Social worker training.

Existing law establishes the State Department of Social Services and requires the department to administer various public social services programs, including the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program and various child welfare services. Existing law employs social workers in different aspects of those public social services programs, such as dependency proceedings and in-home support services, among others, and requires specialized training. This bill would, upon an appropriation by the Legislature, require the State Department of Social Services to establish a pilot program to develop a mentorship program to match social workers with at least 10 years in the profession with social workers who have graduated within 6 years, who are transitioning from one field of practice to another, or who have moved to a new geographical area of work.