Department of Social Services/Gain Program (L)


Findings and Recommendations


Response


Actions Completed


Actions Pending

Findings and Recommendation 1 - 7 Adopted the responses of the CA and Director of DSS. BOS
COMMENDATION: Director of DSS and Regional Vice President of Curtis and Associates and their staffs for effectively implementing the GAIN program in SBC.
1. DSS should actively pursue change of State and Federal mandates not beneficial to its clients. Continue to evaluate. Some waivers already in place. Will not actively seek more waivers but will await impending welfare reform. DSS
2. BOS should direct AC to do performance and financial audits on a scheduled, ongoing basis. Audit of GAIN previously had been completed; federal welfare reform measures will have a major impact on GAIN. DSS director, AC and CA will work together to make recommendations to BOS re ongoing audits of GAIN. CA
3. DSS should assess educational problems at the beginning of the GAIN program, not after the four-week Job Club. Encourages clients to participate in Job Club in order to be employed concurrent to continuing education. DSS Encourages clients to participate in Job Club.
4. DSS should look into waivers of mandates to enforce necessary compliance by AFDC clients. AB 1371 has shortened time it takes to sanction clients for not cooperating. DSS and DA urgently pursue welfare fraud. DSS
5. AB 1371 will reduce paperwork load for social workers: DSS should continue The Department is implementing AB 1371 and is training staff on
to implement AB1371 and to train staff in constantly changing procedures. the new procedures. DSS
6. DSS should investigate new types of service delivery systems for AFDC grants. With One Stop Task Force, public education and training organizations, business partners are exploring more effective ways of providing education, employment and training services in the County. DSS On 1 May 1996, DSS began a pilot program in Santa Maria to direct new AFDC applicants directly and immediately into Job Services at the Self Sufficiency Center.
7. DSS should monitor and assess progress of Klein Bottle Youth Program "Male Involvement Program". Ongoing partnership with other agencies in Fatherhood Coalition. DSS




GAIN Greater Avenues to Independence AC Auditor-Controller BOS Board of Supervisors
DSS Department of Social Services SBC Santa Barbara County AFDC Aid to Families with Dependent Children
CA County Administrator DA District Attorney