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COUNTY OF SAN MATEOInter-Departmental Correspondence |
Human Services Agency |
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DATE: |
February 6, 2002 |
BOARD MEETING DATE: |
February 26, 2002 |
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TO: |
Honorable Board of Supervisors |
FROM: |
Maureen D. Borland, Director, Human Services Agency |
SUBJECT: |
Presentation entitled "Cash Assistance in San Mateo County: A Summary of Recent Research Findings" |
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Recommendation |
Accept for review a presentation entitled "Cash Assistance in San Mateo County: A Summary of Recent Research Findings". |
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Background |
For approximately four years, the SPHERE Institute has received funding from San Mateo County, the California Department of Social Services, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services to provide research and evaluation on the different aspects of, and populations served by, the SUCCESS and TANF/CalWORKs programs (Resolutions: 61618, 62335, 62725, 62977, 63397, 64267, 64516). The funded research and evaluation includes: |
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The impact of the SUCCESS Project on employment, public assistance use, and service needs and usage for TANF recipients. |
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A cost/benefit analysis of the SUCCESS model. |
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The impact of the SUCCESS Project on the well-being of children of TANF recipients. |
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The circumstances of individuals and families who receive housing benefits. |
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The circumstances of individuals and families leaving TANF. |
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The family circumstances of current and former San Mateo County child-only cases exiting TANF. |
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Discussion |
This presentation provides a select and brief synopsis of research findings regarding the SUCCESS model and TANF/CalWORKS. It addresses the questions, "Has San Mateo County's cash assistance program been successful?" and "Which families need continuing support?" The presentation concludes with a discussion of future implications and some policy recommendations. |
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San Mateo County has been more effective in moving families off aid than the "average" county. |
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Cash aid programs in San Mateo County have generated large grant savings, and the economic circumstances of families that leave aid improved. |
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Past practices have shown that a carefully implemented full-grant sanction policy could increase compliance rates and earnings outcomes. |
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California should consider implementing new transitional Food Stamps benefits. |
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Although hardship exemptions may initially cover most San Mateo clients who exceed the Federal time limit on TANF, working poor families who "play by the rules" will face income reduction. |
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Caseload levels may rise sharply in an economic downturn. Even during the strong economic conditions that held through 2000 (the study period), many families who left aid remained eligible for assistance. As economic conditions weaken, it is more likely that people on the edge of self-sufficiency will be seeking HSA services and supports. Consequently, caseload increases are likely to cause a shift in resources from service provision back to grant payments. |
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Vision Alignment |
The research conducted by HSA's contractor, the SPHERE Institute, keeps the commitment of responsive, effective, collaborative government and goal number 21: County employees understand, support and integrate the County vision and goals into the delivery of services. The research contributes to this commitment and goal since the findings help demonstrate HSA's success in contributing to the County vision and goals and will be published and distributed to HSA staff and to the Agency's community partners for use in program and budget planning. |
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Fiscal Impact |
This is a presentation of research findings; there is no direct fiscal impact |