REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 20, 2019
FROM
MARIE GIRULAT, Director, Department of Child Support Services
SUBJECT
Title
Non-Financial Plan of Cooperation with the California Department of Child Support Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve non-financial Plan of Cooperation with the California Department of Child Support Services, for the period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, with automatic renewal at the end of the term.
2. Authorize the Director of the Department of Child Support Services, as required by the California Department of Child Support Services, to execute all documents, including any subsequent, non-substantive amendments in relation to the Plan of Cooperation, for the period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, and in subsequent renewal periods, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director of the Department of Child Support to transmit all documents in relation to this Plan of Cooperation to the Clerk of the Board within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Marie Girulat, Director, 478-7471)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The recommended Plan of Cooperation is non-financial in nature and as such, does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A Plan of Cooperation (POC) between the County of San Bernardino, Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) and the California Department of Child Support Services (State) is required pursuant to Family Code section 17304, subdivision (a) and Section 654 of Title 42 of the United States Code. The State initiates a POC annually for the period of October 1, through September 30, to be executed by local child support agencies, that delineates the responsibilities of both parties for administering the child support program in accordance with provisions of Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 USC section 651, et seq.). The POC is a requirement to receive Title IV-D funding from the State.
The format and contents of the POC are prescribed by the State. The POC outlines the responsibilities of both the State and DCSS, for the administration and enforcement of child support services that include:
• Locating parties or support obligors;
• Determining paternity of children born to unmarried parents;
• Assessing the ability of parents to support their minor children;
• Establishing, enforcing, and modifying child support orders;
• Enforcing spousal support orders (in conjunction with a child support order);
• Establishing, enforcing, and modifying orders to obtain medical support;
• Collecting child support;
• Maintaining records;
• Preparing reports;
• Establishing cooperative relationships with federally recognized tribes; and
• Other public services as needed in accordance with federal code.
The State has directed the DCSS Director, as the local child support director and responsible for the administration of the County’s child support program, to execute and submit the POC documents. This agreement will automatically renew at the end of the one-year term. This agreement is subject to amendment as necessary to reflect new or revised state and federal laws, regulations, and requirements. The DCSS Director is required to sign and submit the POC, per the instructions in the CSPP Letter 19-04, dated May 23, 2019.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Jennifer Mulhall-Daudel, Contracts Manager 388-0241) on July 24, 2019; County Counsel (Jacqueline Carrey-Wilson, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 30, 2019; Finance (Christopher Lange, Administrative Analyst, 386-8393) on August 2, 2019; and County Finance and Administration (Tanya Bratton, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on August 2, 2019.