A new statistical report is out for counties to complete regarding Rate Requests for Dual Agency AFDC-FC and AAP kids (those also receiving Regional Center services). (The supplement if for those youth whose supervision needs cannot be addressed within regular rate, and who may qualify for an enhanced rate.) [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
adoption
ACIN I-31-09: Invitation For County Participation In The Resource Family Approval Pilot Program (4/22/09)
5 counties get to pilot a process to replace the existing multiple processes for licensing foster family homes and assessing/approving relative caregivers, non-relative extended family members (NREFM), adoptive applicants and prospective guardians with a single unified process. This ACIN is the request for program Concept Papers/Statement of Qualifications. [Download]
ACL 09-16: Approvals For Prospective Adoptive Applicants (3/12/09)
AB 2651 was an urgency measure, effective October 1, 2008, which amended California’s adoption approval process for prospective adoptive parents/petitioners to meet federal requirements. This ACL outlines the obligations of CDSS and all licensed public and private adoption agencies in the State of California (including independent and intercountry). These provisions prohibit the final approval of a prospective adoptive applicant/petitioner, or any adult residing in the applicant’s home, if they have certain felony convictions. The types of convictions, and the ban (permanent or fixed period) on adoptions is listed.
Additionally, under the new law, any home study not approved prior to October 1, 2008 must be denied when either the applicant or any adult residing in the home has any of the felony convictions specified in FC 8712 and 8908. (When non-applicant adults are the problem, adoptive applicants maintain the option of removing those adults from the home and then proceeding with the assessment). The letter also reviews the process for receiving information about subsequent convictions (during or after the approval process). [Download]
ACL 09-10: Intercountry Adoptions (2/27/09)
Passes on recently enacted federal and state law changes that impact intercountry adoptions. Public adoption agencies do not need to be accredited to practice these types of adoptions, but should be aware that the requirements for emigrating children need to be followed for all children emigrating to be adopted in a foreign country. The letter provides information on the accreditation process, provisional licenses, providers, home studies, and other requirements. [Download]
ACL 09-09: Relative Caregivers and Permanency Options (2/23/09)
Notice of changes brought about by AB 298 regarding how legal guardianship for a relative is considered as a permanency placement option. 1) a relative caregiver’s preference for legal guardianship over adoption, unrelated to an unwillingness to accept legal or financial responsibility for the child, cannot be the sole basis for recommending the removal of a child from the relative caregiver for adoptive placement; 2) requires that a relative caregiver be given information regarding the options of guardianship and adoption. To “ensure consistency” the state has provided an optional form; 3) changes the order of preference for permanent placement of the child. The the second option, after that of termination of parental rights, is now appointing the relative caretaker the legal guardian; 4) requires the court, under certain circumstances, to not terminate parental rights if the child is living with a relative who is unable or unwilling to adopt the child, unrelated to an unwillingness to accept legal or financial responsibility for the child, but who is willing to be the legal guardian, when removal of the child would be detrimental; 5) changes to the report that the county must prepare. [Download]