Budget Hearings Continue with a Focus on Kids

Both sides of the legislature held budget hearings this week that focused on programs that serve children in California: the Healthy Families Program, child support services, and the Child Welfare Services (CWS) system. 

The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1, chaired by Assembly Member Holly Mitchell, again met on both Monday and Wednesday. On Monday, the Subcommittee heard the Governor’s proposal to eliminate the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (MRMIB) and shift current all Healthy Families Program (HFP) children into the Medi-Cal program. 

The Subcommittee took action to shift Healthy Families children with incomes between 100 percent and 133 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) to Medi-Cal, beginning in 2012-13. Under federal health reform, children up to 133 percent FPL will be Medi-Cal eligible. The Subcommittee also adopted placeholder trailer bill language to authorize the shift and include provisions to ensure adequate planning, transition, and monitoring. 

On Wednesday, the Assembly Subcommittee considered the Governor’s proposal to suspend the county share of child support collections for one year, which would result in a net gain of $34.5 million for the state in the budget year. CSAC opposes this shift. The vast majority of counties use this funding to support CalWORKs program supports and services. The Subcommittee held the item open. 

The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3, chaired by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, met on Thursday to discuss the CWS system and the effect of the 2011 Realignment of programs to counties. They also discussed child support issues.

The Senate Subcommittee No. 3 will meet again next Thursday to discuss the Governor’s Coordinated Care Initiative and aging issues. The Assembly Subcommittee No. 1 will meet on Wednesday of next week to discuss alcohol and drug issues and the transfer of Drug Medi-Cal to counties under 2011 Realignment. 

CalWORKs

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 was passed by the Assembly on April 12. It now goes to the Senate. 

AB 1998 (Achadjian) – Support
As Amended on March 29, 2012

AB 1998, by Assembly Member Katcho Achadjian, would help bridge the “digital divide” by allowing counties to donate surplus computer property directly to recipients of public assistance to aid in employment and assistance efforts.

CSAC supports AB 1998, which was passed by the Assembly Local Government Committee on April 18. 

AB 2352 (Hernández) – Support
As Introduced on February 24, 2012

AB 2352, by Assembly Member Roger Hernández, would allow CalWORKs applicants and recipients to own reliable cars by deleting the requirement that counties assess the value of a motor vehicle when determining or redetermining CalWORKs eligibility. 

AB 2352 is similar to last year’s AB 1182, which was vetoed by the Governor. Counties believe that this change will promote work participation and self-sufficiency among low-income California families and eventually help CalWORKs recipients move off of public aid. It is for these reasons that we support Assembly Member Hernández’s measure again this year. 
The Assembly Human Services Committee will hear AB 2352 on April 24.

AB 2469 (Grove) – Oppose
As Amended on April 17, 2012

AB 2469, by Assembly Member Shannon Grove, would make all recipients of CalWORKs benefits subject to periodic testing for use of controlled substances and prescription drugs for which the person does not have a valid prescription. Individuals who tested positive would be required to successfully complete a one-year treatment program before being eligible for benefits under the program. 

CSAC, along with the County Welfare Directors Association, have informed the author that counties currently have processes in place to identify and respond to substance abuse by recipients, including treatment programs that they work with regularly. Counties take the issue of substance abuse seriously and have trained staff to recognize the signs of substance abuse and utilize screening tools to engage recipients in a discussion that leads to a referral for services. Over the past 10 years, the percentage of CalWORKs parents receiving substance abuse services has tripled, and counties are now spending about $50 million a year on treatment. 
We are also concerned with the potential for substantial increased costs that would be associated with the random drug testing and treatment programs proposed by AB 2469. Because the CalWORKs program does not have sufficient unspent funds that could be put toward this effort, it would require funds to be shifted from elsewhere in the program or be spent from the General Fund in order to conduct tests and provide treatment. While some savings might ultimately be achieved from discontinuing eligibility for some recipients, the cost of every negative test would be reimbursed pursuant to the bill. Based on experiences in other states, we assume that nearly every test would be negative and thus paid for by the state of California.

