This policy provides staff with instructions regarding the Emergency Assistance (EA) program that allows the pass-through of federal funds to provide services to a child experiencing an EA emergency as defined in California's Title IV-A State Plan.
This Procedural Guide is a complete re-write from the 1/2/08 version. Instructions are more complete and updated to reflect format changes; it references updated policies and uses current staff titles and program terminology.
POLICY
Emergency Assistance (EA)
Emergency Assistance (EA) is a federally funded program under Title IV-A of the Social Security Act. Under the provisions of the Act, Federal Financial Participation (FFP) is available to provide assistance to children in emergencies. The Act allows individual states significant latitude and administrative standards for EA. The standards and conditions applicable to California are contained in the State Title IV-A Plan.
The EA program allows the pass-through of federal funds to provide services to a child experiencing an EA emergency as defined in California’s Title IV-A State Plan. Individual components of the EA program provide assistance and services in the areas Child Welfare Services (CWS). The CWS component was implemented on September 1, 1993.
The following federal eligibility criteria must be met before a child can be determined eligible for Emergency Assistance:
Does an emergency exist meeting the definition of Emergency Assistance because a child is at risk of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation?
Is this application on behalf of a child under age 21 living with, or within the past six months having lived with, a parent/relative?
Did this emergency arise because an adult family member refused without good cause to accept employment or training?
Is the total family income equal to or less than 200% of California’s median income for the current state fiscal year?
Is this application being made by a county worker on behalf of a child whose parents or relatives are unavailable or unwilling to apply for emergency assistance for this child?
In accordance with provisions in the Title IV-A State Plan, and ACL 05-38 dated 12/5/2005, the EA Program provides benefits and services for children up to the age of 21. There is no link with school attendance for the EA Program.
Social Security Numbers
Per All County Letter (ACL) 05-38 dated 12/05/05, undocumented minors are not eligible for Emergency Assistance (EA). It is state policy that each child receiving EA and/or services has a Social Security Number (SSN). Based on this policy, applications for children who do not have SSN’s must be authorized presumptively. This means that counties are precluded from claiming FFP for these types of cases until an SSN is obtained and a final eligibility determination is made. It is of further importance to note that all pseudo numbers used to enter a child’s information on the ACE tracking system be replaced by the actual SSN once it is obtained.
Although having an SSN is not an EA eligibility requirement, it is a “condition of eligibility” based on the fact that it is used as the unique number indicating assistance and/or services in the past twelve months.
EW only has a period of 18 months from the application date for detained minors and 12 months for non-detained minors to locate their social security number. Per ACL 05-38 foster care for wards were deemed ineligible for Title IV-E. This component is known as EA Probation.
To help understand the time frames for application processing and funding we reference ACL 05-38, page six, question #9:
What is the Beginning Date of Aid (BDOA) for EA? When does the Not-to-Exceed (NTE) date end for EA?
Answer: An EA application must be taken immediately or no later than 30 calendar days from the date the child is removed from the home or the date the child is determined to be at risk. (Refer to ACL No. 93-64 and ACL No. 94-90). The BDOA begins on the date the application is signed by the parent or CSW (Children’s Services Worker) (if both have signed then it’s the earlier of the two dates); this is consistent with the EA State Plan. The NTE date is counted 12 months from the date the application is signed. It is in a county’s best interest to process EA applications immediately. If a county SW (Social Worker) takes 30 days to process an application and an EW (Eligibility Worker) takes an additional 30 days to authorize payment, then FFP may be lost if the emergency ends prior to authorization of EA. Cases aided beyond the twelve month period under EA are to be funded with 100 percent county-only funds. See example below:
Date child determined to be at risk
03/29/05
Date parent signed
04/23/05 or
Date Social Worker signed
04/25/05
Date EW authorized
05/21/05 (ACE will set NTE date, 05/20/06)
EA funding available
04/23/05 thru 04/22/06 (Aid Code 5K)
The first 30-day time frame is the time from the date of risk to the date of signature by parent or CSW; then there begins a second 30-day time frame. This second period starts from the date the parent or CSW signs the application to the date the EW authorizes the application, it shall not be over 30 days. However, when this is data entered on ACE the authorization date will set up the Not-to-Exceed date automatically, which will be different than the EA funding timeframe as indicated in the example above. The Intake EW is responsible for determining the EA episode and must follow the logic of the above example.
An Emergency Assistance Application (EA 1) is required for all children receiving services. However, an EA application is not necessary if the services case is closed prior to the Eligibility Worker’s (EW) completion of the Emergency Assistance (EA) eligibility verification, Statewide Assistance to Children in Emergency System (ACE) registration and authorization (Presumptive Eligibility or Final).
The eligibility case file must include the following to be considered eligible for Federal Financial Participation (FFP) under Title IV-A:
A completed, signed EA 1, including documentation of eligibility;
Authorization of EA by the County Welfare Department (CWD);
Emergency Response Referral;
Copies of the Voluntary Placement Agreement (SOC 155) or Judicial Order, if the child is ordered detained at the judicial hearing; and,
Documentation of the effective date and ending date of EA.
Assembling Emergency Assistance Case
If available, copy of the child’s Social Security Card;
Medi-Cal Eligibility Data System (MEDS) print out with minor’s SSN if screen is showing a verification of “J” or “A”;
MEDS print out with parent/relative’s SSN;
WCMIS print out;
A copy of the letter sent to the parent to request SSN (if SSN is not found from MEDS or CWS/CMS or WCMIS);
VSI print out if SSN of the minor is not found (to support the legal resident of the minor requirement);
A MEDS print out of QM and QE screens – attached to the application for undocumented denial reason; and
If there is a prior placement episode, obtain a placement history print out from CWS/CMS.
Reasons for Emergency Assistance Denial
Child is over age 21;
Child was not living with the parent/relative in the past 6 months;
The families income exceeds 200% of California’s median family income (Effective December 5, 2005 - $124,200.00);
An adult family refuses employment/training without good cause;
The application is received for processing more than 30 days after the application date;
Children’s Services Worker signed the application over 30 days from the date the child was determined to be at risk (date is in the upper right corner of the EA 1); or
The child is undocumented/not a legal resident alien (ACL 05-38, dated 12/05/2005).
Notice of Action
The application for emergency assistance is a four-part form that provides a copy for the parent/relative applying for services. The NOA is printed on the reverse of the application copy that the parent/relative receives. The Child Welfare Department is not required to notify families when their assistance has terminated, but must mail the NOA page of the application to the family even if assistance has been requested by a county worker on behalf of a child. The head of household must be provided a copy of the final EA eligibility determination regardless whether there is an approval or denial of the application.
The notice must provide a reason for denial (if applicable) and notice of appeal rights shall be provided. In situations where a county worker is applying on behalf of a child a notice of the final EA eligibility determination must be mailed to the address provided on the application.
The returned NOA must be filed in the eligibility file, including CWS/CMS case note documentation of the Postal Services inability to deliver the NOA.
File Retention
The eligibility case file shall be accessible to State and federal staff for a period of five (5) years following the date of termination of EA benefits. In addition, counties should retain all denied EA applications for a period of five (5) years from the date of denial. It is the responsibility of each county to develop their own record retention process. Reference ACL 63-64 (ACIN I-41-93, dated 11/4/93, page 8-9, QA number 46)
A weekly listing is compiled by the Business and Information Services Division (BIS). This listing is viewed by the Emergency Assistance (EA) staff through LA Kids. This listing has the referral date for children that are referred for services to the Department of Children and Family Services, but not detained.
If services has been provided for 30 days or more;
An EA application will be processed.
If services were terminated and the CWS/CMS services referral was closed prior to 30 days;
Closed referrals will be reported on the weekly and monthly EA reports. Referrals closed before 30 days will not be processed on the ACE system, they are recorded for statistical purposes only.
Every Monday, obtain a copy of the Non-Detained listing from the COGNOS report located on LA Kids.
Clear listing to determine the following:
Child has an existing open episode;
Annotate on EA 1, under section 13 “Comments,” that this is an ongoing episode.
Complete section # 11 and 11C (see example on page 3 if unclear how to determine this information).
Child has a history on the ACE system but it has expired; or
Child is unknown to the ACE system.
If additional information is required to complete the EA1 not available through the various computer systems, telephone the parent/relative to obtain the answers to questions 2, 3, and 4 in the Certification section.
If unable to contact the parent/relative, send a letter to them requesting the missing information. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.
If there is no response from the parent/relative, annotate the attempts made in question number 13, in the comments section.
Annotate “parent/relative unavailable” in the signature block.
Review the services case record and answer questions 1 through 5.
Obtain the CSW or Supervising Children’s Services Worker’s (SCSW’s) signature and date in the certification section.
Complete the Eligibility Worker section (questions 7 – 13).
To complete question 11 requires the EW to register the child on the ACE system. (See Section C for instruction on registering)
Review the services case record and answer questions 1 through 5.
Obtain the CSW or SCSW’s signature and date in the certification section.
The date the CSW or SCSW signed the application is the EA “application date”;
The CSW’s first face-to-face interview with the parent/relative is the EA “effective date of risk”.
The application date must be within 30 days of the date of risk.
Review the application for eligibility, errors and/or omissions. Prepare and sort the applications for registration on the ACE system.
Presumptive Eligible (PE) Applications: missing element such as child’s SSN.
Eligible application: all the essential information is available.
ACE Registration Process: Access the ACE system through the MEDS computer system.
Data enter to the EA Log. Retain the count for the monthly statistical report.
Enter the identifying information onto the ACE computer system. ACE will automatically search for a match within the 58 counties of California. Print all matches, prior episodes and registrations. The following are the types of ACE registrations:
Add
Presumptive Eligibility (PE)
Episode Match
Prior Episode
ACE PE registration.
The EA application is missing a required eligibility element such as the child’s SSN. Complete the following in the attempt to obtain the child’s SSN:
Research Single Index, MEDS, CWS/CMS;
Telephone the parent(s)/relatives(s).
If a SSN cannot be obtained through the parent(s)/relative(s), search on the MEDS system for the purpose of identification of the child under a pseudo SSN number. (If a minor does not have a SSN but minor has a MEDS pseudo number, use the MEDS pseudo number to input on ACE as the minor’s identification number)
EA application authorized as Presumptive Eligible (PE);
If the EA application is authorized as PE, do not code for an EA claim. The “PE” application must be held until the child’s SSN can be obtained.
EA Authorization Process:
ACE Add registration. The child was searched on ACE with “no match” found; received a new registration and obtained a Social Security Number. The application is ready for final authorization.
When the child’s SSN is obtained and the services case remains open, complete the following:
Access ACE to change the SSN and remove the “PE”;
Complete the final authorization;
Complete section 11b on the application. The effective date is the application date indicated on the ACE print out.
When the child’s SSN is obtained and the services case is closed, complete the following:
Submit a request to the EA/ES to delete the PE.
It is not necessary to reopen the services case to code for an EA claim because the non-detained EA claim is achieved by the ACE file tape reconciled to the foster care file. The “PE” must be deleted from ACE in order to achieve the EA claim.
If the services case is closed within the first 30 days, the EW completes the following:
Change the EA application to a denial. The reason for the denial is “unable to obtain sufficient information to process a final authorization”;
Submit packet to the ES for deletion of the registration on ACE;
If the child returns to DCFS, another attempt will be made to obtain the mandatory eligibility information.
ACE Episode Match Registration
Review the ACE printout to determine the following:
Is the current emergency a continuation of a registered episode?
If yes, process the authorization using the registered episode expiration date.
If the registered episode has expired, and the current episode is a new emergency (with a new petition filed), the EW will process the authorization using the new episode expiration date.
If there is a prior episode registered in another county, the EW must make a telephone call to the ACE coordinator in the other county. An agreement is made between counties regarding:
Abate the registered episode for a new episode; or
Continuation of the same episode. Request a copy of the services plan to be sent to the CSW;
The other county MUST go on-line to MEDS; ACE and indicate in the “other program field” the following: “ICT – 19”.
ACE Prior Episode Match Registration
The child’s identifying information is data entered into ACE. A match is found with the Not to Exceed (NTE) date expired.
If the current application is for a new emergency, process the following:
The message at the bottom of the screen will state “episode expiration,” okay to add, hit enter to add the new emergency registration.
ACE “add episode match” and “prior episode” registrations are ready for the final authorization.
Review the identification and certification section;
Complete the eligibility section and authorize within 30 days of the application date.
Emergency Assistance Denial Process
If the EA eligibility is determined to be a denial, annotate the denial reason on the application:
Child over 21 years; or
Not removed from a relative; or
Exceed the income limit; or
Refused employment/training without good cause; or
Application received too late for processing; or
CSW signed the application too late for processing; or
Child received EA within the last 12 months; or
Unable to authorize within 30 days of the application date; or
A non-qualified alien or undocumented alien is not eligible to receive EA-GA (ACL 05-38, Question number 10).
Give the EA 1 to the Eligibility Supervisor (ES) for review and signature.
