Los Angeles County Self-Assessment Report

Los Angeles County Self-Assessment Report
represented within DCFS and areas where qualified housing is becoming scarce.
Current resource families are partners with DCFS in recruiting additional foster and
adoptive parents. The recruitment coordinators are in monthly contact with current
resource parents gleaning information about Foster Parent Association meetings and
functions. Current caregivers also attend the quarterly Recruitment Partnership Forum,
where recruitment ideas are discussed and implemented. And, regional offices always
include resource parents whenever a recruitment or support activity is being planned.
Current resource parents are often invited to speak at recruitment and support events,
and have hosted recruitment tables at conferences and other community events.
There is a need for placement resources both for temporary care and to provide
permanent families for large sibling groups, teenagers, gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender and questioning youth, and children with special medical needs.
The following is a list of recruitment activities that have been completed and are
planned for the future:
Licensing:
Licensing standards are set forth in State statutes (CCR Title 22, Division 6, Chapter
9.5) and regulations (Community Care Facilities Act beginning with Section 1500 of the
Health and Safety Code), specifically address the areas of safety, admissions policies,
sanitation, and civil rights for foster family homes.
The following are the key licensing and approval requirements for all foster homes,
including those for kin caregivers:
• All persons who operate, manage, or provide direct care services in a community
care facility as stated in section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code, obtain a
criminal record clearance.
• The caregiver qualifications must indicate the ability to provide appropriate care and
supervision, knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, and maintenance of
financial records.
• The physical environment must be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair.
• The caregiver ensures that each child is accorded personal rights.
Prospective foster and adoptive parents are required to attend 33 hours of pre-service
training to begin the family assessment (home study) process. The Permanency and
Safety: Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting (PS-MAPP) training is an
interactive group process that helps prospective caregivers learn if foster care or
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