California Code
DIVISION 9 - PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES
PART 4 - SERVICES FOR THE CARE OF CHILDREN

CHAPTER 1 - Foster Care Placement

Section 16000. - 16000. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to...

Section 16000.1. - 16000.1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the...

Section 16000.5. - 16000.5. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:...

Section 16000.6. - 16000.6. The State Department of Social Services shall negotiate in...

Section 16001. - 16001. (a) The State Department of Social Services shall provide...

Section 16001.1. - 16001.1. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to...

Section 16001.5. - 16001.5. The State Department of Social Services shall annually distribute...

Section 16001.7. - 16001.7. (a) The department shall promote the participation of current...

Section 16001.8. - 16001.8. (a) The State Department of Social Services shall convene...

Section 16001.9. - 16001.9. (a) All children placed in foster care, either voluntarily...

Section 16002. - 16002. (a) (1) It is the intent of the Legislature...

Section 16002.5. - 16002.5. It is the intent of the Legislature to maintain...

Section 16003.5. - 16003.5. (a) Any state funding allocated to counties for the...

Section 16004.5. - 16004.5. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that there is...

Section 16005. - 16005. Siblings shall be assigned to the same social worker...

Section 16006. - 16006. Children and nonminor dependents in out-of-home care shall be...

Section 16010. - 16010. (a) (1) When a child is placed in foster...

Section 16010.2. - 16010.2. (a) The department, in consultation with pediatricians, other health...

Section 16010.4. - 16010.4. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:...

Section 16010.5. - 16010.5. (a) When initially placing a child into foster care...

Section 16010.6. - 16010.6. (a) As soon as a placing agency makes a...

Section 16010.7. - 16010.7. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to...

Section 16010.8. - 16010.8. It is the intent of the Legislature that no...

Section 16010.9. - 16010.9. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to...

Section 16010.10. - 16010.10. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to...

Section 16011. - 16011. (a) Subject to the conditions prescribed by this section,...

Section 16013. - 16013. (a) It is the policy of this state that...

Section 16014. - 16014. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to...

CHAPTER 2 - County Adoption Agencies

Section 16100. - 16100. (a) Any county may perform the home-finding and placement...

Section 16101. - 16101. (a) Prior to the 2011–12 fiscal year, the cost...

Section 16105. - 16105. If any grants-in-aid are made by the federal government...

Section 16106. - 16106. The state shall reimburse each county for the cost...

CHAPTER 2.1 - Aid for Adoption of Children

Section 16115. - 16115. Aid under this chapter shall be known as the...

Section 16115.5. - 16115.5. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting...

Section 16118. - 16118. (a) The department shall establish and administer the program...

Section 16119. - 16119. (a) At the time application for adoption of a...

Section 16120. - 16120. A child is eligible for Adoption Assistance Program benefits...

Section 16120.05. - 16120.05. The adoption assistance agreement shall, at a minimum, specify...

Section 16120.1. - 16120.1. Upon the authorization of the department or, where appropriate,...

Section 16121. - 16121. (a) (1) For initial adoption assistance agreements executed on...

Section 16121.05. - 16121.05. (a) The department or county adoption agency may recover...

Section 16121.1. - 16121.1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11105, the residence of...

Section 16121.2. - 16121.2. The Director of Social Services and the Director of...

Section 16122. - 16122. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature in...

Section 16123. - 16123. The provisions of Section 16120, permitting the payment of...

Section 16124. - 16124. (a) (1) Upon the appropriation of funds by the...

Section 16125. - 16125. A foster child whose adoption has become final, who...

CHAPTER 2.2 - State Adoption Services

Section 16130. - 16130. In any county which does not have a county...

Section 16131. - 16131. It is the intent of the Legislature to conform...

Section 16131.5. - 16131.5. (a) The state shall reinvest adoption and guardianship incentive...

Section 16132. - 16132. It is the intent of the Legislature to conform...

Section 16133. - 16133. On and after July 1, 2011, when a person...

CHAPTER 2.3 - Adoption of Alcohol- and Drug-Exposed and HIV Positive Children

Section 16135. - 16135. The purpose of this chapter is to establish a...

Section 16135.1. - 16135.1. (a) “Eligible child” means any child who meets the...

