SECTIONS 10650-10656 - California Statutes

WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE

SECTION 10650-10656

10650. It is hereby declared that the solution and prevention of
individuals and families who could otherwise be productive and
self-supporting members of society from becoming or remaining public
assistance recipients is a matter of statewide concern. The Secretary
of the Health and Welfare Agency shall have full power to direct,
supervise, and coordinate all services provided by the state
departments of the Health and Welfare Agency which relate to this
matter, as necessary to achieve the purposes of this chapter.

10651. The purposes of this chapter are as follows:
(a) To combat poverty and reduce dependency by placing special
attention and emphasis on the training, rehabilitation, and
employment of present and potential recipients of public assistance
and to prevent their future unemployment;
(b) To combine and coordinate all state services and programs
relating to vocational education, vocational rehabilitation, and
employment for public assistance recipients;
(c) To avoid duplication and fragmentation of training,
rehabilitation, and employment services, and provide the most
effective services possible, on behalf of public assistance
recipients.

10652. The department and the State Department of Rehabilitation,
acting jointly, shall select public assistance recipients who qualify
under either federal or state vocational rehabilitation laws, or
both, as being in need of, and being able to benefit from,
rehabilitation services pursuant to this chapter.
The two departments shall enter into a statewide agreement for the
purpose of implementing the provisions of this section.
Any agreement entered into by the two departments pursuant to this
section shall include plans which provide for the most effective use
of all federal funds available to the two departments. Such plans
may include budgetary transfers, subject to authorization of the
Director of Finance, when such transfer will result in increased
funds available for vocational rehabilitation services for public
assistance recipients, and for former and potential recipients.
All increased funds made available as a result of the
implementation of agreements and plans made pursuant to this section,
shall be used exclusively to provide vocational rehabilitation
service for current, former, or potential public assistance
recipients.

10653. The county department shall be responsible for the initial
selection of public assistance recipients who are to participate in
training, vocational educational programs, or other employment
preparation programs that are developed pursuant to the provisions of
this chapter. The county department shall have primary
responsibility for providing those services which will prepare
recipients for the specific vocational training and employment
placement services offered by the Employment Development Department,
the Department of Rehabilitation, the Department of Education, and
any other state or federal agencies offering specialized programs to
upgrade the capacity of recipients and potential recipients to
improve their capacity for self-support or self-direction. The
services provided by the county department shall be geared to
complement those services offered by state and federal agencies to
the end that recipients of public assistance receive and participate
in the programs to the fullest extent of their capacity.

10654. The Division of Vocational Education of the State Department
of Education shall have primary responsibility for the education and
training of public assistance recipients. The Secretary of the
Health and Welfare Agency shall through the Employment Development
Department work with the State Department of Education to develop
vocational education programs which will meet the particular
requirements and needs of recipients of public assistance whenever it
is determined that such special programs will substantially improve
such recipients' capacity to achieve self-support or self-direction.
The Employment Development Department shall determine the kinds,
quality, and number of persons requiring such education.

10655. The Employment Development Department shall have primary
responsibility for placement and other employment services for public
assistance recipients; provided, however, that a county department
may refer a public assistance recipient to a private employment
agency at the same time the recipient is referred to the Employment
Development Department. For the purposes of this section, a county
department is authorized to enter into contracts with any private
employment agencies under such terms and conditions and for such
rates as the county department deems reasonable; provided, that once
a public assistance recipient has been placed in employment by such
an agency, a county department may not contract again with a private
employment agency for placement of that recipient within six months
of the original date of placement.
No referral or contract authorized under this section shall result
in the recipient's paying any fee, part of wages or other charges to
the county department or private employment agency for such
services.

10656. The provisions of this chapter shall be implemented to the
full extent of funds available for such purposes.