REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  November  7, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-11.

SUBJECT:

Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding with California Department of Social Services for Online Employment Verification Services

Supervisorial District No. :  ALL

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Melissa Janulewicz, Branch Director, HHSA Regional Services, (530) 245-7638

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Melissa Janulewicz, Branch Director, HHSA Regional Services

RECOMMENDATION

Take the following actions:  (1) Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign an amendment, effective September 30, 2017, to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the California Department of Social Services with no compensation to access The Work Number® online employment verifications services through the TALX Corporation to remove the end date and make the MOU evergreen; and (2) approve and authorize the Health and Human Service Agency (HHSA) Director, or any HHSA Branch Director designated by the HHSA Director, to sign amendments, including retroactive, for a five-year period that do not result in a substantial or functional change to the original intent of the MOU as long as they otherwise comply with Administrative Policy 6-101, Shasta County Contracts Manual.

SUMMARY

This amendment will continue to allow HHSA-Regional Services Eligibility and Employment Services staff responsible for initial and on-going delivery of public benefits, access to online employment and wage verification services through the agreement between California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and The TALX Corporation (TALX) for the Work Number® resulting in the timely and accurate issuance of benefits to eligible clients.

DISCUSSION

CDSS has renewed their Universal Membership Agreement with TALX to provide County Welfare Departments (CWDs) with online employment and wage verification services through The Work Number®.  These services remain available to all 58 California Welfare Departments (CWD).  On May 17, 2016 the Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CDSS related to this service for a term through September 30, 2017. Due to changes in the agreement between CDSS and TALX, it is recommended the Board approve an amendment to the MOU to make it evergreen.

The Work Number® online employment and income verification system utilizes client social security numbers (SSN) on a secure website to retrieve employment verification data, such as employee earnings and hours worked.  To verify employment and income through The Work Number®, CWD’s must obtain written authorization from the clients.CWDs are permitted to use the information obtained from The Work Number® in the same manner as they would use information provided by an employer.  Access to The Work Number® service to verify employment and income allows for the ability to speed up processing time for clients’ benefits.  In addition, having the ability to verify employment hours assists in determining a client’s Welfare to Work participation hours, which can result in improved County Work Participation Rates.  Access to The Work Number® service is a benefit to both clients and the County. All individuals applying for aid are required to provide verification of income but often do not retain paystubs from their employment. For clients who lack transportation, the need to obtain a duplicate copy from their employer is a challenge.  In addition, when clients are terminated from employment, it is often uncomfortable for them to contact their previous employer for verifications. As an option, clients can request Eligibility and Employment Services staff to obtain verification directly from the employer.  Many local employers, including Walmart, Walgreens, and Lowes maintain their income on The Work Number®, and access to this database enables Eligibility and Employment Services staff to obtain the information timely. 

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could choose not to approve the amended MOU.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

County Counsel has approved the MOU as to form.  Risk Management and Information Technology has reviewed and approved the MOU.  There is no change to liability or insurance provisions in this amendment. This recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.

FINANCING

The MOU requires no monetary compensation to CDSS to utilize The Work Number® Services. The costs for these services will be covered by CDSS. There is no additional County General Fund impact with approval of the recommendation.