Santa Clara County Municipal Code Art. 1 Administration

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. NS-300.649, § 1, adopted April 24, 2001, repealed Art. 1, §§ A18-48—A18-65, which pertained to administration. Section 4 of said ordinance enacted provisions designated as a new Art. 1, §§ A18-48—A18-55, to read as herein set out. See the Code Comparative Table.

There is in the County a Social Services Agency, hereafter in this chapter referred to as the Agency.

(Ord. No. NS-300.649, § 4, 4-24-01)

There is in the County and in the Agency the position of Director of Social Services, hereafter in this chapter referred to as the Director.

(Ord. No. NS-300.649, § 4, 4-24-01)

The Director shall be appointed in accordance with provisions of the Charter and shall be the executive officer of the Agency under the supervision of the County Executive.

(Ord. No. NS-300.649, § 4, 4-24-01)

The Director is responsible for the administration of the Agency, including the preparation and administration of the Agency budget, and for all the programs within each department of the Agency. Subject to provisions of the Charter and this Code, the Director shall have power to appoint, suspend or remove all assistants, department directors, deputies, clerks and other employees necessary to conduct the work of the Agency.

(Ord. No. NS-300.649, § 4, 4-24-01)

Hereafter in this chapter, the Welfare and Institutions Code of the State of California is referred to as the State Code.

(Ord. No. NS-300.649, § 4, 4-24-01)

The Agency shall be responsible for the administration of public assistance programs, as defined by Welfare and Institutions Code § 10061.

(Ord. No. NS-300.649, § 4, 4-24-01)

Within the Agency there shall be the following departments that administer social services benefit assistance programs: the Department of Aging and Adult Services, the Department of Employment and Benefits Services, and the Department of Family and Children's Services.

(1) The Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) shall include, but not be limited to:

a. Adult protective services;

b. In-home supportive services;

c. Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator;

d. Senior nutrition program.

DAAS shall administer all other programs deemed necessary to assist seniors and dependent adults in the community in maintaining safe, healthy, independent lives.

(2) The Department of Employment and Benefits Services (DEBS) shall determine eligibility for services and administer the following programs:

a. CalWorks (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids);

b. Employment services;

c. Medi-Cal;

d. Food stamps;

e. Veterans services:

1. The position of Veteran's Service Officer shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Charter.

2. The Veteran's Service Officer shall be a veteran and shall have power to administer and certify oaths and affirmations, take and certify affidavits and acknowledgments, and exercise any other power of a notary public as part of his or her duties in assisting veterans with respect to their affairs. No fee shall be charged for these services.

3. The Veteran's Service Officer shall perform the duties stated in and in accordance with the California Military and Veterans Code and shall assist all veterans and their dependents with any claim they may have against the United States arising from their military service.

f. Supplemental security income/special circumstances program;

g. General assistance program, which shall be administered in accordance with Part 5 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code (Welfare and Institutions Code § 17000 et seq.) and the Santa Clara County General Assistance Handbook;

h. Refugee resettlement and employment services programs;

i. CAPI (Cash Assistance Program for the Aged, Blind and Disabled Legal Immigrants). DEBS shall administer all other programs deemed necessary to assist County residents in becoming economically self-sufficient.

(3) The Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS) shall include, but not be limited to:

a. Children's shelter services as follows:

1. Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 272, the Social Services Agency, DFCS, is delegated the duty and authority to maintain a children's shelter for minors who are or are reasonably believed to be children described in Welfare and Institutions Code § 300.

2. Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 272, DFCS is delegated the duty and authority to receive delivery from peace officers of the temporary custody of children pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code §§ 306 and 307 to complete the admission process, to immediately investigate the circumstances of the minor and facts surrounding his or her being taken into custody pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 309(a), and to immediately release such minor pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 309(a).

b. Foster care and adoption services, which shall include an inspection service that shall license, inspect and evaluate foster and adoptive family homes for the care of children; the Agency may serve as a public adoption agency subject to the regulations of the State Department of Social Services;

c. Child protective services;

d. Child welfare services. DFCS shall administer all other programs deemed necessary for the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and in furtherance of the well-being of children and families in the community.

(Ord. No. NS-300.649, § 4, 4-24-01)

The Director shall make reports to the Children and Families Committee of the Board as requested and as he or she deems necessary.

(Ord. No. NS-300.649, § 4, 4-24-01)