The Policy Portal is a web page where staff can request services from the Policy Institute (new or revised policy, posting of FYIs/ITAs or changes to DCFS forms), download templates/cheat-sheets, sign up for policy updates, send questions, and view highlights of important policy changes.

 

Last updated 1/06/2025

Table of Contents

Policy Updates Page — Click here for the latest policy revisions

Requests for New/Revised Policy (updated 7/01/21)

Requests for New/Revised For Your Information (FYI) or Information Technology Alert (ITA)

Requests for New/Revised DCFS Forms

Requests to Place or Replace an Existing Form on CWS/CMS

Requests for a New Management Directive (MD) or Changes to an Existing MD (updated 7/27/23)

The Top 20: Policy & FYI highlights (updated 12/12/24)

Helpful Links (updated 6/07/24)

How-To Guides and Other Resources for Staff (Templates, Tutorials, and more) (updated 4/01/22)

Critical Incident/Child Fatality Policy Info

About Case Transfers

If you want to get automatic updates of revised policies, click this button below to sign up:

Do you have a child welfare, eligibility, or clerical policy question? Send it to EDL-DCFS_Policy (Outlook) Policy@dcfs.lacounty.gov.

Do you have a Human Resources question about employee-related issues (e.g., overtime, employee conduct, vehicle accident claims, health and safety, Workers' Compensation, leaves of absence, work schedules, etc.)? Review the Human Resources Manual here, search their HR FAQ website and/or email your inquiry to HRHELP@dcfs.lacounty.gov

Requests for New Policy/Policy Changes, for New/Revised Forms, or to Post an FYI (For Your Information) or ITA (Information Technology Alert):

Requests for New Policy or Policy Changes — Instructions:

  1. For any change in policy (or new policy) that will result in a workload impact, the sponsor of this request (or a team member sponsor from the impacted program) must inform the Union of the requested change. Please contact Labor Relations countt@dcfs.lacounty.gov (Tiffany Countryman) to make these arrangements.

    • If, at the time of the request, workload impact has not been determined, but it is determined during the revision/development process, the Policy Institute will advise the policy sponsor and/or designee of their need to contact Labor Relations.
    • The revised policy will not be advanced through the review and approval process before the proposed change or draft is shared by the policy sponsor /manager with the Union.

  2. Complete the “Request for New Policy or Changes to Existing Policy” form including the appropriate Division Chief or Regional Administrator approval signatures.

  3. Email the request with any attachments to: DCFS Policy Revision Requests.

  4. Your request will be reviewed, a Policy Analyst will be assigned, and you will be contacted regarding any follow-up. If a Subject Matter Expert (SME) workgroup is needed for the revision or development of a policy, the Policy Analyst will request that you form and lead the SME workgroup (in which the assigned Policy Analyst will participate). The requesting manager should solicit represented staff to participate in the SME workgroup by going through Labor Relations.
    • The policy sponsor (or a team member sponsor from the impacted program) must be present at the specified Policy Review Committee (PRC) meeting during which that policy is scheduled for review. (PRC meetings occur on the 2nd Wednesday of every other month.)


Posting of an FYI or Information Technology Alert (ITA) — General Instructions:

  1. Write (or revise, as needed) the FYI (or ITA) using the FYI template or ITA template, unless other arrangements have been made with the Policy section.(Note: ITAs are used for announcements about databases such as CWS/CMS, CWS-CARES, FCSS, SNAP, CACI TRAC, FCS, Automated CLETS, eForms, etc.).
  2. Complete the “Request to Post a For Your Information (FYI) or Information Technology Alert (ITA)” form including the appropriate Division Chief or Regional Administrator approval of the request.
    • Submit a request to the Policy Section to review your DRAFT FYI/ITA for policy compliance and workload impact prior to seeking Legacy 721/535 or 721/660 (Union) approvals. Email the approved “Request to Post an FYI/ITA” form with any attachments to: DCFS Policy Revision Requests.
    • Your request will be reviewed and you will be contacted regarding any follow-up and information as to when your request will be completed.
  3. If instructed by the Policy section, present the draft FYI to Legacy 721/535 or 721/660 (Union) for review and comment.
  4. Following the Legacy 721/535 or 721/660 presentation and any agreed to revisions of the draft FYI, email the draft FYI to the Office of the Senior Deputy Director (SDD) for final approval: leecs@dcfs.lacounty.gov and FORNIM@dcfs.lacounty.gov.
  5. Following the SDD approval of the draft FYI, forward the finalized and approved FYI to the Policy Section.
    • Email the approved final version of the FYI, any attachments and the “Request to Post an FYI” form with Senior Deputy Director signature to: DCFS Policy Revision Requests.
  6. The FYI/ITA number & release date will be assigned upon receipt of all of the above and the FYI/ITA will be posted as quickly as possible.
  7. On the Monday following the posting of the FYI or ITA, it will be sent via email blast to all DCFS staff.

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Note: the Policy Section cannot edit most state or federal forms (e.g., SOC, JV, etc.).

