ARTICLE 5. Aid to Families With Dependent Children—Foster Care [11400. - 11410.]

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC 5.

in effect

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11400. Section 11400.

For purposes of this article, and Article 6 (commencing with Section 11450), the following definitions apply: (a) “Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care (AFDC-FC)” means the aid provided on behalf of needy children in foster care under the terms of this division. (b) “Case plan” means a written document that, at a minimum, specifies the type of home in which the child shall be placed, the safety of that home, and the appropriateness of that home to meet the child’s needs. It shall also include the agency’s plan for ensuring that the child receive proper care and protection in a safe environment, and shall set forth the appropriate services to be provided to the child, the child’s family, and the foster parents, in order to meet the child’s needs while in foster care, and to reunify the child with the child’s family. In addition, the plan shall specify the services that will be provided or steps that will be taken to facilitate an alternate permanent plan if reunification is not possible. (c) “Certified family home” means an individual or family certified by a licensed foster family agency and issued a certificate of approval by that agency as meeting licensing standards, and used exclusively by that foster family agency for placements. (d) “Family home” means the family residence of a licensee in which 24-hour care and supervision are provided for children. (e) “Small family home” means any residential facility, in the licensee’s family residence, which provides 24-hour care for six or fewer foster children who have mental disorders or developmental or physical disabilities and who require special care and supervision as a result of their disabilities. (f) “Foster care” means the 24-hour out-of-home care provided to children whose own families are unable or unwilling to care for them, and who are in need of temporary or long-term substitute parenting. (g) “Foster family agency” means a licensed community care facility, as defined in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code. Private foster family agencies shall be organized and operated on a nonprofit basis. (h) “Group home” means a nondetention privately operated residential home, organized and operated on a nonprofit basis only, of any capacity, or a nondetention licensed residential care home operated by the County of San Mateo with a capacity of up to 25 beds, that accepts children in need of care and supervision in a group home, as defined by paragraph (13) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code. (i) “Periodic review” means review of a child’s status by the juvenile court or by an administrative review panel, that shall include a consideration of the safety of the child, a determination of the continuing need for placement in foster care, evaluation of the goals for the placement and the progress toward meeting these goals, and development of a target date for the child’s return home or establishment of alternative permanent placement. (j) “Permanency planning hearing” means a hearing conducted by the juvenile court in which the child’s future status, including whether the child shall be returned home or another permanent plan shall be developed, is determined. (k) “Placement and care” refers to the responsibility for the welfare of a child vested in an agency or organization by virtue of the agency or organization having (1) been delegated care, custody, and control of a child by the juvenile court, (2) taken responsibility, pursuant to a relinquishment or termination of parental rights on a child, (3) taken the responsibility of supervising a child detained by the juvenile court pursuant to Section 319 or 636, or (4) signed a voluntary placement agreement for the child’s placement; or to the responsibility designated to an individual by virtue of the individual being appointed the child’s legal guardian. (l) “Preplacement preventive services” means services that are designed to help children remain with their families by preventing or eliminating the need for removal. (m) “Relative” means an adult who is related to the child by blood, adoption, or affinity within the fifth degree of kinship, including stepparents, stepsiblings, and all relatives whose status is preceded by the words “great,” “great-great,” or “grand” or the spouse of any of these persons even if the marriage was terminated by death or dissolution. (n) “Nonrelative extended family member” means an adult caregiver who has an established familial or mentoring relationship with the child, as described in Section 362.7. (o) “Voluntary placement” means an out-of-home placement of a child by (1) the county welfare department, probation department, or Indian tribe that has entered into an agreement pursuant to Section 10553.1, after the parents or guardians have requested the assistance of the county welfare department and have signed a voluntary placement agreement, or (2) the county welfare department licensed public or private adoption agency, or the department acting as an adoption agency, after the parents have requested the assistance of either the county welfare department, the licensed public or private adoption agency, or the department acting as an adoption agency for the purpose of adoption planning, and have signed a voluntary placement agreement. (p) “Voluntary placement agreement” means a written agreement between either the county welfare department, probation department, or Indian tribe that has entered into an agreement pursuant to Section 10553.1, licensed public or private adoption agency, or the department acting as an adoption agency, and the parents or guardians of a child that specifies, at a minimum, the following: (1) The legal status of the child. (2) The rights and obligations of the parents or guardians, the child, and the agency in which the child is placed. (q) “Original placement date” means the most recent date on which the court detained a child and ordered an agency to be responsible for supervising the child or the date on which an agency assumed responsibility for a child due to termination of parental rights, relinquishment, or voluntary placement. (r) (1) “Transitional housing placement provider” means an organization licensed by the State Department of Social Services pursuant to Section 1559.110 of the Health and Safety Code to provide supervised transitional housing services to foster children who are at least 16 years of age. A transitional housing placement provider shall be privately operated and organized on a nonprofit basis. (2) Before licensure, a provider shall obtain certification from the applicable county, in accordance with Section 16522.1. (s) “Transitional Housing Program-Plus” means a provider certified by the applicable county, in accordance with subdivision (c) of Section 16522, to provide transitional housing services to former foster youth who have exited the foster care system on or after their 18th birthday. (t) “Whole family foster home” means a resource family, licensed foster family home, approved relative caregiver or nonrelative extended family member’s home, the home of a nonrelated legal guardian whose guardianship was established pursuant to Section 360 or 366.26, certified family home, or a host family of a transitional housing placement provider, that provides foster care for a minor or nonminor dependent parent and their child, and is specifically recruited and trained to assist the minor or nonminor dependent parent in developing the skills necessary to provide a safe, stable, and permanent home for the child. The child of the minor or nonminor dependent parent need not be the subject of a petition filed pursuant to Section 300 to qualify for placement in a whole family foster home. (u) “Mutual agreement” means any of the following: (1) A written voluntary agreement of consent for continued placement and care in a supervised setting between a minor or, on and after January 1, 2012, a nonminor dependent, and the county welfare services or probation department or tribal agency responsible for the foster care placement, that documents the nonminor’s continued willingness to remain in supervised out-of-home placement under the placement and care of the responsible county, tribe, consortium of tribes, or tribal organization that has entered into an agreement with the state pursuant to Section 10553.1, remain under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court as a nonminor dependent, and report any change of circumstances relevant to continued eligibility for foster care payments, and that documents the nonminor’s and social worker’s or probation officer’s agreement to work together to facilitate implementation of the mutually developed supervised placement agreement and transitional independent living case plan. (2) An agreement, as described in paragraph (1), between a nonminor former dependent or ward in receipt of Kin-GAP payments under Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 11360) or Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 11385), and the agency responsible for the Kin-GAP benefits, provided that the nonminor former dependent or ward satisfies the conditions described in Section 11403.01, or one or more of the conditions described in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 11403. For purposes of this paragraph and paragraph (3), “nonminor former dependent or ward” has the same meaning as described in subdivision (aa). (3) An agreement, as described in paragraph (1), between a nonminor former dependent or ward in receipt of AFDC-FC payments under subdivision (e) or (f) of Section 11405 and the agency responsible for the AFDC-FC benefits, provided that the nonminor former dependent or ward described in subdivision (e) of Section 11405 satisfies one or more of the conditions described in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 11403, and the nonminor described in subdivision (f) of Section 11405 satisfies the secondary school or equivalent training or certificate program conditions described in that subdivision. (v) “Nonminor dependent” means, on and after January 1, 2012, a foster child, as described in Section 675(8)(B) of Title 42 of the United States Code under the federal Social Security Act who is a current dependent child or ward of the juvenile court, or who is a nonminor under the transition jurisdiction of the juvenile court, as described in Section 450, and who satisfies all of the following criteria: (1) The nonminor dependent has attained 18 years of age while under an order of foster care placement by the juvenile court, and is not more than 19 years of age on or after January 1, 2012, not more than 20 years of age on or after January 1, 2013, or not more than 21 years of age on or after January 1, 2014, and as described in Section 10103.5. (2) The nonminor dependent is in foster care under the placement and care responsibility of the county welfare department, county probation department, Indian tribe, consortium of tribes, or tribal organization that entered into an agreement pursuant to Section 10553.1. (3) The nonminor dependent has a transitional independent living case plan pursuant to Section 475(8) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 675(8)), as contained in the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-351), as described in Section 11403. (w) “Supervised independent living placement” means, on and after January 1, 2012, an independent supervised setting in which the nonminor dependent is living independently, pursuant to Section 472(c) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 672(c)). (x) “Supervised independent living setting,” pursuant to Section 472(c) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 672(c)), includes all of the following: (1) A supervised independent living placement, as defined in subdivision (w), and as specified in a nonminor dependent’s transitional independent living case plan. (2) A transitional housing unit in which a host family lives with a nonminor dependent who is a participant of a Transitional Housing Placement program, as described in subdivision (a) of Section 1559.110 of the Health and Safety Code, including an apartment, single-family dwelling, or condominium owned, rented, or leased by the host family, with supervised transitional housing services provided by the licensed transitional housing placement provider. (3) A residential housing unit certified by the transitional housing placement provider operating a Transitional Housing Placement program for nonminor dependents, as described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 16522.1. (4) A transitional living setting approved by the county to support youth who are entering or reentering foster care or transitioning between placements. The short-term independent living setting shall not include a youth homelessness prevention center or an adult homeless shelter. A transitional living setting approved by the county for purposes of this paragraph is not subject to licensing pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (l) of Section 1505 of the Health and Safety Code. (y) “Transitional independent living case plan” means, on or after January 1, 2012, a child’s case plan submitted for the last review hearing held before the child reaches 18 years of age or the nonminor dependent’s case plan, updated every six months, that describes the goals and objectives of how the nonminor will make progress in the transition to living independently and assume incremental responsibility for adult decisionmaking, the collaborative efforts between the nonminor and the social worker, probation officer, or Indian tribal placing entity and the supportive services as described in the transitional independent living plan (TILP) to ensure active and meaningful participation in one or more of the eligibility criteria described in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 11403, the nonminor’s appropriate supervised placement setting, and the nonminor’s permanent plan for transition to living independently, which includes maintaining or obtaining permanent connections to caring and committed adults, as set forth in paragraph (16) of subdivision (f) of Section 16501.1. (z) “Voluntary reentry agreement” means a written voluntary agreement between a former dependent child or ward or a former nonminor dependent, who has had juvenile court jurisdiction terminated pursuant to Section 391, 452, or 607.2, or between a nonminor dependent who has not signed a voluntary reentry agreement after attaining 18 years of age and for whom a petition will be filed pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 388, and the county welfare or probation department or tribal placing entity that documents the nonminor’s desire and willingness to reenter foster care, to be placed in a supervised setting under the placement and care responsibility of the placing agency, the nonminor’s desire, willingness, and ability to immediately participate in one or more of the conditions of paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 11403, the nonminor’s agreement to work collaboratively with the placing agency to develop their transitional independent living case plan within 60 days of reentry, if not previously completed, the nonminor’s agreement to report any changes of circumstances relevant to continued eligibility for foster care payments, and (1) the nonminor’s agreement to participate in the filing of a petition for juvenile court jurisdiction as a nonminor dependent pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 388 within 15 judicial days of the signing of the agreement and the placing agency’s efforts and supportive services to assist the nonminor in the reentry process, (2) if the nonminor meets the definition of a nonminor former dependent or ward, as described in subdivision (aa), the nonminor’s agreement to return to the care and support of their former juvenile court-appointed guardian and meet the eligibility criteria for AFDC-FC pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 11405, or (3) the nonminor dependent’s agreement to participate in the filing of a petition pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 388. (aa) “Nonminor former dependent or ward” means, on and after January 1, 2012, either of the following: (1) A nonminor who reached 18 years of age while subject to an order for foster care placement, and for whom dependency, delinquency, or transition jurisdiction has been terminated, and who is still under the general jurisdiction of the court. (2) A nonminor who is over 18 years of age and, while a minor, was a dependent child or ward of the juvenile court when the guardianship was established pursuant to Section 360 or 366.26, or subdivision (d) of Section 728, and the juvenile court dependency or wardship was dismissed following the establishment of the guardianship. (ab) “Youth homelessness prevention center” means a type of group home, as defined in paragraph (14) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code, that is not an eligible placement option under Sections 319, 361.2, 450, and 727, and that is not eligible for AFDC-FC funding pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 11402 or Section 11462. (ac) “Transition dependent” is a minor between 17 years and five months and 18 years of age who is subject to the court’s transition jurisdiction under Section 450. (ad) “Short-term residential therapeutic program” means a nondetention, licensed community care facility, as defined in paragraph (18) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code, that provides an integrated program of specialized and intensive care and supervision, services and supports, and treatment for the child or youth, when the child’s or youth’s case plan specifies the need for, nature of, and anticipated duration of this specialized treatment. Short-term residential therapeutic programs shall be organized and operated on a nonprofit basis. (ae) “Resource family” means an approved caregiver, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 16519.5. (af) “Core services” means services, made available to children, youth, and nonminor dependents either directly or secured through agreement with other agencies, that are trauma informed and culturally relevant, as specified in Sections 11462 and 11463.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11401. Section 11401.

