81-3131.

Program administration; contracts with community-based organizations authorized; Department of Health and Human Services; duties.

(1) The Department of Health and Human Services shall enter into contracts with community-based organizations which allow the department to keep caseworkers present at the community-based organization at the times specified in the contract. A contract under this section shall specify sufficient times to allow caseworkers to:

(a) Screen and conduct interviews for assistance eligibility and assistance renewal;

(b) Assist clients with assistance applications and renewals;

(c) Receive assistance applications and renewals;

(d) Answer questions in person;

(e) Train and provide technical assistance to staff of community-based organizations; and

(f) Conduct face-to-face interviews with clients by appointment and on a drop-in basis.

(2) In addition to the requirements specified in subsection (1) of this section, each such contract shall allow the community-based organization to:

(a) Provide quality, accurate information relating to economic assistance programs that are targeted at populations known to have low participation rates in or difficulty accessing such assistance programs;

(b) Provide quality outreach to clients in the target populations who utilize economic assistance programs;

(c) Assist clients in scheduling appointments with caseworkers at a community-based organization facility or local office that provides access to economic assistance programs, whichever the client prefers;

(d) Assist with organization of information required for economic assistance application or renewal; and

(e) Negotiate fair compensation for services provided to applicants for economic assistance benefits as described in this section.

(3) The department shall maintain a sufficient number of contracts to provide access to assistance for all Nebraska citizens in establishing and maintaining eligibility for economic assistance programs. In determining the number of contracts with community-based organizations, the department shall, at a minimum, consider:

(a) The geographic distance applicants would be required to travel to meet with a caseworker in person and how to minimize that distance;

(b) The volume of economic assistance cases in the service area and how to adequately serve those cases;

(c) The number of clients in an area who have difficulty in verbal and written communication due to hearing or vision impairment, language barriers, or literacy challenges and how to accommodate their needs;

(d) The community-based organization's ability to serve the need; and

(e) The number of existing local offices in the service area.