EA budget coding process. At the time an EA application is processed to a final authorization (not PE), the Case Carrying EW completes the budget action as follows:
Open the document notebook in the case management section of CWS/CMS. Select the Case Notes. Record the EA registration and EA episode period (see Note on page 3);
Open the create/new reminder notebook in the case management section. Record the EA episode expiration date as the “Due Date”;
Record in the description text box, “at the EA expiration date, conversion to foster care is required”; and
Initiate a Notice of Action (NOA) to the parent with a copy to the case carrying CSW. One copy will be attached to the EA 1 packet.
Count the EA application for the monthly statistical report as follows:
Number of application received;
Number of application authorized (final);
Number of application authorized (PE);
Number of applications denied.
Folder containing EA documents will be retained for a period of 5 years.
Record actions in CWS/CMS case notes.
Child is Detained
Process the Detention Hearing Minute Order within 30 days of the application signed date. This is also the effective date for participating in the EA program per ACL 05-38 dated 12/05/2005.
Are physically housed at the Corporate Office not Court,
Receive the Intake and Detention Control (IDC) Court Calendar and the Emergency Response (ER) IDC Intake Referral or Emergency Response Referral Document.
Obtain a WCMIS or LEADER print-out to obtain the family/household status/identifying information. Research on the CWS/CMS computer application to retrieve identifying data on the detained child.
Complete the identification information on the EA 1.
Data enter the identification information into the EA unit’s Excel spreadsheet.
Deliver the EA 1 and system printouts to the IDC Clerk.
Count the number of EA 1 packets received and annotate the information in the EA statistical report;
Sign and return the transmittal to the Court EW’s;
Review the EA 1 for errors and/or omissions;
Research on MEDS and CSW/CMS for any missing information;
Prepare and sort the applications for registration on the ACE system;
Presumptive Eligible (PE) Applications; missing element such as: child’s SSN.
Eligible applications: all the essential information is available.
The EA application must be completed within 30 days of the date the child is determined to be at risk. The date is located in the upper right corner of the EA 1.
Access the MEDS/ACE computer registration system;
Inquire and receive the ACE registration and/or the current/prior episode match;
Print and attach the ACE registration or prior episode printout to the EA application.
Document on CWS/CMS case notes, the authorization date, SSN update, DOB and name and file of the intake or case carrying EW;
Count the EA applications for the monthly statistical report as follows:
Number of applications received;
Number of applications authorized (final);
Number of applications registered (PE);
Number of applications denied.
Refer the EA packet to the Intake/Case Carrying EW.
Intake Eligibility Worker (EW) Responsibilities
If there is a Voluntary Placement Agreement, send a request for correction to the EA Supervisor who attached the Voluntary Placement Agreement (SOC 155) to the EA Application, if the date and signatures of the parents and CSW are not on the SOC 155.
The EA Application will be denied if the date of the agreement was signed over 30 days from the date of the EA application.
Receive the EA packet and process the foster care eligibility determination per the existing procedures. Refer to the Eligibility Determination for Financial Participation and Foster Care Eligibility Determination policies.
If the foster care eligibility determination is federal financial participation, do not change the aid code from “42” to “5K” for the paid placement.
If the foster care eligibility determination is State or County financial participation and the EA application is processed to a final authorization (not PE), record the EA episode on the CWS/CMS application.
Review the Case Notes and the reminder notebook in the Case Management Section for the EA registration and EA episode timeframe and expiration dates;
Ensure there is a DCFS 26.1 set up as a reminder of the NTE date.
Record the Aid code as “5K” for the duration of the EA episode on the ID NUM page of the client notebook.
The Non-Related Extended Family Member (NREFM) placement must be approved (SOC 815) before the Intake or Redetermination (Case Carrying) EW can code “5K”.
Emergency Assistance (EA) Final Authorization or the EA Episode Expiration/Conversion to Foster Care at Time of Redetermination
Case Carrying Eligibility Worker (Redetermination) Responsibilities
Open MEDS to retrieve and review the ACE print out.
Search, retrieve and open the CWS/CMS application.
Determine if the EA episode has expired (NTE) or the EA status is presumptive eligible.
If presumptive eligible, it means there is an eligibility element missing such as the Social Security number (SSN), which prevents a final authorization.
Attempt to obtain the required missing information and process the final authorization, ensuring that the EA financial participation is claimed for the entire episode.
Once the missing information is obtained, refer to the Regional EA Staff Person to complete the final authorization. Set a control using a DCFS 26-1 to control 12 months, minus 1 day, from the BDOA.
If the missing information is the child’s SSN and you are unable to process a final authorization, take the following steps:
If the case does not have a birth certificate or a DCFS 230 has not been initiated requesting a birth certificate, follow instructions from policy # E020-0500 under section A, “Age/Identity” to request and obtain a birth certificate.
Once the birth certificate is obtained follow instructions from policy # E020-0500 under section I – “Social Security Number” to apply for a SSN for the child.
If the child’s SSN cannot be obtained within 18 months of the “Date at Risk” (upper right corner of the EA1), the pending application will not be authorized and must be deleted from the ACE system.
Refer the application to the EA/ES over the Regional Office to complete the necessary actions to delete the application.
Review the ID NUM page in the client notebook to determine the aid code, ensuring that all placements within the EA episode timeframe have been correctly coded, “5K.”
At the Not-to-Exceed (NTE) date, convert the financial participation to the accurate funding source.
If the EA episode is expired and the aid code indicates “5K” refer to the Initial Determination for Financial Participation policy guide. The effective date for the aid code change and the SAWS1 application is one day following the EA expiration date.
If the minor has returned to Home of Parent (HOP) and EA has expired, terminate the Library file on the CWS/CMS assignment page.
Process the redetermination per existing procedures
If the EA episode is expired and the aid code indicates a “40”, state financial participation or;
If annual redetermination is within the EA episode timeframe, a redetermination is not required until the EA episode expires.
Assistance to Children in Emergency (ACE) Registration Process
Examples of ACE Screens
ACEM at the prompt. The ACE “Main Menu” screen will be displayed as follows:
ACEM
ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN IN EMERGENCY (ACE)
CUB 04/17/09
MAIN MENU
ENTER OPTION: A
A = ADD RECORD (ENTER CHILD SSN or NAME and DOB)
B = ABATE RECORD (ENTER ANY FIELD)
C = CHANGE RECORD (ENTER ANY FIELD)
D = DELETE RECORD (ENTER ANY FIELD)
I = INQUIRY (ENTER ANY FIELD)
Q = QUIT
CHILD SSN:
000 00 0000
CHILD NAME:
XXXXXX XXXXX X
LAST FIRST MI
CHILD DOB:
19 (MM DD YYYY)
HOH SSN:
000 00 0000
CASE NBR:
19 00 0000000 0 00
OTHER ID:
000000000
Add Child Screen
ACEA
ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN IN EMERGENCY (ACE)
CUB 04/17/09
ADD RECORD
08:58:48
CHILD
LAST NAME
FIRST MI
CHILD SSN
CHILD DOB
REM DATE
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXX X
000 00 0000
00 00 0000
00 00 00
HOH
LAST NAME
FIRST MI
CHILD SSN
CHILD DOB
REM DATE
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXX X
000 00 0000
00 00 0000
00 00 00
HOH ADDRESS
STREET NBR PRE
STREET NAME
TYPE
POST UNIT
UNIT NBR
00000 X
XXXXXXXX
XXX
X
XX
CITY ST
ZIP CODE
XXXXXX XX
XXXXX
CASE NAME
CASE NBR
OTHER ID
XXXXXXXXX, XXXXX
19XX XXXXXXX X XX
APPL DT
PGM TYPE
03 23 09
CWS
AUTH DT
OTHER PROGRAMS
NTE DT
03 23 09
Eligibility Worker (EW) Responsibilities
Open the MEDS program;
Clear the screen and type in “ACEM” at the upper left of the screen, then press ;
There are four (4) options presented, to add, abate, change, delete or inquiry database records or to quit the program.
Adds, abatements, changes and deletions will only be allowed if the user is authorized for that type of transaction. Also, abatements, changes, and deletions will only be allowed by the county that originally added the record to the database.
Before a new record can be added to the database, three file clearance matches will be accomplished to see if a record for the child already exists on the system.
Enter the child’s Social Security Number (SSN);
Enter the child’s name and DOB; or data enter the 14 digit state number (e.g. 1940-xxxxxxx-x-xx) (County code, aid code, 7 digit state number, separate family number and ID number). The 14 digits prevent a duplication of registration for the same child.
If there is a match found, review the information to determine if this is the child in the current referral.
The status of the found record(s) can be:
Not expired.
The record has a not-to-exceed date that has not expired. The child is currently receiving assistance, so a new period of assistance cannot be added unless the first period is abated.
Expired.
The not-to-exceed date has expired. The 12-month eligibility period is over, so a new period can be added if a new petition is filed.
Abated.
The not-to-exceed date has not expired, but an abatement date has been entered. When an EA episode has been abated, another episode can be authorized. Abatement occurs when a child is currently authorized to receive EA and the episode is removed early in order to start a new 12-month eligibility period. To abate the first EA episode, the record is updated with an abatement date.
Pending.
An application has been entered into the system, but it has not been authorized (the authorization date and not-to-exceed dates are blank). Only the county that originally entered the record will be allowed to update it with an authorization date to establish the EA episode. The record must be expired, abated, or deleted before another county can add a new record.
Once a record has been added to the database, the system will allow the record to be abated, certain fields to be changed, the entire record to be deleted, or an inquiry to be made based on several different data fields. An existing record can be found by entering the child’s SSN, case number, other identifier, child’s name and DOB, or the Head of Household’s (HOH) SSN.
If it is determined that the records do not belong to the child and the child is eligible for EA, the system will allow a new record to be added to the database.
If option “A” is selected, only the child’s social security number (SSN) or the child’s DOB must be entered. Up to three comparisons will be done to see if the child already has an existing record on the database. The first comparison will be by the child’s SSN, the second comparison will be by the child’s name and DOB, and the third comparison will be by part of the child’s name and DOB.
If options “B”, “C”, “D”, or “I” are selected, any field can be used to find a record, except the child’s DOB. The child’s DOB must be used in conjunction with the child’s name. Several comparisons will be made to locate an existing record depending on what data is entered.
After choosing an option on any of the ACE screens, press the key to process your selection. On the Add, Abate, and Change screens, press the key to advance from field to field to enter data or correct entered data.
Unauthorized personnel attempting to perform an Add, Abate, Change or Delete will receive the following message at the bottom of the screen and the cursor will return to the OPTION field: “ATTEMPTED TO USE UNAUTHORIZED TRANSACTION”. Anyone with a MEDS logon can perform an inquiry on a record.
To add a new record, select option “A” and press . If the child’s SSN is not known, to the CHILD NAME field and enter the child’s name and DOB.
The child’s SSN will be compared to the ACE database and if an exact match is found, the information from the matching record will be displayed on the “MATCH FOUND” screen.
There are times that the next screen coming into view will have information that is incorrect. It is necessary to correct the information before moving forward to create the next episode. Incorrect information may include:
Minor’s last and first name;
Minor’s date of birth; and
Minor’s Social Security Number.
Failure to data enter the corrected information at this point will result in the inability to correct information once you begin to input data on the “A” (Add) screen.
Information to be reviewed includes:
Child’s information:
Determine if there is a “A” or “J” verifier, which indicates a valid Social Security Number is on file;
Social Security Number;
Date of birth;
Confirm the name spelling of the child; and
Current address on the MEDS record.
Parent’s Information:
Check to determine if there is a “A” or “J” verifier, which indicates a valid Social Security Number is on file;
Social Security Number;
Date of birth;
Confirm the name spelling of the parent(s); and
Current address on the MEDS record.
If no match is found by using the child’s SSN, the cursor will be placed at the CHILD NAME field and the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen to prompt you to enter the child’s name and DOB. The head of household’s (HOH) SSN is optional: "PLEASE ENTER CHILD SSN”.
If no match is found by using the child’s SSN or the child’s SSN is not known, then the child’s name and DOB will be compared to the database. If an exact match is found, the information from the matching record will be displayed on the “MATCH FOUND” screen.
If no match is found by any of the above comparisons, then the following message will be displayed: “NO MATCHING DATA FOUND – PRESS ENTER TO CONTINUE”.
When is pressed, the “ADD RECORD” screen will be displayed so you can add a new record.
To Abate, Change, Delete, or perform in Inquiry, select option “B”, “C”, “D” or “I” and press The cursor will move to the CHILD SSN field.
Any field on the “MAIN MENU” screen can be used to locate a child’s record except the child’s DOB. The child’s DOB must be used in conjunction with the child’s name. The following message will appear at the bottom of the screen to prompt you for more information: “PLEASE ENTER CHILD SSN, CHILD NAME, HOH SSN, CASE NBR, OR OTHER ID”.
If an exact match is found by using the data entered, the appropriate screen will appear according to the option selected.
If more than one match is found all the possible matches will be displayed on the “POSSIBLE MATCHES FOUND” screen.