The Assembly Human Services Committee will hear AB 2469 on April 24. 
Child Welfare Services/Foster Care

AB 1712 (Beall) – Support
As Amended on March 21, 2012

AB 1712, by Assembly Member Jim Beall, is a technical clean up measure relating to 2010’s Fostering Connections to Success Act. The Act extended foster care services to youth up to age 21 and helps the state draw down additional foster care funding from the federal government. 

AB 1712 was created with input from counties, foster family agencies, and myriad other stakeholders, all with a singular goal in mind: To make foster care services as accessible and efficient as possible for all youth and non-minor dependents that need them. 

The Assembly Human Services Committee will hear AB 1712 on April 24. 

AB 1751 (Pan) – Support
As Introduced on February 17, 2012

AB 1751, by Assembly Member Richard Pan, would enable county child welfare agencies and probation officers to access child support information in order to locate noncustodial parents who could provide a stable placement for children who would otherwise be placed into foster care due to abuse or neglect.

CSAC, along with the County Welfare Directors Association, support the measure, which was passed by the Assembly Judiciary Committee on April 17. The Assembly Appropriations Committee will hear AB 1751 next. 

AB 1928 (Cook) – Support
As Amended on March 20, 2012

AB 1928, by Assembly Member Paul Cook, would clarify current regulations to help increase the number and availability of specialized foster care homes in our counties by allowing specialized foster care homes to have up to two foster children with special medical needs as well as up to four other children without special medical needs – biological, adoptive, or under guardianship – in the home. This brings the specialized foster care regulations into alignment with current law for non-specialized licensed foster care homes, which limits the number of children on the premises to a total of six. 

The author is expected to amend the bill further when it is heard in the Assembly Human Services Committee on April 24. CSAC and the County Welfare Directors’ letter of support refers to the March 20 version of the bill. 

AB 2093 (Skinner) – Support
As Introduced on February 23, 2012

AB 2093, by Assembly Member Nancy Skinner, would provide students in foster care who transition from high school to college with a Student Services Representative. This goal is to provide assistance that is tailored to the specific challenges that current and former foster youth face and increase their rates of success in a higher education environment. 
The Assembly Higher Education Committee passed AB 2093 on April 17, and it will be heard next in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Medi-Cal

AB 1785 (Lowenthal, B.) – Support
As Introduced on February 21, 2012

AB 1785, by Assembly Member Bonnie Lowenthal, allow federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics to draw down federal funding for patient visits with marriage and family therapists.
The Assembly Appropriations Committee placed AB 1785 on their Suspense File on April 18.

CalFresh

AB 2109 (Pan) – Support
As Introduced on February 23, 2012

AB 2109, by Assembly Member Richard Pan, would require a parent or guardian seeking an immunization personal belief exemption for their child to provide a document signed by themselves and a licensed health care practitioner acknowledging that the parent or guardian has been informed by the health care practitioner of the benefits and risks of immunization as well as the health risks associated with communicable diseases. 
CSAC and the County Health Executives Association of California (CHEAC) support AB 2109, which, after much testimony both for and against, was passed by the Assembly Health Committee on April 17. It now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. 

AB 2246 (Pérez, J.) – Support
As Amended on March 29, 2012

AB 2246, by Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, requires the new California Healthy Food Financing Initiative Council to establish and maintain a web site that outlines information on the Council’s actions to support access to healthy foods by March 31, 2013. 

The measure builds upon the Speaker’s AB 581 from 2011, which created the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative to promote access to healthy food throughout California. Counties support these efforts to combat “food deserts” within communities – areas with little to no access to quality foods that are both healthy and affordable. 

CSAC supported AB 581 last year and now supports AB 2246. The Assembly Agriculture Committee will hear the bill on April 25. 

AB 2586 (Hueso) – Support
As Amended on March 29, 2012

AB 2586, by Assembly Member Ben Hueso, would establish the California Healthy Choices Program to certify grocery stores that promote healthy food choices. 

Specifically, AB 2586 would require the state Department of Food and Agriculture to charge grocery stores a certification fee to be designated as a California Healthy Choices site. The certification program is voluntary for grocery stores, and the fees would be used to promote the program and its participants. 

Counties support efforts to increase access to healthy foods and to promote healthy food choices throughout our communities. AB 2586 will be heard by the Assembly Agriculture Committee on April 25.