ACL 14-29: Reporting Service Delivery Activities Related To Providing Mental Health Services To Children In Foster Care For The Period Of September 1, 2013 Through February 28, 2014, Due On May 1, 2014(Revised Progress Report Template) (3/28/14)

DSS issued this notice to provide counties with a revised progress report template for reporting their activities and progress related to implementation of Intensive Care Coordination , Intensive Home Based Services , and Therapeutic Foster Care for children and youth who meet Katie A. subclass criteria. [Download]

ACL 14-28: Expansion Of The Definition Of Relative For The Federal KIN-GAP Program (3/25/14)

Instructions on the implementation of the expanded definition of “relative” for the federal KinGAP program. (No change to the state-funded KinGAP).  In addition to the traditionally defined relatives, California can now provide federal KinGAP to “fictive” relatives. These are: non-related extended family members; adult members of the child’s tribe or an Indian custodian, and a current foster parent who has established a family-like relationship with the child and who enters into an agreement to be a permanent connection for the child.  These new definitions cannot be retroactive to the period prior to federal approval, even though the state law exercising the state optional expansion passed in 2013.  All the other eligibility rules that apply to KinGAP must be met. [Download]

ACL 14-10: Instructions For Completion Of The Relative Assessment/Approval SOC Forms For A Tribally Approved Home (1/31/14)

federally recognized Indian tribe is authorized to approve or license a home for foster
care or adoptive purposes according to the tribe’s own licensing standards. The home
is not required to obtain a state or county license. The county CWS agency or probation department in collaboration with the child’s tribe ensures compliance with W&IC section 361.4. The tribe is permitted to perform all aspects of the home assessment process except for the criminal and Child Abuse Central Index background check requirements, which are done by the county or probation.  [Download]