Foster care.

Existing law provides for the out-of-home placement of children who are unable to remain in the custody and care of their parents, and provides for a range of child welfare and foster care services for which these children may be eligible. Under existing law, child welfare services are defined as the continuum of services provided on behalf of children alleged to be the victims of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation, as specified. Existing law provides that child welfare services are best provided using a team-based approach, including the utilization of child and family teams, defined as a team of individuals convened by the placing agency and who are engaged through a variety of team-based processes to identify the strengths and needs of the child or youth and his or her family, and to help achieve positive outcomes for safety, permanency, and well-being. Existing law requires the child and family team process to engage the child or youth, the child's family, and other people important to the family or to the child or youth in meeting the objectives described above. Existing law also requires the team to include representatives who provide formal supports to the child or youth and family when appropriate, including, but not limited to, the caregiver and the placing agency caseworker. This bill would also require the inclusion of the child or youth's Court-Appointed Special Advocate, if one has been appointed, to the child and family team described above, unless the child or youth objects.