For General Inquiries:
·  Mary Beth Rogers, Management Analyst, Special Funds Unit, 975-5680,
·  Rick Trapp, Management Analyst, Special Funds Unit, 975-5791,
For Post-Adoption Inquiries:
§  Irene Peoples, Social Work Supervisor, Post-Adoption Services, 975- 5153,

Santa Clara County

Social Services Agency

Department of Family and Children’s Services

DUAL AGENCY RATE AND/OR SUPPLEMENT AUTHORIZATION

CASE INFORMATION
Case Name: / DFCS Case #:
Name of Child : / DOB: / SSN:
Check all that apply and attach required documentation)
FOR NEWLY ESTABLISHED DUAL AGENCY RATES
1) Dual Agency Rate newly established effective Date for a child age 3 and older who has been determined to be developmentally disabled by the regional center AND eligible for AFDC-FC or AAP - $2006. Attach a copy of the regional center documentation.
2) Dual Agency Rate newly established effective Date for a child under age 3 in Early Start who HAS NOT been determined by the regional center to be developmentally disabled - $898 Attach a copy of the Regional center documentation. (Child is not eligible for the Supplement).
3) Dual Agency Rate newly established effective Date for a child under age 3 in Early Start AND determined by the Regional Center to be developmentally disabled - $2006 Attach a copy of the Regional center documentation. (Child is not eligible for the Supplement).
FOR SUPPLEMENT (Children age 3 years and older ONLY)
4)  Dual Agency Rate previously established – this is authorization concerns only the Supplement
5)  Dual Agency Rate newly established as indicated in #1 above.
The child is age 3 years or older and is eligible for a Supplement to the Dual Agency Rate in the amount of $Amounteffective Date. Attach are the Questionnaire (SOC 837) and Eligibility Form (SOC 836) and, if applicable, the Supplement to the Dual Agency Rate Multiple Questionnaire Worksheet (SOC 835).
The caregiver did not request a specific rate
requested a specific rate of: $250 $500 $750 $1,000
SOCIAL WORKER AUTHORIZATION
Primary SW Name: / Wrk #: / Phone #:
Primary SW Signature:

Forward this Authorization to the Placement Tracking Team with a copy of required documentation as indicated above.

G:\template\forms\SCZ 4.doc
File: 2nd Fastener - Under / Dual Agency Rate and/or Supplement to Dual Agency Rate Authorization – Rev. 6/25/09
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