The department shall develop and publish criteria for the submission and approval of county plans for projects proposed to be undertaken pursuant to this chapter. Such criteria shall be so devised as to encourage and stimulate local efforts to improve staff performance and to undertake new and experimental activities specifically designed to increase family responsibility and capacity for self-care.

Criteria shall include those plans which may be submitted by organizations of recipients within the county, when in the judgment of the director, such plans will contribute to increased social responsibility on the part of the recipients and increased knowledge concerning the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

In order to qualify for state participation in the cost of any local project or activity, the county shall submit a plan to the department which shall provide the following assurances:

(1) The project or activity will be undertaken and directed by the county welfare department, with the exception of those plans submitted by an organization of recipients.

(2) None of the state funds will be used to offset or reduce the amount of county funds currently applied to or budgeted for ongoing administrative activities and services.

(3) The employment of personnel with qualifications consistent with the disciplines required by the project, with the exception of plans submitted by organizations of recipients in which case the department shall be responsible for evaluative functions.

(4) A system for maintaining records and methods of analyses which will permit accurate and regular evaluations of the results achieved by the project or activity.

(Amended by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1949.)