Placement Prior to Resource Family Approval
0100-520.05 | Revision Date: 7/18/2023

Overview

This policy reviews the process for an emergency placement or a placement based on a compelling reason with relatives and Non-Related Extended family members. These placements can occur at any time during the child's case, including pre or post disposition.

Table of Contents

Version Summary

This policy guide was updated from the 11/9/21 version to incorporate the provisions of SB 354, which requires counties to assist relatives and NREFM’s with obtaining necessary provisions for an emergency placement of a relative child (WIC section 309), expands eligibility for the Approved Relative Caregiver (ARC) funding (WIC section 11461.3) and authorizes the Juvenile Court to order placement of a child with a relative, regardless of the status of any criminal exemptions or RFA (WIC section 319).

POLICY

Resource Family

A Resource Family is considered eligible to provide foster care for related and unrelated children in out-of-home placements and is considered and approved for adoption or legal guardianship, and although they do not have to undergo any additional approval or licensure, additional information may be needed to proceed with adoption per ACL 18-142.

Placement Prior to Resource Family Approval

Placement of a child or nonminor dependent may be made prior to the Resource Family Approval, at any time during the child's case, including pre or post disposition, if either of the following situations apply:

  1. The placement is made with a relative or NREFM on an emergency basis.
    • If the sole issue preventing an emergency placement of a child with a relative or NREFM is a lack of resources, including items such as cribs or car seats, DCFS shall use reasonable efforts to assist with obtaining the necessary items within existing available resources, per SB 354.
  2. There is a compelling reason for the placement based on the needs of the child or nonminor dependent. A compelling reason may include, but is not limited to, the following:
    • The unique needs of the child or NMD, or
    • The best interest of the child or nonminor dependent to maintain their family or family-like connections with an applicant.
    • In the case of an Indian child,  placement preferences  set forth in Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 361.31 and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978 (25 U.S.C. Section 1901 et seq.) must be followed. See 1200-500.05, Adopting and Serving Children Under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).

Placement of a child or NMD does not ensure approval as a Resource Family. However, the family evaluation must consider the nature of the relationship between the relative or NREFM and the child.

The RFA referral process begins at placement when the DCFS 280 Placement Request is made. The RFA process is time-sensitive and requires completion of a comprehensive background check and home environment assessment within ten (10) calendar days following the criminal records check conducted through CLETS, or five (5) business days after a child or NMD is placed with a relative or NREFM, whichever is sooner. All components of the RFA must be completed within ninety (90) days of placement, if a child is placed in the home prior to the home being approved as a resource family, per WIC 16519.5.

For placements in other counties, refer to Out-of-County Placements.

Out of state placements are not allowed prior to the completion of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) process. Funding is affected when a child is placed prior to the completion of the ICPC process. Placements from one state into another require the cooperation and agreement of agencies in both states. Placement cannot be made until the Los Angeles County ICPC Liaison has received the approval from the receiving state.

Compelling Reason Placement

“Compelling Reason” means a decision to place a child with an applicant prior to approval as a Resource Family based upon the best interest of the child.

Prior to placing a child or nonminor dependent with an applicant for a compelling reason, the following must occur:

  1. RFA application must be completed.
  2. A health and safety assessment of the home and grounds, outdoor activity space, and storage areas of the home has been completed and documented on form RFA-03, Resource Family Home Health and Safety Assessment Checklist.
  3. Capacity Determination has been completed
  4. A background check of the applicant(s) and all adults residing or regularly present in the home has been completed, and if necessary, any criminal record exemptions have been approved. The background check includes Live Scan fingerprint submissions, including the state and federal record of arrests and prosecutions (RAPsheet),and CACI reports. The background check also includes the DMV, Megan’s Law Registered Sex Offenders Check, and an Administrative Action Records System (AARS) and Licensing Information System (LIS) checks.

The Permanency Assessment of the applicant(s) and the Written Report must be completed within ninety (90) calendar days of the date the child or NMD was placed with the applicant(s), unless good cause exists. If good cause exists, the Department must document the reasons for the delay and generate a timeframe for completion.
An applicant is not eligible to receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care payment on behalf of a child or nonminor dependent until the applicant receives Resource Family Approval and the child or nonminor dependent meets all other eligibility criteria. An applicant with a child placed in their home based on a compelling reason will receive emergency caregiver funding effective the date of placement.
If a SB 354 exemption was granted for a federally non-exemptible crime, the applicant is not eligible for AFDC-FC payments, but would be eligible for the newly expanded ARC funding.

