Services for unaccompanied undocumented minors: facilities liaison.

Existing law, the California Community Care Facilities Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of community care facilities, including group homes and foster family agencies, by the State Department of Social Services. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services, subject to the availability of funding, to contract with qualified nonprofit legal services organizations to provide legal services to unaccompanied undocumented minors, as defined, who are transferred to the care and custody of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement and who are present in this state. This bill would require the department to create a facilities liaison position within its immigration services unit to, among other duties, assist state-licensed group homes, short-term residential therapeutic programs (STRTPs) , foster family agencies, and resource families that serve undocumented immigrant youth in connecting with appropriate supports and services, including, but not limited to, legal services, mental health assessments and services, and public benefits, as specified. The bill would, when appropriate, require the facilities liaison to assist in arranging a meeting for identified unaccompanied undocumented minors with a qualified organization that has received a grant to provide legal services. The bill would require the department to develop and issue guidance to counties, licensees, and other providers regarding the provision of services to undocumented immigrant youth and their caregivers.