Aid in the form of AFDC-FC shall be provided under this chapter on behalf of any child under 18 years of age, and to any nonminor dependent who meets the conditions of any of the following subdivisions: (a) The child has been relinquished, for purposes of adoption, to a licensed adoption agency, or the department, or the parental rights of either or both of the child’s parents have been terminated after an action under the Family Code has been brought by a licensed adoption agency or the department, provided that the licensed adoption agency or the department, if responsible for placement and care, provides to those children all services as required by the department to children in foster care. (b) The child has been removed from the physical custody of the child’s parent, relative, or guardian as a result of a voluntary placement agreement or a judicial determination that continuance in the home would be contrary to the child’s welfare and that, if the child was placed in foster care, reasonable efforts were made, consistent with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 16500) of Part 4, to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the child’s home and to make it possible for the child to return to the child’s home, and any of the following applies: (1) The child has been adjudged a dependent child of the court on the grounds that the child is a person described by Section 300. (2) The child has been adjudged a ward of the court on the grounds that the child is a person described by Sections 601 and 602, or the child or nonminor is under the transition jurisdiction of the juvenile court pursuant to Section 450. (3) The child has been detained under a court order, pursuant to Section 319 or 636, that remains in effect. (4) The child’s or nonminor’s dependency jurisdiction, or transition jurisdiction pursuant to Section 450, has resumed pursuant to Section 387, or subdivision (a), (e), or (f) of Section 388. (c) The child has been voluntarily placed by the child’s parent or guardian pursuant to Section 11401.1. (d) The child is living in the home of a nonrelated legal guardian, or the nonminor is living in the home of a former nonrelated legal guardian. (e) The child is a nonminor dependent who is placed pursuant to a mutual agreement as set forth in subdivision (u) of Section 11400, under the placement and care responsibility of the county child welfare services department, an Indian tribe that entered into an agreement pursuant to Section 10553.1, or the county probation department, or the child is a nonminor dependent reentering foster care placement pursuant to a voluntary agreement, as set forth in subdivision (z) of Section 11400. (f) The child has been placed in foster care consistent with the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1901 et seq.). Sections 11402, 11404, and 11405 shall not be construed as limiting payments to an Indian child, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 224.1 and Section 1903 of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, placed in accordance with that act and the provisions of Section 361.31. (g) To be eligible for federal financial participation, the conditions described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) shall be satisfied: (1) (A) The child meets the conditions of subdivision (b). (B) The child has been deprived of parental support or care for any of the reasons set forth in Section 11250. (C) The child has been removed from the home of a relative as defined in Section 233.90(c)(1) of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended. (D) The requirements of Sections 671 and 672 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended, have been met. (2) (A) The child meets the requirements of subdivision (h). (B) The requirements of Sections 671 and 672 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended, have been met. (C) This paragraph shall be implemented only if federal financial participation is available for the children described in this paragraph. (3) (A) The child has been removed from the custody of the child’s parent, relative, or guardian as a result of a voluntary placement agreement or a judicial determination that continuance in the home would be contrary to the child’s welfare and that, if the child was placed in foster care, reasonable efforts were made, consistent with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 16500) of Part 4, to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the child’s home and to make it possible for the child to return to the child’s home, or the child is a nonminor dependent who satisfies the removal criteria in Section 472(a)(2)(A)(i) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 672 (a)(2)(A)(i)) and agrees to the placement and care responsibility of the placing agency by signing the voluntary reentry agreement, as set forth in subdivision (z) of Section 11400, and any of the following applies: (i) The child has been adjudged a dependent child of the court on the grounds that the child is a person described by Section 300. (ii) The child has been adjudged a ward of the court on the grounds that the child is a person described by Sections 601 and 602 or the child or nonminor is under the transition jurisdiction of the juvenile court, pursuant to Section 450. (iii) The child has been detained under a court order, pursuant to Section 319 or 636, that remains in effect. (iv) The child’s or nonminor’s dependency jurisdiction, or transition jurisdiction pursuant to Section 450, has resumed pursuant to Section 387, or subdivision (a), (e), or (f) of Section 388. (B) The child has been placed in an eligible foster care placement, as set forth in Section 11402. (C) The requirements of Sections 671 and 672 of Title 42 of the United States Code have been satisfied. (D) This paragraph shall be implemented only if federal financial participation is available for the children described in this paragraph. (4) With respect to a nonminor dependent, in addition to meeting the conditions specified in paragraph (1), the requirements of Section 675(8)(B) of Title 42 of the United States Code have been satisfied. With respect to a former nonminor dependent who reenters foster care placement by signing the voluntary reentry agreement, as set forth in subdivision (z) of Section 11400, the requirements for AFDC-FC eligibility of Section 672(a)(3)(A) of Title 42 of the United States Code are satisfied based on the nonminor’s status as a child-only case, without regard to the parents, legal guardians, or others in the assistance unit in the home from which the nonminor was originally removed. (h) The child meets all of the following conditions: (1) The child has been adjudged to be a dependent child or ward of the court on the grounds that the child is a person described in Section 300, 601, or 602. (2) The child’s parent also has been adjudged to be a dependent child or nonminor dependent of the court on the grounds that the child’s parent is a person described by Section 300, 450, 601, or 602 and is receiving benefits under this chapter. (3) The child is placed in the same licensed or approved foster care facility in which the child’s parent is placed and the child’s parent is receiving reunification services with respect to that child.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11401.1. Section 11401.1.