Court Ordered Placements

The Juvenile Court may authorize the placement of a child with a relative regardless of the status of any criminal exemption or RFA approval if the court finds the placement would not jeopardize the health or safety, per SB 354.  DCFS must submit these relatives to the approval process for RFA if they haven’t already done so.  Relative applicants who were denied RFA approval who was placed by the court, will not have to adhere to the standards of the RFA program. 

Support for Caregivers

DCFS is contracting with Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to assist relatives/NREFMs residing in LA County with the RFA process. Relatives/NREFMs residing in LA County with the RFA process. Relatives/NREFMs will be assigned to CBOs that will offer online or provide in-home orientations, provide Pre-Approval and Post-Approval Training, assist with obtaining documents required for the RFA process, assist in developing corrective action and documented alternative plans, and assess for basic needs and access tangible supports. The caregiver will be asked to authorize the release of information to the CBO and should be provided with general information regarding the action steps needed for Resource Family Approval. Refer to Becoming a Resource Family for detailed information.

Placement vs. Approval

This policy is focused on the RFA process and does not provide instruction on placement of a child. It is, however, important to know that approval pursuant to RFA is separate from placement of a child into a caregiver’s home.

Approval

It is the sole responsibility of the Resource Family  Approval Division (RFAD) to determine if a person can or cannot be approved as a resource family. The RFAD will work with regional staff to make every effort to approve an applicant as a resource family.

The approval of an applicant as a resource family by the RFAD  does not automatically entitle that caregiver to placement of a child in their home. A prospective caregiver’s home can meet the RFA standards, but placing the child in the home may still not be in the best interest of the child.

Placement

RFAD staff do not make or determine child placements. The decision to place a child or NMD on an emergency basis, or for a compelling reason, or in an approved home is solely the responsibility of the child’s or NMD’s Children’s Social Worker (CSW) and/or Supervising Children’s Social Worker (SCSW) or the placement may be ordered by the court. It is the responsibility of the RFA CSW and/or SCSW to communicate barriers or issues that may lead to the RFA application denial of a relative or NREFM when a placement occurred prior to approval.

Before placement, the regional CSW must assess the prospective caregiver to determine their suitability to care for the child/NMD. The DCFS 724, Placement Assessment, is completed by the regional CSW and is used to determine if the caregiver can meet the child’s/NMD’s needs and placement requirements.

For additional information on placement decisions, see Placement Considerations for Children.

Funding for Relatives and NREFM

Emergency assistance or ARC payments provide foster care funding to families caring for a foster child while completing the RFA process per AB 110, AB 1811, and WIC 11461.36. If the emergency caregiver has signed and submitted an RFA application to the Department, funding will start at the time of placement. (The caregiver completes the RFA 01A at the time of the emergency placement and gives it to the placing CSW.)

SB 354 expands ARC funding to relative caregivers with whom a court orders placement for a child.  This applies to relatives who are not eligible for emergency caregiver funding and AFDC-FC, due to the denial of RFA.  Also, this funding expands to child specific approvals with a SB 354 exemption for a federally non-exemptible crime.

Prospective Caregivers with Criminal History

Arrests and convictions must be considered when assessing whether or not to place a child. An arrest record must not be used to deny or rescind an approval unless the Department investigates the incident and secures evidence to establish that the conduct of the person may pose a risk to the health and safety of any person who is or may become a client, per Health and Safety (HSC) 1522(e)(1). If however, a prospective caregiver has been arrested for any of the crimes listed below, per Welfare and Institutions (WIC) Code 361.4(b)(4), a child cannot be placed until there is an investigation and the Department and court determine that the placement is in the best interest of the child, after having considered the investigation results.

Any crime listed in Penal Code 290: sex offender registry
Penal Code 245: assault with a deadly weapon
Penal Code 273ab: willful injury to a child 8 years of age or younger
Penal Code 273.5: corporal injury to spouse
Penal Code 273a(b): misdemeanor willful injury to a child
Penal Code 273a, paragraph 2 (prior to 1994)
Any crime listed in HS §1522(g) – see Non-Exemptible, Federal Lifetime on chart below.

Please reference the chart for a list of non-exemptible convictions, standard exemptions, and simplified exemptions.