If no matches are found, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen prompting you to press : “NO MATCHING DATA FOUND – PRESS ENTER TO CONTINUE”.
To quit the ACE system, choose option “Q” and press .
Possible Matches Found
When only possible matches are found from the information entered on the “MAIN MENU”, then all of the possible matches will be listed on the “POSSIBLE MATCHES FOUND” screen.
The possible matches are listed in alphabetical order by the child’s name. All of the information displayed is protected. No edits will be allowed.
If more than four possible matches are found, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen indicating how many pages of records were found: “PRESS ENTER TO DISPLAY MORE MATCHING RECORDS – PAGE # OF #”.
Continue to press until the last record of the list of possible matches is displayed, then the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen: “LAST RECORD – PRESS ENTER TO DISPLAY AGAIN – PAGE # OF #”.
Press to see the list again or enter an option.
Match Found
If option “A” was selected on the “MAIN MENU” screen and an exact match was found from the data entered, that record will be displayed on the “MATCH FOUND” screen. You will then have the option to return to the Main Menu, Add a new record (depending on the status of the found record), or Abate, Change, or Delete the found record.
The “MATCH FOUND” screen can only be accessed from the “MAIN MENU” screen add option. All of the information from the matching record will be displayed and all of the displayed information will be protected. No edits will be allowed. The cursor will be positioned at the OPTION field at the bottom of the screen.
Eligibility Worker (EW) Responsibilities
Choose option “M” and press to return to the “MAIN MENU” screen without taking any action.
Choose option “A” and press to Add a new EA episode for the child. The system will check the Not-to-Exceed Date on the displayed record to determine if the child is eligible for another period of assistance.
If the Not-to-Exceed Date has expired (is less than the current date), the system will allow you to add a new record. Only specific information will be carried forth to the “ADD RECORD” screen, where you will enter additional information about the child from the EA application.
If the Not-to-Exceed Date has not expired (is equal to or greater than the current date) and the Abatement Date is blank, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen and the cursor will return to the OPTION field: “MUST ABATE OR DELETE BEFORE ADDING NEW EPISODE”.
If the Not-to-Exceed Date has not expired (is equal to or greater than the current date) but the Abatement date contains a date, specific information will be carried forth to the “ADD RECORD” screen and you will be allowed to add a new record. For documentation purposes, do a screen print of the record showing the abatement date before adding the new record. The abated record will be written to the history file and will not be visible to the user once the new record has been added.
If the Not-to-Exceed Date is blank and the record was originally entered by another county, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen and the cursor will return to the OPTION field: “ATTEMPT TO USE UNAUTHORIZED TRANSACTION”.
Otherwise, specific information will be carried forth to the “ADD RECORD” screen and you will be allowed to add a new record.
Choose option “B”, “C”, or “D” and press to Abate, Change, or Delete the matching record displayed on the screen.
If you are not authorized for those types of transactions or if the record originated in another county, then the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen and the cursor will return to the OPTION field: “ATTEMPT TO USE UNAUTHORZED TRANSACTION”.
If you select option “B” to Abate and the Not-to-Exceed Date is blank, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen and the cursor will return to the OPTION field: "CANNOT ABATE RECORD WITHOUT NTE DATE”.
After you choose your option, and if you do not receive one of the above messages, the system will take you to the appropriate screen.
Possible Matches Found
When only possible matches are found from the information entered on the “MAIN MENU”, then all of the possible matches will be listed on the “POSSIBLE MATCHES FOUND” screen.
The possible matches are listed in alphabetical order by the child’s name. All of the information displayed is protected. No edits will be allowed.
Eligibility Worker (EW) Responsibilities
If more than four possible matches are found, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen indicating how many pages of records were found: “PRESS ENTER TO DISPLAY MORE MATCHING RECORDS – PAGE # OF #”.
Continue to press until the last record of the list of possible matches is displayed, then the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen: “LAST RECORD – PRESS ENTER TO DISPLAY AGAIN – PAGE # OF #”.
Press to see the list again or enter an option.
If you selected option “A” for Add on the “MAIN MENU”, then your options on this screen will be either “M” for Main Menu, “A” for Add, or “I” for Inquiry (as shown above). The cursor will be located at the first record next to the HOH’s name. Press to move the cursor to the desired record. Enter your option on the line next to the record or in the OPTION field at the bottom of the screen (except option “I”).
Option “M” will return you to the “MAIN MENU” screen without taking any action.
Enter option “A” on the line next to the record that you have determined matches the child. You should perform an inquiry to see the entire record before attempting to add a new record.
If the Not-to-Exceed Date has expired (is less than the current date), the system will allow you to add a new record. Only specific information will be carried forth to the “ADD RECORD” screen, where you will enter additional information about the child from the EA application.
If the Not-to-Exceed Date has not expired (is equal to or greater than the current date) and the Abatement Date is blank, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen and the cursor will remain in place: “MUST ABATE OR DELETE BEFORE ADDING NEW EPISODE”.
If the Not-to-Exceed Date has not expired (is less than the current date) but, the Abatement Date contains a date, specific information will be carried forth to the “ADD RECORD” screen and you will be allowed to add a new record. For documentation purposes, do an inquiry and print the screen showing the abatement date before adding the new record. The abated record will be written to the history file and will not be visible to the user once the new record has been added.
If the Not-to-Exceed Date is blank and the record was originally entered by another county, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen and the cursor will remain in place: “ATTEMPT TO USE UNAUTHORIZED TRANSACTION”.
Otherwise, specific information will be carried forth to the “ADD RECORD” screen and you will be allowed to add a new record.
If you have determined that none of the possible matches match the child, enter option “A” at the bottom of the screen. The information you entered on the “MAIN MENU” screen will be carried forth to the “ADD RECORD” screen and you will be allowed to add a new record.
To perform an inquiry on one of the possible matches to the desired record and enter option “I” on the line next to the HOH’s name.
All the information for that record will be displayed on the “INQUIRY” SCREEN. You will then have the option of returning to the “POSSIBLE MATCHES FOUND” screen, so you can select another record for inquiry.
If an “I” is entered at the bottom of the screen, the cursor will be positioned on the line next to the first record and the following message will appear: “SELECT RECORD FOR INQUIRY”.
Press the key to move to the desired record.
If you chose option “B” for Abate, “C” for Change, “D” for Delete, or “I” for Inquiry on the “MAIN MENU” screen, then your options on the “POSSIBLE MATCHES FOUND” screen will be either “M”, “B”, “C”, “D”, or “I”. Press to move the cursor to the desired record. Enter your option on the line next to the record or in the OPTION field at the bottom of the screen (except options “B”, “C” and “D”).
Option “M” returns you to the “MAIN MENU” screen without taking any action.
For options “B”, “C”, or “D”:
If you enter the option at the bottom of the screen, the cursor will be positioned on the line next to the first record and the following message will appear: “SELECT RECORD FOR ###### (SPECIFIC RECORD)”.
Press the key to move to the desired record.
If you are not authorized for the transaction type that you entered or if the record belongs to another county, then the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen and the cursor will remain in place: “ATTEMPT TO USE UNAUTHORIZED TRANSACTION”.
If you choose option “B”: and the Not-to-Exceed Date is blank, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen and the cursor will remain in place: “CANNOT ABATE RECORD WITHOUT NTE DATE”.
After you choose your option, and if you do not receive one of the above messages, the system will take you to the appropriate screen.
To perform an inquiry on one of the possible matches to the desired record and enter option “I” on the line next to the HOH’s name.
All the information for that record will be displayed on the “INQUIRY” screen. You will then have the option of returning to the “POSSIBLE MATCHES FOUND” screen, so you can select another record for inquiry.
If an “I” is entered at the bottom of the screen, the cursor will be positioned on the line next to the first record and the following message will appear: “SELECT RECORD FOR INQUIRY”.
Press the key to move to the desired record.
Add Record
The “ADD RECORD” screen is used to create a new record for a child after the system has searched for any matching records. Information from the previous period of EA will be stored in a history file that will not be accessible to the user at this time.
The cursor will be positioned at the REM DATE (removal date) field, in the upper right hand corner of your screen. To return to the “MAIN MENU” screen without adding a record, to the bottom of the screen and enter option “M”.
Eligibility Worker (EW) Responsibilities
Entering Information in Data Fields:
The Head of Household (HOH) address is broken into seven elements.
If a field is completely filled, the cursor will automatically advance to the next field. If the field is not filled, press to advance to the next position.
The format for all the date fields is “MM/DD/YY” – The child’s date of birth (DOB) and HOH’s DOB fields also include the century, “MM/DD/YYYY”
If no match was found from the data entered on the “MAIN MENU” screen, the entered information will be carried forward to the “ADD RECORD” screen and displayed. This data consists of the following:
Child’s Name
Child’s SSN
Child’s DOB
Case Name
If a match was found, information from the “MATCH FOUND” or the “POSSIBLE MATCHES FOUND” screen will be carried forward to the “ADD RECORD” screen and displayed. This data consists of the following:
Child’s Name
Child’s SSN
Child’s DOB
Case Name
The child’s name, SSN, and DOB are protected fields on the “ADD RECORD” screen and cannot be edited.
If there is an alpha character in the last position of the child’s SSN, a Child Welfare Services (CWS) case number is required. Enter the number in the CASE NBR field.
After you have completed entering all the information in the fields, choose option “A” to Add the new record.
If the child’s SSN is blank but the HOH’s SSN was entered, a MEDS pseudo number will be generated for the child to prevent duplicate records from being entered in the future.
If neither the child’s or a HOH’s SSN have been entered, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen: “IS CHILD AN UNDOCUMENTED ALIEN (Y/N)?”
Enter “Y” for YES and a MEDS pseudo number will be generated for the child and displayed on the screen after the record has been added to the database.
Enter “N” for NO and the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen: “CANNOT ADD RECORD WITHOUT EITHER CHILD SSN OR HOH SSN”.
If the Authorization Date is entered and it is less than or equal to the previous Not-to-Exceed Date, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen: “AUTHORIZATION DATE OVERLAPS PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD”.
If the Authorization Date is greater than the previous Not-to-Exceed Date, a new Not-to-Exceed Date will be calculated and displayed after the record has been added.
If all the fields have been entered correctly, the new record will be added to the database and the following message, conforming the add, will appear at the bottom of the screen: “RECORD ADDED – PRESS ENTER TO RETURN TO MAIN MENU”.
For documentation purposes, print the screen showing the MEDS pseudo (if generated) and the Not-to-Exceed Date (if calculated). To return to the “MAIN MENU” screen, press .
Abate Record
If an exact match was found from the data provided on the “MAIN MENU” screen or a record was selected on the ”POSSIBLE MATCHES FOUND” screen, the information will be displayed on the “ABATE RECORD” screen and you will have the option to return to the Main Menu or Abate the record.
An Abatement occurs when a child is currently receiving EA and the episode is terminated early in order to start a new 12-month eligibility period. To abate the first episode, the existing record is updated with an abatement date. The abatement date must be equal to or greater than the Authorization Date, but it must be less than the Not-to-Exceed Date.
Eligibility Worker (EW) Responsibilities
All of the information found in the match will be displayed and all of the displayed information will be protected. No edits will be allowed, except for the abatement date. The cursor will be positioned at the ABATE DT field.
If the Not-to-Exceed Date is blank, the record cannot be abated since the pending application has not been authorized yet. The following message will appear at the bottom of the screen: “CANNOT ABATE RECORD WITHOUT NTE DATE”.
Press to return to the “MAIN MENU” screen.
If you are not authorized for this type of transaction or if the record originated in another county, then the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen and the cursor will return to the OPTION field: “ATTEMPT TO USE UNAUTHORIZED TRANSACTION”.
Choose option ”M” to return to the “MAIN MENU” screen without updating the record.
To abate the record:
Enter the month/day/year (MM/DD/YY) of the abatement action. The date must be equal to or greater than the Authorization Date, but less than the Not-to-Exceed Date;
After entering the correct date, enter option “B” to update the record;
If the transaction was successful, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen and the cursor will return to the OPTION field: “RECORD ABATED – PRESS ENTER TO RETURN TO MAIN MENU”.
For documentation purposes, do a screen print of the record showing the abatement date and the message that the record was abated.
When a new record is added, the abated record will be written to the history file and will not be visible to the user. Press to return to the “MAIN MENU” screen.
Change Record
If an exact match was found from the data provided on the “MAIN MENU” screen or a record was selected on the “POSSIBLE MATCHES FOUND” screen, the information will be displayed on the “CHANGE RECORD” screen and you will have the option to return to the Main Menu or Change the record.
Eligibility Worker (EW) Responsibilities
All of the information found in the matching record will be displayed, but edits will not be allowed on the following fields:
FIELD
INFORMATION
ABATE DT
Abatement Date
PRI CNTRY
County ID
AUTH DT
Authorization Date (can enter date if blank)
NTE DT
Not to Exceed Date
LAST CHG
Date Record Last Changes
The cursor will be positioned at the CHILD NAME FIELD, UNLESS THE Authorization Date is blank. If the Authorization Date is blank, the cursor will be positioned at the AUTH DT field and you will be allowed to enter a date.
