Social Services (218-RICR-20-00-7)

A.Title XX of the Social Security Act provides states with the authority to establish a Social Services Block Grant (SSBG).

1.The social services provided by the Department of Human Services through Family and Adult Services and Community Services are among those described in the Block Grant Pre-Expenditure Report published each year. 

2.The Department of Human Services is designated by the governor as the agency responsible for the administration of SSBG funds in Rhode Island.

3.The Department is committed to a goal-oriented social services program which has the capability to avert social and economic dependency and family breakdown through a planned coordinated approach using other agencies as needed either for services provided by them at no cost or purchased from them when the department does not provide them directly.

7.1.1Goals

A.Services will be offered to help clients reach one or more of the five federal goals which have been identified by Congress for Title XX:

1. Achieving or maintaining economic self-support to prevent, reduce, or eliminate dependency.

2. Achieving or maintaining self-sufficiency, including reduction or prevention of dependency.

3. Preventing or remedying neglect, abuse or exploitation of children and adults unable to protect their own interests, or preserving, rehabilitating, or reuniting families.

4. Preventing or reducing inappropriate institutional care by providing for community-based care, home-based care, or other forms of less intensive care.

5. Securing referral or admission for institutional care when other forms of care are not appropriate or providing services to individuals in institutions.

A.Services provided directly by the Department of Human Services consist primarily of casework and counseling and include the cost of planning and administration of all SSBG activities and some staff training. They also include the referral to and authorization of contracted services, taken from the SSBG Uniform Definition of Services (see table below) and included in the Intended Use Plan submitted to the federal government.

1.Provision of services depends not only upon the need of the individual or family, but also upon the availability of funding and the capacity of the provider agency. Waiting lists may be established when a provider is at the limit of its capacity to respond.

B.The Department’s social workers play a key role in the area of Information and Referral Services linking people with appropriate community resources. Crisis intervention and follow-up activities are included in this component.

7.2.1 Program Services Related to Federal Goals

A.The table below depicts the various service categories that may be reflected in the activities funded by the Social Services Block Grant, and which federal goal those service categories might address.

A.Services are available in every community in the State of Rhode Island. All persons in the State may apply for social services. There is no requirement related to duration of residence.

B.Definitions

1.“Child” means a person under the age of eighteen (18)

2.“Adult” means as a person eighteen (18) years of age and older

3.“Family” means two or more people who are related by blood, marriage, guardianship, adoption, foster care, or kinship caretaking.

A.Although an individual or family may be eligible for most Block Grant Social Services, this does not mean that entitlement for a specific service exists. Additional eligibility requirements may be prescribed by the governing contracts and/or DHS Policy.

1.For example, transportation is only provided for the elderly or individuals with disabilities, and documentation of the disability is required.

B.The State provides a system and procedure for fair hearings under which applicants or recipients may appeal denial, reduction or termination of services or failure to act upon a request for service within a reasonable time.

7.4.1 Income Guidelines

Income Guidelines for participation in the programs follow those of the Rhode Island State Plan for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program for adults and families (currently 60% of Household Median Income in Rhode Island), and for children, the Income Guidelines for Medicaid Eligibility (261% FPL).

A.Services are provided within the RI Department of Human Services and through Service Agreements and Contracts negotiated with other State entities and a number of community agencies and organizations for the provision of specific services per the SSBG Uniform Definition of Services listed in the table in § 7.2.1 of this Part, Program Services Related to Federal Goals.

B.Services may be delivered by public or private agencies and may have a statewide scope or a narrower geographic focus.