(a) Otherwise eligible children placed voluntarily prior to January 1, 1981, may remain eligible for AFDC-FC payments. (b) Beginning on January 1, 1982, AFDC-FC payments for children placed voluntarily on or after January 1, 1981, shall be limited to a period of up to 180 days under conditions specified by departmental regulations, and may be extended an additional six months pursuant to Section 16507.3 and departmental regulations. (c) On and after January 1, 2012, AFDC-FC payments for nonminor dependents, who reentered foster care placement by signing a voluntary reentry agreement pursuant to subdivision (z) of Section 11400, shall be limited to a period not to exceed 180 days. The county child welfare services department or probation department shall file a petition pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 388 within 15 judicial days of the signing of the agreement to have the nonminor declared a nonminor dependent of the juvenile court in that reentry and remaining in foster care is in the best interests of the nonminor.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11401.2. Section 11401.2.

AFDC-FC shall be paid to an otherwise eligible child in a voluntary placement in a demonstration county for a period not to exceed six months, with a maximum extension of an additional six months.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11401.4. Section 11401.4.

A child living with his or her parent who is a minor or, on and after January 1, 2012, a nonminor dependent and a recipient of AFDC-FC benefits shall be deemed a child with respect to whom AFDC-FC payments are made.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11401.05. Section 11401.05.

The department shall amend the foster care state plan required under Subtitle IV-E (commencing with Section 470 of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 670 et seq.)), to extend benefits under this article, commencing January 1, 2012, to an individual who is in foster care under the responsibility of the state, or with respect to whom an adoption assistance agreement or a kinship guardianship assistance agreement is in effect, in accordance with the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-351).

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11401.5. Section 11401.5.

(a) The county shall review the child’s or nonminor dependent’s payment amount annually. The review shall include an examination of any circumstances of a foster child or nonminor dependent that are subject to change and could affect the child’s or nonminor dependent’s potential eligibility or payment amount, including, but not limited to, authority for placement, eligible facility, and age. (b) Consistent with federal law, any income and resources of the foster child or nonminor dependent obtained after the initial eligibility determination shall not be used to redetermine eligibility during a single foster care episode.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11401.6. Section 11401.6.

At the time of determining eligibility for AFDC-FC payments, the county shall also determine whether the child is currently in receipt of benefits pursuant to Title II or Title XVI of the Social Security Act. If so, the county shall apply to become the child’s representative payee, as appropriate, during the time the child is placed in foster care.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11402. Section 11402.

In order to be eligible for AFDC-FC, a child or nonminor dependent shall be placed in one of the following: (a) Before January 1, 2021: (1) The approved home of a relative, provided the child or youth is otherwise eligible for federal financial participation in the AFDC-FC payment. (2) The approved home of a nonrelative extended family member, as described in Section 362.7. (3) The licensed family home of a nonrelative. (b) The approved home of a resource family, as defined in Section 16519.5, if either of the following is true: (1) The caregiver is a nonrelative. (2) The caregiver is a relative, and the child or youth is otherwise eligible for federal financial participation in the AFDC-FC payment. (c) A small family home, as defined in paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code. (d) A housing unit, as described in Section 1559.110 of the Health and Safety Code, certified by a licensed transitional housing placement provider, as defined in paragraph (12) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code and subdivision (r) of Section 11400. (e) An approved supervised independent living setting for nonminor dependents, as described in subdivision (x) of Section 11400. (f) A licensed foster family agency, as defined in subdivision (g) of Section 11400 and paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code, for placement into a certified or approved home used exclusively by the foster family agency. (g) A short-term residential therapeutic program, as defined in subdivision (ad) of Section 11400 and paragraph (18) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code. (h) An out-of-state residential facility that meets the statutory requirements for placing a child or youth in an out-of-state residential facility, provided that the placement worker documents that the requirements of Section 7911.1 of the Family Code have been met, including, but not limited to, the child-specific certification of the facility by the department. (i) A community treatment facility, as defined in paragraph (8) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code, and as set forth in Article 5 (commencing with Section 4094) of Chapter 3 of Part 1 of Division 4. (j) A community care facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1500) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code and vendored by a regional center pursuant to Section 56004 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations, unless the facility is a group home for children with special health care needs, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 4684.50 of this code. (k) The home of a nonrelated legal guardian or the home of a former nonrelated legal guardian if the guardianship of a child or youth who is otherwise eligible for AFDC-FC has been dismissed due to the child or youth attaining 18 years of age. ( l ) A dormitory or other designated housing of a postsecondary educational institution in which a minor dependent who is enrolled at the postsecondary educational institution is living independently, as described in Section 11402.7. (m) On or after April 1, 2021, a residential family-based treatment facility for substance abuse, in which an eligible child is placed with a parent in treatment, licensed pursuant to Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 11834.01) of Part 2 of Division 10.5 of the Health and Safety Code, and the placement and facility meets all of the requirements of subdivision (j) of Section 672 of Title 42 of the United States Code. (n) A tribally approved home, as defined in Section 224.1.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11402.1. Section 11402.1.

For purposes of Section 11402, “eligible for federal financial participation” means that the payment is consistent with an approved state plan under Sections 671 and following of Title 42 of the United States Code, authorizing federal financial participation in the payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, until and unless federal financial participation is obtained, no payment of AFDC-FC may be made from either state or county funds on behalf of a child determined to be eligible for AFDC-FC solely as a result of the decision of the California Court of Appeal in Land v. Anderson (1997) 55 Cal.App.4th 89.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11402.2. Section 11402.2.

(a) Recognizing that transitions to independence involve self-initiated changes in placements, it is the intent of the Legislature that regulations developed regarding the approval of the supervised independent living setting, as defined in subdivision (w) of Section 11400, shall ensure continuity of placement and payment while the nonminor dependent is awaiting approval of their new supervised independent living setting, in accordance with paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 1524 of the Health and Safety Code. (b) A county may elect to complete an inspection of a supervised independent living placement to ensure that it meets health and safety standards through methods other than an in-person visit, including, but not limited to, videoconferencing and telephone calls that include pictures of the living space, and may, for the 2020–21 fiscal year, temporarily approve the supervised independent living placement pending the submission of required forms by the nonminor dependent, based on the nonminor dependent’s agreement that the forms will be submitted. (c) A county may elect to certify that a supervised independent living placement meets health and safety standards once every 12 months, as long as the county has no reason to believe that the health and safety conditions of the housing option have changed. This subdivision does not require that individual placements be certified every 12 months if the same youth remains continuously in the placement. (d) A county may elect to authorize a licensed transitional housing placement provider to provide supportive services to assist the nonminor dependent in their supervised independent living setting.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11402.4. Section 11402.4.

(a) Subject to the conditions set forth in subdivisions (b) and (c), and notwithstanding any other provision of law, with respect to an approved home of a relative or nonrelative extended family member for which an annual visit to ensure the quality of care provided is pending, the relative or nonrelative extended family member home’s approval shall remain in full force and effect. Payment to the relative or nonrelative extended family member provider shall not be delayed or terminated solely due to late completion of the annual visit to ensure the quality of care provided. (b) The frequency of required visits to ensure the quality of care provided shall not be less than the frequency of visits for licensed foster family homes as specified in Section 1534 of the Health and Safety Code. If late completion of an annual visit occurs, under no circumstances shall the county visit an approved home of a relative or nonrelative extended family member less than once every 24 months. (c) The frequency of required visits to ensure the quality of care provided shall be subject to state plan approval.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11402.005. Section 11402.005.

