Resource families: training topics.

Existing law provides various placement options for a child who has been removed from his or her home, including placement in a resource family home. Existing law defines a resource family to mean an individual or family that has successfully met both the home environment assessment standards and specified permanency assessment criteria necessary for providing care for a related or unrelated child who is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, or otherwise in the care of a county child welfare agency or probation department. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to implement a specified resource family approval process in all counties. Existing law makes the counties responsible for, among other things, implementing the requirements for resource family approval, requiring resource families to complete a minimum of 8 hours of caregiver training annually, and updating resource family approval annually and as necessary to address any changes that have occurred in the resource family's circumstances. Existing law authorizes a county to require a resource family or applicant to receive relevant specialized training for the purpose of preparing the resource family to meet the needs of a particular child in care. This bill would require a portion of the annual resource family training to support the case plans, goals, and needs of children in the resource family home, if there are any children in the home, in accordance with applicable written directives or regulations, as specified by the department. The bill would also authorize a county, in its discretion, to require a resource family or applicant to receive one or more hours of relevant specialized training that is in addition to the hours of that training that are required by state law. By imposing a higher level of service on the counties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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.