Resource Family Approval Program
Family and Permanency Bureau
October 2014
All STAFF PRESENTATION
RFA
Family and Permanency Bureau
• New Unit
• Supervisor-Ruben Moreno ext 6841
• RFA Social Workers
o Andree Patron
o Jackie Bergkvist
Andree Patron
Angel Kelly
Annette Stahlnecker
Becky Smith
Byron Myers
Catherine Johnston
Christine Curtis
Dana Sugiyama
Daniel Vo
Dawn Beck
Denise Marchu
Donna Erickson
Edwin Patrick
Enedina Serrano
Enrique Carbajal
Giap Le
Gilbert Murillo
Graciela Escobar
Herman Morris
Jacqueline Skyberg
Jayne Rovianek
Jennifer Hubbs
Jermaine Hardy
Jess Moreno
Jonathan Weinberg
Julie McKellar
Kathleen Miles
Kuei-Ting Huang
Leslie Aytch
Leslie Griffith
Leticia Gonzalez
Linda Franks
Linh Tran
Lucrecia Thompson
Mandana Mahdavi
Marshell Terry-Battle
Marybeth Rodgers
Meheret Sellassie
Melissa Herrera
Miday Tovar
Pa Chang
Patricia Avila
Patrick Solich
Rhoda Cheung
Rose Litvin
Ruben Moreno
Saul Gonzalez
Susan Steele
Sylvia Roque
Thinh Huynh
Tina Iniguez
Vincent Nichols
Wendy Kinnear
Managers and Administrators Lori Medina
and Jaime Lope
Acknowledgements

Legislative Background

What is the Resource Family Approval(RFA) Program


Unified Application Process

Responsibilities of DFCS and Resource Family

Home Environment and Permanency Assessments
Partnerships and Resources
Mission Statement
The mission of Santa Clara County Department of
Family and Children’s Services is to keep children safe
and families strong. With respect and cultural humility
we partner with our diverse community to ensure that
children and youth who are at risk or have suffered
abuse or neglect are safe, cared for and grow up in a
forever family.
Legislative Background
(Authorized by Welfare and Institutions Code section 16519.5)
SIP ♦Strategic Planning ♦ QPI
Child and Family Practice Model
We believe
• Resource Families are fully committed to nurturing and
supporting a child.
• Resource Families are respected and valued team
members.
• Resource Families support family connections.
• Resource Families are our neighbors who are specially
trained and skilled in meeting the diverse needs of
children in their care.
RFA Program’s Purpose
It is the purpose of the Resource Family Approval
Program to have a unified, family friendly, and childcentered resource family approval process. This replaces
the existing multiple processes for licensing foster family
homes and approving relatives and non-relative extended
family members as foster care providers, and approving
families for legal guardianship or adoption.
 This is the state program now implemented by Santa
Clara County DFCS, which oversees resource families
who are approved to provide care and supervision for
children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
 As an approved Resource Family Home, you are
required to comply with the written directives of the
Resource Family Approval Program.
Any individual, couple, or a family who wants to
provide care to a related or unrelated child(ren) who
is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, or
otherwise in the care of a county child welfare
agency or probation department.
RFA Process
• One Application (No Fee)
• One Background Check
• Combined Home Environment and Permanency
Assessments
• Pre-approval ( Informational Meeting and Orientation)
and post-approval training for all families
• Includes procedures for the placement of a child prior to
resource family approval
• Maximum Capacity is Six (6) Children
• No Annual Fee
• Required Annual Updates for Re-Approval
The Unified Process
One standardized process for ALL CAREGIVERS
• One application (for Fostering and Adoption )
• One consolidated Live Scan for persons 18 years and
older living in the home
• Combined Home Environment and Permanency
Assessments
• Pre-approval training is required for applicants
FYI…
Allows for emergency placement with relatives or NREFMs
Relatives and NREFMs are required to have First Aid and CPR training
Post Approval Training annually 12 hours
Maximum Capacity in the home is total of six (6) children
Requires Annual Updates for Re-Approval
No application fee
No annual reapproval fee
 California QPI Partnership Agreement
The California QPI Partnership Agreement is an action tool designed for you to use
to establish a strong team relationship between resource/foster/kinship caregivers
and child welfare staff in order to help children in foster care thrive. The Plan is a
cooperative effort and was developed jointly by the Quality Parenting Initiative, 20
participating California counties, including Santa Clara County, the County Welfare
Director’s Association and the California Department of Social Services. The
purpose of the plan is to more clearly set out responsibilities and expectations
for resource families/foster families and kinship caregivers, case workers, the
courts and the Department of Social Services in working together for the
benefit of children and families.
Santa Clara County values it’s caregiver community and believes that
•Resource Families are fully committed to nurturing and supporting a child.
•Resource Families are respected and valued team members.
•Resource Families support family connections.
•Resource Families are our neighbors who become specially trained and skilled
in meeting the diverse needs of children in their care.
1. Monitoring
2. Investigation
3. Oversight
4. Support
Monitoring & Oversight

