(a) In addition to the foster parent training provided by
community colleges, foster family agencies shall provide a program of
training for their certified foster families.
(b) (1) Every licensed foster parent shall complete a minimum of
12 hours of foster parent training, as prescribed in paragraph (3),
before the placement of any foster children with the foster parent.
In addition, a foster parent shall complete a minimum of eight hours
of foster parent training annually, as prescribed in paragraph (4).
No child shall be placed in a foster family home unless these
requirements are met by the persons in the home who are serving as
the foster parents.
(2) (A) Upon the request of the foster parent for a hardship
waiver from the postplacement training requirement or a request for
an extension of the deadline, the county may, at its option, on a
case-by-case basis, waive the postplacement training requirement or
extend any established deadline for a period not to exceed one year,
if the postplacement training requirement presents a severe and
unavoidable obstacle to continuing as a foster parent. Obstacles for
which a county may grant a hardship waiver or extension are:
(i) Lack of access to training due to the cost or travel required.
(ii) Family emergency.
(B) Before a waiver or extension may be granted, the foster parent
should explore the opportunity of receiving training by video or
written materials.
(3) The initial preplacement training shall include, but not be
limited to, training courses that cover all of the following:
(A) An overview of the child protective system.
(B) The effects of child abuse and neglect on child development.
(C) Positive discipline and the importance of self-esteem.
(D) Health issues in foster care, including, but not limited to,
the authorization, uses, risks, benefits, assistance with
self-administration, oversight, and monitoring or psychotropic or
other medications, and trauma, mental health, and substance use
disorder treatments, for children in foster care under the
jurisdiction of the juvenile court, including how to access those
treatments, as the information is also described in subdivision (d)
of Section 16501.4 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(E) Accessing education and health services available to foster
children.
(F) The right of a foster child to have fair and equal access to
all available services, placement, care, treatment, and benefits, and
to not be subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of
actual or perceived race, ethnic group identification, ancestry,
national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, mental or physical disability, or HIV status.
(G) Instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity and related
best practices for providing adequate care for children across
diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, as well as children
identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
(H) Basic instruction on the existing laws and procedures
regarding the safety of foster youth at school and the ensuring of a
harassment- and violence-free school environment contained in Article
3.6 (commencing with Section 32228) of Chapter 2 of Part 19 of
Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code.
(4) The postplacement annual training shall include, but not be
limited to, training courses that cover all of the following:
(A) Age-appropriate child development.
(B) Health issues in foster care, including, but not limited to,
the information described in subdivision (d) of Section 16501.4 of
the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(C) Positive discipline and the importance of self-esteem.
(D) Emancipation and independent living skills if a foster parent
is caring for youth.
(E) The right of a foster child to have fair and equal access to
all available services, placement, care, treatment, and benefits, and
to not be subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of
actual or perceived race, ethnic group identification, ancestry,
national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, mental or physical disability, or HIV status.
(F) Instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity relating
to, and best practices for, providing adequate care to lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender youth in out-of-home care.
(5) Foster parent training may be attained through a variety of
sources, including community colleges, counties, hospitals, foster
parent associations, the California State Foster Parent Association's
conference, adult schools, and certified foster parent instructors.
(6) A candidate for placement of foster children shall submit a
certificate of training to document completion of the training
requirements. The certificate shall be submitted with the initial
consideration for placements and provided at the time of the annual
visit by the licensing agency thereafter.
(c) Nothing in this section shall preclude a county from requiring
county-provided preplacement or postplacement foster parent training
in excess of the requirements in this section.
(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2017, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2017, deletes or extends
that date.
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that all foster
parents have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to
support the safety, permanency, and well-being of children in foster
care. Initial and ongoing preparation and training of foster parents
should support the foster parent's role in parenting vulnerable
children, youth, and young adults, including supporting the children'
s connection with their families. Their training should be ongoing in
order to provide foster parents with information on new practices
and requirements and other helpful topics within the child welfare
and probation systems and may be offered in a classroom setting,
online, or individually.
