Resource Family Approval

RFA

Choose to be a Resource Family

All children need and deserve a safe, loving, nurturing, accepting and consistent place to live where they can thrive and mature. A Resource Family provides a home for a child to do just that.

The Resource Family Approval Program is a streamlined, family-friendly and child-centered process. Once approved, Resource Families may be considered for foster care, guardianship and adoption placements, depending on the Resource Family’s goals

What Is a Resource Family?

Resource Family is the new term California applies to caregivers who provide out-of-home care for children in foster care. Resource families include individuals, couples and families. They may be related to the child, have a familiar or mentoring relationship with the child, or no previous relationship with the child. The term Resource Family is now used to describe all types of caregivers, rather than the various terms; Foster Parent, Adoptive Parent, Relative, or Non-Related Extended Family Member.

Resource Families play a critical role in the life of children in out of home care. When out-of-home placement is needed to keep the child safe, Child Welfare Services (CWS) makes diligent efforts to identify, evaluate and consider relatives, family friends and those closely tied to the family as the primary placement option.

Resource Families work together with CWS staff and the child’s family to successfully return the child to their parents. The purpose of a resource Family is to provide a child with a feeling of safety, permanence, and well-being.

There is an on-going need for finding and maintaining resource families who can support children and their families in their own communities. It is the goal of Child Welfare Services (CWS) to place a child in a home as quickly as possible.

For additional information or to request assistance with an application, please contact:

Mono County Department of Social Services 760-924-1770

NEW Online RFA Application (Click Here)

Resource Family Approval Guide (Click Here)

Resource Family Approval Written Directives 6.0