The review, investigation, and approval of all criminal exemptions will remain the responsibility of the RFAD Criminal Exemptions Unit (CEU). The RFAD will maintain a record of all approved and denied criminal exemptions.  Please refer to 0100-520.70, Exemption for Criminal History.

Prospective caregivers do not Live-Scan until the RFAD receives the RFA application is received. The RFRAD shall receive subsequent arrest reports for all caregivers, other adults residing the home, and any persons having significant contact with the child after the RFA approval.

The Regional Administrator (RA) or designee is allowed to approve an emergency placement if the prospective caregiver, any other adult residing in the home, and/or any persons having significant contact with the child, has a conviction that allows for an exemption. Please refer to the chart for a list of non-exemptible convictions, standard exemptions, and simplified exemptions.

PROCEDURE

Emergency Placement with a Relative or NREFM / Placement Based on Compelling Reason

Complete the following prior to placement

CSW Responsibilities

Do not have the caregiver(s) live-scan at this time.

  1. Conduct a criminal records check for all adults residing or having significant contact in the home, including a search of: 
    1. CLETS,
    1. CACI, and
    1. CWS/CMS.
  1. If the CLETS indicates that the person has no criminal record and the CWS/CMS and CACI results have been determined not to pose a risk to the child, the child may be placed in the home on an emergency basis.
  2. If the CLETS results show no arrest or convictions other than an infraction (charges that result in fines) and the CWS/CMS and CACI results have been determined not to pose a risk to the child, the child may be placed in the home of the prospective caregiver once the following steps are taken:
    1. Assess the prospective caregiver’s ability to care for the child’s needs.
  1. A child may be placed on an emergency basis if the CLETS information obtained indicates that the person has been convicted of an exemptible offense, pending a criminal records exemption decision based on RFA type Live Scan fingerprint results if all of the following conditions are met:
    1. The conviction does not involve an offense against a child.
    2. The Deputy Director, Director, or their designee (ARA, RA) determines that the placement is in the best interest of the child, per WIC section 361.4.
    3. No party to the case objects to the placement.
  1. If the CLETS results indicate the person has been convicted of an offense or if the CACI has a hit, complete the following:
    1. Submit the CLETS or CACI and DCFS 280, Placement Request to the Deputy Director or Director or their Designee (ARA, RA) for review.
    2. If approved, document the approval in CWS/CMS in the Contact Notebook. Proceed to step 8.
    1. If denied, search for an appropriate placement.

  1. If the CLETS information obtained indicates that the person has been convicted of a non-exemptible offense, the child must not be placed in the home unless home unless the prospective caregiver is a relative and a SB 354 criminal records exemption has been granted.

  2. File the hard copy of the CLETS and CACI results in the light brown folder.

  3. Create the Placement Packet Request (PPR) in FCSS.

  4. Document the Emergency Pre-Placement Checks in CWS/CMS.

Complete the following during placement

CSW Responsibilities

  1. Inspect the home and grounds and determine that they are free of conditions that may pose an undue risk to the health and safety of the child or nonminor dependent. Use the RFA Environment Checklist as a guide.
  2. Have the caretakers sign the RFA 01A, Resource Family Application.
      1. Provide the caregiver with a signed copy of the RFA 01A. If a copy is not available, provide the caregiver with a blank RFA 01A.

  3. Inform the caregiver(s) that they and all adults residing or regularly present in the home need to Live Scan within three (3) business days of placement.

  4. Provide the caregiver with the Placement Packet Caregiver LiveScan Letter that provides a list of Live Scan locations and the acceptable forms of identification that can be used when submitting to a Live Scan.

  5. Document in CWS/CMS that the caregiver was provided the RFA 01A and the Placement Packet Caregiver LiveScan Letter.

Complete the following after placement

CSW Responsibilities

  1. Document completion of the initial home environment assessment in CWS/CMS.

  2. Submit the DCFS 280 and RFA 01A to the Technical Assistant (TA).

  3. Within two (2) calendar days from the date of placement, submit the RFA 01A to the RFA Intake mailbox at RFA_Intake@dcfs.lacounty.gov (Outlook search: DCFS RFA Intake).
    • The completed and signed RFA 01A will initiate payment from the date of placement.

