{"id":24431,"date":"2018-04-20T15:59:24","date_gmt":"2018-04-20T22:59:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vps39547.inmotionhosting.com\/~advokids\/?page_id=24431"},"modified":"2021-04-19T19:37:37","modified_gmt":"2021-04-20T02:37:37","slug":"resource-family-approval-rfa-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/adevine.io\/advokids-backup\/resource-family-approval-rfa-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Resource Family Approval (RFA) Program"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Resource Family Approval (RFA)<\/h2>\n

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The Resource Family Approval (\u201cRFA\u201d) program is a statewide foster caregiver approval process for all caregivers (related and non-related).\u00a0 The RFA program has a single approval standard that replaces the previous multiple processes for licensing foster family homes, approving relatives and non-relative extended family members (\u201cNREFMs\u201d) as foster care providers, and approving families for legal guardianship or adoption. Tribally approved homes are not required to adhere to the RFA standards. The RFA program was implemented statewide in January 2017.<\/p>\n

RFA creates a framework for all families, including relative and NREFM caregivers, called \"resource families\" to receive the same information, training and opportunities for support. A resource family completes one approval process, and once approved, may choose to provide care on a short- or long-term basis. Once caregivers are approved resource families, they will not have to undergo any additional approval or licensure if they choose to adopt or be appointed a guardian for a child in foster care. Approval of a resource family, however, does not guarantee placement of a child with that resource family. The child\u2019s social worker will continue to make placement decisions based on what is in the best interest of the child.<\/p>\n

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has authority to temporarily administer the RFA Program through \u201cWritten Directives.\u201d The CDSS has issued Written Directives and forms for implementing the RFA Program to ensure consistent standards among all counties and approving agencies.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>The latest version of the Written Directives can be found on the CDSS RFA Program Website (scroll down to \"Written Directives\")<\/a>. CDSS has been updating the Written Directives every few months, so be sure you review\u00a0the most current version.<\/p>\n

Welfare and Institutions Code section 16519.5<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Existing Foster Families and Relative Caregivers Must be Re-Licensed<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Request Placement of a Dependent Child<\/a><\/p>\n

Placement Prior to Resource Family Approval<\/a><\/p>\n

The Resource Family Approval Application Process<\/a><\/p>\n

RFA Checklist<\/a><\/p>\n

The RFA Assessment Components<\/a><\/p>\n

The County's Written Assessment<\/a><\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n

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\n\t\tHow You Can Request Placement of a Dependent Child <\/span>\n\t<\/h4>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tInform the Social Worker<\/b><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/span><\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

It is important that the county agency knows you are interested in caring for the child. The social worker must try to place the child with a responsible relative at the beginning of the case so make your intention known as soon as possible. \u00a0Do this by sending a letter (certified mail) to the case worker and supervisor in the department stating who you are, your relationship to the dependent child, and that you are interested in placement and would like to be assessed. Keep a record of who you contacted at the county agency and when.<\/p>\n

In some counties there may be more than one social worker assigned to the case at a given point so inform each and every social worker (in writing) that you are an available placement (they may not share information with one another). \u00a0If you do not know who the social worker is, call the child welfare hotline for your county and tell them you are a relative or close family friend of a child who has been removed from home and ask how to contact the child's social worker. \u00a0You will need to provide some information to the hotline, such as child's full name and date of birth (if you know it).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tGo to the Court Hearing and Talk to the Attorneys<\/b><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/span><\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

Although children's court cases are confidential, often relatives and family friends are allowed in the courtroom if no one objects. \u00a0Even if you are not permitted inside the courtroom during the hearing, you can wait outside and speak with the child's attorney or parent's attorney before the hearing and let them know you are available for placement and provide your contact information. Ask for a business card from whoever you speak with and keep a record of who you spoke to and when.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tIf You are a Relative or NREFM, File a JV-285 Relative Information form at the Court Clerk's Office<\/b><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/span><\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

This form allows you to give the court and all parties to the case, including the child\u2019s attorney, information about a child and also inform the court and the parties that you are available for placement. \u00a0You can file this form at the clerk's office before the first court hearing or any time after. \u00a0It's always a good idea to drop a courtesy copy in the basket in front of the actual courtroom where the hearing will take place (to ensure the judge sees it). \u00a0You will find a copy of the\u00a0JV-285 Relative Information form<\/a> and more information on our For Relatives and NREFM webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tPetition the Court for a 388 hearing by Filing a JV-180 form<\/b> \u00a0<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/span><\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

You can petition the court for a hearing under Welfare and Institutions Code section 388<\/a>\u00a0 by using a JV-180 Request to Change Court Order form<\/a>. \u00a0Please reference our JV-180 Request to Change Court Order webpage<\/a> for more information and instructions on how to prepare and file the JV-180 form.<\/p>\n

The JV-180 Request To Change Court Order can be used to ask the juvenile court to review a county\u2019s failure to assess a relative for placement or the denial of a child\u2019s placement with a relative. The county social worker and the court must consider the factors outlined in Welfare and Institutions Code section 361.3<\/a>, including the\u00a0best interests of the child and the nature and duration of the relationship between the child and the relative.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n

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\n\t\tRequesting Placement Prior to Resource Family Approval <\/span>\n\t<\/h4>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmergency Placement with Relative or Nonrelative Extended Family Member (NREFM)<\/b><\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/span><\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

In an emergency situation<\/em>, a child or a non-minor dependent can be placed with a relative or NREFM prior to RFA approval, if the following requirements are met:<\/p>\n