AB 1006: Foster youth.

(1)Existing law requires, if a minor is not returned to the physical custody of his or her parents, the juvenile court to devise a permanency plan, including, among others things, an order that the child be placed for adoption, an order that a legal guardian be appointed, or an order that the child remain in another planned permanent living arrangement if the child is 16 years of age or older.

Existing law requires, at the time of application for adoption of a child who is potentially eligible for Adoption Assistance Program benefits is made, and at the time immediately prior to the finalization of the adoption decree, the State Department of Social Services, the county adoption agency, or the licensed adoption agency to provide the prospective adoptive family with information on the availability of mental health services through the Medi-Cal program or other programs.

This bill would require, in any case in which the court has ordered a dependent child or a ward of the juvenile court placed for adoption or has appointed a relative or nonrelative legal guardian, the social worker or probation officer to provide the prospective adoptive family or the guardian or guardians specified mental health treatment information. The bill would also require the department, the county adoption agency, or the licensed adoption agency, to provide that information to the prospective adoptive family at the time the application for adoption is made and at the time immediately prior to the finalization of the adoption decree. By requiring social workers, probation officers, and county adoption agencies to provide additional information to prospective adoptive families and guardians, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

(2)Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to select and award a grant to a private nonprofit or public entity for the purpose of establishing a statewide multipurpose child welfare training program. Existing law requires the training to provide practice-relevant training to county child protective services social workers who screen referrals for child abuse or neglect and for all workers assigned to provide emergency response, family maintenance, family reunification, and permanent placement services. Existing law requires the training to include, among other topics, post-traumatic stress disorder and the causes, symptoms, and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in children.

This bill would require the training to also include the types of and behavioral manifestation of trauma, loss, and grief.

(3)Existing law requires a county social worker to create a case plan for foster youth within a specified timeframe after the child is introduced into the foster care system. Existing law requires the case plan to include prescribed components, including, among other things, if the case plan has as its goal for the child a permanent plan of adoption, or legal guardianship, a statement of the childs wishes regarding their permanent placement plan and an assessment of those stated wishes.

This bill would additionally require, if the case plan has as its goal for the child another planned permanent living arrangement, the case plan to include a statement of the childs wishes regarding their permanent placement plan and an assessment of those stated wishes. The bill would also require, if a child has been in care for 3 years or more, certain documentation relating to steps the agency is taking to find an adoptive family or other permanent living arrangement for the child to include a description of the specialized permanency services the agency is using or, if specialized permanency services have not been used, a statement explaining why the agency chose not to provide these services. The bill would authorize specific elements of specialized permanency services to be included in the case plan as needed to meet the permanency needs of the individual child or nonminor dependent. By imposing additional duties on county social workers and probation officers, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

(4)This bill would incorporate additional changes proposed by AB 404 and SB 12 to be operative only if this bill is enacted last.

(5)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.