  4. Consult with the Public Health Nurse (PHN) within three (3) days of receiving a referral regarding serious medical problems. The medical problems include but are not limited to:
    • Diabetes
    • Non-Accidental Heath Trauma or Abuse Head Trauma
    • Failure to thrive
    • Allegations of severe neglect
    • A child has a known or suspected medical problem or developmental condition

Deputy Director, Director, or their Designee Responsibilities

  1. Review the criminal clearance records. For criminal exemptions consults, refer to the Criminal Exemptions section or email the Criminal Exemptions inbox, WaiveA@dcfs.lacounty.gov
    1. If exemptible, sign the DCFS 280 and approve the emergent placement.
    2. If non-exemptible, return to CSW to continue the search for an appropriate placement.
    3. If non-exemptible and the caregiver is a relative, inform the CSW to submit to RFA for a criminal exemption request. The child cannot be placed prior to exemption approval.

Placement Based on Compelling Reason

Prior to a Compelling Reason Placement

CSW Responsibilities

  1. Have the prospective caregiver complete and sign the RFA 01A, Resource Family Application.

    1. Provide the prospective caregiver with a signed copy of the RFA 01A. If a copy is not available, provide the caregiver with a blank RFA 01.

  2. Upon receipt, submit the completed and signed RFA 01A to the RFA Intake mailbox at RFA_Intake@dcfs.lacounty.gov (Outlook search: DCFS RFA Intake).

RFA Intake Inbox Responsibilities

Within two (2) business days:

  1. Receives the RFA 01A via DCFS RFA Intake Inbox from the placing CSW.

  2. Verify that prospective caregiver was not previously approved.

  3. Review CWS/CMS to search for duplicates and to determine whether the application is an initial.

    1. If the applicant is a licensed foster family home, certified foster family home, or is an ASFA approved home, contact the Resource Family Recruitment and Approval Division (RFSPD) for RFA Conversion.

  4. Assign a RFA CSW, RFA number, and Community Based Organization (CBO).

  5. Complete Intake page in Binti for assignment of a CBO, if the applicant is a relative or NREFM.

    • The Binti system notifies the assigned RFA CSW of the applicant(s) assigned to them via email.
    • The Binti system notifies the Relative Home Assessment Services (RHAS) contracted CBO to be assigned to the applicant(s).

  6. Upload RFA 01A into Binti.

  7. Assign RFA CSW in CWS/CMS.

  8. Send RFA application to DCFS RFA Application Inbox with RFA ID Number.

  9. Update CWS/CMS with identifying information, RFA CSW assigned, and RFA ID Number.

  10. Send caregiver letter with RFA CSW, CBO assignment, if applicable, and LiveScan locations. If the applicant speaks a language other than English, the letter must be sent in the language spoken by the applicant.

RFA Application Inbox/Clearance Staff Responsibilities

Upon receipt of the RFA 01, enter applicant(s) and all adults residing or regularly present in the home into the Criminal Clearance Tracking System (CCTS) for LiveScan.

Within three (3) business days:

  1. Receives the RFA 01A Addendum and ensure RFA ID Number is written on RFA application.

  2. In "Edit Application" tab on Binti, check for uploaded RFA 01A.

  3. Enter all other adults in Binti.

  4. Ensure that all adults from RFA 01A are entered into CCTS for LiveScan.

  5. Log all requests for the following clearances for assignment:

    • Administrative Action Records System (AARS) check
    • Megan's Law registered sex offender check
    • DMV check on applicant(s) and any adults living in the home who may frequently transport a child or NMD
    • Licensing Information System (LIS) check

  6. Assign clearance staff review information on request and process AARS, Megan's Law, DMV, and LIS clearance.

  7. If unable to identify applicant(s), notify RFA CSW via email and complete the following:
    • Document in Binti case notes section
    • Request response from RFA CSW within three (3) business days

  8. Upload clearances and LIS results into Binti once received.

RFA CSW Responsibilities

  1. Check the status of all adults who needed to LiveScan in CCTS.
    1. Follow up with adults who have not LiveScanned.

Within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of RFA referral, complete the following tasks:

  1. Contact the case-carrying CSW via telephone or email. Document the contact in Binti case notes.

  2. Follow steps in 0100-520.00, Resource Family Approval (RFA).

CS CSW Responsibilities

  1. Maintain ongoing and regular contact with the assigned RFA CSW.

  2. Document all comunications with the RFA CSW in CWS/CMS Contact Notebook.

How to Initiate ARC Funding

CS CSW Responsibilities

If the court authorizes/orders continued placement following the RFA denial,

  1. Submit a DCFS 280 with the applicable Level of Care (LOC) and Specialized Care Increment (SCI), the RFA 09, and the court authorization for placement to the Case Carrying Eligibility Worker to request ARC funding. ARC funding is effective on the date all ARC eligibility requirements are met.