Section 16135.10. - 16135.10. (a) In order to promote successful adoptions of substance...

Section 16135.13. - 16135.13. (a) A participating county shall provide special training to...

Section 16135.14. - 16135.14. (a) The county shall determine whether a child is...

Section 16135.16. - 16135.16. The requirements of this section may be met by...

Section 16135.17. - 16135.17. Participating counties shall prepare an adoption services case plan...

Section 16135.25. - 16135.25. The department shall do all of the following: (a)...

Section 16135.30. - 16135.30. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, subdivisions (b)...

CHAPTER 2.5 - Foster Child Ombudsman Program

Section 16160. - 16160. The Legislature finds and declares that the people of...

Section 16161. - 16161. (a) The Office of the State Foster Care Ombudsperson...

Section 16162. - 16162. (a) The Director of Social Services, in consultation with,...

Section 16163. - 16163. The department shall hire the necessary personnel to perform...

Section 16164. - 16164. (a) The Office of the State Foster Care Ombudsperson...

Section 16165. - 16165. As part of the office’s efforts to resolve complaints...

Section 16166. - 16166. In order to encourage candor during the ombudsperson’s investigation...

Section 16167. - 16167. (a) A toll-free number shall be established for the...

CHAPTER 2.6 - Interstate Adoption Assistance Agreements

Section 16170. - 16170. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:...

Section 16171. - 16171. The purposes of this chapter are to: (a) Authorize...

Section 16172. - 16172. As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply,...

Section 16173. - 16173. The State Department of Social Services and the State...

Section 16174. - 16174. A compact entered into pursuant to the authority conferred...

Section 16175. - 16175. A compact entered into pursuant to the authority conferred...

Section 16176. - 16176. (a) (1) Any child who is a resident of...

Section 16177. - 16177. Consistent with federal law, the State Department of Social...

CHAPTER 3 - Child Welfare Training

ARTICLE 1 - General Provisions

Section 16200. - 16200. Unless the context requires otherwise, the definitions set forth...

ARTICLE 2 - Child Welfare Training Program

Section 16205. - 16205. The department shall select and award a grant to...

Section 16206. - 16206. (a) The purpose of the program is to develop...

Section 16207. - 16207. Nothing in this chapter is intended to replace training...

Section 16208. - 16208. (a) (1) The department, in consultation with the Child...

ARTICLE 3 - Child Welfare Training Advisory Board

Section 16210. - 16210. (a) The department shall establish a Child Welfare Training...

ARTICLE 4 - Funding

Section 16215. - 16215. The appropriation in support of the Child Welfare Training...

CHAPTER 5 - State Child Welfare Services

Section 16500. - 16500. The state, through the department and county welfare departments,...

Section 16500.1. - 16500.1. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to...

Section 16500.5. - 16500.5. (a) (1) The Legislature hereby declares its intent to...

Section 16500.51. - 16500.51. (a) In addition to participation in the program provided...

Section 16500.55. - 16500.55. Any county that participates in the program pursuant to...

Section 16500.65. - 16500.65. (a) In addition to the three programs authorized under...

Section 16500.8. - 16500.8. (a) The department shall, in consultation with counties, seek...

Section 16500.9. - 16500.9. The department shall establish one full-time position, within the...

Section 16501. - 16501. (a) (1) As used in this chapter, “child welfare...

Section 16501.01. - 16501.01. (a) A county may arrange for respite care for...

Section 16501.02. - 16501.02. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions...

Section 16501.1. - 16501.1. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares that the...

Section 16501.15. - 16501.15. As used in subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section...

Section 16501.16. - 16501.16. In addition to the assurances required to be included...

Section 16501.2. - 16501.2. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the...

Section 16501.25. - 16501.25. (a) For the purposes of this section, “teen parent”...

Section 16501.26. - 16501.26. (a) For the purposes of this section, “nonminor dependent...

Section 16501.27. - 16501.27. (a) For purposes of Section 16501.26, a person who...

Section 16501.28. - 16501.28. Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act...

Section 16501.3. - 16501.3. (a) The State Department of Social Services shall establish...

Section 16501.35. - 16501.35. (a) On or before September 29, 2016, county child...