Choose option ”M” to return to the “MAIN MENU” screen without changing the record.
Enter the changes in the data fields:
If a new SSN is entered for the child, a check will be performed to identify if the new SSN already exists on the ACE system.
If the new SSN does exist on the system, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen and the new SSN will be rejected: “NEW CHILD SSN ALREADY EXISTS ON DATABASE”.
If the Authorization Date entered is less than or equal to the previous Not-to-Exceed Date, the following message will appear: “AUTHORIZATION DATE OVERLAPS PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD”.
If the Authorization Date entered is after the previous Not-to-Exceed Date, then a new Not-to-Exceed Date will be calculated and displayed after the change to the record has been completed.
After all of the changes have been completed, choose “C” at the OPTION prompt. If the changes are successful, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen: “RECORD CHANGED – PRESS ENTER TO RETURN TO MAIN MENU”.
Press to return to the “MAIN MENU” Screen.
Delete Record
If an exact match was found from the data provided on the “MAIN MENU” screen or a record was selected on the “POSSIBLE MATCHES FOUND” screen, the information will be displayed on the “DELETE RECORD” screen and you will have the option to return to the Main Menu or Delete the record. The delete option can be used to delete records with erroneous information, pending applications that will not be authorized, or records that were added in error. Deleted records will no longer be accessible to the user. Records with erroneous information can also be corrected on the “CHANGE RECORD” screen.
Eligibility Worker (EW) Responsibilities
All of the information found in the matching record will be displayed and all of the displayed information will be protected. No edits will be allowed. The cursor will be positioned at the OPTION field.
Choose option “M” to return to the “MAIN MENU” screen without deleting the record.
Choose option “D” and press to actually delete the displayed recorded. If you enter option “D”, you will not be able to undelete the record afterwards. When the deletion has been completed, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen: “RECORD DELETED – PRESS ENTER TO RETURN TO MAIN MENU”.
Press to go to the Main Menu.
If you choose option “B” and the Not-to-Exceed Date is blank, the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen: “CANNOT ABATE RECORD WITHOUT NTE DATE”.
After you choose your option, and if you do not receive one of the above messages, the system will take you to the appropriate screen.
Inquiry Screen
The record located from the information entered on the “MAIN MENU” or selected on the “POSSIBLE MATCHES FOUND” screen will be displayed. All of the fields will be protected and no edits will be allowed. You will have the option to return to the previous screen, go to the Main Menu, or to Abate, Change, or Delete the displayed record.
Eligibility Worker (EW) Responsibilities
The following message will appear at the bottom of the screen: “PRESS ENTER TO RETURN TO PREVIOUS SCREEN”.
Pressing will return you to the previous screen, either “MAIN MENU’ OR “POSSIBLE MATCHES FOUND”.
Choose option “M” to return to the “MAIN MENU” screen.
Choose option ”B” for Abate, “C” for Change, or “D” for Delete:
If you are not authorized for the transaction type selected or if the record belongs to another county, then the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen: “ATTEMPT TO USE UNAUTHORIZED TRANSACTION”.
A non-specific file number generated by the Emergency Response Command Post (ERCP) identifying a placement case that is transferred from ERCP directly to a regional Family Maintenance and Reunification (FM&R) or generic (G) file.
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health's (DMH) 24 hour, 7 (seven) day a week hotline: Emergency psychiatric services are coordinated through ACCESS. ACCESS offers information regarding all types of mental health services available in Los Angeles County. CSWs may request a joint response with FRO by contacting ACCESS at (800) 854-7771.
The term includes physical injury or death inflicted upon a child by another person by other than accidental means, sexual abuse as defined in Section 11165.1, neglect as defined in Section 11165.2, unlawful corporal punishment or injury as defined in Section 11165.4, or the willful harming or injuring of a child or the endangering of the person or health of a child, as defined in Section 11165.3, where the person responsible for the child's welfare is a licensee, administrator, or employee of any facility licensed to care for children, or an administrator or employee of a public or private school or other institution or agency. 'Abuse or neglect in out-of-home care' does not include an injury caused by reasonable and necessary force used by a peace officer acting within the course and scope of his or her employment as a peace officer.
The team is made up of former RUM (Resource Utilization Management) staff who have experience in finding placement for high risk/needs children. APT Specialist CSWs can assist Regional CSWs expedite the process in finding placement/replacement after hours and/or when all other efforts have been unsuccessful.
Renamed to Centralized Placement Program (CPP)
Active investigation means the activities of an agency in response to a report of known or suspected child abuse. For purposes of reporting information to the Child Abuse Central Index, the activities shall include, at a minimum: assessing the nature and seriousness of the known or suspected abuse; conducting interviews of the victim(s) and any known suspect(s) and witness(es) when appropriate and/or available; gathering and preserving evidence; determining whether the incident is substantiated, inconclusive, or unfounded; and preparing a report that will be retained in the files of the investigating agency.
A mandatory statewide program that provides financial support to families in order to facilitate the adoption of children who would otherwise be in long-term foster care. The intent of this program is to remove limited financial resources as a barrier to adoption.
State licensed adoption practitioners who are authorized to help the adopting family in obtaining consents from birth parents in non-relative independent adoption.
An order/decision which is contrary to a DCFS recommendation and which DCFS believes, if carried out, will jeopardize the safety of a child; and an order/decision which adversely affects the administrative and/or operational functioning of DCFS. This includes, but is not limited to, orders, which are contrary to DCFS policy and/or state or federal regulations; and/or, penalizes DCFS for the actions or inaction of a CSW and/or DCFS.
CSW is requesting a ruling on the warrant on a weekend, holiday, or during non-court hours. (Same as expedited but the matter cannot wait until the next court day for a ruling.)
The adoption of a child in which DCFS is a party to or joins in the petition for adoption. DCFS has custody of the child and approved the applicant assessment (adoption home study).
Foster care financial assistance paid on behalf of children in out-of-home placement who meet the eligibility requirements specified in applicable state and federal regulations and laws. The program is administered by DCFS.
An identified or unidentified man who: could be or claims to be the father of the child; or is claimed by the birth mother to be the child’s father; or is identified on the child’s birth certificate prior to January 1, 1997 and does not meet the definition of a presumed father.
Benefits equal to the rate that a Regional Center vendorized home receives for a child that requires the same level of care. These rates are established by the California Department of Development Services and only available for the foster care and Adoption Assistance Benefits (AAP) set prior to the establishment of the dual agency rate.
A hearing in which the court has ordered all affiliated parties to appear to address a matter before the court.
Appellate review refers to the power of a higher court to examine the decision or order of a lower court for errors. Appellate procedure consists of the rules and practices by which appellate courts review trial court judgments. Appellate review performs several functions, including: the correction of errors committed by the trial court, development of the law and precedent to be followed and anticipated in future disputes, and the pursuit of justice.
This is the term used for an agency adoption to determine AAP eligibility.
An assessment usually conducted by a child welfare of adoption agency of the suitability of a prospective adopting family prior to an adoptive placement.
A motion for rehearing or reconsideration seeking to alter or amend a judgment or order.
A family participating in DPSS CalWORKs
When a report has been made about a child alleging abuse and/or neglect and the child's sibling(s) are also at risk of abuse and/or neglect.
A foster parent, relative or nonrelative extended family member (NREFM) who has applied to adopt the child residing in his or her care. S/he is considered to be "attached" to the child because of an existing relationship.
Disease-carrying microorganisms that may be present in human blood. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Depending on the disease, they may be transmitted by direct skin contact to blood, semen, and vaginal secretions. Feces, urine, vomit, sputum, and nasal secretions may be infectious only if they also contain blood.
A redeemable certificate used as a substitute for currency. Transit companies other than the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) issue bus passes.
A permit or authorization to ride at will, without charge. Passes are valid for the current month. Transit companies other than the MTA issue bus passes.
A piece of metal used as a substitute for currency.
California's food stamp program
California Statewide Automated Welfare System. The California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) Project and Consortium is the automated welfare business process in California which has served all 58 California counties since 2023. The implementation of CalSAWS merged California’s most recent three (3) county-level consortia welfare systems and supports six (6) core programs: California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) known as CalFresh in California, Medi-Cal, Foster Care, Refugee Assistance, and County Medical Services. It encompasses the following functions: eligibility determination, benefit computation, benefit delivery, case management and information management. CalSAWS replaced the LEADER Replacement System (LRS), which had replaced LEADER (Los Angeles Eligibility, Automated Determination, Evaluation, and Reporting) and sixteen (16) other legacy systems in 2016.
A system to determine if the subject of an inquiry by DCFS, law enforcement, the District Attorney or any other appropriate inquiring agency possesses a criminal record. DCFS may only request a CLETS clearance when related to child protective services issues.
California Regional Centers are nonprofit private corporations that contract with the State Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to provide or coordinate services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities.
CalWORKs is a welfare program that gives cash aid and services to eligible needy California families. The program serves all 58 counties in the state and is operated locally by county welfare departments. If a family has little or no cash and needs housing, food, utilities, clothing or medical care, they may be eligible to receive immediate short-term help. Families that apply and qualify for ongoing assistance receive money each month to help pay for housing, food and other necessary expenses.
The child's parent has been incarcerated, hospitalized or institutionalized and cannot arrange for the care of the child; parent's whereabouts are unknown or the custodian with whom the child has been left is unable or unwilling to provide care and support for the child.
Parent or guardian's mental illness, developmental disability or substance abuse. The child's parent or guardian is unable to provide adequate care for the child due to the.
The team is made up of former RUM (Resource Utilization Management) staff who have experience in finding placement for high risk/needs children. APT Specialist CSWs can assist Regional CSWs expedite the process in finding placement/replacement after hours and/or when all other efforts have been unsuccessful.
Previously known as the Accelerated Placement Team (APT).
The non-accidental commission of injuries against a person. In the case of a child, the term refers specifically to the non-accidental commission of injuries against the child by or allowed by a parent(s)/guardian(s) or other person(s). The term also includes emotional, physical, severe physical, and sexual abuse as defined in CDSS MPP Section 31-002(c)(9)(D).
The CACI is a system that allows Children's Social Workers to access in written form to any child abuse records of individuals through the Department of Justice (DOJ) listing names and other identifying information compiled from child abuse reports submitted to DOJ by mandated child abuse reporting agencies which maintain information regarding allegations of abuse and/or neglect. This is primarily utilized to evaluate relative and nonrelative extended family members as prospective caregivers.
California’s version of the federal health care program called Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT). It provides comprehensive medical, mental health and dental diagnostic and treatment services for all Medi-Cal eligible persons aged newborn to 21 years who request them. States are required to inform the families of eligible children about CHDP; assist with referral and transportation to providers; and, follow-up to ensure that necessary diagnostic and treatment services are provided.
Includes the intentional touching of the genitals or intimate parts or the clothing covering them, of a child, or of the perpetrator by a child, for purposes of sexual arousal or gratification. This does not include acts which are reasonably construed to be normal caretaker responsibilities, demonstrations of affection for the child, or acts performed for a valid medical purpose.
A general term for a device that can be installed in a vehicle and is designed to restrain, seat, or position children who weigh 50 pounds or less.
A group of individuals, as identified by the family, and convened by DCFS, who are engaged through a variety of team-based processes to identify the strengths and needs of the child or youth and his or her family, and to help achieve positive outcomes for safety, permanency, and well-being.
CFT Meetings are structured, guided discussions with the family, their natural supports and other team members. The meetings are designed to specifically address the family's strengths, worries that the family, agency or team members have regarding the child's safety, permanence and well-being. The family and team members develop a plan that builds on strengths, meets needs and considers the long-term views.
The term "child’s attorney" refers to the Children’s Law Center of Los Angeles (CLC) attorneys as well as the Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers (LADL) attorney appointed to represent the child in dependency proceedings. In addition, the term also refers to a paralegal, social worker or any other person working for that attorney. This also includes a youth’s delinquency attorney.
A non-profit corporation whose attorneys represent children in dependency court matters.
Support staff responsible for providing required notification to the child’s attorney, as detailed in a blanket minute order issued by the Presiding Judge of the Dependency court.
Collateral contacts are individuals or agencies with information that can assist the CSW in understanding the nature and extent of the alleged child abuse/neglect and in assessing the risk to and safety of the children. Collateral Contacts include professionals working with the child or parent and have regular contact with the family. Examples include: teachers, parole officers, physicians, DPSS, DMH, therapists, hospitals, and probation.
Sexual activity involving a minor under the age of eighteen (18) in exchange for something of value (i.e., food, shelter, money). [See PEN sections 11165.1(d)(2) and PEN 236.1(c)]. Exploitation includes instances when a minor exchanges sexual acts with a “John/date” even when there is no known trafficker/pimp; Examples of CSEC: Internet-based exploitation, pornography, stripping, erotic/nude massage, escort services, private parties, interfamilial pimping, child being exploited on the streets. CSE is a form of child abuse that mandated reporters must call in to the Child Protection Hotline for each new incident/episode. This includes reporting new AND repeated incidents of CSE on open cases.
