When a child close to you enters the foster care system in California, it can be an emotionally turbulent time filled with uncertainty. Whether the child is your grandchild, niece, nephew, another relative, or a child of a close friend, it can be difficult to know the best way to navigate the situation.
Imagine a young boy named Jonathan who is just 12 years old, and he is navigating through the uncertainties of the foster care system. The local county is working hard to find a safe and secure place for him. Their hope is to find a relative or a trusted family friend who can provide Jonathan with the love, stability, and sense of belonging that he desperately needs. This scenario is not uncommon; it reflects the reality of many children who find themselves in the foster care system. This highlights the crucial need for kinship placement, a solution that not only ensures protection but also preserves a child’s fundamental relationships.
What Is Kinship Care?
Relative placement, also known as kinship placement, involves placing children with their relatives or close family friends if they cannot stay with their parents. This type of placement guarantees that children can preserve their family ties, cultural heritage, and identity.
The Benefits of Relative Placement vs Foster Care
Relative placement prioritizes keeping children with family members or close friends, which helps to maintain their familial bonds and cultural heritage. Some reasons why relative placement is beneficial for children include:
- Continuity of Family Bonds: Children placed with relatives experience fewer disruptions in their lives, preserving important familial relationships.
- Cultural Preservation: Relatives provide a living link to a child’s cultural background, allowing them to retain their cultural identity and practices.
- Emotional Security: A known and loving environment offers children emotional security. It can significantly mitigate the stress and trauma associated with entering the foster care system.
- Enhanced Stability: Relative caregivers are often more likely to provide long-term or permanent homes, offering children stability and the prospect of a brighter future.
- Support and Resources: Relatives who step forward as caregivers are not alone. They receive the backing of social workers and a monthly financial reimbursement to help with the child’s expenses.
My Relative or Friend’s Child Was Removed From Their Home. What Do I Do?
So, a family member or a friend of yours has had their child(ren) removed. Your first thought is, “Help, they took my niece or grandson, what can I do?”
Unfortunately, this is a question we hear more than we would like to. There are times in which children need to be removed from their homes. In most cases, this removal may be temporary, while there is an ongoing investigation.
When a child is detained by the county social services agency, the county agency has certain legal obligations to identify and notify relatives (including siblings) of the child’s removal. The county agency also has a legal obligation to assess those relatives and/or non-relative extended family members (NREFMs) for placement.
In addition to the county agency’s legal obligations, the juvenile dependency court is required to make certain inquiries and findings at the detention and disposition hearings related to the child’s placement.
How to Navigate the Kinship Placement Process
If a child you know has been placed in foster care, there are several steps you’ll need to take in order to be informed and prepared to potentially serve as a resource parent.
1. Understand the Foster Care System in California
It is important to start by understanding how California’s foster care system works. The state’s goal is to find a safe and nurturing environment for children who cannot stay with their birth parents. To be able to advocate for the child effectively, you’ll need to comprehend the legal and procedural framework of foster care, including the roles of social workers, courts, and foster care agencies. This knowledge will help you navigate the challenges ahead and make informed decisions.
2. Express Your Interest in Being a Kinship Caregiver
In California, the state gives priority to placing children with family members or people they have significant relationships with because it provides the child with a greater sense of stability and continuity. You have the right to ask, or the county may ask you, to care for a family member’s child in an emergency.
To express your interest and learn about the requirements, you can contact the child’s social worker or social services agency of the county where the child was removed. You may need to undergo background checks, home safety evaluations, and potentially complete specific training programs.
3. Contact a Foster Family Agency and Apply for Resource Family Approval (RFA)
Foster family agencies like Knotts Family Agency are invaluable resources for individuals navigating the foster care process. They offer guidance, support, and information on how to become a foster or kinship caregiver. The agency can assist you in understanding your rights, the needs of the child, and the steps required to become a temporary or permanent caregiver. Their expertise and resources can be indispensable in navigating the complexities of the foster care system.
4. Undergo Background Checks
When you inform the county of your interest, a criminal records check will be completed for every adult living in the home through the California Law Enforcement Tracking System (CLETS) database. After that is complete, live scan fingerprinting must occur within five days of the placement.
If the CLETS check shows any criminal conviction for any adult in the home, a child cannot be placed on an emergency unless the conviction is eligible for an exemption. Arrests do not require an exemption, but they might be cause for a delay in placement until more information is gathered.
Additionally, all adults living in the home will be searched on the Child Abuse Central Index (CACI). The social worker and/or the court might decide not to make an emergency placement if the CACI report raises any child safety concerns.
