See "Financial Authorization Document."

In the context of providing child welfare services, parents, adults fulfilling the parental role, guardians, children and others related by ancestry or marriage.

In the context of protective services, childcare, the number of adults and children related by blood, marriage, or adoption who comprise the household in which the child lives. When a child lives with an adult other than a birth or adoptive parent, the child is considered a family of one.

A body made up of DCFS staff who review requests for funds submitted by CSWs on behalf of the children on their caseloads to pay for items and services the children need that cannot be provided through other readily available public or private sources.

A person who regularly provides care, protection and supervision of 12 or fewer children, in his or her own home, for periods of less than 24 hours per day, while the parents or guardians are absent.

A childcare program in a family setting. Family day care homes regularly provide care, protection and supervision of 12 or fewer children, in the provider’s own home, for periods of less than 24 hours per day, while the parents or guardians are absent.

For Protective Services child care purposes, the parent co-payment based on family income and size determined from the fee schedule prepared and issued by the Child Development Division of the California Department of Education (CDE).

Child welfare services provided or arranged for by county welfare department staff in order to maintain the child in his or her own home. Activities are designed to provide time-limited, in-home protective services to prevent or remedy abuse, neglect or exploitation to prevent separation of children from their families. These services may be provided for six months and then may be extended for up to six more months.

An integrated, comprehensive, community-based approach to service delivery that ensures child safety while strengthening and preserving families who are experiencing problems in family functioning characterized by child abuse, neglect or exploitation. The goal of the program is to assure the physical, emotional, social, educational, cultural and spiritual development of children in a safe and nurturing environment. There is a myriad of services and programs available to the children and families being served by Family Preservation. The following is a partial list of services available through FPP.

1. Child Care Services

   See "Child Care Services."

2. Community Family Preservation Network (CFPN)

1. Counseling

   In the Family Preservation Program (FPP), counseling services will be provided by the Community Family Preservation Network (CFPN). See "Counseling."

2. Developmental Services

1. Employment/Training Services

   Services that are provided to prepare families to be financially independent, including remedial education; employment preparation; provision of employment opportunities; referrals to job training programs, such as JTPA, GAIN, Job Corps and Urban League; assisting with support services, such as child care, transportation, and supplies; and, helping families to identify and remediate barriers to employment. In the FPP, the Community Family Preservation Network (CFPN) will provide these services through linkage.

2. Health Care Services

7. Housing Services

8. Lead Community Family Preservation Agency

9. Linkage

10. Multidisciplinary Case Planning Committee (MCPC) Meeting

11. Respite Care (Child) Services

A child welfare services program of time-limited foster care services to prevent or remedy abuse, neglect or exploitation when a child cannot safely remain at home and needs temporary foster care while services are provided to reunite the family. FR services shall not exceed 12 months except for an additional period of up to six months by order of the court. Exceptions include Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 361.5(b) and 361.5(e), which provide for non-reunification.

See "Fast Track to Permanency (FTP) Case."

When the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) meet one or more of the provisions outlined in WIC 361.5(b) and/or 361.5(e) which involve circumstances of great risk to a child and/or the inability of the parent(s) or legal

guardian(s) to benefit from reunification services. If the court orders non-reunification for an FTP case, the child will be provided with permanency planning services only. However, if the court orders family reunification (FR) services for an FTP case, the case will receive concurrent FR services and services designed to achieve an alternate permanent home for the child if FR is unsuccessful. By definition, an FTP case has a low probability of reunification; requires immediate referral for an adoption assessment and increased service activities focused on achieving the child’s permanency alternative. Formerly known as an "Identification of Early Adoption (IDEA) Case."

A man who is either alleged or presumed (see definition) to be a child’s biological father or who has conclusively been found to be the father by way of genetic testing.

1. Alleged father

1. could be or claims to be the father of the child; or
2. is claimed by the birth mother to be the child’s father; or
3. is identified on the child’s birth certificate prior to January 1, 1997 and does not meet the definition of a presumed father.

1. Birth Father

   A man who is either alleged or presumed (see definitions) to be a child’s biological father or who has conclusively been found to be the father by way of genetic testing.

2. Presumed Father

1. he has signed a voluntary declaration of paternity (VDP) or, after January 1, 1997 is identified on the child’s birth certificate;
2. he and the mother are or have been married to each other and the child is born during the marriage or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated;
3. before the child’s birth, he and the child’s birth mother have attempted to marry each other and the child was born during the attempted marriage or within 300 days after the termination of cohabitation;
4. after the child’s birth, he and the child’s birth mother have married or attempted to marry and either with his consent he is named on the child’s birth certificate or he is obligated to pay child support; or
5. he receives the child into his home and openly holds out the child as his birth child.

A report of alleged child abuse, neglect or exploitation which has been transmitted to DCFS by means of a facsimile (fax) machine.

See "Foster Care Payment System."

See "Pro Bono Orthodontia Program."

See "Foster Care Trust Account."

See "Automated Special Payments System."

See "Family Group Decision-Making."

Federal expenditures provided to match proper State expenditures made under approved State Medicaid plans (in California, the Medi-Cal program).

See "Out-of-Home Care Facilities."

See "Federal Financial Participation."

A computer confirmation document produced by APPS that contains foster care payment information, including information about potential overpayments.

In the context of adoption home study procedures, income derived from employment, inheritance, public assistance, etc., to provide for the needs of the adoptive family and child.

The placement of a non-freed child on a foster care basis with approved adoptive applicants who have been certified/licensed as foster parents and who intend to adopt the child if parental rights are terminated.

Contract entered into between DCFS and individual group homes, small family homes, foster family agencies and foster family homes.

The computer system that generates foster care payments to Los Angeles County vendors/providers.

The individual providing temporary or long-term substitute parenting on a 24-hour basis to a child in out-of-home care, including a relative other than the child’s parent. Also known as a "foster caregiver," "out-of-home caregiver," and "out-of-home provider." See also "Foster Parent."

For payment purposes, when a child in foster care placement is the recipient of income from Social Security, Veteran’s Benefits, Railroad Retirement, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), this income must be applied toward the cost of foster care placement. The Department of Children and Family Services becomes the payee for these benefits, and the finance Section, Child Welfare Trust Unit makes the appropriate disbursements. Occasionally funds accumulate in the child’s account over the cost of foster care placement. These funds are the child’s personal property and may be used as a part of the service plan for the child, for needs not met by other resources. In addition to all general approved eligibility requirements, the FCTA worker is responsible for notification to the CSW if the child’s trust account exceeds the $1,000.00 limit. Revenue Enhancement staff works with the caregiver for the documentation of resources available to the child.

See "Foster Care Provider."

A person under 18 years of age (to 21 years of age under specific circumstances) who is being provided 24-hour care and supervision by someone other than a parent/legal guardian in a location other than his or her own home.

See "Out-of-Home Care Facilities."

See "Out-of-Home Care Facilities."

A written authorization from the licensing agency to operate a foster family home (FFH). The license may not be transferred to another person or location.

The person whose home is licensed as a foster family home, small family home, or certified for 24-hour care of children and persons to whom the responsibility for the provision of foster care is delegated by the licensee.

See "Substantiated Referral."

See "Family Preservation Program (FPP)."

See "Fast Track to Permanency (FTP) Case."

Child care that is provided for 35 hours or more per week.

Foster care funding sources, e.g., federal, non-federal and county only.