The division within the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) responsible for licensing foster care facilities, i.e., foster family homes, foster family agencies, group homes and small family homes. Additional responsibilities include investigating any reported incident of child abuse, neglect or exploitation in such facilities and/or violations of licensing standards.
Offers counseling, nutrition classes, drug education and counseling, parenting classes, pre-natal care, continuing education, pre-employment training, family planning, group outings, and aerobic and weight training classes
Questions that may confuse a young child because they reference more than one response option. For example, 'Is it right or wrong to lie?'; 'Is your shirt green or yellow?'; 'Would your mom give you candy or punish you if you told a lie?'
Lowered resistance to infection.
Concurrent Planning aims to support timely permanence for children. Safe reunification is DCFS' first priority, but in the event that this is not possible, Concurrent Planning ensures that the identification of an alternative placement plan for children who cannot safely return home is in place from the beginning. Working with a labor/management group, the department implemented changes to Concurrent Planning which support the safety and permanence for children and families from the first day they enter out-of-home care. These system changes include focusing on identifying relatives and siblings and developing 'resource families' who are committed to working toward reunification and providing legal permanence if safe reunification is not successful. Concurrent Planning also engages families and draws on their strengths and uses ongoing assessments and case planning.
An assessment document as prescribed in Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 366.21(I), 366.22(b) and 361.5(g). The CPA is initiated by the case carrying Children's Social Worker and completed by the APRD CSW when adoption home study for attached children or matching/recruitment activities for unattached children are initiated.
Adoption petition was filed by the court and stamped with the filing and the action number.
Placement of a child six years and younger in a group home prior to the Disposition Hearing due to a special need for an in-depth evaluation that can only be completed in a "congregate care" facility. The placement cannot be more than 60 days unless and extension of the placement is included in the case plan and approved by the ARA. The child’s total time spent in the placement shall not exceed more than 120 calendar days.
When a party to a lawsuit needs to postpone a matter that has been calendared for a hearing or trial, the proper procedure is to apply to the court for a continuance (postponement to a later date).
CPM is a shared model of practice developed to better integrate services and supports for children, youth and families. The model emphasizes child-centered, family-based practice to identify strengths/needs, collaborative case planning and decision making that considers the long-term view for the family, and development of a support network (team) that will continue to be available to the family even after termination of formal services. The five key practice domains include Engaging, Teaming, Assessing, Planning & Intervening and Tracking.
An officer of the court who advocates the individual needs and best interests of a child, and provides the court with written recommendations. Persons serving as CASAs are generally community volunteers who participate in a training program, after which they are appointed as an officer of the court to advocate on behalf of a child(ren). CASAs are also referred to as Child Advocates or Guardians Ad Litem (GAL).
Refers to the parent with whom the child(ren) reside(s) (i.e., the parent with physical custody or primary physical custody).
Licensed clinician who provides assistance to CSW in identifying and assessing the needs of children with special needs by ensuring that the caregiver's home meets the child's needs and that all children having special needs have those needs met in accordance with the provisions of the Katie A. settlement agreement.
A deficiency is considered any failure to comply with any provision of the Community Care Facilities Act and/or regulations adopted by DCFS or the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Community Care Licensing Division.
Developmental delay refers to infants and toddlers having a significant difference between the expected level of development for their age and their current level of functioning. (DCFS Glossary)
A disability that originates before an individual attains age 18 years, continues or can be expected to continue, indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial disability for that individual. The term includes mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. It also includes disabling conditions found to be either closely related to mental retardation or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with mental retardation, but shall not include other handicapping conditions that are solely physical in nature.
Services provided by the Regional Centers, which include diagnostic evaluation, coordination or resources such as education, health, welfare, rehabilitation and recreation for persons with developmental disabilities. Additional services include program planning, admission to and discharge from state hospitals, court-ordered evaluations and consultation to other agencies.
Involves a child who came to the United States for the purpose of adoption through the intercountry adoption process but entered foster care prior to finalization of the adoption regardless of the reason for the foster care placement. The disruption occurs after a child enters the United States under guardianship of the prospective adoptive parents or an adoption agency with a visa for the purposes of completing the adoption process domestically. The disruption must be reported even if the child's plan is reunification with the prospective adoptive parents and the stay in foster care is brief.
Family Code Section 297 defines domestic partners as two adults who have chosen to share one another’s lives in an intimate and committed relationship of mutual caring.
Welfare and Institutions Code Section 18291 (a) states that 'Domestic violence' means abuse committed against an adult or minor who is a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or person with whom the suspect has had a child or is having or has had a dating or engagement relationship. Penal Code Section 13700 (b) states that "Domestic violence" means abuse committed against an adult or a minor who is a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or person with whom the suspect has had a child or is having or has had a dating or engagement relationship. For purposes of this subdivision, "cohabitant" means two unrelated adult persons living together for a substantial period of time, resulting in some permanency of relationship. Factors that may determine whether persons are cohabiting include, but are not limited to, (1) sexual relations between the parties while sharing the same living quarters, (2) sharing of income or expenses, (3) joint use or ownership of property, (4) whether the parties hold themselves out as husband and wife, (5) the continuity of the relationship, and (6) the length of the relationship.
A child who is receiving AFDC- FC, Kin-GAP or AAP benefits and is concurrently a consumer of Regional Center services.
A web-based system used by the DHS Medical Hubs that tracks the health status of children in the child welfare system and facilitates provision of quality medical care. As part of a joint effort between DHS and DCFS, the E-mHub System accepts the electronic transmission of the DCFS Medical Hub Referral Form and returns appointment status alerts and completed examination forms, to DCFS via an e-mail notification. DCFS and DPH PHNs and PHN Supervisors have access rights to EmHub screens pertaining to the health care of children served at the Hubs. Completed examination forms may be accessed through the link in the email notification by using the SITE User ID (employee number) and Password (current password used by employee).
The EX Pass TAP Card/Sticker is a monthly pass good for MTA and local travel on twenty-four (24) different public transit carriers throughout the Greater Los Angeles region. No transfers are necessary between the EZ Pass TAP Card transit carriers.
Are characterized by severe disturbances in eating behavior. Eating disorders are divided into three categories: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating.
Often seen in families where children are forced or allowed to work under certain illegal conditions outside and inside the home. This form of exploitation prohibits children from attending school and may place them in work environments that are a threat to their general health, safety and security. Although poverty may be a prime motivation for this type of exploitation, other situations may exist.
A stipend available to supplement (not replace) ILP. To qualify for this stipend, a youth must be eligible for ILP, be 18 years of age or older, and whose financial need has been verified by YDS. Current and former foster youth, as well as, Nonminor Dependents may qualify. The stipend may provide for, but not be limited to the following independent living needs: bus passes/transportation, housing rental and utility deposits and fees, education and work-related equipment and supplies, training-related equipment and supplies, auto insurance and driver’s education.
Emancipation allows a youth to be freed from the custody and control of their parents and to have many of the rights and responsibilities of an adult. There are three ways a minor may become emancipated: Get married with parental consent and permission from the court; Join the military; Go to court and have the judge declare you emancipated.
An ex-prate temporary restraining order issued by the Superior Court following a determination by law enforcement that a child is in immediate danger of abuse by a member of a child’s family or household. An EPO may exclude any parent, guardian or member of a child’s household from the dwelling of the person having the care, custody, and control of the child. EPO allow children to remain in their home while allegations of child abuse by the restrained parties are investigated and allow the non-offending parent time to seek assistance from Family Law Court. EPO expire at the close of the second day of judicial business following the day of issuance. EPO may only be extended by application to the appropriate court. See "Ex-Prate Order," "Judicial Business Hours" and "Restraining Order."
The term 'assessment' goes beyond the concept to evaluate a child's safety and risk, and to determine whether and what services are needed to ameliorate or prevent child abuse and neglect. In order to complete a thorough family assessment, any and all safety threats (as listed on the SDM Safety Assessment) that may compromise a child's safety and well-being must be thoroughly assessed, even if those safety threats were not identified on the referral as an allegation.
The term 'investigation' encompasses the efforts of DCFS to determine if abuse or neglect has occurred, if allegations can be substantiated.
"Emotional abuse" refers to nonphysical mistreatment, the results of which may be characterized by disturbed behavior on the part of the child such as severe withdrawal, regression, bizarre behavior, hyperactivity, or dangerous acting-out behavior.
CSW has good cause to request a ruling the same day the request is submitted, and intends to serve the warrant or at least make an attempt the same day it is granted.
Forcing or coercing a child into performing functions which are beyond his/her capabilities or capacities, or into illegal or degrading acts. The term also includes sexual exploitation, economic exploitation, exploitation involving illegal activities and exploitation in the home.
When assessing families that are involved in the gang culture investigate to see if children are encouraged from a young age to value gang membership (parents may be active or retired gang members), or if someone is teaching children gang signs, dress codes and affiliations and advocating membership, if adults are supporting violent behavior and criminal activities of the children.
Exploitation exists within the family household as well. A child may be selected to perform all or the majority of such parental tasks as cleaning, cooking and caring for younger siblings, including bathing, dressing, feeding and babysitting. Frequently, the child who is singled out in this manner is substituting for a parent who is absent or unable to fulfill parental responsibilities due to the parents' substance abuse and/or physical/mental disabilities.
The Extended Foster Care program allows a foster youth to remain in foster care and continue to receive foster care payment benefits (AFDC-FC payments) and services beyond age 18, as long as the foster youth is meeting participation requirements, living in an approved or licensed facility, and meeting other eligibility requirements.
A method of bringing family members together to come up with a recommendation to the court for a safe and permanent plan for a child. If differs from the traditional child welfare case conferencing in that although the caseworker participates in an information-sharing capacity, the family and not the child welfare worker is "in charge" of the meeting and responsible to create the recommended plan. Refer to the memo dated 1/12/15 from the DCFS Chief Deputy Director, "Teaming with Families - Operational Guidelines for Moving From Team Decision Making Meetings to Child and Family Teams" located in the Director’s Page under Memos from the Chief Deputy Director and the CPM website.
In January 1991 as a result of Senate Bill AB546, we established comprehensive community-based networks and services to protect children while they remain within their homes. The primary goal of the Family Preservation approach is the safety of children in their own homes and safe return of children being reunified after periods of placement into foster care. DCFS currently works with 38 Family Preservation agencies and covers most of Los Angeles County. On average, 5,000 families are served annually. The maximum length of time services can be provided is 12 months. The average stay in Family Preservation is 9 months.
Activities designed to provide time-limited foster care services to prevent or remedy neglect, abuse, or exploitation. The child remains in temporary foster care while services are provided to reunite the family.
An on-line Structured Decision Making (SDM) tool used for identifying family strengths and needs and to assist with case planning.
The term 'first degree relative' refers to grandparents, uncles, aunts, and adult siblings.
The Foster Care Search Engine (FCSE) is a web-based system providing an interactive search mechanism using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. The system is a tool used to identify vacant placement homes within Los Angeles County based on the children needs and well-being. Mapping capability allows for staff to view location of vacancies in proximity to schools, community boundaries and placement of siblings. The system interfaces with CSW/CMS Datamart database to maintain data integrity and provides a web-based data entry screen for Foster Family Agencies to provide specific data not available on CWS/CMS. The system is used by Children’s Social Workers (CSW) and by Technical Assistants (TA) who assists the workers in foster care placements.
A non-profit organization licensed by the State of California to recruit, certify, train, and provide professional support to foster parents.
Greater Avenues for Independence - CalWORKs services may include GAIN services (Welfare-to-Work Program). GAIN is mandatory for parents aided on CalWORKs, unless there is an exemption (e.g., parent has a child under a year old, temporary incapacity, participant is over age 65).
A portion of the cash aid being received by a CalWORKs participant is reduced when (s)he is not adhering to GAIN Program requirements.
Penal Code Section 11165.2(b) defines general neglect as the negligent failure of a person having the care or custody of a child to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision where no physical injury to the child has occurred.
The unavailability of a preferred placement, after a diligent search has been conducted; or the desires of the Indian parent, child, or tribe; or the child’s special needs for a placement, which offers either proximity to a parent or a therapeutic program when no available preferred placement can meet these needs.
For the purpose of the adoption home study, procedures initiated on behalf of the applicant, at the applicant's request, to appeal the Department's decision when the adoption home study has been denied by DCFS. The Grievance Review Process pamphlet outlines the specific action taken by the Department when the applicant requests a grievance review hearing. In addition, grievance procedures are in place for foster parents who want to challenge the Department's decision in regards to their care and supervision of a child(ren). Foster parents who want to challenge decisions regarding their license must follow grievance procedures from the State Department of Social Services.
Refers to behaviors or factors that may increase the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS such as: sexual activities involving exposure to the blood or semen of an infected person, sharing needles used for intravenous (IV) injections, tattooing and body-piercing with infected persons, maternal transmission (i.e., from an infected mother to her fetus during pregnancy, birth or breast feeding) when the infant’s parent has a history of behavior that places the parent at an increased risk of exposure to HIV, blood or blood products, transfusions or organ transplants during the period from 1978 to June of 1985, and child is a victim of sexual abuse that places them at risk of exposure to HIV.