Requests for a New Form or Changes to an Existing Form (including translation) — General Instructions:

  1. Write the new form or insert changes to an existing form using Word. (Forms written in Adobe may cause a delay in processing).
  2. Complete the “Request for a New Form or Changes to an Existing Form” form including the appropriate Division Chief or Regional Administrator approval of the request.
    • Submit a request to the Policy Section to review your new or revised form draft for policy compliance, workload impact and formatting consistency prior to seeking Legacy 721/535 or 721/660 (Union) approval. Email the approved “Request for a New Form or Changes to An Existing Form” with any attachments to: DCFS Policy Revision Requests.
    • Your request will be reviewed and you will be contacted regarding any follow-up and information as to when your request will be completed.
  3. If instructed by the Policy Section, present the new or revised form draft to Legacy 721/535 or 721/660 (Union) for review and comment.
    • Email the new or revised form draft and request to be placed on the agenda to Labor Relations: countt@dcfs.lacounty.gov
  4. Following the Legacy 721/535 or 721/660 presentation and any agreed to revisions of the new or revised form draft, present the new or revised form draft to the Office of the Senior Deputy Director (SDD) for final approval: leecs@dcfs.lacounty.gov and FORNIM@dcfs.lacounty.gov.
  5. Following the approval and any agreed to revision of the new or revised form draft, forward the finalized and approved form to the Policy Section.
    • Email the approved final version of the form, any attachments and the “Request for a New Form or Changes to an Existing Form” form with Senior Deputy Director signature to: DCFS Policy Revision Requests.
  6. The new form number (when applicable) and release date will be assigned upon receipt of all of the above and the form will be posted as quickly as possible.

Requests to Place or Replace an Existing Form on CWS/CMS — General Instructions:

  1. Complete the "Request to Place or Replace an Existing Form on CWS/CMS" form, including the appropriate Division Chief or Regional Administrator approval of the request.
  2. Email the approved "Request to Place or Replace an Existing Form on CWS/CMS," with the form attached, to: DCFS Policy Revision Requests.
  3. You will be contacted by a Policy Analyst to review and confirm your request. This Policy Analyst will be your primary contact for the progress of your request.

NOTE: The form must be submitted in Word 97-2003 (.doc or .dot) format – CWS/CMS does not accept .pdf (Adobe) documents. Additionally, templates and documents created in Word 2016 for use in CWS/CMS must be in Compatibility Mode. Only DCFS officially approved forms or changes to existing forms may be placed on CWS/CMS. If your form or changes to an existing form has not been officially approved, please review the requirements in “Request for a New Form or Changes to an Existing Form” .

Requests for a New Management Directive (MD) or Changes to an Existing MD 

Management Directives (MDs) are published documents drafted by members of the Executive Team, Human Resources, Senior Management, and Program Managers that guide the conduct of business and provide standards and expectations for the DCFS Workforce. The Policy Institute serves a consultation and quality assurance role in the MD process, but does not author MDs.

General Instructions:

  1. Complete the "Request for a New MD or Changes to an Existing MD" including signatures from the appropriate Executive or Senior Management (i.e. Deputy Director, Administrative Deputy, Division Chief/ Regional Administrator, etc.).

  2. Email the request with any attachments to: DCFS Policy Revision Requests.

  3. Your request will be reviewed and you will be contacted regarding any follow-up and information as to when your request will be completed.

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The Top 20: Policy and FYI Highlights 

For the latest New/Revised policies, policy release summaries, and FYIs, check out the New/Revised Policy page here.

  1. Did you know the Case Transfer Criteria and Procedures policy was updated 12/5/2024 to address siblings removed from mother and released to their respective fathers?

  2. Are you familiar with stop placement procedures when a child is returned home? Refer to Placement Responsibilities (revised 12/4/2024) for more details.

  3. Did you know that Active Efforts need to be applied to all Native American families, even if they are not ICWA eligible, and non-federally recognized tribes are to be informed of the opportunity to participate in juvenile dependency proceedings? See Providing Services to Children Under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) [revised 12/4/2024; previously “Adopting and Serving Children Under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)”] for more information.

  4. Were you aware that a Certified Record of Live Birth is available at no cost to an eligible youth in foster care? Youth in foster care, including nonminor dependents (NMDs), are eligible to receive a fee-exempt certified record of live birth, if the youth is currently in foster care and their foster care status can be verified. See Vital Records (Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce) (revised 11/26/24) for more details.

  5. When assessing whether or not it is safe to return a child to their parent’s custody, did you know that Senate Bill 463 eliminated the previous presumption that a parent’s lack of compliance with their court ordered treatment program is, in itself, detrimental to the safety, protection, or physical or emotional well-being of the child? See FYI 24-20 for more information.

  6. Did you know that Dependency Investigation (DI) Assignment Criteria was revised on 11/14/2024 to update several DI assignment criteria?

  7. Have you seen the adjusted schedule of rates that reflect the California Necessities Index (CNI) increase of 4.32% for fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 effective July 1, 2024?  The CNI rate increase is applicable to out-of-home placements and the Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care (AFDC-FC) program and to the Adoption Assistance Program (AAP) rates. See FYI 24-19 for more info and links to relevant All County Letters (ACLs).

