Los Angeles County Self-Assessment Report
Los Angeles County Self-Assessment Report
Los Angeles County Self-Assessment Report
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>Los</strong> <strong>Angeles</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Self</strong>-<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />
represented within DCFS and areas where qualified housing is becoming scarce.<br />
Current resource families are partners with DCFS in recruiting additional foster and<br />
adoptive parents. The recruitment coordinators are in monthly contact with current<br />
resource parents gleaning information about Foster Parent Association meetings and<br />
functions. Current caregivers also attend the quarterly Recruitment Partnership Forum,<br />
where recruitment ideas are discussed and implemented. And, regional offices always<br />
include resource parents whenever a recruitment or support activity is being planned.<br />
Current resource parents are often invited to speak at recruitment and support events,<br />
and have hosted recruitment tables at conferences and other community events.<br />
There is a need for placement resources both for temporary care and to provide<br />
permanent families for large sibling groups, teenagers, gay, lesbian, bisexual,<br />
transgender and questioning youth, and children with special medical needs.<br />
The following is a list of recruitment activities that have been completed and are<br />
planned for the future:<br />
Licensing:<br />
Licensing standards are set forth in State statutes (CCR Title 22, Division 6, Chapter<br />
9.5) and regulations (Community Care Facilities Act beginning with Section 1500 of the<br />
Health and Safety Code), specifically address the areas of safety, admissions policies,<br />
sanitation, and civil rights for foster family homes.<br />
The following are the key licensing and approval requirements for all foster homes,<br />
including those for kin caregivers:<br />
• All persons who operate, manage, or provide direct care services in a community<br />
care facility as stated in section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code, obtain a<br />
criminal record clearance.<br />
• The caregiver qualifications must indicate the ability to provide appropriate care and<br />
supervision, knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, and maintenance of<br />
financial records.<br />
• The physical environment must be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair.<br />
• The caregiver ensures that each child is accorded personal rights.<br />
Prospective foster and adoptive parents are required to attend 33 hours of pre-service<br />
training to begin the family assessment (home study) process. The Permanency and<br />
Safety: Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting (PS-MAPP) training is an<br />
interactive group process that helps prospective caregivers learn if foster care or<br />
94