ICPC State Pages

California Foster Care

Rates (Foster Care)

Foster care rate paid at:

• Other

The receiving state's rate is paid on behalf of an otherwise eligible California child placed in foster family/relative homes that meet the receiving state's licensing/approval standards for Title IV-E. Additionally, the receiving state's rate is paid on behalf of an otherwise eligible California child placed in a Residential Treatment Center. The receiving state's rate is not to exceed $8974.00/month.

California foster care rates:

Requirements (Foster Care)

Foster Care Resource Requirements:

• California caregiver requirements include:

  1. Caregiver/applicant shall be an adult 18 years of age or older.
  2. Caregiver/applicant shall apply for a license.  
  3. Caregiver/applicant and all other adults living in the home shall obtain a criminal record clearance and a child abuse registry clearance.
  4. Caregiver/applicant must be able to provide care and supervision to child(ren).
  5. Caregiver/applicant shall ensure that the child is accorded his or her personal rights pursuant to Welfare and Institution Code Section 16001.9 and regulations.
  6. Caregiver/applicant shall ensure that the child is free from corporal or unusual punishment.
  7. Caregiver/applicant shall be responsible for applying the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard as defined in Welfare and Institutions Code section 362.04 and specified in Welfare and Institutions Code sections 362.05 and 727. 
  8. Caregiver/applicant shall agree to report any accidents, injuries, or incidents that threaten to harm the physical or emotional health or safety of the child.
  9. Caregiver/applicant shall maintain the child’s health, education, and placement records.
  10. Caregiver/applicant shall ensure that persons that transport the child have a valid driver’s license and use vehicles that are in safe operating condition.
  11. Caregiver/applicant shall provide three nutritious meals per day, between meal snacks and other food as necessary in meeting the dietary needs of the child. 
  12. Caregiver/applicant shall ensure that the child be entitled to participate in age and developmentally appropriate extracurricular enrichment and social activities.
  13. A licensed Foster Family Home may not exceed six children, two more children are allowed if the home is providing care for a sibling group. Relative approvals which meet licensing standards are child specific.
  14. Foster Family Home shall be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair; home is free of obstructions and hazards.
  15. Foster Family Home shall provide bedroom accommodations in the home that meet regulatory requirements.
  16. Foster Family Home has emergency procedures.
  17. Foster Family Home shall have telephone service.
  18. Foster Family Home storage of medicines, disinfectants, cleaning solutions, poisons, firearms, and other dangerous items are inaccessible to children, unless the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard applies.
  19. Foster Family Home shall have an indoor sprinkling system or functioning smoke detector in the hallway of each sleeping area.

Training (Education and Training):

• All caregiver applicants shall have the knowledge, ability, and willingness to comply with the applicable laws and regulations and attend training and professional development. Training requirements specific to licensed Foster Family Homes include but are not limited to: child development; parenting skills; complexities, demands, and special needs of children in the home; licensing and placement regulations; and existing laws and procedures regarding the safety of foster youth at school. Approved relative home training requirements are identified as necessary for a specific child to be placed with a relative and may include any of the above.

Requirements (Licensing)

Licensing Requirements:

• The Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) licenses foster family homes for California counties that have not been delegated licensing authority.  California counties that have been delegated licensing authority license foster family homes within their own county.  All California counties have been delegated authority to approve relative homes as meeting licensing standards.

  Terms used to authorize a resource family are as follows: "Licensed" for foster homes licensed by CCLD or a county that has been delegated licensing authority;  “Approved” for counties to authorize that relative foster homes meet licensing standards. "Approved" for a home that has an approved public or private adoption agency home study.

Foster Care Placements:

• In order for California to pay State Foster Care on behalf of an otherwise eligible California child placed out-of-state, the sending California county must receive documentation from the receiving state that the home meets licensing/approval standards for Title IV-E.

California requires the following types of placement resources to be licensed/approved/certified:

• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Adoption
• Foster/Adopt

California uses the following terms to authorize a resource family for foster care and (or) adoption after completion of education and training in state:

• Approve (Adoption)
• Verified (Foster Home)
• Certified

California resource training program is as follows:

• PRIDE (Parents Resource Information Development Education)

• Foster and Kinship Care Education (KKCS) through community colleges

California accepts the following training programs as comparable to its education and training program licensing:

• Other: Varies with each Region in California; and the Training must meet California curriculum.

Wait Time - (License/Certification/Approval - Education and Training)

Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:

• Other

  3-6 Months : Complete applications for licensure and/or approval that do not have complications are processed within three to six months.  This process may take longer based on delays resulting from criminal background checks, exceptions and waivers, and need for corrections to foster family homes.

Length of time a license is valid before renewal required:

• OtherThe approval of a Resource Family remains valid unless the family surrenders their approval or it is rescinded by the county. There are several times or reasons an update can be done, but it should occur at least once every 12 months. All counties are required to adhere to the Resource Family Approval Written Directives, which have the same force as regulations.

California offers classes (education and training) to become licensed/certified/approved:

• Other: Availability varies by locality.

Wait Time for Criminal Records Results

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: 48-72 hours
• Local/County: 48-72 hours

Manually - Fingerprint Card

• State: Not Offered
• Local/County: Not Offered