Family connection grants.

Existing law declares the duty of the state to care for and protect the children that it places into foster care. Under existing law, the State Department of Social Services has various powers and duties relating to ensuring that the needs of foster children are met by local child welfare agencies and foster care providers, including relative caregivers. This bill would require the department to support one or more California-based applications for a federal matching grant, known as a family connection grant, for the purpose of helping children who are in, or at risk of entering, foster care reconnect with family members, as provided for by a specified provision of federal law.