California Welfare And Institutions Code Section 10609.9

(a) (1) Commencing with the 2006 Budget Act, of the amounts appropriated in Program 25.30-Children and Adult Services and Licensing, in Items 5180-151-0001 and 5180-151-0890 of the annual Budget Act, ninety-eight million dollars ($98,000,000) is annually designated for needed outcome improvements identified in the county system improvement plans. These funds shall be allocated based on a methodology developed by the department, in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association. Funds appropriated for child welfare services outcome improvements shall be flexible and may be spent on local priorities identified in the county`s system improvement plan, including, but not limited to, any of the following: (A) Reducing high worker caseloads. (B) Clerical or paraprofessional support. (C) Direct services to clients, such as mental health or substance abuse treatment. (D) Prevention and early intervention services, such as differential response. (E) Permanency and youth transition practice improvements. (F) Any other investments to better serve children and families, which may include services to support older youth in foster care, such as mentoring services. (2) A county is not required to provide a match of the funds described in this subdivision if the county appropriates the required full match for the county`s child welfare services program exclusive of the funds received pursuant to this subdivision. (3) It is the intent of the Legislature that these funds be linked to improved outcomes, and provided to counties on an ongoing basis. (b) By February 1, 2007, the department shall work with the County Welfare Directors Association, legislative staff, and members of organizations that represent social workers, to develop and submit to the Legislature a proposed methodology for budgeting the child welfare services program to meet the program requirements and outcomes identified in Section 10601.2. It is the intent of the Legislature that this methodology be implemented in the Budget Act of 2007. (c) In developing the new methodology, the department shall consider available research, including the study required by Section 10609.5, industry standards developed by recognized child welfare organizations and accrediting bodies, budgeting methodologies used in other states, as well as available research and information regarding budgeting methodologies in support of best practices and improved outcomes.