Foster Care
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Implementation of HOPE Trust Accounts
The State of California has created HOPE Trust Accounts for eligible children in foster care. Eligible participants are either: 1) A child who enters foster care before age 18, has been in foster care for 18 months, and…
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AFDC Foster Care Eligibility and Redetermination Rules
The California Department of Social Services issued a reminder regarding federal and state requirements for eligibility and redetermination for foster youth and non-minor dependents. Annual redeterminations are not required after the initial eligibility decision is made for a…
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Civil rights obligations to people who are deaf or hard of hearing
County Welfare Directors (CWD) are legally required to ensure that communication with Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals is just as effective as communication with individuals without disabilities. DHH obligations include applicants for services and their companions,…
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Voluntary relinquishment of juvenile dependent and non-dependent children
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has released questions and answers about voluntary relinquishment of juvenile dependent and non-dependent children. Voluntary relinquishment is when the birth/legal parents voluntarily turn over care, custody, and control of their child…
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Withdrawing state hearing requests
California Department of Social Services (CDSS) State Hearings Division (SHD) has issued instructions regarding withdrawing of a state hearing request. A claimant or the Authorized Representative can withdraw a hearing request any time before a decision is issued.…
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AFDC-Foster Care eligibility and redeterminations
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued a reminder and updated policy regarding Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care (AFDC-FC) eligibility and redeterminations. AFDC-FC eligibility is established upon legal entry to re-entry into foster care,…
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Bringing Families Home rules changes and funding
Bringing Families Home (BFH) supports to families receiving child welfare services who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, which increases family reunification and prevents foster care placement. The child welfare services that BFH eligible families may be…
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Caregiver’s right to access education records
The California Department of Social Services has provided information regarding caregiver’s access to education records. Caregivers for youth in foster care now have access to education records, including an approved or licensed foster parents, resource parents, an approved…
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Foster Care new expectant parent payment
Beginning January 1, 2022, pregnant minors and nonminor dependents will be entitled to a payment made directly to them starting in the seventh month of pregnancy. This payment is available to pregnant minors and nonminor dependents who receive…
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COVID-19 financial support for at-risk families
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has provided information about financial support for eligible at-risk families with child welfare contact during the COVID-19 state of emergency. Financial support is up to $600 per eligible household, or up…