Juveniles: family reunification.

Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which is authorized to adjudge certain children to be dependents of the court under certain circumstances, and prescribes various hearings and other procedures for these purposes, including the periodic review of the status of every dependent child in foster care, as determined by the court. Existing law requires a supplemental report, with specified content, to be filed in connection with this review, as specified. This bill would require the county, if the parent is in substantial compliance with the case plan and a lack of housing is the sole impediment to family reunification, to include information in the supplemental report about its consideration of the services offered by the county welfare department to assist the parent in securing appropriate housing. The bill would also require the court, at the periodic reviews, to consider whether the parent is in substantial compliance with the court-ordered case plan, whether lack of housing is the sole impediment to family reunification, and whether the child can be returned to the parent upon the parent securing appropriate housing. The bill would authorize the court, if the parent is in substantial compliance with the court-ordered case plan and lack of housing is the sole impediment to family reunification, to order that the child be returned to the parent's physical custody within 5 days after the parent has secured safe and adequate housing, as confirmed by the county child welfare agency, and to order the county to assist the family in maintaining housing with referral to, and coordination of, supportive services. The bill would also require the court to consider a parent's homelessness or whether he or she is a minor parent when deciding whether to continue the case or hold certain hearings. By imposing additional duties on local entities and social workers, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law generally requires, whenever a child is removed from a parent's or guardian's custody, the juvenile court to order a social worker to provide child welfare services to a child, the child's mother and statutorily presumed father, or guardians. Existing law authorizes the court to extend the time that court-ordered services are provided, and requires the court, when determining whether to extend the time, to consider the special circumstances of certain types of parents, including, among others, parents who have been incarcerated or institutionalized. Existing law requires the court to order reasonable services for those parents, as specified, taking into consideration particular barriers to those persons. Existing law requires the social worker to document in the child's case plan those particular barriers. This bill would require the court to consider the special circumstances of homeless parents or minor parents when determining whether to extend the time that court-ordered services are provided. The bill would also require the court to order reasonable services for minor parents, taking into consideration particular barriers to those persons. The bill would require the inclusion of that information in the child's case plan. By imposing additional duties on local entities and social workers, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law declares the intent of the Legislature to encourage the continuity of the family unit by providing family preservation services. Existing law specifies the types of services that may be provided under this program, including, transportation and family support services. This bill would specify that the services provided may also include housing and supportive services for homeless parents, as specified. 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.