Criminal Record Clearance

Current First Aid and CPR certificates

Physical Exam and TB test

Pre-Approval Training (27 hours)

Home Environment & Permanency
Assessments
Criminal Background Check
Prior to approval, all adults (18 and older) living in
the home must have a background check:
 Criminal Records Statement
 LIVE SCAN – Fingerprint (DOJ and FBI)
 Child Abuse Central Index (CACI)
 Out-of-State Registry Check (if applicant or any adult has
lived in another state within the past 5 years)
 CWS/CMS Check (Child Welfare Services/Case
Management System)
 Megan’s Law Registered Sex Offender Check
 DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) Check on Applicants
(and any adults who may frequently transport a child or nonminor dependent)
Physical Examination
 Physical Examination and TB Test
is required for all Applicants with
the Doctor’s original signature and
an official stamp
Monitoring
SSA/DFCS shall monitor Resource Families through the
following:
 Conducting annual updates- Re-approval every 12 months
 Conducting periodic evaluations and home environment
assessments
 Investigating complaints against a Resource Family
 Developing corrective action plans to correct identified
deficiencies
 Require a Resource Family to comply with corrective action
plans
Oversight
 Once the home is approved, the
Caregiver(s) must comply with the
RFA Program’s Written Directives.
 Once the home is approved,
SSA/DFCS is required to inspect
the home to ensure that the
Caregiver(s) is operating within the
RFA Program’s Written Directives.
ANNOUNCED VISITS
 Pre-Approval
 Annual/Required
 Follow up
 Case Management
UNANNOUNCED VISITS
 Complaint Investigations
Investigations and Oversight
When a Caregiver(s) fails to protect the healthand safety
of the children in care or serious deficiencies exist, the
following actions may be taken:








Complaint/allegation-investigation is conducted
Deficiencies are discussed
Deficiencies are corrected
Office Conference
Denial of the application
Rescind Approval
Other Administrative Action
Appeal Rights
A Resource Family must report for a child or a non-minor dependent:
 Death
 Any suspected child abuse or neglect
 Any injury to or illness that requires emergency medical attention or
hospitalization
 Any incident that involves and threatens the physical or emotional safety of
child, non-minor dependent, or any individual in the home.
 Any unusual absence of a child or, for a non-minor dependent, any
prolonged absence that lasts more than 72 hours.
A Resource Family must report the above events by telephone, email or fax
within 24 hours after event occurs or within next business day to the RFA
Social Worker AND the child’s Social Worker and submit a written report
within seven (7) days.
Refer to the RFA Program’s Written Directives, Section 10-06 Reporting
Requirements for a more detailed list.
Reporting Requirement
After Hours/Weekends/Holidays
Death of a child or other incident serious in
nature that requires hospitalization
should be called into the:
Child Abuse & Neglect (CAN) Center
(Hotline) immediately at
(408) 299-2071
Resource Families do NOT get PAID.
Resource Families DO get REIMBURSED.
Reimbursement money
is to be used for the
child’s food, clothing,
toys, educational
supplies, and personal
hygiene items.
Responsibilities for Providing Care
and supervision
CURRENT AND AGE APPROPRIATE FIRST AID & CPR
TRAINING (This will be required for Relatives & NREFMs)
ENSURE SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN’S SCHEDULES
and ACTIVITIES
MONITOR FOOD INTAKE OR SPECIAL DIETS
MAINTENANCE and SUPERVISION OF CHILDRENS
CASH RESOURCES AND PERSONAL PROPERTY
OTHER SERVICES AS SPECIFIED ON THE
PLACEMENT AGREEMENT OR BY THE SOCIAL
WORKER
ASSIST IN DRESSING, GROOMING, BATHING (AGE
APPROPRIATE), & OTHER PERSONAL HYGIENE
MATTERS
ASSIST IN TAKING, DISPENSING, & DOCUMENTING
MEDICATION
CENTRAL STORAGE OF MEDICATIONS
ARRANGING/ ASSISTING WITH MEDICAL, DENTAL, &
COUNSELING APPOINTMENTS
PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION
MAINTAIN HOUSE RULES FOR THE PROTECTION OF
THE CHILDREN
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
(spanking, hitting, slapping, hair
pulling, pinching, kicking, etc.)
IS PROHIBITED
RESOURCE FAMILIES ARE
MANDATED REPORTERS OF
CHILD ABUSE
Smoking is prohibited
A person who is approved to
provide care in an approved
resource family home shall not
smoke or permit any other
person to smoke inside of the
home, and, when the child is
present, on the outdoor
grounds of the facility. This
also includes vehicles.
HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE – HSC
1530.7. (b)
REASONABLE AND PRUDENT
PARENT STANDARD (RPPS)
This means the careful and sensible parental
decisions that maintain a child’s health,
safety, and best interests, as defined in
Welfare and Institutions Code section 362.04.
Things to consider ……
When applying the reasonable and prudent parent
standard, a Resource Family shall consider the
following:
• Age, the maturity, and development level of a child.
• The nature and inherent risks of harm of the activity.
• The best interests of a child based on information known
by the Resource Family.
OCCASIONAL SHORT-TERM
BABYSITTER
• If the caregiver anticipates being
absent from the home for no more
than 24 hours at a time, on an
occasional basis, the caregiver is
permitted to arrange for an
occasional, short-term babysitter to
provide care and supervision.
Short-term meaning no more than 24
consecutive hours
Includes, but not limited to:
 Kitchen area (food, knives, cleaning supplies)
 Living area (fireplace/heater, carpets, and furniture clean
and in good repair)
 Bedrooms (linens, lighting, age appropriate furniture,
closet/drawer space)
 Bathrooms (safe, clean, & operating)
 Yard (free from hazards & debris)
 Pool/bodies of water (made inaccessible)
Permanency Assessment




