State Releases Mental Health Needs Assessment Document

The State Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released the final Section 1115 Waiver Behavioral Health Services Needs Assessment last week as part of the terms and conditions for the federal Section 1115 Medicaid Bridge to Reform Waiver of 2010. 

The report, funded by the California Endowment and the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration, was developed to review the needs and service utilization of current Medicaid recipients and identify opportunities to ready Medi-Cal for the expansion of enrollees under federal health care reform in 2014. 

The DHCS will use the report to develop a Service System Plan that is required to be submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by October 1. The Department has already posted a draft work plan that will serve as a foundation for the final report. 

To view the assessment, draft work plan, timelines and opportunities for participation, please visit the DHCS Waiver website.
 

CalWORKs

AB 1640 (Mitchell) – Support
As Introduced on February 13, 2012

AB 1640, by Assembly Member Holly Mitchell, would change the state’s CalWORKs statute to allow for pregnant women (with no other children in the household) to become eligible for CalWORKs basic needs grants and full-scope 1931(b) Medi-Cal benefits upon verification of a pregnancy.

CSAC supports the bill, which will be heard by the Assembly Human Services Committee on March 20. 

AB 1691 (Lowenthal, B.) – Support
As Introduced on February 15, 2012

AB 1691, by Assembly Member Bonnie Lowenthal, would allow non-English speaking CalWORKs recipients, which include refugees and other legal immigrants, to participate in English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction for eight months. Time spent in ESL instruction would count as a core activity and counties would have the option of extending ESL participation for up to 12 months on a case-by-case basis. 

CSAC supports AB 1691, which will be heard by the Assembly Human Services Committee on March 20. 

AB 1998 (Achadjian) – Support
As Introduced on February 23, 2012

AB 1998, by Assembly Member Katcho Achadjian, is a simple measure to help bridge the “digital divide” for needy county residents by allowing counties to donate surplus computer property directly to public program recipients to aid them in employment and assistance efforts. 

The County of Santa Barbara is sponsoring the measure, and it allows other Boards the option to also enact local policy for this purpose. CSAC supports AB 1998, which will be heard by the Assembly Local Government Committee on April 18. 

SB 1060 (Hancock) – Support
As Introduced on February 13, 2012

SB 1060, by Senator Loni Hancock, would allow parents who have been convicted of a drug-related felony and completed a government-recognized treatment program to qualify for CalWORKs program employment services and benefits.

Senator Hancock’s SB 1060 would allow California to join with 13 other states in opting out of the federal lifetime ban on receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF grants – CalWORKs here in California) funding for those with past drug felonies. California already allows those with certain drug-related felonies to receive Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps, called CalFresh in California) benefits. 

Counties believe that SB 1060 provides an important tool for counties post-2011 realignment. By removing the lifetime ban on receiving CalWORKs benefits for parents convicted of drug-related felonies, counties will be able to provide employment activities and services to recipients with the goal of achieving employment and self sufficiency, as well as safely reintegrating them back into our communities. Additionally, CalWORKs grants are primarily used by families towards housing costs. Access to CalWORKs will provide parents assistance with housing – a key component necessary to get and retain a job.

Counties believe that in the long-tern SB 1060 would assist in reducing recidivism, saving our counties, the state, and communities significant social and fiscal costs. The Senate Human Services Committee will hear SB 1060 on March 27. 

CalFresh

AB 1560 (Fuentes) – Support
As Introduced on January 30, 2012

AB 1560, by Assembly Member Felipe Fuentes, will help low-income families who are eligible for the state’s Medi-Cal program to also receive CalFresh nutritional benefits. 

Specifically, AB 1560 would waive the gross income test for any individual who receives, or is eligible to receive, Medi-Cal medical benefits. The measure would also allow those who live in households with those who receive or are eligible to receive Medi-Cal benefits to qualify for the CalFresh program. 

CSAC supports AB 1560, which will be heard by the Assembly Human Services Committee on April 10.