(a)
(1)Pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the State Department of Social Services, shall implement a unified, family friendly, and child-centered resource family approval process to replace the existing multiple processes for licensing foster family homes, approving relatives and nonrelative extended family members as foster care providers, and approving adoptive families.
(2)
For purposes of this section, a “resource family” means an individual or couple that has successfully met both the home
environment assessment and the permanency assessment criteria, as set forth in Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, necessary for providing care for a related or unrelated child who is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, or otherwise in the care of a county child welfare agency or probation department.
(b)
A foster family agency that is selected and authorized to participate in early implementation of the resource family approval program, pursuant to subdivision (t) of Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, shall comply with the provisions of this section.
(1)
Notwithstanding any other law, the foster family agency shall require its applicants and resource families to meet the resource family approval standards set forth
in Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the written directives adopted thereto, and other applicable laws prior to approval and in order to maintain approval.
(2)
The foster family agency shall be responsible for all of the following:
(A)
Complying with the applicable provisions of this chapter, the regulations for foster family agencies, the resource family approval standards and requirements set forth in Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and the applicable written directives adopted thereto as directed by the department.
(B)
Implementing the requirements for the resource family approval and utilizing standardized documentation established by the department.
(C)
Ensuring staff have the education and experience necessary to complete the home environment and psychosocial assessments competently.
(D)
Taking the following actions, as applicable:
(i)
Approving or denying resource family applications.
(ii)
Rescinding approvals of resource families.
(E)
Providing to the department a log of resource families that were approved or rescinded during the month by the 10th day of the following month. For purposes of subdivision (d) of Section 1536, a certified family home includes a resource family approved by the foster family agency pursuant to this
section.
(F)
Updating resource family approval annually.
(G)
Monitoring resource families through all of the following:
(i)
Ensuring that social workers who identify a condition in the home that may not meet the resource family approval standards while in the course of a routine visit to children subsequently placed with a resource family take appropriate action as needed.
(ii)
Requiring resource families to comply with corrective action plans as necessary to correct identified deficiencies. If corrective action is not completed as specified in the plan, the foster family agency or the department may rescind the approval of the resource family in accordance with
the written directives adopted pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(iii)Requiring resource families to report to the foster family agency any incidents as specified in the written directives adopted pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(H)
Performing corrective action as required by the department.
(I)
Submitting information and data that the department determines is necessary to study, monitor, and prepare the report specified in paragraph (9) of subdivision (f) of Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(J)
Ensuring resource family applicants and resource families meet the training requirements
set forth in paragraphs (12) to (14), inclusive, of subdivisions (g) and (h) of Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(c)
In addition to subdivision (f) of Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the State Department of Social Services shall be responsible for all of the following:
(1)
Investigating all complaints against a resource family approved by a foster family agency and taking any action it deems necessary. This shall include investigating any incidents reported about a resource family indicating that the approval standard is not being maintained. Complaint investigations shall be conducted in accordance with the written directives adopted pursuant to Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(2)
Rescinding approvals of a resource family approved by a foster family agency.
(3)
Excluding a resource family parent or other individual from presence in a resource family home or licensed community care facility, from being a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensed community care facility, or prohibiting a licensed community care facility from employing the resource family parent or other individual, if appropriate.
(4)
Issuing a temporary suspension order that suspends the resource family approval prior to a hearing, when urgent action is needed to protect a child or nonminor dependent from physical or mental abuse, abandonment, or any other substantial threat to health or safety.
(d)
The department may enter and inspect the home of a resource family approved by a foster family agency to secure compliance with the resource family approval standards, investigate a complaint or incident, or ensure the quality of care provided.
(e)
Nothing in this section or Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code limits the authority of the department to inspect, evaluate, investigate a complaint or incident, or initiate a disciplinary action against a foster family agency pursuant to this chapter or to take any action it may deem necessary for the health and safety of children placed with the foster family agency.
(f)
For purposes of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 1523.1, a certified family home
includes a resource family approved by a foster family agency pursuant to this section.
(g)
(1)On and after January 1, 2017, all licensed foster family agencies shall approve resource families in lieu of certifying foster homes. A foster family agency shall require its applicants and resource families to meet the resource family approval standards and requirements set forth in Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the written directives adopted thereto, and other applicable laws prior to approval and in order to maintain approval.
(2)
No later than July 1, 2017, each foster family agency shall provide the following information to all certified family homes:
(A)
A detailed description of the
resource family approval program.
(B)
Notification that, in order to care for a foster child, resource family approval is required by December 31, 2019.
(C)
Notification that a certificate of approval shall be forfeited by operation of law as provided for in paragraph (5).
(3)
By no later than January 1, 2018, the following shall apply to all certified family homes:
(A)
A certified family home with an approved adoptive home study, completed prior to January 1, 2018, shall be deemed to be an approved resource family.
(B)
A certified family home that had a child in placement for any length of
time, between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017, inclusive, may be approved as a resource family on the date of successful completion of a psychosocial assessment pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(4)
A foster family agency may provide supportive services to all certified family homes with a child in placement to assist with the resource family transition and to minimize placement disruptions.
(5)
All certificates of approval shall be forfeited by operation of law on December 31, 2019, except as provided in this paragraph:
(A)
A certified family home that did not have a child in placement for any length of time between
January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017, inclusive, shall forfeit by operation of law its certificate of approval on January 1, 2018.
(B)
For a certified family home with a pending resource family application on December 31, 2019, the certificate of approval shall be forfeited by operation of law on the date of approval as a resource family. If approval is denied, forfeiture by operation of law shall occur on the date of completion of any proceedings required by law to ensure due process.