To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Social Services
Meeting Date: May 5, 2026
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Department Contact: |
DeDe Parker |
Phone: |
707-463-7761 |
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Department Contact: |
Jesse VanVoorhis |
Phone: |
707-463-7981 |
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Item Type: Consent Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: N/A |
Agenda Title:
title
Approval of the Retroactive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the County of Sacramento Department of Human Assistance and the County of Mendocino Department of Social Services (MCDSS) to Establish and Maintain an Effective Working Relationship and Provide an Efficient Process to Secure CAPI (Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants) Applications, Determine Eligibility, Make Aid Payments, Maintain Case Records and Create Reports
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Approve the retroactive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County of Sacramento Department of Human Assistance and the County of Mendocino Department of Social Services (MCDSS) to establish and maintain an effective working relationship and provide an efficient process to secure CAPI (Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants) applications, determine eligibility, make aid payments, maintain case records and create reports; and authorize Chair to sign same.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
None.
Summary of Request:
In California, the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) is a state-mandated program that counties are required to administer or provide access to under the Welfare and Institutions (W&I) Code § 18937-18944.
CAPI is a 100% state-funded program designed to mirror the federal Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) for non-citizens who are ineligible for federal aid solely due to their immigration status. The mandate ensures uniform access across all 58 counties.
While the program is state-funded, the legal and operational mandates for counties include:
• Administrative Responsibility: Under W&I Code § 18937, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) directs counties to administer the program. Counties must accept applications (Form SOC 814), determine eligibility, and manage redeterminations.
• Application Access: Counties must allow individuals to apply in person, by phone, mail, or fax. Even if a smaller county belongs to a regional consortium for processing, the local county social services office remains the primary point of entry for residents.
• SSI/SSP Coordination: The mandate requires counties to ensure that applicants have first applied for federal SSI/SSP and been denied based on immigration status. Counties often assist in documenting this "formal denial" or coordinating with the Social Security Administration.
• Parity with SSI Standards: Per W&I Code § 18940, counties must apply the same income and resource rules used by the federal SSI program. Currently, this includes the resource limit of $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.
While every county is mandated to provide access, some counties fulfill this through “consortium” agreements. Within a consortium, the applicant applies at their local county social services office. The application is then forwarded to a regional processing center (County of Sacramento Department of Human Assistance in this case). The local county remains responsible for ensuring the applicant can access the necessary forms and bilingual services.
The County of Sacramento, Department of Human Assistance, has established a consortium of county welfare departments, known as the North State/Orange CAPI Consortium (NSOCC). By agreeing to this MOU, MCDSS will become a consortium member.
This MOU would remain in effect from July 1, 2025, until terminated by one or both parties with 30-days written notice.
The previous MOU expired June 30, 2025. Numerous attempts were made to contact Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance, with no response. After connecting with the correct people, the new MOU was sent and is now before you.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Return to staff for alternative handling
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: An Effective County Government
Supervisorial District: All
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: n/a
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: n/a |
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current f/y cost: $0 |
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budget clarification: n/a |
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annual recurring cost: $0 |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): N/A |
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revenue agreement: No |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: Yes
CEO Liaison: Sara Pierce, Assistant CEO
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Senior Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Approved |
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Date: May 5, 2026 |
Executed Item Type: Agreement |
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Number: 26-043 |
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