(a) A county, or two or more counties, may implement three-year performance-based CalWORKs demonstration projects under this chapter to test alternative methods of service delivery designed to do any of, but not limited to, the following:

(1) More effectively serve highly distressed geographic areas.

(2) More effectively serve hard-to-employ target populations.

(3) Better meet local labor force demands.

(4) Address the needs of the CalWORKs population in areas of chronic high unemployment.

(5) Improve administration of program services to clients.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that CalWORKs demonstration projects promote cross-agency collaboration within the county or counties in order to reduce duplication and fragmentation of services, serve CalWORKs families in a comprehensive fashion, and increase the self-sufficiency and well-being of CalWORKs families.

(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that each demonstration project test different types of alternative service delivery or serve different types of populations.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 270, Sec. 181. Effective August 11, 1997. Operative January 1, 1998, by Sec. 183 of Ch. 270.)