Report 2014-118 Recommendation 5 Responses
Report 2014-118: California Department of Developmental Services: Its Process for Assessing Fees Paid by Parents of Children Living in Residential Facilities Is Woefully Inefficient and Inconsistent (Release Date: January 2015)
Recommendation #5 To: Developmental Services, Department of
Developmental Services should eliminate inconsistency between the information it accepts and analyzes as part of the initial fee determination and the information it reviews as part of the appeals process. The fees reassessed during the appeals process should be based on an established fee schedule and should not be based solely on staff judgment. Any exceptions to the fee schedule should be justified in writing and approved by the program manager after thorough review.
1-Year Agency Response
The Department continues to work within current statutory and regulatory framework, where the initial fee determination and the appeal process consider different information. All information submitted for appeal is documented and approved by the program manager. This recommendation is met under AB564 which requires the Department to consider only similar information during the appeals process as that which was used in the initial fee determination process. These requirements go into effect on July 1, 2016.
- Completion Date: June 2015
- Response Date: February 2016
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Fully Implemented
As indicated by the department, AB 564 essentially implements our recommendation.
6-Month Agency Response
Pending statutory changes, the Department continues to work within the current statutory and regulatory framework, where the initial fee determination and the appeal process consider different financial information.
- Completion Date: July 2015
- Response Date: July 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending
Developmental Services has marked this recommendation as Fully Implemented however, it is waiting for pending legislation to address the recommendation. Therefore, we have assessed this recommendation as Pending.
60-Day Agency Response
60-Day Report Response: As part of the formal policy and procedures review to be completed by July 2015, the Departments' legal staff is reviewing statutory and regulatory authority to better align the two processes. The CFS Program Manager has trained staff, and continues to monitor through weekly staff meetings and documentation requirements to ensure for accuracy and uniform application throughout the program population.
- Estimated Completion Date: 07/31/2015
- Response Date: March 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending
All Recommendations in 2014-118
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.