Section 16501.4. - 16501.4. In order to ensure the oversight of psychotropic medications...

Section 16501.45. - 16501.45. (a) To ensure compliance with federal reporting requirements, including...

Section 16501.5. - 16501.5. (a) In order to protect children and effectively administer...

Section 16501.6. - 16501.6. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature for...

Section 16501.7. - 16501.7. (a) On or before December 1, 2005, the State...

Section 16501.8. - 16501.8. Social workers shall make reasonable efforts to collect and...

Section 16501.9. - 16501.9. (a) (1) The Legislature hereby finds and declares the...

Section 16501.95. - 16501.95. (a) The State Department of Social Services shall determine...

Section 16502. - 16502. The child welfare services authorized by this chapter shall...

Section 16502.5. - 16502.5. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a county...

Section 16503. - 16503. (a) Subsequent to completion of the hearing conducted pursuant...

Section 16503.5. - 16503.5. (a) A placing agency shall provide a caregiver placement...

Section 16504. - 16504. (a) Any child reported to the county child welfare...

Section 16504.5. - 16504.5. (a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, pursuant to subdivision...

Section 16504.6. - 16504.6. The State Department of Social Services shall evaluate a...

Section 16504.7. - 16504.7. (a) Upon request by a county child welfare agency,...

Section 16506. - 16506. Family maintenance services shall be provided or arranged for...

Section 16507. - 16507. (a) Family reunification services shall be provided or arranged...

Section 16507.2. - 16507.2. Prior to entering into a voluntary placement agreement with...

Section 16507.3. - 16507.3. (a) Beginning on October 1, 1982, child welfare services...

Section 16507.4. - 16507.4. (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, voluntary...

Section 16507.5. - 16507.5. (a) (1) When a minor is separated, or is...

Section 16507.6. - 16507.6. If a minor has been voluntarily placed with the...

Section 16507.7. - 16507.7. Each agency or entity, except for a community college,...

Section 16508. - 16508. Permanent placement services shall be provided or arranged for...

Section 16508.1. - 16508.1. (a) For every child who is in foster care,...

Section 16508.2. - 16508.2. It is the intent of the Legislature to establish...

Section 16509. - 16509. Cultural and religious child-rearing practices and beliefs which differ...

Section 16509.1. - 16509.1. No child who in good faith is under treatment...

Section 16509.2. - 16509.2. The physical or mental incapacity, or both, in itself,...

Section 16511. - 16511. This chapter shall not be construed to give the...

Section 16512. - 16512. (a) The department shall report every third year, commencing...

Section 16513. - 16513. Anyone participating in good faith in the making of...

Section 16513.2. - 16513.2. Funding of this chapter is subject to the provisions...

Section 16513.5. - 16513.5. Any party to a dependency proceeding may bring a...

Section 16514. - 16514. (a) A child or nonminor who has been voluntarily...

Section 16516. - 16516. (a) No social worker or probation officer acting as...

Section 16516.5. - 16516.5. (a) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, all foster...

Section 16516.6. - 16516.6. (a) When a county social worker or probation officer...

Section 16517. - 16517. (a) (1) It is the intent of the Legislature...

Section 16517.5. - 16517.5. (a) A social worker or probation officer acting as...

Section 16518. - 16518. The State Department of Social Services, in consultation with...

Section 16518.5. - 16518.5. When placing foster children, the placing agency shall not...

Section 16519. - 16519. The Legislature finds and declares the following: (a) Safety,...

CHAPTER 5.1 - Child Welfare Services Program Improvement Fund

Section 16524. - 16524. (a) The Child Welfare Services Program Improvement Fund is...

Section 16524.5. - 16524.5. (a) The State Department of Social Services may fund...

CHAPTER 5.2 - Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Program

Section 16524.6. - 16524.6. The Legislature finds and declares that in order to...

Section 16524.7. - 16524.7. (a) (1) There is hereby established the Commercially Sexually...

Section 16524.8. - 16524.8. (a) (1) Each county electing to receive funds from...

Section 16524.9. - 16524.9. (a) The State Department of Social Services, in consultation...

Section 16524.10. - 16524.10. The State Department of Social Services, no later than...

Section 16524.11. - 16524.11. This chapter shall become operative on January 1, 2015....

