Foster child caseworker visit rule changes codified

Senate Bill 382, which took effect in January 2014, changed requirements for monthly caseworker visits with foster children. The provisions of the bill are now part of amendments to Welf. & Inst. Code Section 16516.5 and 16516.6. In accordance with those sections, no more than two consecutive monthly visits can be held outside the foster child’s residence, the caseworker/social worker/probation officer must advise the foster child that she has the right to request that the private discussion occur outside the group home or foster home, and if the visit does not occur at the child’s residence, the caseworker must document the location of the visit in the case file and court report, along with the reason the visit did not take place at the child’s residence.  ACL 14-50.