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that implementation of Part IV of the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123) affects eligibility for Title IV-E federal financial participation for certain placement settings available to children and youth in foster care in California. (b) On or before October 1, 2021, the State Department of Social Services shall clarify the conditions under which Title IV-E federal financial participation is available for each AFDC-FC eligible placement enumerated in Section 11402. (c) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of all-county letters or similar written instructions from the department until regulations are adopted. These all-county letters or similar written instructions shall have the same force and effect as regulations until the adoption of regulations. (d) The State Department of Health Care Services may provide guidance on whether federal financial participation is available for Medi-Cal services that intersect with the implementation of Part IV of the federal Family First Prevention Services Act. Medi-Cal services shall only be claimed to the extent that any necessary federal approvals are obtained and medical assistance federal financial participation is available and is not otherwise jeopardized. Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the State Department of Health Care Services may implement, interpret, or make specific portions this act affecting the provision of Medi-Cal services by means of plan or all-county letters, information notices, plan or provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking any further regulatory action. (e) The State Department of Health Care Services may submit a Medicaid state plan amendment, waiver request, or both, in order to maximize federal financial participation in implementing this section. The State Department of Health Care Services may, in submitting a Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver request, consult with the State Department of Social Services, the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California, and the County Welfare Directors Association of California.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11402.5. Section 11402.5.

(a) The federal government has provided the state the option of including in its state plan children placed in public child care institutions. Therefore, notwithstanding Section 11402 and subject to Section 15200.5, it is the intent of the Legislature that a child who is otherwise eligible for federal financial participation in the AFDC-FC payment may be eligible for aid under the provisions of this chapter when the child is placed in a public child care institution. Payment under the provisions of this section cannot exceed 30 days, except as provided in subdivision (b). This provision is effective only if and during such federal fiscal year when no restriction, as defined by the department, on federal matching for AFDC-FC payments exists. Pursuant to this section, the county shall request reimbursement at the close of the federal fiscal year. As used in this section, “public child care institution” means a nondetention facility which has been licensed in accordance with the Community Care Facilities Act, Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1500) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, and which has a licensed capacity not exceeding 25 children. (b) When a child is hard to place, as defined in departmental regulations, and when the child is not placed in an emergency shelter, payment may be made under this section for a period not exceeding 90 days. (c) Upon notification from the federal government that the restrictions on federal matching specified in subdivision (a) do not exist, the department shall amend the state plan to authorize federal financial participation to a county or counties operating a public child care institution with a licensed capacity exceeding 25 children. (d) For purposes of subdivision (c), “public child care institution” includes only those facilities that meet all of the following requirements: (1) It is temporary shelter care facility, as defined in Section 1530.8 of the Health and Safety Code. (2) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), it has a licensed capacity that does not exceed 200 children. (B) A facility in Orange County may have a licensed capacity of not more than 236 children.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11402.6. Section 11402.6.

(a) The federal government has provided the state with the option of including in its state plan children placed in a private facility operated on a for-profit basis. (b) For children for whom the county placing agency has exhausted all other placement options, notwithstanding subdivision (h) of Section 11400 and subject to Section 15200.5, a child who is otherwise eligible for federal financial participation in the AFDC-FC payment shall be eligible for aid under this chapter when the child is placed in a for-profit child care institution and meets all of the following criteria, which shall be clearly documented in the county welfare department case file: (1) The child has extraordinary and unusual special behavioral or medical needs that make the child difficult to place, including, but not limited to, being medically fragile, brittle diabetic, having severe head injuries, a dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse or a dual diagnosis of developmental delay and mental illness. (2) No other comparable private nonprofit facility or public licensed residential care home exists in the state that is willing to accept placement and is capable of meeting the child’s extraordinary special needs. (3) The county placing agency has demonstrated that no other alternate placement option exists for the child. (4) The child has a developmental disability and is eligible for both federal AFDC-FC payments and for regional center services. (c) Federal financial participation shall be provided pursuant to Section 11402 for children described in subdivision (a) subject to all of the following conditions, which shall be clearly documented in the county welfare department case file. (1) The county placing agency enters into a performance-based placement agreement with the for-profit facility to ensure the facility is providing services to improve the safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes of the placed children pursuant to Section 10601.2. (2) The county placing agency will require the facility to ensure placement in the child’s community to the degree possible to enhance ongoing connections with the child’s family and to promote the establishment of lifelong connections with committed adults. (3) The county placing agency monitors and reviews the facility’s outcome performance indicators every six months. (4) In no event shall federal financial participation in this placement exceed a 12-month period. (5) Payments made under this section shall not be made on behalf of any more than five children in a county at any one time. (6) Payments made under this section shall be made pursuant to Sections 4684 and 11464, and only to a group home that is an approved vendor of a regional center. (d) This section shall be implemented only during a federal fiscal year in which the department determines that no restriction on federal matching AFDC-FC payment exists. (e) As used in this section, “child care institution” means a nondetention facility that has been licensed in accordance with the California Community Care Facilities Act (Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1500) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code), and that has a licensed capacity not exceeding 25 children. (f) The county placing agency shall review and report to the juvenile court at every six-month case plan update if this placement remains appropriate and necessary and what the plan is for discharge to a less restrictive placement. (g) Notwithstanding subdivision (d) or any other provision of law, this section shall not be implemented before July 1, 2010. (h) Beginning in the 2011–12 fiscal year, and for each fiscal year thereafter, funding and expenditures for programs and activities under this section shall be in accordance with the requirements provided in Sections 30025 and 30026.5 of the Government Code.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11402.7. Section 11402.7.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a minor dependent at least 16 years of age who is otherwise eligible for AFDC-FC benefits, as described in Section 11401, may be eligible to receive his or her AFDC-FC payment directly, if all of the following conditions apply: (1) The minor is enrolled in a postsecondary educational institution. (2) The minor is living independently in a dormitory or other designated housing of the postsecondary educational institution. (3) The placement is made pursuant to a supervised placement agreement and transitional independent living plan, as described in paragraph (16) of subdivision (g) of Section 16501.1. (b) A minor receiving court-ordered reunification services shall not be eligible to live independently in postsecondary educational institutional housing pursuant to this section if the court finds that the placement would impede reunification efforts. (c) Unless otherwise authorized by federal law, federal financial participation shall not be available for placements described in this section. (d) (1) It is the intent of the Legislature that payments received by a minor pursuant to subdivision (a) shall not be counted as income by any public or private postsecondary educational institution in the state for the purposes of the minor’s financial aid determination. (2) The California State University and the California Community Colleges shall not consider the payments described in subdivision (a) when determining eligibility for financial aid, as provided in Section 66021.5 of the Education Code.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11402.9. Section 11402.9.

In order to receive funding on behalf of children receiving AFDC-FC, each provider, as defined in Section 11466, shall provide a full disclosure of all financial information related to its operation, including independent certification of the information provided, in a manner and format established by the department.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11403. Section 11403.