Pre-Approval Training for Caregivers
Psychosocial Evaluation
• Permanency Assessment Questionnaire
• Face to Face Interviews between RFA Worker and Applicants
• A minimum of one separate face-to-face interview with all other
persons living in the home of an applicant
Additional interviews or requirements deemed necessary by DFCS
Written Assessment
• A summary and evaluation of applicant’s personal history
• A summary & determination of an applicant’s capacity to foster,
adopt, or provide legal guardianship of a child
 No more than two children or two non-minor dependents may share a bedroom.
 Children of opposite sex shall not share a bedroom unless each child is under five years
of age.
 Poisons, firearms, and other dangerous items must be locked.
 Emergency numbers in a prominent location in the home.
 Maintain health and educational records and keep confidential.
 Personal Rights of each child and non-minor dependent
 No more than two infants (0-23 months) may reside in the home without additional
help.
 Resource Families must complete 12 hours of training, annually.
 Telephone service must be accessible to a child at all times.
Be prepared: Childproof Your Home and Install Safety
Devices to prevent access to dangerous items!
First Aid Kits
It is a requirement that a
caregiver have a complete
First Aid Kit and a First
Aid Manual.
PET
Recommendations
• Vaccinations
• License
• Dog Runs
All homes that accept
children under 10 years
of age or
developmentally,
mentally, or physically
disabled shall ensure
that swimming pools
and other bodies of
water are inaccessible.
36
EXAMPLES OF POOL COVERS
The following are examples of
homes that were not ready for the
Home Environment Assessment
Is this ok?
Read the label
Is this okay?
A plastic covered
foam mattress?
Is this room
clean and
safe?
So what do you think…?
Foster Family Home Insurance Fund
• The Foster Family Home Insurance Fund provides liability
insurance coverage to foster parents for incidents relating to
the provision of foster care services.
• The Fund will pay up to $300,000 on behalf of covered
FFHs the claims of foster children, their parents or
guardians for damages arising from the foster care
relationship and the provisions of foster care services, or
reimburse covered homes for those damages.
• Does not cover liability due to fraud, abuse, car accident, lack of
homeowner’s insurance, etc. (see handout for complete list).
A Resource Family is considered to be
approved for providing foster care,
becoming a legal guardian or adopting a
child.
If you plan to move, contact your RFA
Social Worker 30 days prior to the move.
An Invitation to Welcoming Ceremony
Resource Family Approval (RFA) Glossary of Terms
Previously Used Term
Foster Family
County Licensed Foster Family Homes
Relative/NREFM Families
Adoptive Family
FFH
Relative/ NREFM Home Approval
WIC 16504.5
Relative/NREFM Home Approval
Application 309(d)
Criminal Record Statement- LIC 508 D
Adoption Home Study
Relative /NREFM Re-Assessment
Licensing Orientation
PRIDE
KINSHIP PRIDE
PRE-SERVICE
TITLE 22 Division 6
CCL Regulations
New Term
Resource Family (RF)
Resource Family Approval Process
WIC 16519.5
RF Application- Packet
RF Criminal Record Statement
Form RFA-01(B)
Permanency Assessment
RF Annual Update- Form RFA-06
RFA Orientation
Pre-Approval Training
CDSS
Written Directives
Support
• Kinship and Adoptive Foster Parent
Association
• Resource Family Support Team
• Relative and NREFMs Support
Team
• Foster Care Kinship Education
Program
• West Valley College and Evergreen
Valley College
Support
• Kinship and Adoptive Foster Parent
Association
• Resource Family Support Team
• Relative and NREFMs Support
Team
• Foster Care Kinship Education
Program
• West Valley College and Evergreen
Valley College
Kinship and Adoptive
Foster Parent
Association (KAFPA)
How do you partner
with us to support
Caregivers?
Resource Family
Support Team
Contracted through
Unity Care
How do you partner
with us to support
Caregivers?
Relative and
NREFMs Support
Team
Contracted
through Catholic
Charities
How do you
partner with us
to support
Caregivers?
Foster Kinship
Care Education
Donna Erickson
Contracted through:
West Valley Community
College
How do you partner with
us to support Caregivers?
10 QUESTIONS?
We Believe
Believe Video: We Believe – YouTube