2011 California Code
Welfare and Institutions Code
DIVISION 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES [10000 - 18996]
ARTICLE 3. Microenterprise Demonstration Projects
Section 18239

(a) With the consent of participating counties, the department may implement demonstration projects to provide self-employment training and technical assistance to recipients of CalWORKs benefits and persons who are at risk of receiving CalWORKs benefits. Each demonstration project shall operate for three years. At least one demonstration project shall operate in Los Angeles County and at least one in a northern California county. The number of demonstration projects shall be limited to no more than six. However, if nonstate matching funds become available, the number shall be limited to no more than 12.

(b) The self-employment training shall include development of a viable business plan, assisting the recipient to determine if self-employment is suitable to the recipient s aptitudes and family dependent care obligations, marketing strategies, business location analysis, direct technical assistance in the development of a microenterprise, and other subjects as necessary to achieve proficiency in basic business skills. The training shall include periodic assistance or case management, as needed, for up to one year after the recipient s self-employment has commenced.

(c) To ensure communication and collaboration between county welfare departments, including CalWORKs programs, and microenterprise assistance providers, proposals to operate demonstration projects under this article shall be jointly submitted by local microenterprise service providers and the county welfare department. No county matching funds shall be required for the implementation and evaluation of the demonstration project. Local microenterprise assistance providers participating in the pilot project shall have at least two years experience and demonstrated success in providing assistance to recipients of CalWORKs benefits and other low-income individuals to create their own jobs through self-employment.

(d) If pursuant to subdivision (a), the department, with the consent of participating counties, chooses to implement a microenterprise demonstration project, the department shall solicit proposals from microenterprise assistance providers seeking to administer a demonstration project under this article on a not-for-profit basis. The department shall seek to encourage financial participation of private entities for purposes of including more individuals in these demonstration projects.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 270, Sec. 181. Effective August 11, 1997. Operative January 1, 1998, by Sec. 183 of Ch. 270.)