Report 2020-109 Recommendation 11 Responses

Report 2020-109: In-Home Supportive Services Program; It Is Not Providing Needed Services to All Californians Approved for the Program, Is Unprepared for Future Challenges, and Offers Low Pay to Caregivers (Release Date: February 2021)

Recommendation #11 To: Stanislaus County

To help ensure that recipients receive prompt approval for services and also receive all approved services, Stanislaus County should, by August 2021 and annually thereafter, complete required plans that include, at a minimum, specific provisions for how it will ensure prompt approval of services and that recipients promptly receive the approved services.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From November 2022

CDSS plans to repeal the regulation that requires counties to submit annual county plans. Per CDSS's response to the Audit, the requirement for counties to submit annual county plans is an outdated regulation. Based on CDSS's response to the audit, Stanislaus County will not be completing an annual plan to the State.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Will Not Implement

Stanislaus County has indicated that based on guidance from Social Services, it will not comply with state law requiring it to submit a plan that helps ensure provision of services to all eligible recipients each month in accordance with the county plan. We rebut Social Services' assertion that such a planning is not required on page 69 of report 2020-109.

1-Year Agency Response

As noted in previous responses, CDSS plans to repeal the regulation that requires counties to submit annual county plans. Per CDSS's response to the Audit, the requirement for counties to submit annual county plans is is an outdated regulation. Based on CDSS's response to the audit, Stanislaus County will not be completing an annual plan to the State.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Will Not Implement

Stanislaus County indicates it will not implement our recommendation.

6-Month Agency Response

CDSS plans to repeal the regulation that requires counties to submit annual county plans. Per CDSS's response to the Audit, the requirement for counties to submit annual county plans is is an outdated regulation. Based on CDSS's response to the audit, Stanislaus County will not be completing an annual plan to the State.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Will Not Implement

Stanislaus County indicates it will not implement our recommendation.

60-Day Agency Response

CDSS plans to repeal the regulation that requires counties to submit annual county plans. Per CDSS's response to the Audit, the requirement for counties to submit annual county plans is is an outdated regulation. Based on CDSS's response to the audit, Stanislaus County will not be completing an annual plan to the State.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Will Not Implement

We are disappointed that Stanislaus County has indicated that it will not comply with state law that directly obligates it to ensure that services are provided to all eligible recipients each month in accordance with the county plan. Stanislaus County appears to have reached this decision based on an erroneous assertion from the Department of Social Services that indicates such a planning requirement is merely a component of its regulations. We rebut Social Services' assertion on page 69 of report 2020-109.

All Recommendations in 2020-109

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.