If applying through the country or a foster family agency (FFA), they will complete the health and safety assessment of the home and grounds, as well as a comprehensive assessment of the applicant. They will prepare a written report within 90 calendar days of the date the child or nonminor dependent was temporarily placed with the relative or NRFEM, unless “good cause” exists for not doing so.
5. Attend Court Hearings and Meetings
It is crucial to remain actively engaged in the child’s case. Attend court hearings and relevant meetings to keep yourself informed about the child’s status and foster care proceedings. You may participate in the following hearings:
- State Hearing (if Denied Assessment or Approval): If your request for the child to be placed with you is denied, you will participate in or can request a state hearing.
- Dependency Hearing: The juvenile court is responsible for all juvenile dependency proceedings, and they must quickly and effectively determine relevant facts and information relevant to the current welfare of the child. The court may permit relatives of the child to be present at the hearing and/or address the court.
Your involvement shows your dedication to the child’s well-being and helps you stay up-to-date on their situation. Moreover, it provides an opportunity for you to express your concerns and offer input that could impact decisions regarding the child’s future.
6. Engage with Social Workers and Foster Care Professionals
It is important to establish open and cooperative communication with professionals who are involved in the care of a child in foster care. This can help to better understand the child’s needs, address any concerns, and provide the best possible support for their well-being. Being proactive and responsive in working with these professionals can significantly impact the child’s experience in foster care.
7. Prepare Your Home and Family
If you are considering becoming a foster or kinship caregiver, it is important to prepare your home and family. To begin, make sure your living environment meets the state’s safety and space requirements. Additionally, it is crucial to prepare yourself emotionally and mentally for the inclusion of a foster child into your home. Discuss the upcoming changes with other members of your family and think about how to integrate the child into your household to make them feel safe, welcome, and loved.
8. Seek Support and Resource Parent Training
It’s important to make use of the support and training options that are available for foster and kinship caregivers. These resources can provide you with valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of fostering, strategies for dealing with behavioral issues, and guidance on how to support a child’s emotional and educational needs. Additionally, support groups and training workshops can connect you with a community of caregivers who can offer advice, empathy, and understanding.
Requirements for Relative Placement
When considering cases of relative placement, CPS and county representatives will consider several factors. Certain eligibility criteria must be met for a child to be placed in a relative’s care. A criminal background check is mandatory, although there may be exemptions available based on the type of past offenses and proof of rehabilitation. The main objective of both county and state regulations is to assist in reuniting children with their relatives when it is deemed beneficial for the child.
The Resource Family Approval (RFA) Process for Relatives
In California, emergency kinship placement may be permitted in cases where a child requires a safe environment, meaning that Resource Family Approval (RFA) is not yet mandatory. However, you’ll still need to undergo the Resource Family Approval (RFA) process in order to keep the child in your care.
In practice, relatives or NRFEM who have initiated the application for Resource Family Approval have preference or priority. Ideally, your application should happen within the first 24 hours of removal, since it’s during this time that the county representatives have to make decisions about placement for the child.
Becoming a resource parent is a rigorous process that involves receiving support and guidance to navigate the complexities involved. You’ll need to complete the following to become an approved resource parent in the state of California:
- Application: The first step is to apply to become a foster parent.
- Training: Prospective foster parents must complete the required training courses, including CPR and First Aid. In California, 12 hours of training are mandatory, but more can prepare caregivers even better.
- Background Checks: Applicants undergo thorough background checks, including DOJ, FBI, and CACI. Local checks like CLETS and checks for any CPS or CFS records are also part of the process
- Interview: A social worker interviews to assess the match between the child’s needs and the prospective parent’s family situation and preferences.
- Home Evaluation: A social worker visits the home to evaluate its safety, comfort, and suitability for the child, including adequate bedroom space.
- Approval: The final step is receiving approval from the agency and the county, confirming that all criteria have been met to become a Resource Parent.
You Don’t Need to Navigate Kinship Placement Alone
The process of becoming a kinship caregiver can be challenging and complex. If you are considering kinship or relative placement, Knotts Family Agency is here to help you.
We know that in these cases, time is of the essence. We will work with you immediately to assist you in getting the children during the initial 24-hour period.
We are experienced with California’s kinship placement process and offer invaluable support, guiding caregivers through each step of the process. From training and preparation to ongoing support, after the child is placed, we are committed to ensuring that both the child and the caregiver have the resources and support needed for a successful transition and life together. Reach out to us today to embark on a rewarding journey and take the first step towards providing a child with a loving and secure home.
