Welfare and Institutions Code

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California Welfare and Institutions Code

Emergency Response (ER)

(Welfare and Institutions Code § 16504)

A 24-hour response system designed to receive, investigate and evaluate reports of child abuse and neglect. Any child reported to the Department of Human Services to be endangered by abuse, neglect or exploitation shall be eligible for initial intake and evaluation of risk services. In emergency situations, an immediate in-person response shall be made by a social worker in accordance with department regulations.

Family Maintenance (FM)

(Welfare and Institutions Code § 16506)

These services shall be provided in order to maintain the child in his or her own home. Services shall only be provided to the following:

Families whose child has been adjudicated a dependent of the court under Section 300, and where the court has ordered the county welfare department to supervise while the child remains in the child's home.
Families whose child is in danger of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, but not to the level of needing to be removed from the care of the parent or legal guardian, and where it is safe for the child to remain in the child’s home with the provision of services.
Families in which the child is in the care of a previously noncustodial parent, under the supervision of the juvenile court.

Family Reunification (FR)

(Welfare and Institutions Code § 16507)

Family Services shall be provided or arranged for by the county welfare department staff in order to reunite the child separated from his or her parents because of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Family reunification services shall only be provided when a child has been placed in out-of-home care, or is in the care of a previously noncustodial parent under the supervision of the juvenile court. When a child has been placed in out of home care with a nonparent, family reunification services may be provided to one or both parents.

Permanent Placement (PP)

(Welfare and Institutions Code § 16508)

Services shall be provided for children who cannot safely live with their parents and are not likely to return to their own homes. The following children are eligible to receive these services:

A child adjudged a dependent under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 300 where a review has determined that reunification, adoption, or guardianship is inappropriate.
Recipients of public assistance under non-federally funded Aid to Families with Dependent Children programs who are wards of a legal guardian where a review has determined that reunification or adaption is inappropriate.

Extended Foster Care (EFC)

(Welfare and Institutions Code § 11403)

Eligible foster youth can voluntarily remain in foster care after the age of 18 as a Non-Minor Dependents (NMDs) until 21. NMDs are required to sign an agreement, live in an approved placement, meet monthly with their Social Service Worker/Probation Officer, complete a Transition Independent Living Plan, provide proof of participation, and have a court hearing every 6 months. The program is designed to promote self-sufficiency as foster youth transition through adulthood. NMDs participation consists of one or more of the following: completing high school or equivalent program; enrolled in post-secondary education or vocational training, participating in a program designed to remove barriers to employment; employed at least 80 hours a month; or unable to do one of the previously mentioned requirements due to diagnosed medical condition. NMDs can exit and re-enter foster care as needed or until they are no longer eligible. Various housing options are available.

Adoptions