CHAPTER 5.3 - Services for Children Who Are Exposed to Alcohol or Drugs or Who Are HIV Positive

ARTICLE 1 - General

Section 16525. - 16525. The definitions in this article shall control the interpretation...

Section 16525.1. - 16525.1. “Department” means the State Department of Social Services. (Added...

Section 16525.2. - 16525.2. “Eligible child” means any child who meets the requirements...

Section 16525.3. - 16525.3. “HIV” means human immunodeficiency virus. (Added by Stats. 1993,...

Section 16525.4. - 16525.4. “HIV positive” means a condition of being medically diagnosed...

Section 16525.5. - 16525.5. “Specialized in-home health care” means, but is not limited...

ARTICLE 2 - Options for Recovery Program

Section 16525.10. - 16525.10. (a) In order to promote the development of placements...

Section 16525.11. - 16525.11. Each participating county shall recruit foster families that shall...

Section 16525.13. - 16525.13. (a) A participating county shall provide special training to...

Section 16525.14. - 16525.14. When a child is identified by a physician, medical...

Section 16525.15. - 16525.15. (a) A participating county shall select a specialized foster...

Section 16525.17. - 16525.17. (a) Participating counties shall prepare a child welfare services...

Section 16525.20. - 16525.20. (a) The Legislature encourages participating counties to design and...

Section 16525.25. - 16525.25. The counties participating pursuant to this section shall do...

Section 16525.26. - 16525.26. A participating county may contract for the provision of...

Section 16525.27. - 16525.27. (a) Each participating county shall submit written progress reports...

Section 16525.29. - 16525.29. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent...

Section 16525.30. - 16525.30. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including, but...

CHAPTER 5.4 - Family Urgent Response System for Caregivers and Children or Youth

Section 16526. - 16526. For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:...

Section 16527. - 16527. (a) The department shall establish a statewide hotline as...

Section 16528. - 16528. (a) The department, in collaboration with the State Department...

Section 16529. - 16529. (a) County child welfare, probation, and behavioral health agencies,...

Section 16530. - 16530. This chapter shall be inoperative in any fiscal year...

CHAPTER 5.5 - Child Welfare Leadership and Performance Accountability

Section 16540. - 16540. The California Child Welfare Council is hereby established, which...

Section 16541. - 16541. The council shall be comprised of the following members:...

Section 16541.5. - 16541.5. The council shall meet no less frequently than each...

Section 16542. - 16542. The cochairs may appoint committees composed of council members,...

Section 16543. - 16543. Consistent with state and federal law, the council shall...

Section 16543.5. - 16543.5. It is the intent of the Legislature to inspect...

Section 16544. - 16544. The secretary shall ensure that all of the federal...

Section 16545. - 16545. By April 1, 2008, the Judicial Council shall adopt,...

CHAPTER 5.6 - Excellence in Family Finding, Engagement, and Support Program

Section 16546. - 16546. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:...

Section 16546.5. - 16546.5. (a) Subject to an appropriation of state funds, there...

Section 16547. - 16547. (a) (1) The department shall establish procedures for program...

Section 16547.5. - 16547.5. Funds allocated under this chapter may be used to...

Section 16548. - 16548. (a) Subject to an appropriation of state funds, the...

Section 16548.5. - 16548.5. Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part...

Section 16549. - 16549. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this chapter...

CHAPTER 6 - Children s Crisis Continuum Pilot Program

Section 16550. - 16550. For the purposes of this chapter: (a) “Department” means...

Section 16551. - 16551. (a) The department, jointly with the State Department of...

Section 16552. - 16552. (a) The department, jointly with the State Department of...

Section 16553. - 16553. (a) (1) The Children’s Crisis Continuum Pilot Program shall...

Section 16554. - 16554. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to...

Section 16555. - 16555. (a) No later than April 1, 2025, the department,...

Section 16556. - 16556. Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part...

CHAPTER 7 - Family First Prevention Services

Section 16585. - 16585. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to...

Section 16586. - 16586. For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall...

Section 16587. - 16587. (a) A county may elect to provide the prevention...

Section 16588. - 16588. (a) The State Department of Social Services shall seek...

Section 16589. - 16589. (a) The State Department of Social Services shall have...