5 Steps to Complete the RFA Process

View the handout to see the 5 steps to become approved to care for related and unrelated children.

• 5 Steps - English
• 5 Steps - Spanish

Resource Family Orientation

Interested in becoming a Resource Family?
The first step is to attend a Resource Family Orientation.

In-person English orientations are offered the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
(In November and December, orientations on the 4th Thursday of the month are canceled due to the holidays.)

In-person Spanish orientations are offered the 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

All in-person orientations are held at 3711 Columbus St. Bakersfield, CA 93306

For more information on becoming a Resource Parent or to sign up for an orientation please call (661) 631-6204.

The Online RFA Orientation is only available for Relative/Non-Related Extended Family Member applicants with a foster child currently placed in their care.

If you do not have a foster child currently in your care, you are required to complete orientation in-person at the Columbus Center, 3711 Columbus Street, Bakersfield, CA 93306. Call 661-631-6204 to register.

• Orientation Online
• Orientación en línea RFA

Public Service Announcements (PSAs)

Families Formed With Love PSA (30 seconds)

Families Formed With Love PSA (2 minutes)

Familias Formadas Con Amor PSA (30 seconds)

Familias Formadas Con Amor PSA (2 minutes)

Resource Families Needed in Kern

In Kern County, approximately 2,000 children of all ages, diverse backgrounds, and varying needs, have been removed from their own homes because of parental neglect, abuse, or exploitation. These children require temporary foster care while Human Services works with birth parents to build parenting and life skills designed to allow children to return home safely. The Department of Human Services relies on relative and non-relative Resource Families to provide a stable and supportive family environment to the children under its care.

• Learn more about Kern County's Current Foster Youth placement needs.
• Learn more about Medically Fragile placement needs.
• Learn more about placement needs of Sexually Exploited Children

You can be a resource Parent if you are:

• Single or married
• Stay-at-home parent(s)
• Working parent(s) with appropriate child care
• Healthy and energetic
• Apartment/Condominium owner or renter
• Homeowner or renter with adequate room

Resource Families Have Choices

Resource Families make choices regarding the characteristics of the children (gender, age, ethnicity, background) they wish to care for and the length of placements made in their homes. The Department of Human Services is recruiting county Resource Parents to meet the growing needs of our foster children. There is continuous need for families to care for and love children who:

• Need “Emergency” or short-term placement – up to 21 days
• Are medically fragile or have specialized medical needs
• Have severe emotional/behavioral challenges
• Qualify for Kern County - Treatment Foster Care Oregon (KC-TFCO)
• Are part of large sibling groups
• Are pregnant or parenting teens
• Are Non-minor Dependents (youth age 18-21)
• Are victims of human trafficking

Specialized training and support will be provided, as needed.

You Can Afford to Foster

Resource Families should be financially self-sufficient. Monthly foster care benefits are provided to Resource Families to help meet a child's needs, such as food and clothing. Additional funds may be available for children with special needs.

Resource Families Get Support

Human Services staff, including social workers, Resource Family Approval (RFA) staff, and the Resource Family Specialist are available to assist and support Resource Parents. The Ombudsman aids Resource Parents in resolving problems and concerns.

The Resource Family Approval (RFA) Process

Families who wish to foster children must go through the Resource Family Approval (RFA) process.

The first step is to attend an orientation to learn more about our children and the RFA process. After orientation, an application must be completed.

The process includes:

• Completing first aid and CPR certifications
• Meeting home certification requirements
• Completing household fingerprinting
• Passing child abuse and criminal background screening
• Meeting health requirements
• Meeting financial requirements
• Meeting transportation requirements
• Completing pre-service training
• Meeting annual home recertification requirements

Foster Care Newsletter

• Current Newsletter
• Previous Newsletters

Additional Information

RFA Informational Links

View more information on becoming a Resource Parent, orientation dates, times, and location.

To reserve a space in our next orientation, please call (661) 631-6204.

Informational Links

• Specialized Care and Incentive Assistance Program (SCIAP) and Respite Care
  The SCIAP is a funding program designed to enhance the lives of special needs foster children who have health and/or behavioral problems and are found to be in need of enhancement to their lives.
• Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care
• Bakersfield College - RFA Pre-Service Training Schedule & Ongoing Training Schedule

Informational Handouts

• Resource Family Guide to Services 2024
  • Guía de Servicios Para Familias de Apoyo 2024
• Civil Rights (Brochure): English
  Your Civil Rights explained. Contact information to file a complaint if you are having problems with your aid or services.
  • Civil Rights (Brochure): Spanish
• Families Formed with Love (Brochure):English
  • Families Formed with Love (Brochure): Spanish

Information on Becoming a Resource Family
Information on laws, relative placements, special considerations for placement, and what happens after parental rights are terminated.

