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The laws and regulations surrounding foster care can be confusing. The laws vary by state, and some are more stringent than others. California has numerous laws in place for the protection and safety of foster children, and it’s easy to get lost in the legal jargon of all the different codes in place. Here is a simple breakdown of some of the most important laws and regulations for foster care in California.
There are certain requirements set in place that prevent unqualified people from becoming resource parents. When it comes to home requirements, the guidelines are fairly simple. According to the state of California, resource parents must be over the age of 18, however, the preferred age for resource parents may vary by county, or even by agency. For the home, it is perfectly acceptable to be a renter as opposed to an owner, and apartments are acceptable, however, no more than two children may share a bedroom and bedrooms may not be shared by children of the opposite sex. Home requirements state that a “common purpose” room should not double as a bedroom, meaning that an unfinished attic, unfinished basement, garage, hallway, storage area, or shed can not be used as bedrooms. The home is expected to be clean, safe, and sanitary at all times.
Each child should have their own bed with a mattress and regularly-laundered linens, and if the room is shared, the beds should be adequately spaced from one another, and each child should have an appropriate closet or drawer space inside of their bedroom. Infants should have appropriate bassinets or cribs. It is acceptable for only infants to share a bedroom with an adult.
Additional steps should be taken for children under 10 years old, who have physical, developmental and/or mental disabilities. As well as steps to ensure extra safety in homes with hazards like pools, fireplaces, and other dangerous features. Smoke detectors and/or sprinklers should be present in the home and potentially dangerous items such as weapons, ammunition, and medicines must be properly stored.
Children in foster care have a Bill of Rights that protects them from potentially being hurt or put in danger while under the care of someone else.. The Foster Care Bill of Rights varies by state. California enacted its version of this bill in 2001, while also requiring care providers to give each school-age child an age-appropriate explanation of their rights. The rights of foster children in California are as follows:
Don’t let all of the laws surrounding resource parenting scare you! Remember that these regulations are set in place not to make the process more difficult for you, but to ensure every child’s comfort, safety, and happiness. If you find your home to fit the description for what a resource home should be like that, you may want to consider becoming a resource parent!
Sources
https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/foster-care-bill-of-rights.aspx
https://adoptionlawgroup.com/home-requirements-for-would-be-foster-parents-in-california/
https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/foster-care-bill-of-rights.aspx