If RFA approves the SB 354 criminal exemption and approves the home for a child specific placement,

  1. Upon receipt of RF05A Resource Family Approval Certificate marked child specific approval SB354, submit a DCFS 280 with the applicable LOC) and SCI and a copy of the RFA05A to the Case Carrying Eligibility Worker to assess and initiate ARC funding.

If a child is placed in a non-RFA approved home, DCFS is unable to recommend a permanent plan of legal guardianship or adoption with the non-RFA approved home as both require the home to be RFA approved

APPROVALS

Deputy Director, Director, or their Designee Approval

  • CWS/CMS results
  • DCFS 280, Placement Request
HELPFUL LINKS
REFERENCED POLICY GUIDES

0070-548.01, Child and Family Teams
0100-510.46, Out-of-County Placements
0100-510.60 , Placement Considerations for Children
0100-520.70, Exemptions for Criminal History Records
0300-508.30, Identifying and Notifying the Court of Recurring Efforts to Locate Relatives and Nonrelative Extended Family Members (NREFMs)
1200-500.05, Adopting and Serving Children Under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)

STATUTES AND OTHER MANDATES

Senate Bill (SB 354) – Expands eligibility for criminal record exemptions for RFA applicants, expands eligibility to the ARC funding, clarifies the Juvenile Court’s authority to place children with relatives and ensures counties assist relatives and NREFMs with obtaining necessary provisions for an emergency placement of a child.

All County Information Notice 29-14 – Relative Caregiver and nonrelative Extended Family Member (NREFM): Smoke-Free Environment
All County Letter (ACL) No. 12-12 – Provides the revised and new SOC forms for nonminor dependent placement.

ACL No. 13-27 – State hearing procedures for cases where county child welfare agency denied a relative or non-extended family member approval to provide care for a juvenile court dependent.
ACL 18-142 – Provides guidance to child welfare and probation departments and other interested stakeholders as to how an adoption will be completed for Resource Families (RF) and existing foster caregivers.

ACL 22-33 – Addresses SB 354 and its implementation.

California Department of Social Services (CDSS) – Resource Family Approval Written Directives

CDSS – Resource Family Approval: Background Assessment Guide (BAG)

Family Code (FAM) Section 7950(a) – Sets forth placements considerations when a child enters foster care such as the proximity of the natural parents to the placement, placement in the home of a relative unless the placement would not be in the best interest of the child.

FAM Section 8708 – States, in part, the neither DCFS nor a licensed adoption agency may deny a person the opportunity to become an adoptive parents, or delay the placement of a child for adoption, based on race, color, or national origin of the person or the child involved.

FAM Section 8709 – States, in part, the DCFS or a licensed agency may consider a child's religious background in determining an appropriate placement, This, however, shall not be construed to affect the placement of Indian children.

FYI 21-01 – Provides instruction for out of county emergency placements

Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 1505.2 – Establishes the conditions by which a licensing agency may authorize a foster family home to provide 24-hour care for up to eight foster children, for the purpose of placing siblings or half siblings together in foster care.

HSC Section 1521.6 – States, in part, that prospective foster parents must meet specified health and safety requirements. It also states that licensed foster parents must be ready, willing, and able to meet the varying needs of children, including hard-to-place children.

HSC Section 1522 – Provides information on fingerprinting and criminal records, exemptions, and criminal record clearances.

HSC Section 1522.1 – Provides the Child Abuse Central Index check prior to licensing or approving a person to care for or reside with children.

Penal Code (PEN) Section 11105(t) – Provides state criminal history information and persons to which information may be furnished; provides details on copy of criminal history information to the subject person.

PEN Section 11105.2 – Subsequent arrest or disposition notification to authorized entities.

PEN Section 11170 – States, in pertinent part, that the Child Abuse Central Index is a database maintained by the Department of Justice that contains records of child abuse investigations that resulted in either substantiated or inconclusive dispositions in California.

United States Code, Title 22, Section 671(a)(18) – States, in pertinent part, that in order for a state to be eligible for federal funding, it must have an approved plan that does not deny any person the opportunity to become an adoptive or foster parent or delay or deny the placement of a child for adoption or into foster care, based on race, color, or the national origin of the person or child involved.

Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 281.5 and 361.3 – States, in part, that CSW should give primary consideration to place a child with a relative of the child, if such a placement is in the best interest of the child and will be conducive to reunification of the family.

WIC Section 309(d)(1) – Describes steps to be taken when considering temporary placement with a relative or nonrelative extended family member.

WIC Section 309(d)(2) – States in part that immediately following the emergency placement of a child in the home of a relative or nonrelative extended family member, the county welfare department shall evaluate and approve or deny the home pursuant to Section 16519.5.

WIC Section 309(d)(3) – Requires counties to assist relatives and NREFMs with obtaining necessary provisions for an emergency placement of a relative child.

WIC Section 309(e)(1) – States, in part, that the social worker is to initiate efforts in locating relatives within 30 days of the child's removal from the home and to give written and oral notification of the proceedings, if appropriate. Such notification must include all of the following:

  • That the child has been removed from the custody of his or her parent(s)/guardians;
  • An explanation of the various options to participate in the care and placement of the child and support of the child's family including:
  • Any options that may be lost by failing to respond;
  • Information about providing care for the child while the child received reunification services with the goal of returning the child to the parent/guardian;
  • How to become an approved resource family and additional services and support that are available in out-of-home placements;
  • Information regarding Kin-GAP, CalWORKS, adoption assistance, as well as other options for contact with child, including, but not limited, but not limited to, visitation.

WIC Section 309(e)(1)(3) – States, in part, that the social worker must use "due diligence" in investigating the names and locations of relative, including, but not limited to, asking the child in an age-appropriate manner about relatives important to the child's best interest, and obtaining information regarding the location of the child's adult relatives.

WIC Section 319(f)(1) – States, in pertinent part, that when the child is not released from custody, the court may order that the child shall be placed in the approved home of a relative, in an emergency shelter or other suitable licensed place, in a place exempt form licensure designated by the juvenile court, or other suitably licensed place, in a placed exempt from licensure designated by the juvenile court, or in the approved home of a nonrelative extended family member for a period not to exceed 15 judicial days.

WIC Section 319(f)(2) – Defines who is considered a relative.

WIC Section 361.3 – Describes steps and preferential consideration to be taken when a child is removed from the physical custody of their parent and a placement is needed.

WIC Section 361.4 – States, in pertinent part, that prior to placing a child in the home of a relative, or the home of any prospective guardian or other person who is not licensed or certified foster parent, the county social worker shall visit the home to ascertain the appropriateness of the placement.

WIC Section 361.45 – States, in part, that when the sudden unavailability of a foster caregiver require a change in placement on an emergency basis for a child who is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court pursuant to Section 300, if an able and willing relative , or an able and wiling nonrelative extended family member, is available, and requests temporary placement of the child pending the resolution of the emergency situation, the county welfare department shall initiate an assessment of the relative's or nonrelative extended family member's suitability. Upon completion of this assessment, the child may be placed in the assessed home.

WIC Section 362.7 – States that when the home of a nonrelative extended family member is being considered for placement of a child, the home shall be evaluated, and approval of that home shall be granted or denied, pursuant to the same standards set forth in Title 22 regulations. A "nonrelative extended family member" is defined as an adult caregiver who has an established familial relationship with a relative of the child, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 361.3, or a familial or mentoring relationship with the child.

WIC Section 11402.4 – Sets guidelines regarding annual reassessment of an approved home of a relative or nonrelative extended family member and frequency of monthly visits to the home required of the social worker.

WIC Section 11461.3 – Expands eligibility for the Approved Relative Caregiver funding for caregivers that don’t meet eligibility for federal funding.

WIC Section 16001.9 – Lists, in part, the rights of children placed in out-of-home care.

WIC Section 16002(b) – States, in part, that the responsible local agency shall make a diligent effort in all out-of-home placement of dependent children, including those with relatives, to develop and maintain sibling relationships.

WIC Section 16504.5 – Authorizes a child welfare agency to initiate a criminal background check through California Law Enforcement Telecommunications Systems when evaluating the home of a relative or nonrelative extended family member.

WIC Section 17739 – States when determining the placement of a foster child who is medically fragile, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1760.2 of the Health and Safety Code, priority consideration is given to placement with a foster parent who is an individual nurse provider, as defined in subdivision (m) of Section 14043.26 of the WIC, who provides health services under the federal Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment program (Section 1396d(a)(4)(B) of Title 420 of the United States Code. The priority consideration shall be subordinate to the preference granted to a relative of the child.