The California Department of Social Services has issued information about the Resource Family Approval (RFA) program. RFA is a new foster caregiver process that is a one-time approval with the same assessment, information and training for all foster caregivers. The assessment includes home environment, background checks, psychosocial assessment and training.
Placements can be made prior to approval in emergencies if the home passes inspection, the foster caregiver passes a criminal records check, and the foster caregiver initiates the RFA process within five days. Placements can also be made prior to approval if there is a compelling reason based on the best interest and needs of the child, the foster caregiver has already completed the home assessment, and post-placement the foster caregiver completes the psychosocial assessment and training within 90 days. Foster care benefits cannot begin until the RFA approval process is completed.
Five counties have already implemented the RFA. Nine counties will implement the program between January and June, 2016. All counties must implement RFA on January 1, 2017. ACL 16-10 (February 17, 2016).