Foster Care
The Resource Family Approval Program (RFA) is a new family-friendly and child-centered caregiver approval process that combines elements of the current foster parent licensing, relative approval, and approvals for adoption and guardianship processes and replaces those processes.
RFA:
- Is streamlined and eliminates the duplication of existing processes.
- Unifies approval standards for all caregivers, regardless of the child’s case plan.
- Includes a comprehensive psychosocial assessment, home environment check, and training for all families, including relatives.
- Prepares families to better meet the needs of vulnerable children in the foster care system.
- Allows seamless transition to permanency.
Here are the 6 steps to take on the pathway to becoming a Resource Family:
- Complete and sign the online Lake County Resource Family Application or call Lake County Child Welfare at (707) 262-0235 and ask to speak to a RFA social worker and request an application packet.
- Everyone in the home who is over the age of 18 must complete and pass criminal background check (criminal history does not preclude someone from becoming a resource parent).
- Complete a home and ground inspection
- Complete Resource Family Pre-Approval Training
- Complete CPR/First Aid Training
- Participate in 2 or more Family Evaluation interviews
Check out the April 2022 Caregiver Chronicle for RFA families!