  8. Were you aware that El Salvador now requires Hague notice? See FYI 24-18 for revised Hague Notice & International Noticing Tips.

  9. Did you know that there are now three (3) types of Supervised Independent Living (SIL) settings defined in California law? See FYI 22-06 (REV) for more.

  10. Did you know that social workers are required by law to provide children/youth/NMD a copy of their rights and to review those rights with them in an age appropriate manner (WIC 16001.9) when they are initially placed in Out-of-Home Care (OHC), at very placement change (i.e., replacement), and at least every six (6) months? See FYI 24-16 (REV) for details.

  11. Did you know that courts must now inquire whether a parent/guardian can afford court-ordered services? Do you know what steps to take if a parent/guardian has been court-ordered to participate in services and qualifies for court appointed (e.g., LADL) counsel? Do you know what to do if payment for services would create an undue financial hardship? Refer to FYI 24-15 about AB 954 for detailed guidance.

  12. Do you know how to request SFA funding for orthodontia treatment? See Service-Funded Activities (SFA) (revised 9/11/2024) for more information.

  13. Do you need tips on obtaining replacement Social Security cards for children and youths in out-of-home care? If so, review FYI 24-11.

  14. Did you know that Youth Reproductive Health and Pregnancy was revised 7/23/24 to address new legislation pertaining to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, which allows states to ban abortions?

  15. Did you know that Structured Decision Making now includes a new type of Safety Assessment tool for investigating allegations in congregate care facilities, and that the SDM Safety Plan form was revised to include its safety threats, along with the safety threats from the other two (2) existing types of Safety Assessments? Refer to Structured Decision Making (revised 7/23/24) and Structured Decision Making (SDM) Safety Plans (revised 8/30/24) for more information. 

  16. Were you aware that the Upfront Family Finding (UFF) Program and Permanency Partners Program (P3) were combined? See the Family Finding and Engagement Program (FFEP) policy (revised 6/13/24) for details.

  17. Did you know that clients can now be drug tested for fentanyl, and in certain situations, for nitrous oxide? See DCFS Countywide Drug and Alcohol Testing Program (revised 6/10/2024) and FYI 24-13 for details.

  18. Do you know to alert the DCFS Discharge Planning Coordinator at Psychhospitalization@dcfs.lacounty.gov as soon as possible when a child/youth is psychiatrically hospitalized, in order to initiate the scheduling of a Psychiatric Hospital Discharge Video Conference (VC)? See FYI 19-20 (REV) and Hospitalization of and Discharge Planning for DCFS-Supervised Children for more information. 

  19. Vermont Corridor, Metro North, Lancaster, Pasadena, South County, Glendora and Palmdale Regional Offices: Are you aware of the Placement Support Division's (PSD) new centralized search process for Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs)? See FYI 24-06 for more details. 

  20. Did you know that CWS/CMS will finally be replaced by the Child Welfare Services – California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) beginning in October 2026? Click here for more CWS-CARES information.

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Helpful Links

Management Directives, Clerical, Eligibility, and Other Policy:

Frequently Used Websites:

Resource Websites:

Training Websites and Other Resources:

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How-To Guides, Templates, Tutorials, & "Cheat Sheets"

  1. Court Report Samples and Questionnaires

  2. Creating a Contact in CWS/CMS

  3. Individualized Investigation Narrative Template

  4. Accessing Out-of-County Case/Referral Records on CWS/CMS

  5. CWS/CMS Search Tips

  6. Creating an Initial Case Plan

  7. Creating a Case Plan Update

  8. Sample Case Plan Family Assessment

  9. Sample Out of Home Care Information Document

  10. Microsoft Word 2016 Quick Reference Guide

  11. Microsoft Excel 2016 Quick Reference Guide

If you have any helpful resources that you would like to see included here, please email them to us for consideration. Thank you!

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Policies Referenced in Critical Incident/Child Fatality Section (CI/CF) Reviews:

Since the Policy Section often receives inquiries about what policies are most often cited during critical incident case reviews, we developed the following list after consultation with Risk Management (for informational and/or training purposes only).

  1. Investigation, Disposition and Closure of Emergency Response Referrals (0070-548.10)
  2. Contact Requirements and Exceptions (0400-503.10)
  3. Assessment of specific abuse/neglect types:
  4. Court Family Maintenance and Voluntary Family Maintenance (0080-502.25)
  5. Case Plans (0080-502.10)

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A Quick Word About Case Transfers . . .

One of the most common inquiries the Policy section receives involves the transferring of cases (Case Transfer Criteria and Procedures 1000-504.10). Regional staff often ask the Policy Institute to resolve their specific transfer disputes for them rather than resolving them through their existing chain of command. Since this topic is such a common concern, we thought it important to remind regional staff of the following:

As a resource for DCFS staff, the Policy Institute is available to answer policy-related questions and provide staff with general information. However, the Policy Institute cannot make case-related decisions for staff, override the chain of command — nor give staff specific practice advice regarding individual cases. It is not the responsibility of the Policy Institute to serve as arbitrators for staff/inter-office case disputes (e.g., case transfers). Staff must consult with their respective office management for practice guidance, specific directives or when higher level approval is required.

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