(b) A licensed or certified foster parent shall complete a minimum
of eight training hours annually, a portion of which shall be from
one or more of the following topics, as prescribed by the department,
pursuant to subdivision (a):
(1) Age-appropriate child and adolescent development.
(2) Health issues in foster care, including, but not limited to,
the authorization, uses, risks, benefits, assistance with
self-administration, oversight, and monitoring of psychotropic or
other medications, and trauma, mental health, and substance use
disorder treatments for children in foster care under the
jurisdiction of the juvenile court, including how to access those
treatments. Health issues in foster care, including, but not limited
to, the authorization, uses, risks, benefits, assistance with
self-administration, oversight, and monitoring of psychotropic or
other medications, and trauma, mental health, and substance use
disorder treatments for children in foster care under the
jurisdiction of the juvenile court, including how to access those
treatments, as the information is also described in subdivision (d)
of Section 16501.4 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(3) Positive discipline and the importance of self-esteem.
(4) Preparation of children and youth for a successful transition
to adulthood.
(5) The right of a foster child to have fair and equal access to
all available services, placement, care, treatment, and benefits, and
to not be subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of
actual or perceived race, ethnic group identification, ancestry,
national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, mental or physical disability, or HIV status.
(6) Instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity and related
best practices for providing adequate care for children across
diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, as well as children
identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
(c) In addition to any training required by this section, a foster
parent may be required to receive specialized training, as relevant,
for the purpose of preparing the foster parent to meet the needs of
a particular child in care. This training may include, but is not
limited to, the following:
(1) Understanding how to use best practices for providing care and
supervision to commercially sexually exploited children.
(2) Understanding cultural needs of children, including, but not
limited to, cultural competency and sensitivity and related best
practices for providing adequate care to children across diverse
ethnic and racial backgrounds, as well as children identifying as
lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
(3) Understanding the requirements and best practices regarding
psychotropic medications, including, but not limited to, court
authorization, benefits, uses, side effects, interactions, assistance
with self-administration, misuse, documentation, storage, and
metabolic monitoring of children prescribed psychotropic medications.
(4) Understanding the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (25 U.S.C.
Sec. 1901 et seq.), its historical significance, the rights of
children covered by the act, and the best interests of Indian
children, including the role of the caregiver in supporting
culturally appropriate, child-centered practices that respect Native
American history, culture, retention of tribal membership and
connection to the tribal community and traditions.
(5) Understanding how to use best practices for providing care and
supervision to nonminor dependents.
(6) Understanding how to use best practices for providing care and
supervision to children with special health care needs.
(d) No child shall be placed with a foster parent unless each
foster parent in the home meets the requirements of this section.
(e) (1) Upon the request of the licensed or certified foster
parent for a hardship waiver from the annual training requirement or
a request for an extension of the deadline, the county may, at its
option, on a case-by-case basis, waive the training requirement or
extend any established deadline for a period not to exceed one year,
if the training requirement presents a severe and unavoidable
obstacle to continuing as a foster parent.
(2) Obstacles for which a county may grant a hardship waiver or
extension are:
(A) Lack of access to training due to the cost or travel required
or lack of child care to participate in the training, when online
resources are not available.
(B) Family emergency.
(3) Before a waiver or extension may be granted, the licensed or
certified foster parent should explore the opportunity of receiving
training online or by video or written materials.
(f) (1) Foster parent training may be obtained through sources
that include, but are not necessarily limited to, community colleges,
counties, hospitals, foster parent associations, the California
State Foster Parent Association's conference, online resources, adult
schools, and certified foster parent instructors.
(2) In addition to the foster parent training provided by
community colleges, foster family agencies shall provide a program of
training for their certified foster families.
(g) (1) Training certificates shall be submitted to the
appropriate licensing or foster family agency.
(2) Upon completion, a licensed or certified parent shall submit a
certificate of completion for the annual training requirements.
(h) Nothing in this section shall preclude a county or a foster
family agency from requiring foster parent training in excess of the
requirements in this section.
(i) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2017.
(j) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2019, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2019, deletes or extends
that date.