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to exercise the option afforded states under Section 475(8) (42 U.S.C. Sec. 675(8)), and Section 473(a)(4) (42 U.S.C. Sec. 673(a)(4)) of the federal Social Security Act, as contained in the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-351), to receive federal financial participation for nonminor dependents of the juvenile court who satisfy the conditions of subdivision (b), consistent with their transitional independent living case plan. Nonminor dependents are eligible to receive support until they reach 21 years of age, consistent with their transitional independent living case plan and as described in Section 10103.5. It is the intent of the Legislature, both at the time of initial determination of the nonminor dependent’s eligibility and throughout the time the nonminor dependent is eligible for aid pursuant to this section, that the social worker or probation officer or Indian tribal placing entity and the nonminor dependent shall work together to ensure the nonminor dependent’s ongoing eligibility. All case planning shall be a collaborative effort between the nonminor dependent and the social worker, probation officer, or Indian tribe, with the nonminor dependent assuming increasing levels of responsibility and independence. (b) A nonminor dependent receiving aid pursuant to this chapter, who satisfies the age criteria set forth in subdivision (a), shall meet the legal authority for placement and care by being under a foster care placement order by the juvenile court, or the voluntary reentry agreement as set forth in subdivision (z) of Section 11400, and is otherwise eligible for AFDC-FC payments pursuant to Section 11401. A nonminor who satisfies the age criteria set forth in subdivision (a), and who is otherwise eligible, shall continue to receive CalWORKs payments pursuant to Section 11253, Approved Relative Caregiver Funding Program benefits pursuant to Section 11461.3, or, as a nonminor former dependent or ward, aid pursuant to Kin-GAP under Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 11360) or Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 11385) or adoption assistance payments, as specified in Chapter 2.1 (commencing with Section 16115) of Part 4. A nonminor former dependent child or ward of the juvenile court who is receiving AFDC-FC benefits pursuant to Section 11405 and who satisfies the criteria set forth in subdivision (a) is eligible to continue to receive aid as long as the nonminor is otherwise eligible for AFDC-FC benefits under this subdivision. This subdivision applies when one or more of the following conditions exist: (1) The nonminor is completing secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential. (2) The nonminor is enrolled in an institution that provides postsecondary or vocational education. (3) The nonminor is participating in a program or activity designed to promote, or remove barriers to employment. (4) The nonminor is employed for at least 80 hours per month. (5) The nonminor is incapable of doing any of the activities described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, due to a medical condition, and that incapability is supported by regularly updated information in the case plan of the nonminor. The requirement to update the case plan under this section does not apply to nonminor former dependents or wards in receipt of Kin-GAP program or Adoption Assistance Program payments. (c) The county child welfare or probation department, Indian tribe, consortium of tribes, or tribal organization that has entered into an agreement pursuant to Section 10553.1, shall work together with a nonminor dependent who is in foster care on the nonminor dependent’s 18th birthday and thereafter or a nonminor former dependent receiving aid pursuant to Section 11405, to satisfy one or more of the conditions described in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (b) and shall certify the nonminor’s applicable condition or conditions in the nonminor’s six-month transitional independent living case plan update, and provide the certification to the eligibility worker and to the court at each six-month case plan review hearing for the nonminor dependent. Relative guardians who receive Kin-GAP payments and adoptive parents who receive adoption assistance payments shall be responsible for reporting to the county welfare agency that the nonminor does not satisfy at least one of the conditions described in subdivision (b). The social worker, probation officer, or tribal entity shall verify and obtain assurances that the nonminor dependent continues to satisfy at least one of the conditions in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (b) at each six-month transitional independent living case plan update. The six-month case plan update shall certify the nonminor’s eligibility pursuant to subdivision (b) for the next six-month period. During the six-month certification period, the payee and nonminor shall report any change in placement or other relevant changes in circumstances that may affect payment. The nonminor dependent, or nonminor former dependent receiving aid pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 11405, shall be informed of all due process requirements, in accordance with state and federal law, prior to an involuntary termination of aid, and shall simultaneously be provided with a written explanation of how to exercise their due process rights and obtain referrals to legal assistance. Any notices of action regarding eligibility shall be sent to the nonminor dependent or former dependent, their counsel, as applicable, and the placing worker, in addition to any other payee. Payments of aid pursuant to Kin-GAP under Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 11360) or Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 11385), adoption assistance payments as specified in Chapter 2.1 (commencing with Section 16115) of Part 4, or aid pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 11405 that are made on behalf of a nonminor former dependent shall terminate subject to the terms of the agreements. Subject to federal approval of amendments to the state plan, aid payments may be suspended and resumed based on changes of circumstances that affect eligibility. Nonminor former dependents, as identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (aa) of Section 11400, are not eligible for reentry under subdivision (e) of Section 388 as nonminor dependents under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, but may be eligible for reentry pursuant to Section 388.1 if (1) the nonminor former dependent was receiving or, but for the receipt of Supplemental Security Income benefits or other aid from the federal Social Security Administration, would have received aid under either Kin-GAP pursuant to Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 11360) or Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 11385) or AFDC-FC pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 11405, or the nonminor was receiving adoption assistance payments, as specified in Chapter 2.1 (commencing with Section 16115) of Part 4, and (2) the nonminor’s former guardian or adoptive parent dies, or no longer provides ongoing support to, and no longer receives benefits on behalf of, the nonminor after the nonminor turns 18 years of age, but before the nonminor turns 21 years of age. Nonminor former dependents requesting the resumption of AFDC-FC payments pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 11405 shall complete the applicable portions of the voluntary reentry agreement, as described in subdivision (z) of Section 11400. (d) A nonminor dependent may receive all of the payment directly provided that the nonminor is living independently in a supervised placement, as described in subdivision (w) of Section 11400, and that both the youth and the agency responsible for the foster care placement have signed a mutual agreement, as defined in subdivision (u) of Section 11400, if the youth is capable of making an informed agreement, that documents the continued need for supervised out-of-home placement, and the nonminor’s and social worker’s or probation officer’s agreement to work together to facilitate implementation of the mutually developed supervised placement agreement and transitional independent living case plan. (e) Eligibility for aid under this section shall not terminate until the nonminor dependent attains the age criteria, as set forth in subdivision (a), but aid may be suspended when the nonminor dependent no longer resides in an eligible facility, as described in Section 11402, or is otherwise not eligible for AFDC-FC benefits under Section 11401, or terminated at the request of the nonminor, or after a court terminates dependency jurisdiction pursuant to Section 391, delinquency jurisdiction pursuant to Section 607.2, or transition jurisdiction pursuant to Section 452. AFDC-FC benefits to nonminor dependents may be resumed at the request of the nonminor by completing a voluntary reentry agreement pursuant to subdivision (z) of Section 11400, before or after the filing of a petition filed pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 388 after a court terminates dependency or transitional jurisdiction pursuant to Section 391 or delinquency jurisdiction pursuant to Section 607.2. The county welfare or probation department or Indian tribal entity that has entered into an agreement pursuant to Section 10553.1 shall complete the voluntary reentry agreement with the nonminor who agrees to satisfy the criteria of the agreement, as described in subdivision (z) of Section 11400. The county welfare department or tribal entity shall establish a new child-only Title IV-E eligibility determination based on the nonminor’s completion of the voluntary reentry agreement pursuant to Section 11401. Pursuant to Section 11401 and subdivision (g), state AFDC-FC benefits are available if all other criteria are met, if the nonminor is determined ineligible for federal financial participation under subdivision (g) of Section 11401. The beginning date of aid for either federal or state AFDC-FC for a reentering nonminor who is placed in foster care is the date the voluntary reentry agreement is signed or the nonminor is placed, whichever is later. The county welfare department, county probation department, or tribal entity shall provide a nonminor dependent who wishes to continue receiving aid with the assistance necessary to meet and maintain eligibility. (f) (1) The county having jurisdiction of the nonminor dependent shall remain the county of payment under this section regardless of the youth’s physical residence. Nonminor former dependents receiving aid pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 11405 shall be paid by their county of residence. Counties may develop courtesy supervision agreements to provide case management and independent living services by the county of residence pursuant to the nonminor dependent’s transitional independent living case plan. Placements made out of state are subject to the applicable requirements of the Interstate Compact on Placement of Children, pursuant to Part 5 (commencing with Section 7900) of Division 12 of the Family Code. (2) The county welfare department, county probation department, or tribal entity shall notify all foster youth who attain 16 years of age and are under the jurisdiction of that county or tribe, including those receiving Kin-GAP, and AAP, of the existence of the aid prescribed by this section. (3) The department shall seek any waiver to amend its Title IV-E State Plan with the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services necessary to implement this section. (g) (1) Subject to paragraph (3), a county shall pay the nonfederal share of the cost of extending aid pursuant to this section to eligible nonminor dependents who have reached 18 years of age and who are under the jurisdiction of the county, including AFDC-FC payments pursuant to Section 11401, aid pursuant to Kin-GAP under Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 11385), adoption assistance payments as specified in Chapter 2.1 (commencing with Section 16115) of Part 4, and aid pursuant to Section 11405 for nonminor dependents who are residing in the county as provided in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f). A county shall contribute to the CalWORKs payments pursuant to Section 11253 and aid pursuant to Kin-GAP under Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 11360) at the statutory sharing ratios in effect on January 1, 2012. (2) Subject to paragraph (3), a county shall pay the nonfederal share of the cost of providing permanent placement services pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 16508 and administering the Aid to Families with Dependent Children Foster Care program pursuant to Section 15204.9. For purposes of budgeting, the department shall use a standard for the permanent placement services that is equal to the midpoint between the budgeting standards for family maintenance services and family reunification services. (3) (A) (i) Notwithstanding any other law, a county’s required total contribution pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), excluding costs incurred pursuant to Section 10103.5, shall not exceed the amount of savings in Kin-GAP assistance grant expenditures realized by the county from the receipt of federal funds due to the implementation of Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 11385), and the amount of funding specifically included in the Protective Services Subaccount within the Support Services Account within the Local Revenue Fund 2011, plus any associated growth funding from the Support Services Growth Subaccount within the Sales and Use Tax Growth Account to pay the costs of extending aid pursuant to this section. (ii) A county, at its own discretion, may expend additional funds beyond the amounts identified in clause (i). These additional amounts shall not be included in any cost and savings calculations or comparisons performed pursuant to this section. (B) Beginning in the 2011–12 fiscal year, and for each fiscal year thereafter, funding and expenditures for programs and activities under this section shall be in accordance with the requirements provided in Sections 30025 and 30026.5 of the Government Code. In addition, the following are available to the counties for the purpose of funding costs pursuant to this section: (i) The savings in Kin-GAP assistance grant expenditures realized from the receipt of federal funds due to the implementation of Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 11385). (ii) The savings realized from the change in federal funding for adoption assistance resulting from the enactment of Public Law 110-351 and consistent with subdivision (d) of Section 16118. (4) (A) The limit on the county’s total contribution pursuant to paragraph (3) shall be assessed by the State Department of Social Services, in conjunction with the California State Association of Counties, in 2015–16, to determine if it shall be removed. The assessment of the need for the limit shall be based on a determination on a statewide basis of whether the actual county costs of providing extended care pursuant to this section, excluding costs incurred pursuant to Section 10103.5, are fully funded by the amount of savings in Kin-GAP assistance grant expenditures realized by the counties from the receipt of federal funds due to the implementation of Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 11385) and the amount of funding specifically included in the Protective Services Subaccount within the Support Services Account within the Local Revenue Fund 2011 plus any associated growth funding from the Support Services Growth Subaccount within the Sales and Use Tax Growth Account to pay the costs of extending aid pursuant to this section. (B) If the assessment pursuant to subparagraph (A) shows that the statewide total costs of extending aid pursuant to this section, excluding costs incurred pursuant to Section 10103.5, are fully funded by the amount of savings in Kin-GAP assistance grant expenditures realized by the counties from the receipt of federal funds due to the implementation of Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 11385) and the amount of funding specifically included in the Protective Services Subaccount within the Support Services Account within the Local Revenue Fund 2011 plus any associated growth funding from the Support Services Growth Subaccount within the Sales and Use Tax Growth Account to pay the costs of extending aid pursuant to this section, the Department of Finance shall certify that fact, in writing, and shall post the certification on its internet website, at which time subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) shall no longer be implemented. (h) It is the intent of the Legislature that a county currently participating in the Child Welfare Demonstration Capped Allocation Project not be adversely impacted by the department’s exercise of its option to extend foster care benefits pursuant to Section 673(a)(4) and Section 675(8) of Title 42 of the United States Code in the federal Social Security Act, as contained in the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-351). Therefore, the department shall negotiate with the United States Department of Health and Human Services on behalf of those counties that are currently participating in the demonstration project to ensure that those counties receive reimbursement for these new programs outside of the provisions of those counties’ waiver under Subtitle IV-E (commencing with Section 470) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 670 et seq.). (i) The department, on or before July 1, 2013, shall develop regulations to implement this section in consultation with concerned stakeholders, including, but not limited to, representatives of the Legislature, the County Welfare Directors Association of California, the Chief Probation Officers of California, the Judicial Council, representatives of Indian tribes, the California Youth Connection, former foster youth, child advocacy organizations, labor organizations, juvenile justice advocacy organizations, foster caregiver organizations, and researchers. In the development of these regulations, the department shall consider its Manual of Policy and Procedures, Division 30, Chapter 30-912, 913, 916, and 917, as guidelines for developing regulations that are appropriate for young adults who can exercise incremental responsibility concurrently with their growth and development. The department, in its consultation with stakeholders, shall take into consideration the impact to the statewide child welfare information system and required modifications needed to accommodate eligibility determination under this section, benefit issuance, case management across counties, and recognition of the legal status of nonminor dependents as adults, as well as changes to data tracking and reporting requirements as required by the Child Welfare System Improvement and Accountability Act as specified in Section 10601.2, and federal outcome measures as required by the federal John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (42 U.S.C. Sec. 677(f)). In addition, the department, in its consultation with stakeholders, shall define the supervised independent living setting, which shall include, but not be limited to, apartment living, room and board arrangements, college or university dormitories, and shared roommate settings, and define how those settings meet health and safety standards suitable for nonminors. The department, in its consultation with stakeholders, shall define the six-month certification of the conditions of eligibility pursuant to subdivision (b) to be consistent with the flexibility provided by federal policy guidance, to ensure that there are ample supports for a nonminor to achieve the goals of the nonminor’s transition independent living case plan. The department, in its consultation with stakeholders, shall ensure that notices of action and other forms created to inform the nonminor of due process rights and how to access them shall be developed, using language consistent with the special needs of the nonminor dependent population. (j) Notwithstanding the Administrative Procedure Act, Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department shall prepare for implementation of the applicable provisions of this section by publishing, after consultation with the stakeholders listed in subdivision (i), all-county letters or similar instructions from the director by October 1, 2011, to be effective January 1, 2012. Emergency regulations to implement the applicable provisions of this act may be adopted by the director in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. The initial adoption of the emergency regulations and one readoption of the emergency regulations are deemed to be an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare. Initial emergency regulations and the first readoption of those emergency regulations are exempt from review by the Office of Administrative Law. The emergency regulations authorized by this section shall be submitted to the Office of Administrative Law for filing with the Secretary of State and shall remain in effect for no more than 180 days.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11403.1. Section 11403.1.

