The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding changes to the Bringing Families Home Program. Bringing Families Home provides financial assistance and housing support services to families receiving child welfare services, including tribal child welfare services, where the family is experiencing or at risk of homelessness and housing stability will increase family reunification or prevent foster care placement.
For Bringing Families Home, grantees were required to provide dollar-for-dollar matching funds. That requirement was waived beginning July 1, 2021. That waiver is extended to June 30, 2025.
The definition of homeless is now expanded to include individuals or families who are fleeing, or is attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual, family member, including a child.
The definition of permanent housing is now clarified to be no predetermined time limits on the length of stay at the premises.
CDSS must adopt regulations for the Bringing Families Home program by July 1, 2024.
Technical assistance about the Home Safe program is available to all grantees from CDSS. (ACL 24-21, March 21, 2024.)