Harassment is unlawful violence, a credible threat of violence, or a knowing and willful course of conduct directed at a specific person that seriously alarms, annoys, or harasses the person, and that serves no legitimate purpose. The course of conduct must be such as would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress, and must actually cause substantial emotional distress to the petitioner. (California Code of Civil Procedure Section 527.6 (a)(3))
An individual designated to make medical decisions on behalf of an adult if (s)he is incapable of making her/his own health care decisions. If no health care agent is appointed, when an adult has a medical emergency in which (s)he is not capable of communicating with hospital staff, the parent(s) or other relative would be asked to make decisions about medical treatment for the individual.
Passed in 2003, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is designed to give patients more control over their health information, set boundaries on the use and disclosure of health information, institute safeguards to protect privacy of health information, create accountability, civil and criminal penalties, and establish a balance between individual privacy and the public good. In cases where the law of California is more restrictive than HIPAA, the State law must be followed. Conversely, if HIPAA is more restrictive than State law, then HIPAA must be followed unless there is a legal exception.
A document that is generated on CWS/CMS that contains a summary of a child's health and education information. The caregiver keeps a current copy of the Passport, along with the health and education forms in a binder provided by DCFS. This binder shall follow the child to all placements. The Passport shall accompany the child to all medical, dental and educational appointments. The Passport binder in its entirety is given to the child upon emancipation.
A plan developed by a medical provider that assists the child/youth in developing life long practices that encourages healthy behaviors, healthy food choices and regular engagement in cardio-vascular activities.
In the context of CHDP, a child with one or more of the following conditions: A past significant medical problem or chronic illness; possible contagious disease; medication; and/or social problems (e.g., language barrier) which could conceal an unmet medical need.
The county that provides courtesy supervision for a child residing with a relative or in foster care placement whose legal jurisdiction is in another California County.
An approach to successfully connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability to housing services without preconditions and barriers to entry such as service participation requirements.
The DCFS ICPC Unit will contact the potential host state, per existing procedures and obtain information regarding provision of services to a NMD placed in a SILP.
Shortcomings that if not corrected would have direct and immediate risk to health, safety, or personal rights of the child.
There is reasonable cause to believe that the child will experience serious bodily injury in the time it would take for the CSW to return to the office, prepare, obtain from a judge, and serve the removal order.
A report determined by the investigator conducting the investigation not to be unfounded, but the findings are inconclusive and there is insufficient evidence to determine whether child abuse or neglect, as defined in Section 11165.6, has occurred.
The adoption of a child in which neither CDSS nor an agency licensed by CDSS, such as DCFS, is a party to, or joins in, the petition for adoption.
The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act requires that a person who receives services from a regional center have an Individual Program Plan (IPP). Person-centered individual program planning assists persons with developmental disabilities and their families to build their capacities and capabilities. The planning team decides what needs to be done, by whom, when, and how, if the individual is to begin (or continue) working toward the preferred future. The document known as the Individual Program Plan (IPP) is a record of the decisions made by the planning team.
Those individuals who develop a health care plan for a child with special health care needs in a specialized foster care home or group home which shall include the child's primary care physician or other health care professional designated by the physician, any involved medical team, and the CSW and any health care professional designated to monitor the child's individualized health care plan, including, if the child is in a certified home, the registered nurse employed by or under contract with the certifying agency to supervise and monitor the child. The child's individualized health care plan team may also include, but shall not be limited to, a public health nurse, representatives from the California Children's Services Program or the Child Health and Disability Prevention Program, regional centers, the county mental health department, and where reunification is the goal, the parent or parents, if available. In addition, if the child is in a specialized foster care home, the individualized health care plan team may include the prospective specialized foster parents, who shall not participate in any team decision.
A person is considered institutionalized when (s)he has been residing in a hospital, jail, prison, homeless shelter, residential school, rehabilitation center, halfway house, out-of-home care facility, etc., for more than 90 calendar days. This does not include battered women's shelters.
ISWs are the key component when detention is being considered or when a detention has occurred. ISWs provide immediate linkage to services for families where a court detention was necessary. ISWs participate in child safety conferences shortly after detention to review for possible return of children and or to connect children and families to services immediately following detention.
The Intensive Treatment Foster Care Program (ITFC) was developed to meet the treatment needs of emotionally disturbed children who need out-of-home placement. An Intensive Treatment Foster Care agency refers to an organization licensed by the California Department of Social Services for children who have a history of emotional/behavioral disturbance, have experienced multiple placement histories; are at risk of hospitalization, and/or qualify for Rate Classification Level (RCL) 12 or higher group home placement.
One agency has custody of the child and another agency approved the applicant assessment.
A hearing that is not mandated by the Welfare and Institutions Code, but is set by the court to address specific information and/or receive a progress report on the case at hand.
The computer system tracking all dependency court schedules and proceedings. Additionally, this software system allows DCFS to print minute orders.
The intent of the Kin-GAP program is to establish a program of financial assistance for relative caregivers who have legal guardianship of a child while Dependency Court jurisdiction and the DCFS case are terminated. The rate for the Kin-GAP program will be applied uniformly statewide.
The Kinship Support Division promotes, increases, and sustains legal permanency for children, adolescents and young adults in relative and legal guardianship placement through providing education, supportive services, advocacy, mentoring, and aftercare that is accessible and meets the needs of the child, family, and community.
Physical custody of a minor 72 hours old or younger accepted by a person from a parent of the minor, who the person believes in good faith is the parent of the minor, with the specific intent and promise of effecting the safe surrender of the child.
Questions that suggest a desired answer; often these are questions that can be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no.' For example: "The sky is blue, isn't it?"
Legal relief (legal remedy): the means to achieve justice in any matter in which legal rights are involved. Remedies may be ordered by the court, granted by judgment after trial or hearing, by agreement (settlement) between the person claiming harm and the person he/she believes has caused it, and by the automatic operation of law. Some remedies require that certain acts be performed or prohibited (originally called "equity"), others involve payment of money to cover loss due to injury or breach of contract, and still others require a court's declaration of the rights of the parties and an order to honor them.
Involves a child who was previously adopted from overseas (whether the full and final adoption occurred in the foreign country or domestically) but entered foster care as a result of a court terminating the parents' rights or the parents' relinquishing their rights to the child.
A child whose birth parents have had his or her parental rights terminated or whose birth parents have voluntarily given up parental rights through relinquishment.
Includes the intentional masturbation of the perpetrator's genitals in the presence of a child.
Foster family homes, small family homes, group homes, foster family agency certified homes, child care facilities.
Any medical procedure or intervention that will serve only to prolong a state of unconsciousness where there is a reasonable degree of medical authority that such state of unconsciousness is permanent, or prolong a terminal condition."
A criminal history check based upon the submission of the subjects' fingerprints to the DOJ. The inquiry may also include an inquiry of the Child Abuse Central Index and an inquiry of the FBI database, if there is an indication that the subject may have been arrested outside of California, or that the subject has been a resident of California for less than two years. The clearance will confirm the identity of the subject of the inquiry and give the subject's history of arrests and convictions.
Degree to which there are stated, shared and understood safety, well-being, and permanency outcomes and functional life goals for the child and family. The outcomes and goals should outline required protective capacities, desired behavior changes, sustainable supports, and other accomplishments necessary for the child and family to achieve and sustain adequate daily functioning and greater self-sufficiency.
California's federal Medicaid program.
As defined by Civil Code (CIV) Section 56.05(g), is any individually identifiable information, in electronic or physical form, in possession of or derived from a provider of health care, health care service plan, pharmaceutical company, or contractor regarding a patient’s medical history, mental or physical condition, or treatment. This does not include psychotherapy notes (notes made by the therapist about a private therapy session that are kept separate from the rest of the patient’s medical record). These notes are subject to additional privacy protections and cannot be disclosed by therapists even in situations where other PHI may be disclosed.
One or more of the following exist: Previous significant medical problem or chronic illness; possible contagious disease; on medication; and/or, social problem or language barrier which could conceal an unmet medical need.
Children with special health care needs as defined by Assembly Bill 2268. These children have medical conditions and symptoms that require special procedures, may be temporarily or permanently dependent upon medical equipment and/or devices, therapies and may require ongoing medical care and assessment as determined by the child’s physician. The caregiver must have been trained to provide the specialized in-home health care to these children.
A motion for rehearing or reconsideration: seeking to alter or amend a judgment or order.
For youth whose behavior places them at risk of entry into the juvenile justice system, particularly those who are subject of a 241.1 assessment. The goal of the therapy is to improve caregiver discipline practices, enhance family relations, decrease youth association with deviant peers, increase pro-social peers, improve youth school or vocational performance, engage youth in pro-social recreational outlets, and develop a support network of extended family, neighbors, and friends to help achieve and maintain such changes. (Only available in Regional Offices in SPA 6 and 7)
A program which provides a comprehensive, multi-level intervention to children and youth in the child welfare system. MTFC is an evidence-based practice (EBP). MTFC Program provides each youth with short-term treatment (average 6-12 months) in specialized foster home environment where child/youth is the only foster child and has the following: own bedroom, an individual therapist, a skills trainer, attend public school, foster parents trained in the MTFC model, permanent caregivers receive behavior training and family therapy before and after the youth is returned to their home, a program supervisor that coordinates all care and is available 24/7.
The cornerstone of and entry point to the Protective Services Child Health (PSCH) system and the focal point for a community-based Provider Network. The KDMC Hub will provide timely, comprehensive medical, developmental and psychological assessments, as well as on-site preventive health services to children in out-of-home care. In addition, the Hub will assist in the development of a comprehensive child health plan for each child, provide referrals for follow-up care and conduct provider outreach. (DCFS Glossary, from "Hub Services: King/Drew Medical Center (KDMC)")
Any team of three or more people trained in the prevention, identification, management or treatment of child abuse or neglect cases and qualified to provide a broad range of services related to child abuse or neglect. The team may include a CalWORKs case manager, whose primary responsibility is to provide cross program case planning and coordination of CalWORKs child welfare services of those mutual cases or families that may be eligible for CalWORKs services and that, with the informed written consent of the family, receive cross program case planning and coordination.
A near fatality is a severe injury or condition caused by abuse or neglect that results in the child receiving critical care for at least 24 hours following admission to a critical care unit.
The failure to provide a person with necessary care and protection. In the case of a child, the term refers to the failure of a parent(s)/guardian(s) or caretaker(s) to provide the care and protection necessary for the child's healthy growth and development. Neglect occurs when children are physically or psychologically endangered. The term includes both severe and general neglect as defined by Penal Code Section 11165.2 and medically neglected infants as described in 45 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1340.15(b).
A network (also known as a support network, support system, or social support system) refers to an extended group of family, friends, neighbors, professionals, and/or cultural, religious, or other communities that provide support for -- and meet a wide range of needs for -- a parent/caregiver and/or the child/ren (including tribal ICWA programs, Indian organizations, and/or family members, which can include non-related tribal members). The network may consist of individuals or organizations (e.g., religious organizations, community organizations, professional providers) who care about the child/ren or family and who provide or share concrete support (e.g., financial help, transportation, babysitting) or emotional support (e.g., listening, advice).
Children who first, or initially, enter the child welfare system and are placed in out-of-home care under a WIC 300 petition. (This definition includes children in an open case under a Court FM or VFM case plan who are subsequently removed from their biological parents and placed in out-of-home care).
A hearing in which the affiliated parties are not required to appear in order for the court to proceed with the matter at hand.
Non-Child Welfare Department module within CWS/CMS used to enter non-court cases such as Kin-GAP. It contains placement and payment information, the Legal Guardian’s information and case notes. The Probation Department also enters information in the Non-CWD module for cases supervised by their department.
A relative other than the child's birth or adoptive parents.
A person appointed by the Superior Court pursuant to the provisions of the Probate Code or appointed by the Dependency Court pursuant to the provisions of the Welfare and Institutions Code, who does not meet the definition of a 'Related Legal Guardian.'
A hospital, jail, prison, homeless shelter, residential school, rehabilitation center, halfway house, out-of-home care facility, etc. where the individual has lived for more than 90 calendar days. This does not include battered women's shelters.
A current dependent child or ward of the juvenile court, or a nonminor under the transition jurisdiction of the juvenile court, who: has attained 18 years of age while under an order of foster care placement by the juvenile court; is in foster care under the placement and care responsibility of the county welfare department, county probation department, Indian tribe, consortium of tribes, or tribal organization; is participating in a transitional independent living case. Defined by WIC 11400(v).
A nonrelative extended family member is defined as an adult caregiver who has an established familial relationship with a relative of the child or a familial or mentoring relationship with the child. The county welfare department must verify the existence of a relationship through interviews with the parent and child or with one or more third parties.
