Foster youth: substance use disorders.

Existing law generally provides for the placement of foster youth in various placement settings. Existing law states that it is the policy of the state that all minors and nonminors in foster care have specified rights, including, among others, the right to receive substance use disorder services with reasonable promptness that meets the needs of the child, to have diagnoses and services explained in an understandable manner, and to participate in decisions regarding health care treatment and services. This bill would require the State Department of Social Services, in collaboration with the State Department of Health Care Services, to establish a grant program to fund the development and implementation of evidence-based models and promising practices to serve foster youth with substance use disorders who are residing in family-based settings. The bill would require the State Department of Social Services, in the establishment of the grant program, to take specified actions, including, among others, developing an application process and establishing requirements for models and practices funded with a grant. The bill would require the State Department of Health Care Services to provide technical assistance to grantees, counties, and providers to support implementation of evidence-based models and promising practices. The bill would also require the State Department of Social Services to submit progress reports relating to the grant program to the Legislature during annual budget hearings. The bill would make these provisions operative upon an appropriation by the Legislature.