CHAPTER 4. County Departments [10800. - 10813.1.]

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC 4.

in effect

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10800. Section 10800.

Subject to the provisions of Section 11050 and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 12000) of Part 3, the administration of public social services in each of the several counties of the state is hereby declared to be a county function and responsibility and therefore rests upon the boards of supervisors in the respective counties pursuant to the applicable laws, and in the case of public social services for which federal or state funds are provided, subject to the regulations of the department and the State Department of Health Services. For the purpose of providing for and carrying out this function and responsibility, the board of supervisors of each county, or other agency as may be otherwise provided by county charter, shall establish a county department, unless otherwise provided by the county charter. Except as provided herein, the county department shall be the county agency for the administration of public social services and for the promotion of public understanding of the public social services provided under this code and the problems with which they deal.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10801. Section 10801.

A county director shall be appointed in each county by the board of supervisors or other agency designated by county charter, subject to either local merit system standards or to standards prescribed under the merit system required by state law. The county director shall at all times be under the general direction and supervision of the board of supervisors, unless otherwise provided by county charter.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10802. Section 10802.

The county director shall, for and in behalf of the board of supervisors, have full charge of the county department and the responsibility for administering and enforcing the provisions of this code pertaining to public social services under the regulations of the department and the State Department of Health Services. He shall abide by all lawful directives of the department and the State Department of Health Services, transmitted through the board of supervisors.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10803. Section 10803.

The county director shall: (a) Serve as the executive and administrative officer of the county department. The county director may delegate his powers and functions to any member of his staff. (b) Establish such administrative units as he may deem necessary or desirable for the proper and efficient administration of the county department, and employ such personnel as may be authorized subject to merit system regulations and the state standards established pursuant to Section 19801 of the Government Code. (c) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law, and, except for Section 10801, such other administrative and executive duties pertaining to the public social services as may, by other provisions of law, be imposed upon the board of supervisors. (d) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of supervisors.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10804. Section 10804.

The board of supervisors in any county may contract with any other county or counties or with the department for the operation and maintenance of such public social services as are provided in one or more of the contracting counties, or for the establishment and maintenance of such public social services as the board of supervisors shall deem to be desirable to discharge the duties of the county to provide for public social services for those eligible therefor or the health and care of the sick. Except as provided in Section 11050, the cost of contracted services shall be borne by the contracting county or counties and shall, insofar as state or federal funds are involved, conform to department standards and regulations generally applicable to such services.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10804.1. Section 10804.1.

The board of supervisors in any county may contract with any other county or counties or with the State Department of Health Services for the operation and maintenance of such services as are provided in one or more of the contracting counties, or for the establishment and maintenance of such services as the board of supervisors shall deem to be desirable to discharge the duties of the county to provide for services for those eligible therefor or the health and care of the sick. The cost of contracted services shall be borne by the contracting county or counties and shall, insofar as state or federal funds are involved, conform to department standards and regulations generally applicable to such services.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10805. Section 10805.

Each worker employed by the department or the State Department of Health Services whose responsibilities require making home visits shall be provided with an identification card, showing the name and position of the worker, and containing a recent picture. Upon calling at the home of any applicant for or recipient of public social services, the worker shall display the identification card to the applicant or recipient. Should a worker terminate his employment with the agency, he shall return his identification card to the agency.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10806. Section 10806.

If a dispute occurs between counties as to the responsibility for public social services for an applicant or recipient, either county may submit the dispute to the department or the State Department of Health Services, whichever department has jurisdiction. The decision of the appropriate department shall be final.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10808. Section 10808.

Any report published by the county in written or graphic form of expenditures for public social services shall show clearly the amount and proportion of costs borne by local taxes and the amount and proportion of costs borne by the state and federal governments.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10809. Section 10809.

The county department shall administer the public social services authorized or permitted under the applicable portions of this code in accordance with the regulations of the department and the State Department of Health Services. The county department shall make such reports to the appropriate department as may be required.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10810. Section 10810.

Subject to the approval of the department each county department is authorized to sponsor and conduct programs for the recruitment, training, and utilization of volunteers to assist county department employees in the performance of office duties and to aid in performing services in the counties including but not limited to the following: (a) Friendly visiting of the indigent aged; (b) Finding homes for foster children; (c) Escorting and transporting recipients to clinics and other destinations; (d) Aiding in location of improved housing; (e) Teaching homemaking skills and aiding in budgeting and care of the household; (f) Providing tutoring and other educational aid. Volunteers shall not duplicate services performed by county department employees. The county department shall maintain the confidentiality of records of recipients.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10812. Section 10812.

In addition to services, as defined in Section 10053, that may be required under this division a county may provide any service permitted by federal law and for which federal participation is available.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10813.1. Section 10813.1.

Each county shall submit to the department by December 31 of each year a comprehensive plan for the financing and delivery of social services for the next fiscal year to meet the purposes of Section 10053. Such plan shall specify a priority of services for adults and for families and children.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026