2009 California Welfare and Institutions Code - Section 10800-10813.1 :: Chapter 4. County Departments

10800.  Subject to the provisions of Section 11050 and Chapter 3
(commencing with Section 12000) of Part 3, the administration of
public social services in each of the several counties of the state
is hereby declared to be a county function and responsibility and
therefore rests upon the boards of supervisors in the respective
counties pursuant to the applicable laws, and in the case of public
social services for which federal or state funds are provided,
subject to the regulations of the department and the State Department
of Health Services.
   For the purpose of providing for and carrying out this function
and responsibility, the board of supervisors of each county, or other
agency as may be otherwise provided by county charter, shall
establish a county department, unless otherwise provided by the
county charter. Except as provided herein, the county department
shall be the county agency for the administration of public social
services and for the promotion of public understanding of the public
social services provided under this code and the problems with which
they deal.

10801.  A county director shall be appointed in each county by the
board of supervisors or other agency designated by county charter,
subject to either local merit system standards or to standards
prescribed under the merit system adminstered by the State Personnel
Board.
   The county director shall at all times be under the general
direction and supervision of the board of supervisors, unless
otherwise provided by county charter.

10802.  The county director shall, for and in behalf of the board of
supervisors, have full charge of the county department and the
responsibility for administering and enforcing the provisions of this
code pertaining to public social services under the regulations of
the department and the State Department of Health Services. He shall
abide by all lawful directives of the department and the State
Department of Health Services, transmitted through the board of
supervisors.

10803.  The county director shall:
   (a) Serve as the executive and administrative officer of the
county department. The county director may delegate his powers and
functions to any member of his staff.
   (b) Establish such administrative units as he may deem necessary
or desirable for the proper and efficient administration of the
county department, and employ such personnel as may be authorized
subject to merit system regulations and the state standards
established pursuant to Section 19801 of the Government Code.
   (c) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law, and,
except for Section 10801, such other administrative and executive
duties pertaining to the public social services as may, by other
provisions of law, be imposed upon the board of supervisors.
   (d) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of
supervisors.

10804.  The board of supervisors in any county may contract with any
other county or counties or with the department for the operation
and maintenance of such public social services as are provided in one
or more of the contracting counties, or for the establishment and
maintenance of such public social services as the board of
supervisors shall deem to be desirable to discharge the duties of the
county to provide for public social services for those eligible
therefor or the health and care of the sick. Except as provided in
Section 11050, the cost of contracted services shall be borne by the
contracting county or counties and shall, insofar as state or federal
funds are involved, conform to department standards and regulations
generally applicable to such services.

10804.1.  The board of supervisors in any county may contract with
any other county or counties or with the State Department of Health
Services for the operation and maintenance of such services as are
provided in one or more of the contracting counties, or for the
establishment and maintenance of such services as the board of
supervisors shall deem to be desirable to discharge the duties of the
county to provide for services for those eligible therefor or the
health and care of the sick. The cost of contracted services shall be
borne by the contracting county or counties and shall, insofar as
state or federal funds are involved, conform to department standards
and regulations generally applicable to such services.

10805.  Each worker employed by the department or the State
Department of Health Services whose responsibilities require making
home visits shall be provided with an identification card, showing
the name and position of the worker, and containing a recent picture.
Upon calling at the home of any applicant for or recipient of public
social services, the worker shall display the identification card to
the applicant or recipient.
   Should a worker terminate his employment with the agency, he shall
return his identification card to the agency.

10806.  If a dispute occurs between counties as to the
responsibility for public social services for an applicant or
recipient, either county may submit the dispute to the department or
the State Department of Health Services, whichever department has
jurisdiction. The decision of the appropriate department shall be
final.

10808.  Any report published by the county in written or graphic
form of expenditures for public social services shall show clearly
the amount and proportion of costs borne by local taxes and the
amount and proportion of costs borne by the state and federal
governments.

10809.  The county department shall administer the public social
services authorized or permitted under the applicable portions of
this code in accordance with the regulations of the department and
the State Department of Health Services.
   The county department shall make such reports to the appropriate
department as may be required.

10810.  Subject to the approval of the department each county
department is authorized to sponsor and conduct programs for the
recruitment, training, and utilization of volunteers to assist county
department employees in the performance of office duties and to aid
in performing services in the counties including but not limited to
the following:
   (a) Friendly visiting of the indigent aged;
   (b) Finding homes for foster children;
   (c) Escorting and transporting recipients to clinics and other
destinations;
   (d) Aiding in location of improved housing;
   (e) Teaching homemaking skills and aiding in budgeting and care of
the household;
   (f) Providing tutoring and other educational aid.
   Volunteers shall not duplicate services performed by county
department employees.
   The county department shall maintain the confidentiality of
records of recipients.

10812.  In addition to services, as defined in Section 10053, that
may be required under this division a county may provide any service
permitted by federal law and for which federal participation is
available.

10813.1.  Each county shall submit to the department by December 31
of each year a comprehensive plan for the financing and delivery of
social services for the next fiscal year to meet the purposes of
Section 10053. Such plan shall specify a priority of services for
adults and for families and children.