California CalWORKs Outcomes and Accountability Review (Cal-OAR)

Cal-OAR is a local, data-driven program management system that facilitates continuous improvement of county CalWORKs programs by collecting, analyzing, and disseminating outcomes and best practices. As required by Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 11523, Cal-OAR consists of three core components: performance indicators, a county CalWORKs self-assessment (Cal-CSA), and a CalWORKs system improvement plan (Cal-SIP), which includes a peer review component.

The Cal-OAR continuous quality improvement (Cal-CQI) process (which includes the Cal-CSA and Cal-SIP) will take place over five-year cycles, with a Cal-CSA and Cal-SIP required from each county once every five years. The first Cal-OAR cycle commenced on July 1, 2021 with the implementation of Cal-OAR.

Cal-OAR encourages intentionality in county California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program design, service delivery models, and activity structure. This provides opportunities for adults to build core capabilities critical to manage adversity, succeed in navigating a long-term career trajectory, and balance the challenges of life, family and work. Through collaboration and partnership, counties and the state executed a joint vision for CalWORKs outcomes of interest that propel county CalWORKs programs beyond the narrow scope of the federal Work Participation Rate. Cal-OAR is designed to promote critical reflection of the CalWORKs program in order to better engage CalWORKs participants.

CalWORKs is California’s version of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It is a public assistance program operated locally by the state’s 58 Health and Human Services Agencies that provide cash aid and, in certain instances, up to 60 months of Welfare-to-Work (WTW) services to help meet family needs.

The Cal-OAR was established by Senate Bill 89 (Chapter 24, Statutes of 2017) and codified in Welfare and Institutions Code Section 11523.

Cal-OAR was developed by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) in collaboration with partners specified in statute, including current and former CalWORKs participants, advocates, HHSAs, legislative staff, as well as a variety of other subject matter experts.

CDSS has worked with a partner and collaborator workgroup since September 2017 to develop the Cal-OAR workplan (which includes the structure and substance of Cal-OAR).

See the Cal-OAR Workplan