(a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares that former foster youth are a vulnerable population at risk of homelessness, unemployment, welfare dependency, incarceration, and other adverse outcomes if they exit the foster care system unprepared to become self-sufficient. Unlike many young individuals 18 years of age who can depend on family for ongoing support while they complete postsecondary education or develop career opportunities, emancipating foster youth have their primary source of support, AFDC-Foster Care payments, terminated at 18 years of age and are then dependent on their own resources for self-support. Some foster youth are not able to complete high school or other education or training programs due to ongoing trauma from the parental abuse or neglect and gaps in their educational attainment stemming from the original removal and subsequent changes in placement. (2) Completion of an educational or training program is an essential, minimum skill needed by foster youth in order to be competitive in today’s economy. (3) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to create, for counties that opt to participate, the Supportive Transitional Emancipation Program (STEP) in which emancipated foster youth may receive support while participating in an educational or training program, or any activity consistent with their transitional independent living plan up to 21 years of age. (b) Should a county elect to provide this program, a person who meets all of the following conditions shall be considered eligible for this program: (1) The person either was in foster care and emancipated upon reaching the age limitations specified in Section 11401 or received aid pursuant to Kin-GAP under Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 11360) and emancipated upon reaching the age limitations specified in Section 11363. (2) The person is participating in an educational or training program, or any activity consistent with his or her transitional independent living plan. (3) The person is under 21 years of age. (4) The person has emancipated from a county that is participating in the STEP program. (c) Aid under this section may be provided pursuant to a transitional independent living plan mutually agreed upon by the emancipated foster youth and the county welfare or probation department or independent living program coordinator. The youth participating in STEP has the responsibility to inform the county of changes to the conditions in the agreed-upon plan that affect payment of aid, including changes in address, living circumstances, and the educational or training program. (d) For purposes of this section, “emancipated foster youth” means a person who meets the eligibility criteria in subdivision (b). (e) (1) In determining the amount of aid under this section, the rate provided to the youth shall be equivalent to the basic rate provided pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 11461. (2) If the emancipated youth remains in placement, payment shall be made to the care provider, including a Transitional Housing Program-Plus provider, at a rate equivalent to the basic rate provided pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 11461. (f) Unless otherwise provided by federal law, receipt of aid under this section shall not be considered income either for purposes of eligibility for services provided in other federal or state programs, or for grants that may be provided by an institution of higher education, including, but not limited to, Cal Grants or other grants or fee waivers. (g) (1) Aid under this section shall be provided to eligible youth who have emancipated from a county that elects to participate under this section. (2) Each participating county welfare department shall notify all foster youth in that county, including those receiving Kin-GAP, ages 16 to 19 years of age, inclusive, of the existence of the program prescribed by this section. (h) The department shall seek any federal funds available for implementation of this section, including, but not limited to, funds available under Title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 601 et seq.). Implementation of this section shall not, however, be contingent upon receipt of any federal funding. The department shall seek any waiver from the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that is necessary to implement this section. (i) Beginning in the 2011–12 fiscal year, and for each fiscal year thereafter, funding and expenditures for programs and activities under this section shall be in accordance with the requirements provided in Sections 30025 and 30026.5 of the Government Code.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11403.01. Section 11403.01.

On and after January 1, 2012, a nonminor who is receiving Kin-GAP benefits under Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 11360) or Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 11385) and whose Kin-GAP payments began prior to the child’s 16th birthday and who is receiving aid pursuant to those articles, and who is attending high school or the equivalent level of vocational or technical training on a full-time basis, or is in the process of pursuing a high school equivalency certificate, prior to his or her 18th birthday, may continue to receive aid under those articles following his or her 18th birthday so long as the child continues to reside in the relative’s home, remains otherwise eligible for Kin-GAP payments, and continues to attend high school or the equivalent level of vocational or technical training on a full-time basis, or continues to pursue a high school equivalency certificate, and the child may reasonably be expected to complete the educational or training program or to receive a high school equivalency certificate, before his or her 19th birthday. Aid shall be provided to an individual pursuant to this section provided that both the individual and the agency responsible for the related guardianship placement have signed a mutual agreement, if the individual is capable of making an informed agreement, documenting the continued need for out-of-home placement.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11403.2. Section 11403.2.

