Resource Family Approval Program (RFA)

RFA is a new family-friendly and child-centered caregiver approval process that combines elements of the current foster parent licensing, relative approval, and approvals for adoption and guardianship processes and replaces those processes. RFA:

Is streamlined and eliminates the duplication of existing processes.
Unifies approval standards for all caregivers, regardless of the child’s case plan.
Includes a comprehensive psychosocial assessment, home environment check, and training for all families, including relatives.
Prepares families to better meet the needs of vulnerable children in the foster care system.
Allows seamless transition to permanency.

The RFA and the Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI) support the Continuum of Care Reform (CCR).

The RFA process improves the way caregivers (related and non-related) of children in foster care are approved and prepared to parent vulnerable children, whether temporarily or permanently.

The QPI, in partnership with caregivers, aims to redesign child welfare organizations at the local level to better recruit, support and retain quality foster caregivers who can effectively parent vulnerable children and youth.

Together, the RFA and QPI efforts work to build the capacity of the continuum of foster care placement options to better meet the needs of vulnerable children in home based family care. This increased capacity is essential to successfully moving children out of congregate care, which is a goal of CCR.

Kim Wrigley, RFA and Communications Bureau Chief, goes over some common misconceptions about the family evaluation process while providing best practices when working with a family.
Demystifying the Family Evaluation Process

All County Letters and Other Notices

Written Directives

The CDSS has issued Written Directives and forms to implement the RFA program. The Written Directives contain the written processes, standards, and requirements for the RFA program. The Written Directives have the same force and effect as regulations and ensure that counties use the same standards.

Version 7: Effective January 13, 2021
Version 6.1: Effective January 7, 2020
Version 6.0: Effective April 11, 2019
- Version 6.0 translated: 中文, Español, русский, Tiếng Việt
Version 5.0: Effective February 6, 2018

RFA Program Implementation Process

CalSWEC RFA Implementation Toolkit

RFA Resources

Resource Family Approval and Relative Placement: What Judges and Attorneys Need to Know (Webinar)
Short-Term, Interim Funding Pursuant to AB 110 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (5.4.18)
RFA Background Check Audio Presentation(4.20.18)
- RFA Background Check Presentation PPT (4.20.18)
RFA Background Assessment Guide (BAG) (6.6.22)
RFA Background Check FAQ s (7.16.20)

Statewide RFA Technical Assistance Calls

Technical Assistance Resource Family Approval Meetings (TARFA)

RFA Forms

Finalized forms for RFA can be found here

Contact Us

Resource Family Approval Program Unit
RFA@dss.ca.gov
RFA Main Line (916) 651-1101

Kendra Elmendorf, Manager
RFA Policy Unit
Resource Family Support and Permanency Branch
California Department of Social Services
744 P Street, MS 8-13-552
Sacramento, CA 95814

Wendy Cook, Manager
RFA Technical Assistance and Oversight Unit
Resource Family Support and Permanency Branch
California Department of Social Services
744 P Street, MS 8-13-552
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dora Hesia, Manager
County Foster Family Home
and Resource Family Approval Programs
Community Care Licensing Division
California Department of Social Services
744 P Street, MS 9-15-54
Sacramento, CA 95814