Become a resource family to foster a child

1. Resource Family Approval is the state-wide standard of approval for relatives and non-relatives, extended family members, foster or adoptive parents to care for a child or young adult in foster care.

1. A “resource family” is the name California gives to caregivers who either foster a child or adopt a child from foster care. A resource family is an individual, couple, or family who wants to provide foster care or adoption to a related or unrelated child who is under the care of Shasta County HHSA.
2. A family that has successfully met the RFA requirements.

1. Be a Shasta County resident
2. Be at least 18 years of age
3. Complete an application
4. Attend an orientation and 12 hours of no-cost pre-approval training
5. Participate in 8 hours of training annually (in-person or on-line)
6. Complete a criminal record check/Live Scan and DMV check
7. Participate in a home environment check & family assessment completed by a social worker
8. Complete CPR/First Aid (can be available at no-cost) and a Health screening

1. An adoptive parent is someone that provides a permanent safe, stable, and loving home for a child or children when it has been determined that they cannot safely be returned to their birth parents or relatives.

1. Absolutely! As a matter of fact, we are in the greatest need of Resource Parents, that is, parents who are able to provide foster care and help birth parents reunite, but if the children cannot safely return to their family, Resource Parents can provide permanent adoptive homes for the children.

1. The process of becoming a resource parent is specifically designed to help you discover what is right for you and your family. Our classes and family assessments are conducted by friendly, experienced social workers that will work with you in determining the types of children you can best parent.

1. Becoming a resource parent requires flexibility, a good sense of humor, a willingness to grow and learn, but most of all a commitment to provide a safe, stable, nurturing, and loving home for a child.
   1. You can be single, married, divorced, or living with a partner. Further, you can live in an apartment or house and either rent or own.
   2. There is no minimum income, as long as you can support yourself and provide a safe and stable home for yourself and a child.
   3. You can still work. For working parents, appropriate childcare arrangements need to be made.
   4. You can be of any race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or culture.
   5. Shasta County offers in-person and on-line classes at no cost to you.

1. You may have up to 6 children, including your own biological children or other children living in your home at any given time. There may be additional limitations if you are caring for children with high medical needs. More than six children may be approved in order to place siblings together.

1. You do not pay for completion of the approval process with Shasta County. The process should be free, except potential expense for medical screenings. Your RFA social worker can help you identify low cost or free options for medical screenings that are required for medical clearances.

1. Almost every child in foster care receives a Medi-Cal card that covers most medical and dental expenses.
2. You will receive monthly financial support to assist with the child’s food, clothing and maintenance needs, until the child is 18. Extended Foster Care and Extended Adoption Assistance is available up to age 21, if a young adult who was in foster care or adopted meets the qualifications.

1. You are part of our team and we will be there to support you. Each child in foster care has a Children’s Services social worker and a team of staff, including counseling and public health nurses and professionals, available to support the resource family in helping the child.
2. Respite care services are available and can be arranged through the child’s social worker.
3. Community support groups are available for resource families, such as Healing Hands, Kinship Support and Connection Foundation.

Call the Resource Parent Liaison for more information: (530) 225-5791