(a) The following persons are eligible for transitional housing provided pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 16522) of Chapter 5 of Part 4: (1) A foster child at least 16 years of age and not more than 18 years of age, and, on or after January 1, 2012, any nonminor dependent, as defined in subdivision (v) of Section 11400, who is eligible for AFDC-FC benefits as described in Section 11401. A foster child under 18 years of age shall be eligible for placement in the program certified as a “Transitional Housing Placement program for minor foster children” pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 16522.1. A nonminor dependent shall be eligible for placement in the program certified as a “Transitional Housing Placement program for nonminor dependents” pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 16522.1. (2) A former foster youth as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 50807 of the Health and Safety Code, who is 18 to 24 years of age, inclusive, who has exited from the foster care system on or after their 18th birthday and elects to participate in Transitional Housing Program-Plus, as defined in subdivision (s) of Section 11400, if the former foster youth has not received services under this paragraph for more than a total of 36 months, whether or not consecutive. If the person participating in a Transitional Housing Program-Plus is not receiving aid under Section 11403.1, they, as a condition of participation, shall enter into, and execute the provisions of, a transitional independent living plan that shall be mutually agreed upon, and annually reviewed, by the former foster youth and the applicable county welfare or probation department or independent living program coordinator. The person participating under this paragraph shall inform the county of any changes to conditions specified in the agreed-upon plan that affect eligibility, including changes in address, living circumstances, and the educational or training program. (b) Payment on behalf of an eligible person receiving transitional housing services pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall be made to the transitional housing placement provider pursuant to the conditions and limitations set forth in Section 11403.3. Notwithstanding Section 11403.3, the department, in consultation with concerned stakeholders, including, but not limited to, representatives of the Legislature, the County Welfare Directors Association of California, the Chief Probation Officers of California, the Judicial Council, representatives of Indian tribes, the California Youth Connection, former foster youth, child advocacy organizations, labor organizations, juvenile justice advocacy organizations, foster caregiver organizations, researchers, and transitional housing placement providers, shall convene a workgroup to establish a new rate structure for the Title IV-E funded Transitional Housing Placement program for nonminor dependents placement option for nonminor dependents. The workgroup shall also consider application of this new rate structure to the Transitional Housing Program-Plus, as described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 11403.3. In developing the new rate structure pursuant to this subdivision, the department shall consider the average rates in effect and being paid by counties to current transitional housing placement providers. (c) The Legislature finds and declares that this subdivision was added in 2015 to clearly codify the requirement of existing law regarding the payment made on behalf of an eligible person receiving transitional housing services. The workgroup described in subdivision (b) recommended, and the department subsequently implemented, an annual adjustment to the payment made on behalf of an eligible person receiving transitional housing services. This annual adjustment has been, and shall continue to be, equal to the California Necessities Index applicable to each fiscal year. The Legislature hereby declares that its intent remains in making this annual adjustment to support the care and supervision, including needed services and supports, for nonminor dependents who are receiving transitional housing services through the Transitional Housing Placement program for nonminor dependents.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11403.3. Section 11403.3.

(a) Subject to subdivision (b), a transitional housing placement provider, as defined in subdivision (r) of Section 11400, that provides transitional housing services to eligible foster children, as defined by Section 475 of Title IV-E of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 675(8)), and nonminor dependents, as defined by subdivision (v) of Section 11400, in a facility licensed pursuant to Section 1559.110 of the Health and Safety Code, shall be paid as follows: (1) For a program serving foster children who are at least 16 years of age and not more than 18 years of age, a monthly rate that is 75 percent of the average foster care expenditures for foster children 16 to 18 years of age, inclusive, in group home care in the county in which the program operates. (2) For a program serving nonminor dependents, the rate structure established pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 11403.2. (b) Payment to a transitional housing placement provider for transitional housing services provided to a person described in subdivision (a) of Section 11403.2 shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) An amount equal to the base rate, as defined in subdivision (c), shall be paid for transitional housing services provided. (2) Any additional amount payable pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be contingent on the election by the county placing the youth in the transitional housing placement program to participate in the costs of the additional amount, pursuant to subdivision (f). (c) (1) As used in this section, “base rate” means the rate a transitional housing placement provider was approved to receive on June 30, 2001. If a program commences operation after this date, the base rate shall be the rate the program would have received if it had been operational on June 30, 2001. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a transitional housing placement provider with an approved rate on July 1, 2001, shall not receive a lower rate than its base rate. (d) Any reductions in payments to a transitional housing placement provider pursuant to the implementation of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) shall not preclude the program from acquiring from other sources, additional funding necessary to provide program services. (e) The department shall develop, implement, and maintain a ratesetting system schedule for transitional housing placement providers pursuant to subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive. (f) (1) Funding for the rates payable under this section for persons described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 11403.2, prior to the 2011–12 fiscal year, shall be subject to a sharing ratio of 40 percent state and 60 percent county share of nonfederal funds. (2) Funding for the rates payable under this section for persons described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 11403.2, prior to the 2011–12 fiscal year, shall be subject to a sharing ratio of 100 percent state and 0 percent county funds. (3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), beginning in the 2011–12 fiscal year, and for each fiscal year thereafter, funding and expenditures for programs and activities under this section shall be in accordance with the requirements provided in Sections 30025 and 30026.5 of the Government Code. (g) The department shall develop, implement, and maintain a ratesetting methodology and rate schedule for providers identified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) by December 31, 2019. Until a new rate schedule is implemented, the rates shall be based on the rates in existence on December 31, 2017, plus the annual adjustment described in subdivision (c) of Section 11403.2. (h) (1) Subject to an appropriation in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, the rate paid to a transitional housing placement provider serving nonminor dependents shall be supplemented with a housing supplement, which shall be calculated by the department as follows: (A) For nonminor dependents who are custodial parents, the difference between the fair market rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the county in which the nonminor dependent resides and 21.45 percent of the rate established pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 11403.2. (B) For nonminor dependents who are not custodial parents, the difference between one-half of the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the county in which the nonminor resides and 21.45 percent of the rate established pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 11403.2. (2) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the State Department of Social Services shall annually calculate the housing supplement described in this subdivision and shall inform county welfare agencies by November 1 of each year of the amount of the supplement by means of all-county letters or similar written instructions. These all-county letters or similar instructions shall have the same force and effect as regulations. (3) A county shall not receive less than the rate established pursuant to subdivision (h). (4) For purposes of this subdivision, “fair market rent” means the rent calculated for the fair market rent system developed by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for use in determining the allowable rent level for individuals who participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program, and that includes the cost of housing and utilities, except for telephone, cable, and internet, and is calculated annually for each county and released at the start of each fiscal year by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. (5) (A) The department shall work with the County Welfare Directors Association of California and the Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) to develop and implement the necessary system changes to implement the housing supplement provided pursuant to paragraph (1). (B) (i) This supplement shall begin on July 1, 2021, for the counties utilizing the CalWIN system, or when the department notifies the Legislature that CalWIN can perform the necessary automation to implement it, whichever is later. (ii) This supplement shall begin on September 1, 2022, for the counties utilizing the CalSAWS system, or when the department notifies the Legislature that CalSAWS can perform the necessary automation to implement it, whichever is later.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11403.05. Section 11403.05.

(a) The department shall include all of the following on a flyer for the Independent Living Program created by the department, the form used for a nonminor dependent to enter into a mutual agreement described in subdivision (u) of Section 11400, the form used for a nonminor dependent to enter into a voluntary reentry agreement described in subdivision (z) of Section 11400, the form used to create a transitional independent living plan described in paragraph (16) of subdivision (g) of Section 16501.1, the department’s Internet Web site for the Independent Living Program, and the Office of the State Foster Care Ombudsperson’s Internet Web site: (1) The voter registration page on the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site. (2) The toll-free telephone number maintained by the Secretary of State that contains election-related information. (3) The email address of the Secretary of State. (b) A county social worker may provide a voter registration form to a child 16 years of age or older or a nonminor dependent concurrent with the provision of a form identified in subdivision (a). (c) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of an all-county letter or similar instructions, without taking any regulatory action.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11404. Section 11404.

(a) Except as provided in Section 11405, a child is not eligible for AFDC-FC unless responsibility for placement and care of the child is with the county welfare department or Indian tribe that entered into an agreement pursuant to Section 10553.1, the county probation department which has an agreement with the county welfare department, or a licensed public adoption agency, licensed private adoption agency, or the department. (b) In order for the child to be eligible for AFDC-FC, the agency with responsibility for the child’s placement and care shall, in accordance with departmental regulations do all of the following: (1) For children removed after October 1, 1983, document that it provided preplacement preventive services to the child prior to the child’s placement in foster care, and document why provisions of these services were not successful in maintaining the child in his or her home, unless it is documented that these services were not provided due to either of the following: (A) The voluntary relinquishment of the child by one or both parents or court action declaring a child free from the custody and control of one or both parents. (B) The child’s residence with a nonrelated legal guardian. (2) Develop a written assessment of the reasons necessitating the child’s placement in foster care and the treatment needs of the child while in foster care to be updated by the agency no less frequently than once every six months. Where the child is a parent who has a child living with him or her in the same eligible facility, the assessment shall also address the needs of his or her child. (3) Develop a case plan for the child within a maximum of 60 days of placement. (4) Ensure that services are provided to return the child to his or her own home or establish an alternative permanent placement for the child if returning home is not possible or is inappropriate.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11404.1. Section 11404.1.