Includes any sexual contact between the genitals or anal opening of one person and the mouth or tongue of another person.
also known as intravenous feeding, is a method of getting nutrition into the body through the veins. While it is most commonly referred to as total parenteral nutrition (TPN), some patients need to get only certain types of nutrients intravenously.
DPSS term for person receiving services.
This is a six-week, 33-hour program that prepares resource families (foster and adoptive) for the new roles and parenting skills they will need if they adopt. A program of mutual preparation and selection which uses the teamwork approach between foster and adoptive parents and the agency to prepare foster and adoptive parents for theexperience of parenting children with special needs, such as those supervised by DCFS. The program incorporates self-assessment, mutual decision-making and experiential preparation for foster and adoptive planning to help parents decide if their expectations and abilities match the realities of foster and adoptive parenthood.
An economic loss or expense resulting from an injury or death to a victim of crime that has not been and will not be reimbursed from any other source. This is related to compensation from being a Victim of Crime.
Includes any intrusion by one person into the genitals or anal opening of another person, including the use of any object, except for acts performed for a valid medical purpose.
Includes any of the following options: the child returns home, the court approves adoption, legal guardianship, permanent plan living arrangement with a relative/non-relative extended family member, or the child's case is closed.
The services provided to achieve legal permanence for a child when efforts to reunify have failed until the court terminates FR. These services include identifying permanency alternatives, e.g., adoption, legal guardianship, tribal customary adoption and planned permanent living arrangement. Depending on the identified plan, the following activities may be provided: inform parents about adoptive planning and relinquishment, locate potential relative caregivers and provide them with information about permanent plans (e.g., adoption, legal guardianship) and refer the caregiver to the Adoption Division for an adoptive home study, etc.
Permanency Planning Conferences (PPCs) are modeled after TDM meetings to ensure that a multi-disciplinary team of professionals, family members and caregivers meet regularly to focus on the urgent permanency needs of youth. Refer to the memo dated 1/12/15 from the DCFS Chief Deputy Director, "Teaming with Families - Operational Guidelines for Moving From Team Decision Making Meetings to Child and Family Teams" located in the Director’s Page under Memos from the Chief Deputy Director and the CPM website.
In the context of adoption, substantially correct information regarding a prospective adoptive parent. This shall include, but is not limited to, the following: full legal name; age; religion; race or ethnicity; length of current marriage and number of previous marriages; employment; whether other children or adults reside in the home; whether there are other children who do not reside in the home and the child support obligation for these children and any failure to meet these obligations; any health conditions curtailing normal daily activities or reducing normal life expectancies; any convictions for crimes other than minor traffic violations; any removal of children due to child abuse or neglect; and, general area of residence, or upon request, address.
Pertinent collateral contacts are individuals or agencies with information that can assist the CSW in understanding the nature and extent of the alleged child abuse/neglect and in assessing the risk to and safety of the children. Collateral Contacts include professionals working with the child or parent and have regular contact with the family. Examples include: teachers, parole officers, physicians, DPSS, DMH, therapists, hospitals, and probation.
Non-accidental bodily injury that has been or is being willfully inflicted on a child. It includes willful harming or injuring of a child or endangering of the person or health of a child defined as a situation where any person willfully causes or permits any child to suffer, or inflicts thereon, unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering, or having the care or custody of any child, willfully causes or permits the person or health of the child to be placed in a situation such that his or her person or health is endangered.
Shortcomings that without correction would become a risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of the child. The child can be placed in the home pending completion of the CAP. TANF/CalWORKs is the funding source possibly available to the caregiver until the CAP is completed and eligibility for federal Foster Care funding is determined.
A meeting of attorneys and parties held for the purpose of reaching a negotiated settlement involving joint solutions.
A PPT is held for any pregnant or parenting teen under the Department’s supervision (as well as potential and recent fathers) as a youth-centered approach in order to identify and discuss issues related to pregnancy and early stages of child-rearing as well as breaking intergenerational cycles. Refer to the memo dated 1/12/15 from the DCFS Chief Deputy Director, "Teaming with Families - Operational Guidelines for Moving From Team Decision Making Meetings to Child and Family Teams" located in the Director’s Page under Memos from the Chief Deputy Director and the CPM website.
Provides for 12 months in a residential program and a 12-month outpatient transitional services program.
i.e., more likely than not
A man is presumed to be the biological father of a child if: He has signed a voluntary declaration of paternity (VDP) or, after January 1, 1997 is identified on the child’s birth certificate; He and the mother are or have been married to each other and the child is born during the marriage or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated; Before the child’s birth, he and the child’s birth mother have attempted to marry each other and the child was born during the attempted marriage or within 300 days after the termination of cohabitation; After the child’s birth, he and the child’s birth mother have married or attempted to marry and either with his consent he is named on the child’s birth certificate or he is obligated to pay child support; He receives the child into his home and openly holds out the child as his birth child; Anyone whom a court has found to be a presumed or legal father (this includes family court, dependency court, and judgments for child support services);Other men who tried to marry the mother or thought they had married the mother (even if it turns out that they did not), and even if after the birth may qualify as a presumed father. Consult County Counsel.
As it pertains to the allegations in a child welfare case, the petition must include enough facts that if later proven, will cause a child to be declared a dependent of the court.
Reasonable cause or a reasonable ground for belief in certain alleged facts (more than a hunch, but less than absolute certainty).
As defined by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), is health (including mental health) information created or maintained by a health care provider that identifies or can be used to identify a specific individual. PHI relates to an individual’s health, health care or payment for care – in the past, present or future.
Medications used as tools for producing certain chemical and physiological effects in the central nervous system. They are usually classified according to the types of disorders they are primarily used to treat.
A pro bono law office serving low-income children, adults, and families. Through its Children's Rights Project, Public Counsel assists children in civil legal matters such as guardianship, adoption, special education, government benefits, emancipation, teen parenting issues, immigration, mental health services, access to education and transitional services upon emancipation from foster care.
Referral Address Verification System
Includes any penetration however slight, of the vagina or anal opening of one person by the penis of another person, whether or not there is the emission of semen.
An intervention, informed by a Housing First approach, that connects families and individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability to assistance that may include the use of time-limited financial assistance and targeted supportive services.
The law requires child welfare agencies to make reasonable efforts to provide services that will help families remedy the conditions that brought the child and family into the child welfare system. It is based upon a standard of reasonableness, which is a subjective test of what a reasonable person would do in the individual circumstance, taking all factors into account. This includes conducting a Due Diligence search to locate parents whose whereabouts are unknown.
When it is objectively reasonable for a person to entertain a suspicion, based upon facts that could cause a reasonable person in a like position, drawing when appropriate, on his or her training, to suspect child abuse or neglect.
The standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain the child's health, safety, and best interest.
The DCFS office that is responsible for providing services to the child, youth, dependent, or nonminor dependent. Usually, the office where the child's CSW is located.
Court will rule on the request by 5:00 p.m. the day after the request is filed with the court.
An adult who is related to the child by blood, adoption or affinity within the fifth degree of kinship, including stepparents, stepsiblings, and all relatives whose status is preceded by the words, 'great,' 'great-great' or 'grand' or the spouse of any of these persons even if the marriage was terminated by death or dissolution. A former stepparent is considered a relative only if the child is federally eligible.
For the purpose of placement and foster care payments: An adult who is related to the child by blood, adoption or affinity within the fifth degree of kinship, including stepparents, stepsiblings, and all relatives whose status is preceded by the words, "great," "great-great" or "grand" or the spouse of any of these persons even if the marriage was terminated by death or dissolution.
The action of a parent in which he or she surrenders custody, control and any responsibility for the care and support of the child. Currently, only an Adoption social worker or the court is qualified to process a relinquishment.
The RMP is a family centered, multi-departmental, integrated approach to identifying, coordinating and linking appropriate resources/services to meet the needs of children currently in, or at risk of a RCL 6 through 14 placement. Additional information can be found at www.lacdcfs.org/katieA/RMP/. Refer to the memo dated 1/12/15 from the DCFS Chief Deputy Director, "Teaming with Families - Operational Guidelines for Moving From Team Decision Making Meetings to Child and Family Teams" located in the Director’s Page under Memos from the Chief Deputy Director and the CPM website.
Families that have a foster care license and an approved family assessment that meets the State’s adoption standards. They are dually prepared to provide foster care and support family reunification; but, should reunification not occur, they are approved to provide an adoptive home for a child.
An order issued by the court, which enjoins a person from engaging in a specified behavior or activity, limits the distance a person may approach a specific location and/or person, or excludes a person from a specific dwelling or place of business. See "Emergency Protective Order."
For children aged three or older at the time of initial removal, services are to be provided from the dispositional hearing until the 366.21(f) hearing, unless the child is returned home. For children under the age of three, services are to be provided until the 366.21(e) hearing, unless the child is returned home.
The Review Agent conducts the Grievance Review Hearing. In accordance with CDSS Manual of Policies and Procedures (MPP) 31-020.511-.513, the Review Agent is a staff or other person not involved in the complaint; neither a co-worker nor a person directly in the chain of supervision of any of the persons involved in the complaint unless the Agent is the Director or Chief Deputy of the county; knowledgeable of the field and capable of objectively reviewing the complaint. The Review Agent for Los Angeles County, DCFS is the Manager, Appeals Section.
Supplemental Security Income. This program pays monthly benefits to blind or disabled children/youth who have limited income and resources. It is administered by Social Security.
Specialized Supportive Services - CalWORKs participants eligible to receive GAIN services may be eligible to receive Specialized Supportive Services (e.g., mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence assessment and treatment services) and transportation, child care and other ancillary expenses.
The D-Rate is the rate paid on behalf of hard-to-place children with severe and persistent emotional and/or behavioral problems. This rate can be paid for eligible children placed in the following types of out-of-home care facilities if they have been certified for the D-Rate: foster family homes, non-related legal guardian homes, nonrelative extended family member homes, foster care-eligible relative (Youakim) homes, and small family homes which are not vendorized by Regional Center but are licensed for mentally disordered/emotionally disturbed children.
The school that the foster child attended when permanently housed (prior to detention) or the school in which the foster child was last enrolled. If the school the child attended when permanently housed is different than from the school the child was last enrolled, or if there is some other school that the foster child attended with which he/she is connected (and attended within the immediately preceding 15 months) the local educational agency foster child education liaison, in consultation and agreement with the foster child and their Educational Rights Holder, can determine which school should be the child's school-of-origin.
Is defined as being able to meet one’s basic needs for food, shelter, income, and overall functioning. It is complementary to the goal of permanency, as individuals typically function better when they are surrounded by loving and caring adults. However, if one’s safety net were to be removed, self-sufficient adults would still be able to survive. In order for youth to become thriving, self-sufficient adults, they need to acquire solid assets and skills, early on, in key areas and outcome areas, such as, permanency/housing; education; social and emotional well-being; career/workforce readiness; health and medication. These four outcome areas lay the foundation for a successful transition into adulthood. To develop properly, they must be addressed and nurtured early on, at the first point of contact. Having continuous high expectations for success in these four areas is critical if youth are to have the support they need to achieve self sufficiency.
Reasonable cause to believe that the child has a need for medical care for a serious medical condition; or is in danger of physical or sexual abuse; or the physical environment poses a threat to the child's health or safety.
Penal Code Section 11165.2(a) defines severe neglect as the negligent failure of a person having the care or custody of a child to protect the child from severe malnutrition or medically diagnosed nonorganic failure to thrive. "Severe neglect" also means those situations of neglect where any person having the care or custody of a child willfully causes or permits the person or health of the child to be placed in a situation such that his or her person or health is endangered, as proscribed by Penal Code 11165.3, including the intentional failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care. Child abandonment would come under this section.
Includes any single act of abuse which causes physical trauma of sufficient severity that, if left untreated, would cause permanent physical disfigurement, permanent physical disability, or death; any single act of sexual abuse which causes significant bleeding, deep bruising, or significant external or internal swelling; or repeated acts of physical abuse, each of which causes bleeding, deep bruising, significant external or internal swelling, bone fracture, or unconsciousness.
The victimization of a child by sexual activities, including, but not limited to, those activities defined in Penal Code Section 11165.1(a)(b)(c). See "sexual assault" and "sexual exploitation."
Conduct in violation of laws pertaining to: Section 261 (rape), 264.1 (rape in concert), 285 (incest), 286 (sodomy), subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 288 (lewd or lascivious acts upon a child under 14 years of age), 288a (oral copulation), 289 (penetration of a genital or anal opening by a foreign object), or 647a (child molestation). If there are no indicators of abuse, “sexual assault” does not include voluntary sodomy, voluntary oral copulation, or voluntary sexual penetration unless the conduct is between a person 21 years of age or older and a minor under 16 years of age.
