Committees

2013 Committee Chairs

CWDA's Policy Committees identify and analyze issues, develop program and policy recommendations for consideration by the Board of Directors, and work with state agencies to develop and implement program services.

Adult Services
 
Howard Himes, Fresno 559-600-2302
Peggy Montgomery, Kings 559-582-3241

+ Committee Description

The Adult Services Committee advises the Board of Directors on policies and practices related to the effective administration of the Adult Protective Services (APS) and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) programs. The committee also serves as a forum for discussion among counties to promote effective program administration and service delivery and works with the CA Department of Social Services and CA Department of Health Care Services to ensure consistent interpretation of laws and regulations pertaining to the IHSS and APS programs.


CalFresh (formerly Food Stamps)  
Elliott Robinson, Monterey 831-755-4448

+ Committee Description

The CalFresh Committee discusses policy and operational issues in the Food Stamps program and works with the CA Department of Social Services to ensure consistent interpretation of laws and regulations pertaining to the program. The committee may forward issues or recommendations to the Self-Sufficiency or Executive committees or the full Board of Directors.


CalWORKs  
Jerry Dunn, Sonoma 707-565-5800
Curtis Updike, Ventura 805-477-5309

+ Committee Description

The CalWORKs Committee discusses policy and operational issues in the CalWORKs program and works with the CA Department of Social Services to ensure consistent interpretation of laws and regulations pertaining to the program. The Committee may forward issues or recommendations to the Self-Sufficiency or Executive committees or the full Board of Directors.


Child Care  
Patrick O. Duterte, Solano 707-784-8400
Michelle Rutherford, San Francisco 415-557-6541

+ Committee Description

The Child Care Committee discusses policy and operational issues in the Child Care program and works with the CA Department of Social Services and CA Department of Education to ensure consistent interpretation of laws and regulations pertaining to the program. The committee may forward issues or recommendations to the Self-Sufficiency or Executive committees or the full Board of Directors.


Children's Services  
Lori Cox, Alameda 510-271-9100
Kelly Woodard, Madera 559-675-7872

+ Committee Description

The Children's Services Committee advises the Board of Directors on policies and practices related to the effective administration of child welfare services, including foster care and adoptions. The Committee also discusses policy and social service delivery issues that affect county operation and administration of programs to children and their families. The committee works with the CA Department of Social Services and other partner organizations to promote consistent interpretation and application of law, policy, standards and practices throughout the state.


Fiscal  
Cathi Grams, Butte 530-538-7572
Linda Haugan, San Bernardino 909-387-4717

+ Committee Description

The Fiscal Committee advises the Board of Directors on fiscal policies and practices related to the effective administration of human services, including identifying, resolving, and/or developing recommendations on fiscal issues such as claiming, premise funding, Realignment social services caseload growth, and county allocations.  The Committee also works with the CA Departments of Social Services and Health Care Services to reach common agreement on federal and state fiscal policy issues.

Information Technology  
Susan Loew, Riverside 951-358-3000

+ Committee Description

The Information Technology Committee meets to ensure that California's automation systems support the delivery of effective human services; that county needs are fully considered in the development, implementation, and operation of statewide information technology systems; and to foster the sharing of automation best practices among counties.


Legislative  
Kathy Gallagher, Contra Costa 925-313-1500

+ Committee Description

The Legislative Committee meets regularly to review legislation, identify needed amendments, and recommend bill positions to the Board of Directors. The committee also recommends budget and legislative priorities to the board on an annual basis.


Medical Care  
Cheryl Davis, Placer 530-889-7634
Scott Gruendl, Glenn 530-934-6514

+ Committee Description

The Medical Care Committee discusses policy and operational issues in the Medi-Cal program and works with the CA Department of Health Care Services, the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board, and key advocacy organizations to ensure consistent interpretation of laws and regulations pertaining to the program. The committee may forward issues or recommendations to the Self-Sufficiency or Executive committees or the full Board of Directors.


Self-Sufficiency  
Phil Ansell, Los Angeles DPSS 562-908-8486
Paul Lake, Sacramento DHA 916-875-3601

+ Committee Description

The CWDA Self-Sufficiency Committee discusses policy and operational issues in the Medi-Cal, Food Stamps, CalWORKs, and Child Care programs and works with the CA Departments of Social Services and Health Care Services to identify and resolve issues and promote common goals. The committee primarily focuses on major policy issues. The committee may forward issues or recommendations to the Executive committee or the full Board of Directors.


Twenty Small Counties  
Elizabeth Kelly, Colusa 530-458-0250
Jim Rydingsword, Mariposa 209-966-2000

+ Committee Description

The twenty smallest counties meet regularly to discuss policy and financial issues as they affect operations in small counties. Members share knowledge and experience with each other on issues of mutual concern. In addition, the committee meets with state staff to understand and discuss the impact of upcoming changes on smaller organizations. Issues that also impact the whole association are brought to the Board of Directors for discussion.

The twenty smallest counties are: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Inyo, Lake, Lassen, Mariposa, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Plumas, San Benito, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity, and Tuolumne