In order to be eligible for AFDC-FC, the child shall receive a periodic review no less frequently than once every six months and a permanency hearing within 12 months after the date the child entered foster care, pursuant to Section 361.49. The child shall also receive permanency planning hearings periodically, but no less frequently than once each 12 months thereafter, as required by subdivision (d) of Section 366.3 throughout the period of foster care placement. Periodic reviews and permanency planning hearings shall not be required for a child who is residing with a nonrelated legal guardian.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11404.2. Section 11404.2.

When a child qualified for federal financial participation under the AFDC-FC program is residing with a relative caretaker and the relative caretaker makes application to adopt the child, the relative caretaker shall, notwithstanding state law or regulations, continue to be eligible for foster care payments for the period after the child’s parents’ rights have been terminated, either by relinquishment or by an action of the juvenile court, and until the adoption of the child is finalized. This payment shall be terminated upon either finalization of the adoption or denial of the adoption application.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11405. Section 11405.

(a) Except for nonminors described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (e), AFDC-FC benefits shall be paid to an otherwise eligible child living with a nonrelated legal guardian, provided that the legal guardian cooperates with the county welfare department in all of the following: (1) Developing a written assessment of the child’s needs. (2) Updating the assessment no less frequently than once every six months. (3) Carrying out the case plan developed by the county. (b) Except for nonminors described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (e), when AFDC-FC is applied for on behalf of a child living with a nonrelated legal guardian the county welfare department shall do all of the following: (1) Develop a written assessment of the child’s needs. (2) Update those assessments no less frequently than once every six months. (3) Develop a case plan that specifies how the problems identified in the assessment are to be addressed. (4) Make visits to the child as often as appropriate, but in no event less often than once every six months. (c) Where the child is a parent and has a child living with them in the same eligible facility, the assessment required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall include the needs of their child. (d) Nonrelated legal guardians of eligible children who are in receipt of AFDC-FC payments described in this section shall be exempt from the requirement to register with the Statewide Registry of Private Professional Guardians pursuant to former Sections 2850 and 2851 of the Probate Code. (e) (1) On and after January 1, 2012, a nonminor youth whose nonrelated guardianship was ordered in juvenile court pursuant to Section 360 or 366.26, and whose dependency was dismissed, shall remain eligible for AFDC-FC benefits until the youth attains 19 years of age, effective January 1, 2013, until the youth attains 20 years of age, and effective January 1, 2014, until the youth attains 21 years of age, provided that the youth enters into a mutual agreement with the agency responsible for their guardianship, and the youth is meeting the conditions of eligibility, as described in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 11403. (2) A nonminor former dependent or ward, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (aa) of Section 11400, shall be eligible for benefits under this section until the youth attains 21 years of age if all of the following conditions are met: (A) The nonminor former dependent or ward attained 18 years of age while in receipt of Kin-GAP benefits pursuant to Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 11385). (B) The nonminor’s relationship to the kinship guardian is defined in paragraph (2), (3), or (4) of subdivision (c) of Section 11391. (C) The nonminor was under 16 years of age at the time the Kin-GAP negotiated agreement payments commenced. (D) The guardian continues to be responsible for the support of the nonminor. (E) The nonminor otherwise is meeting the conditions of eligibility, as described in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 11403. (f) On or after January 1, 2012, a child whose nonrelated guardianship was ordered in probate court pursuant Article 2 (commencing with Section 1510) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 4 of the Probate Code, who is attending high school or the equivalent level of vocational or technical training on a full-time basis, or who is in the process of pursuing a high school equivalency certificate before their 18th birthday may continue to receive aid following their 18th birthday as long as the child continues to reside in the guardian’s home, remains otherwise eligible for AFDC-FC benefits and continues to attend high school or the equivalent level of vocational or technical training on a full-time basis, or continues to pursue a high school equivalency certificate, and the child may reasonably be expected to complete the educational or training program or to receive a high school equivalency certificate, before their 19th birthday. Aid shall be provided to an individual pursuant to this section provided that both the individual and the agency responsible for the foster care placement have signed a mutual agreement, if the individual is capable of making an informed agreement, documenting the continued need for out-of-home placement. (g) (1) For cases in which a guardianship was established on or before June 30, 2011, or the date specified in a final order, for which the time for appeal has passed, issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in California State Foster Parent Association, et al. v. William Lightbourne, et al. (U.S. Dist. Ct. No. C 07-05086 WHA), whichever is earlier, the AFDC-FC payment described in this section shall be the foster family home rate structure in effect before the effective date specified in the order described in this paragraph. (2) For cases in which guardianship has been established on or after July 1, 2011, or the date specified in the order described in paragraph (1), whichever is earlier, and through December 31, 2016, the AFDC-FC payments described in this section shall be the basic foster family home rate structure effective and available as of December 31, 2016. (3) For cases in which guardianship has been established by the juvenile court on or after January 1, 2017, and before July 1, 2027, or the effective date specified in paragraph (9) of subdivision (h) of Section 11461, the AFDC-FC payments described in this section shall not exceed the home-based family care rate structure developed pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 11461 and Section 11463. (4) (A) For cases in which guardianship has been established by the juvenile court on and after the date specified in paragraph (9) of subdivision (h) of Section 11461, the rate paid shall not exceed Tier 1 of the Care and Supervision component of the Tiered Rate Structure, as described in subdivision (h) of Section 11461, unless the conditions of subparagraph (B) apply. (B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the rate paid may exceed Tier 1, but shall not exceed Tier 2, of the Care and Supervision component of the Tiered Rate Structure, as described in subdivision (h) of Section 11461, under specific conditions established by the department and based on the assessed needs of the child. (5) For cases in which guardianship has been established in the probate court on or after January 1, 2017, the AFDC-FC payments described in this section shall not exceed the basic level rate of the home-based family care rate structure in effect on June 30, 2027. (6) Beginning with the 2011–12 fiscal year, the AFDC-FC payments identified in this subdivision shall be adjusted annually by the percentage change in the California Necessities Index rate as set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (g) of Section 11461. (h) In addition to the AFDC-FC rate paid, all of the following also shall be paid: (1) A specialized care increment, if applicable, as set forth in subdivision (e) of Section 11461. (2) A clothing allowance, as set forth in subdivision (f) of Section 11461. (3) For a child eligible for an AFDC-FC payment who is a teen parent, the rate shall include the two-hundred-dollar ($200) monthly payment made to the relative caregiver in a whole family foster home pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 11465.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11406.5. Section 11406.5.

A refugee who is eligible for, and is required to participate in, an alternative project implemented pursuant to Section 412(e)(7) of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act (Section 1522(e)(7) of Title 8 of the United States Code), shall not be eligible for benefits under this chapter. This section shall apply only when an alternative project uses payment levels for project participants that are substantially equal to payment levels in effect for persons receiving aid under this chapter, with respect to both cash and in-kind payments, and if the assistance provided to the alternative project participant is considered a grant rather than a loan.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11407. Section 11407.

If, when and during such times as the federal statutes provide federal funds for any child who is granted aid pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 11450, the department shall establish such regulations as are necessary for this state to qualify for any federal funds available.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11408. Section 11408.

County claims for aid to needy children placed in foster care, as defined by the rules and regulations of the department, shall be filed separately and distinct from other claims and shall be filed for aid furnished by the county at times and in the manner prescribed by the department. Payments for such children may be made subsequent to the furnishing of care and support to needy children in foster care. Payments may be made at the end of each month for the needy children maintained in foster care during the month.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11409. Section 11409.

To the extent required by federal law, the department shall establish specific numeric goals for the number of children receiving AFDC-FC payments who have been in foster care two years or longer.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 11410. Section 11410.

(a) The department shall amend the foster care state plan required under Subtitle IV-E (commencing with Section 470) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 670 et seq.), to authorize counties that elect to subsidize child care for foster parents to use federal matching funds under Subtitle IV-E for that purpose. (b) When approved by the federal government, counties electing to administer the Foster Parent Child Care Program shall follow the guidelines developed by the State Department of Social Services. (c) Federal funds used by a county pursuant to this section shall be matched only by county funds pursuant to Section 15200.5.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026