DATE: January 31, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Kari Gilbert, Director, Department of Child Support Services
SUBJECT: Retroactive Plan of Cooperation between the California Department of Child Support Services and Fresno County Department of Child Support Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Child Support Services to execute a retroactive Plan of Cooperation between the California Department of Child Support Services and the Fresno County Department of Child Support Services effective October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017 ($0).
REPORT
The purpose of the Plan of Cooperation (POC) is to define and allocate responsibilities for administering Title IV-D services in the County. The previous POC expired on September 30, 2016. There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The California Department of Child Support Services only requires the Fresno County Department of Child Support Services Director signature on the POC.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. Failure to sign and return the POC may result in the withholding of part or all of the federal and state funds or other compliance actions authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or policy.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
This POC is retroactive as the original document was recalled by the State in July 2016 for necessary corrections. The revised agreement was received by the Department in late November 2016.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The Department is 100% Federal (66%) and State (34%) funded.
DISCUSSION:
Fresno County Department of Child Support Services functions as the State’s Local Child Support Agency for Fresno County. On October 13, 2015, your Board approved the Director to sign the current POC, which expired on September 30, 2016. The primary purpose of the POC is to define and allocate responsibilities for both the California Department of Child Support Services and the Local Child Support Agency in securing child support, including but not limited to support establishment; collection and distribution services; medical support; determining paternity; and providing other public services in accordance with the provisions of Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (Title 42 United States Code 651, et. seq.). The POC provides that when in judgment of the State Director, the Local Child Support Agency is failing in a substantial manner to comply with any provision of the POC, Title IV-D, state or federal laws, or regulations, the State may withhold part or all state and federal funds from the Local Child Support Agency as required by Family Code section 17604.
This recommended POC shall be effective October 1, 2016 and shall expire on September 30, 2017. The POC shall be one year in duration, commencing at the start of the federal fiscal year, and shall be subject to renewal or amendment as necessary to reflect new or revised state and federal laws, regulations and requirements.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #31, October 13, 2015
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On File with the Clerk - State DCSS POC
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander