Foster care.

The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act authorizes the State Department of Developmental Services to contract with regional centers to provide services and support to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The services and supports to be provided to a regional center consumer are contained in an individual program plan or individualized family service plan developed in accordance with prescribed requirements. Existing law also provides that if a consumer is or has been determined to be eligible for services by a regional center, he or she shall also be considered eligible by any other regional center if he or she has moved to another location within the state. In addition, existing law provides that whenever a consumer transfers from one regional center catchment area to another, the level and types of services and supports specified in the consumer's individual program plan shall be authorized and secured, as specified. This bill would specify the transfer procedures that would apply when a consumer of regional center services who has an order for foster care, is awaiting foster care placement, or is placed in out-of-home care transfers between regional centers. Among other things, the bill would require the county social worker or county probation officer to immediately send a notice of relocation, as defined, to the sending regional center of the consumer who meets the criteria set forth above, and would require the sending regional center to immediately send a notice of transfer, as defined, and records needed for the planning process to the receiving regional center, as specified. The bill would establish specific timelines and procedures for making these transfers. By imposing new duties and a higher level of service on county employees, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would include a statement of legislative findings and declarations. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.