(a)
In order to promote the successful implementation of the statutory preference for foster care placement with a relative caregiver as set forth in Section 7950 of the Family Code, each community college district with a foster care education program shall make available orientation and training, pursuant to Sections 1522.44 and 1529.2 of the Health and Safety Code, to the relative or nonrelative extended family member
caregiver into whose care the county has placed a foster child. The training shall include, but is not limited to, courses that cover the following:
(1)
The role, rights, and responsibilities of a relative or nonrelative extended family member caregiver caring for a child in foster care, including the right of a foster child to have fair and equal access to all available services, placement, care, treatment, and benefits, and to not be subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of actual or perceived race, ethnic group identification, ancestry, national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental or physical disability, or HIV
status.
(2)
An overview of the child protective system.
(3)
The effects of child abuse and neglect on child development.
(4)
Positive discipline and the importance of self-esteem.
(5)
Health issues in foster care, including, but not limited to, the information described in subdivision (d) of Section 16501.4.
(6)
Accessing education and health services that are available to foster children.
(7)
Relationship and safety issues
regarding contact with one or both of the birth parents.
(8)
Permanency options for relative or nonrelative extended family member caregivers, including legal guardianship, the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment Program, and kin adoption.
(9)
Information on resources available for those who meet eligibility criteria, including out-of-home care payments, the Medi-Cal program, in-home supportive services, and other similar resources.
(10)
Instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity relating to, and best practices for, providing adequate care to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth in out-of-home care.
(11)
Basic instruction on the existing laws and procedures regarding the safety of foster youth at school and the ensuring of a
harassment and violence free school environment contained in the Article 3.6 (commencing with Section 32228) of Chapter 2 of Part 19 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code.
(12)
Knowledge of, and skills related to, the application of the reasonable and prudent parent standard for the participation of the child in age or developmentally appropriate activities, as set forth in Section 1522.44 of the
Health and Safety Code.
(b)
In addition to training made available pursuant to subdivision (a), each community college district with a foster care education program shall make training available to a relative or nonrelative extended family member caregiver that includes, but need not be limited to, courses that cover all of the following:
(1)
Child and adolescent development, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression.
(2)
Health issues in foster
care, including, but not limited to, the information described in subdivision (d) of Section 16501.4.
(3)
Positive discipline and the importance of self-esteem.
(4)
Emancipation and independent living.
(5)
Accessing education and health services available to foster children.
(6)
Relationship and safety issues regarding contact with one or both of the birth parents.
(7)
Permanency options for relative or nonrelative extended family member caregivers, including legal guardianship, the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment Program, and kin adoption.
(8)
Basic instruction on the
existing laws and procedures regarding the safety of foster youth at school and the ensuring of a harassment and violence free school environment contained in the Article 3.6 (commencing with Section 32228) of Chapter 2 of Part 19 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code.
(9)
Knowledge of, and skills related to, the application of the reasonable and prudent parent standard for the participation of the
child in age or developmentally appropriate activities, as set forth in Section 1522.44 of the Health and Safety Code.
(c)
In addition to the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b), each community college district with a foster care education program, in providing the orientation program, shall develop appropriate program parameters in collaboration with the counties.
(d)
Each community college district with a foster care education program shall make every attempt to make the training and orientation programs for relative or nonrelative extended family member caregivers highly accessible in the communities in which they reside.
(e)
When a child is placed with a relative or nonrelative extended family member caregiver, the county shall inform the caregiver of the availability of training and
orientation programs and it is the intent of the Legislature that the county shall forward the names and addresses of relative or nonrelative extended family member caregivers to the appropriate community colleges providing the training and orientation programs.
(f)
This section shall not be construed to preclude counties from developing or expanding existing training and orientation programs for foster care providers to include relative or nonrelative extended family member caregivers.
(g)
This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2017, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2017, deletes or extends that date.