Conduct involving matter depicting a minor engaged in obscene acts in violation of Section 311.2 (preparing, selling, or distributing obscene matter) or subdivision (a) of Section 311.4 (employment of minor to perform obscene acts). Any person who knowingly promotes, aids or assists, employs, uses, persuades, induces or coerces a child, or any person responsible for a child's welfare who knowingly permits or encourages a child to engage in, or assist others to engage in, prostitution or a live performance involving obscene sexual conduct or to either pose or model alone or with others for the purpose of preparing a film, photograph, negative, slide, drawing, painting or other pictorial depiction involving obscene sexual conduct. 'Person responsible for a child's welfare' means a parent, guardian, foster parent, or a licensed administrator, or employee of a public or private residential home, residential school, or other residential institution. Any person who depicts a child in, or who knowingly develops, duplicates, prints, or exchanges, any film, photograph, video tape, negative, or slide in which a child is engaged in an act of obscene, sexual conduct, except for those activities by law enforcement and prosecution agencies and other persons described in subdivisions (c) and (e) of Section 311.3.'
Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV and AIDS, are transmitted from one person to another through sexual contact as well as though direct person-to-person contact with blood or body fluids that contain the infection.
A sibling is defined as a child related to another person by blood, adoption, or affinity through a common legal or biological parent.
The determination of what is considered 'significant contact' by an individual with a child will be determined by the ASFA Division in consultation with County Counsel and regional staff.
Any residential facility in the licensee's family residence, which provides 24-hour care for six or fewer foster children who have mental disorders or developmental or physical disabilities and who require special care and supervision as a result of their disabilities. WIC 11400(e)
Assembly Bill 2268, defines children with special health care needs as those children who are either temporarily or permanently dependent upon medical equipment or in need of other specific kinds of specialized in-home health care, as determined by the child’s physician. See "medically fragile."
Definition for Adoption Assistance Program (AAP), a child whose adoption, without financial assistance, would be unlikely due to one or more of the following factors: age (three years or older),ethnic background, race, color or language, mental, physical, emotional or medical handicap, adverse parental background, membership in a sibling group which should remain intact. In the context of protective services childcare, a child who is mentally or physically incapable of caring for him/herself, as verified by a physician or a licensed or certified psychologist, and requires separate accommodations to be provided with basic childcare. In the context of dependency court, a special needs child is one who has had three or more placements during a 12-month period and has a diagnosis or history of one or more of the following: conduct disorder with aggressive tendencies or antisocial behavior; attention deficit disorder treated by psychotropic drugs; self-destructive or suicidal behavior; use of psychotropic drugs; developmental disability; fire setting; manifestation of psychotic symptoms; somatizing or chronic depression or social isolation; severe sexual acting-out behavior and/or; substance abuse.
A rate paid in addition to the basic care rate for the care of children/youth with special needs.
Any of the following foster homes where the foster parents reside in the home and have been trained to provide specialized in-home health care to foster children: 1) Licensed foster family homes; 2) small family homes or; 3) certified family homes that have accepted placement of a child with special health care needs who is under the supervision and monitoring of a registered nurse employed by, or on contract with, the certifying agency, and who is either of the following: a) a dependent of the court under WIC 300 or; b) developmentally disabled and receiving services and case management from a regional center.
Includes, but is not limited to, those services identified by the child's primary physician as appropriately administered in the home of any of the following: 1) A foster parent trained by health care professionals where the child is being placed in, or is currently in, a specialized foster care home; 2) Group home staff trained by health care professionals pursuant to the discharge plan of the facility releasing the child where the child was placed in the home as of Nov. 1, 1993, and who is currently in the home; 3) a health care professional, where the child is placed in a group home after November 1, 1993. WIC 17710(h)
The act of temporarily stopping a judicial proceeding through the order of a court.
Assesses the child's present danger and the interventions currently needed to protect the child. Assesses whether any children are likely to be in immediate danger of serious harm/maltreatment and determines what interventions should be initiated or maintained to provide appropriate protection.
A thirty (30) day pass good for MTA travel only. Students must have an appropriate MTA ID Card to obtain the pass. Student Cardholders are provided with a Student TAP Card each month. There is no charge for the Card itself. Students can pick-up a photo-less Metro Student Dare ID Card (K-8 or 9-12) at participating schools or one of the four Metro Customer Centers.
Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Services are available to determine whether parents or caregivers’ abilities are impaired by the use of alcohol and drugs; if parents/caregivers need to be referred for alcohol/substance abuse treatment, and to monitor progress in treatment. Test results are used as part of the evaluation process to determine if children can remain safely in the home of their parents and caregivers, or if children can be safely returned to the care of their parents and caregivers.
A report determined by the investigator conducting the investigation to constitute child abuse or neglect, as defined in Section 11165.6, based upon evidence that makes it more likely than not that child abuse or neglect, as defined, occurred.
SILP is a supervised and approved placement that is part of the Extended Foster Care program. SILP is a flexible and the least restrictive placement setting. It can include: an apartment (alone or with roommates); shared living situations; room and board arrangements; room rented from a landlord, friend or relative, or former caregiver; or college dorms.
CWS/CMS services component for nonminor dependents (NMD) under which the required Extended Foster Care (EFC) participation criteria must be indicated.
SOC refers to a continuum of care for children and their families, which meets their mental, emotional, and behavioral needs. The program focuses on treatment for children and youth who are at risk of placement in either a group home or a more restrictive setting. An Inter- Agency Screening Committee comprised of representatives from DCFS, Department of Mental Health, the Probation Department, Special Education Local Planning Area, and local school districts, screens these type of cases. Services may include intensive in-home treatment, in-home support services, daily living skills, mental health services, crisis intervention, respite care, parent training, school intervention and therapeutic foster homes.
Refer to the memo dated 1/12/15 from the DCFS Chief Deputy Director, "Teaming with Families - Operational Guidelines for Moving From Team Decision Making Meetings to Child and Family Teams" located in the Director’s Page under Memos from the Chief Deputy Director and the CPM website.
The Transit Access Pass (TAP) Card is a monthly pass good for MTA travel only.
A process utilizing a multidisciplinary assessment and team approach in working with children and their families. Includes community-based social workers and other child and family service providers that assist the family in identifying local supports that could help reduce stresses and improve family life. Parents play a key role in identifying their needs and the supports that would be most helpful in addressing them. Refer to the memo dated 1/12/15 from the DCFS Chief Deputy Director, "Teaming with Families - Operational Guidelines for Moving From Team Decision Making Meetings to Child and Family Teams" located in the Director’s Page under Memos from the Chief Deputy Director and the CPM website.
The removal of a child from the home of a parent or legal guardian and placement or facilitation of placement of the child in the home of a non-offending parent, relative, foster caregiver; group home or institutional setting.Temporary custody also includes: placing hospital holds on children; situations in which the CSW interrupts an established Family Law Court custody or visitation orders when the CSW believes that if the order is carried out, the child would be placed in immediate risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation and the child is allowed to remain in the home of the non-offending parent; situations in which DCFS requests that law enforcement remove a child from the home of his or her parent/legal guardian and the CSW places the child with a relative or unrelated caregiver; and situations in which the child is living with a relative or an unrelated caregiver and all of the following conditions exist: child’s parent is asking for the child to be returned home, CSW believes that the return of the child to his or her parent would place the child at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation, CSW does not allow the child to be returned to his or her parent; and, the child remains in the home of the relative or is placed in out-of-home care.
When a child is declared free from the care custody and control of his or her birth parents by court action.
A free legal services organization focused solely on protecting the rights of impoverished, abused and neglected children in Los Angeles County – children in foster care, children with educational disabilities, children who need healthcare or public benefits, and children in need of legal guardianship or adoption.
For the purposes of assigning Dependency Investigation tasks, a traditional residence is a house, an apartment, room(s) in a shared house or apartment, or another residence not included under the definition of non-traditional residence.
Hearing held by the receiving county court to determine if the case transfer request will be accepted.
Hearing held by the sending county court to determine the appropriateness of the transfer request. The court may order a case transferred to a different county during the Transfer-Out Hearing.
A home that has been licensed or approved by an Indian child’s tribe or a tribal organization designated by the Indian child’s tribe, for foster or adoptive placements of an Indian child using standards established by the tribe.
In the context of adoption, a person who has applied to adopt a child but has not been matched with an available child, and is therefore considered "unattached" to a particular child. An applicant for adoption who is not already linked with a specific child to adopt.
In the context of adoption, a child for whom adoption is the identified permanent plan but for whom no prospective adoptive parent has been identified.
A report determined by the investigator conducting the investigation to be false, inherently improbably, to involve an accidental injury, or not constituting child abuse or neglect as defined in Section 11165.6.
An aggressive, standardized approach to infection control which treats all human blood and certain body fluids as if they were known to contain blood-borne pathogens.The extension of blood and body fluid precautions to all patients. Under universal precautions, blood and certain body fluids of all patients are considered potentially infectious for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and other bloodborne pathogens. (CDC)
Authorities, e.g. CSWs, law enforcement, etc, have reasonable evidence that a parent is abusive, cannot provide love and support to the child, or will in some significant way interfere with the examination.
The provision of non-court, time-limited protective services to families whose children are in potential danger of abuse, neglect, or exploitation when the children can safely remain in the home with DCFS services. In order to receive VFM services, the family must be willing to accept them and participate in corrective efforts to ensure that the child's protective needs are met. There is a six-month time limit for this service.
The foster care placement of a child by or with the participation of DCFS acting on behalf of CDSS, after the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the child have requested the assistance of DCFS and signed a voluntary placement agreement form.
A legal document filed by DCFS in juvenile dependency court alleging that a child is described under Welfare and Institution Code (WIC) 300.
A hearing will be held no later than 120 days from the date of the Permanency Review Hearing. The purpose of a WIC Section 366.26 hearing is to identify and implement a permanent plan for a dependent child of the court. The court will then make findings and orders in the following order of preference: permanently terminate the rights of the parent or parents and order that the child be placed for adoption; or, without permanently terminating parental rights, identify adoption as the goal and order that efforts be made to locate an appropriate adoptive family for the child within a period not to exceed 180 days; or, appoint a legal guardian and issue letters of guardianship; or, order that the child be placed in long-term foster care, subject to the periodic review of the court under WIC 366.3.
A request to submit a report to the court when a hearing is not calendared, but the matter requires immediate court attention. Walk-on hearings may be appearance or non-appearance matters.
The Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) section that describes abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other endangerment situations and conditions whereby a child may be removed from the care and custody of parents or legal guardians and declared a dependent of the court under DCFS supervision.
W-Homes provide foster care to dependent teen parents and their non-dependent children, while assisting the teen parent’s to develop the skills they will need to provide a safe, stable and permanent home for their children. This is not a new licensing category. A W-Home can be a family home, approved relative caregiver or non-relative extended family member’s (NREFM) home, or the home of a non-related legal guardian whose guardianship was established pursuant to WIC Section 366.26 or 360.
A situation where any person willfully causes or permits any child to suffer, or inflicts thereon, unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering or having the care or custody of any child, willfully causes or permits the person or health of the child to be placed in a situation such that his or her person or health is endangered.
These include concerns the family, team members or DCFS have related to the safety of the children/youth. The worries help the team identify what is important to ensure a safe and secure future for the children/youth.
Wraparound is a multi-agency initiative. The Wraparound approach is a family-centered, strengths-based, needs-driven planning and service delivery process. It advocates for family-professional partnership to ensure family voice, choice and ownership. Wraparound children and family teams benefits children by working with the family to ensure Permanency. Wraparound is funded through Title IV-E funds. The average length of involvement with the program is 8 months. The primary focus of the program is to keep children out of residential placements and maintain them safely in their family and community.
The practice of using flipchart pads and markers to write all brainstormed team responses to the agenda items during the CFT meeting. Examples of what is charted include: Family goal, non-negotiables, strengths, worries, needs and the plan for "what could go wrong".
Refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for boys and men or girls and women. These influence the ways that people act, interact, and feel about themselves. Gender is different from Sex in that Sex is assigned at birth.
an internal understanding of one’s own gender (e.g. a person’s internal sense of being male, female or something else). Therefore, a transgender person’s gender identity does not match the sex assigned to him or her at birth.
Ideas on what possible needs may be driving a person's behavior.
Matters related to the safety and well-being of the child(ren)/youth that cannot be changed at the present time (e.g. children cannot be supervised by anyone under the influence). Non-negotiables are focused on the "now" and should give the team ideas about the limits to planning and clarity on what cannot be compromised.
A continuous learning process in which you think about your practice, and consciously analyze your decision-making. It is an important tool in developing insight based on professional experiences, drawing on theory and relating it to practice.
A continuous process by which the "right people" for the child, youth and family have formed a CFT that meets, talks and plans together. The CFT has the skills, family knowledge and abilities, necessary to define the strengths and needs of the child and family, in order to organize effective services specific to their needs.
A need is what drives a behavior and what makes a behavior functional for the person. The child and/or youth's needs should be the focus of the teaming process to ensure their safety and well-being. Recognizing the individual and family needs is central to the family-engagement and planning process.
Degree to which the focus child(ren), parents (including the non-custodial parent), family members, and caregivers are active ongoing participants (e.g. having a significant role, voice, choice and influence) in shaping decisions made about child and family strengths and needs, goals, supports and services.