• Important Information for Relatives Considering Placement of a Child (Brochure): English
• Important Information for Relatives Considering Placement of a Child (Brochure): Spanish

RFA Written Directives Version 8.0
The written processes, standards, and requirements issued by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for the Resource Family Approval Program. The Written Directives have the same force and effect as regulations, and they ensure counties use the same standards for Resource Family Approval.

Forms

• RFA Forms on the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Website: English
  If you need a specific RFA form, look under “R” on the CDSS website. You can download and print forms to give your assigned RFA Social Worker.
  • RFA Forms on the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Website: Spanish
• RFA Home Inspection Checklist: English
  • RFA Home Inspection Checklist: Spanish
• Unusual Incident Report: English
  • Unusual Incident Report: Spanish

If any of the following events listed below occurs to the child/youth placed with your family, you are to report within 24 hours after the event occurs by telephone, email, or fax to the Family Services or Adoptions Social Worker of the child/youth and also your Resource Family Approval (RFA) worker. In addition, a written Unusual Incident/Injury Report should be submitted within 7 calendar days after the event occurred.

• Death of any child
• Any suspected child abuse or neglect, as defined in Penal Code section 11165.6
• Any injury to or illness of a child/youth that requires emergency medical treatment or hospitalization
• Any unusual incident or absence of a child/youth which threatens the physical or emotional health or safety of any child in the home
• Communicable disease outbreak as reported to the caregiver by a health professional or by the local health authority
• Poisonings
• Fires or explosions which occur in or on the premises
• Missing child/runaway

Family Urgent Response System (FURS)

We are excited to introduce you to the Family Urgent Response System (FURS)

This is a resource for current and former foster youth (up to age 21) and the caregivers. FURS is comprised of a statewide hotline that children in foster care and their caregivers can use to get immediate trauma-informed support when they need it. Local mobile response teams – comprised of compassionate, trained professionals – are available to provide face-to-face help during critical moments. Both the statewide hotline and county mobile response teams are available to children and families 24/7/365. Caregivers and foster youth can be provided case management, mental health services and referrals when needed. Please check out the attached flyers for more information and save this resource!

Hotline number: 1-833-939-FURS which is 1-833-939-3877. The number accepts both calls and texts.

FURS Hotline

Relatives

Pagina en español

Family Finding

The goal of the Family Finding and Engagement, Kid’s Connection Teams program is to increase the number of foster youth who achieve permanency through identification and engagement of all family members and potential permanency connections. Permanency includes any established and committed relationship between a child and an adult who will provide support, stability, love, and encouragement.

To find out more please call us at (661) 873-2400.

Relative Caregiver

Are you a relative or friend of a child who recently came into foster care and you would like to provide the child with a stable and loving home?

When a child cannot live with their parents, they need temporary care in the home of someone they know, such as a relative or non-related close friend (NREFM).

If you want to care for a child who is related to you or is part of your extended family, you must apply to have your home approved.

5 Steps of Resource Family Approval (RFA) Process

1. Attend RFA Orientation. For more information or to register for a class, call (661) 631-6204.
2. Receive your online e-Adopt temporary password to log-in, create your profile and begin the application process. Call (661) 631-6204 and ask for the RFA social worker of the day, or visit the Columbus Center at 3711 Columbus St. if you need help, have questions, or want to use a computer to access your online e-Adopt account during normal business hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
3. Continue the online application process by completing background clearances. Live Scan (fingerprints) all adults in home. Call (661) 631-6879 to schedule appointments. Request a criminal record exemption, as needed. Forms are on e-Adopt or call your RFA social worker. Complete Live Scan within 10 days from the date of application or within 5 business days from the date emergency placement took place.
4. Stay in contact with your RFA Social Worker as they will guide you through the rest of the RFA process and provide any additional forms. If you do not know who your RFA Social Worker is, please call (661) 873-2400 and ask for the RFA Worker of the day.
5. Attend Pre-Service Training. Call (661) 395-4991 to register. Complete CPR and first aid certification. Call (661) 319-1836 to register.

If emergency placement took place, a home inspection will be scheduled within 5 business days from the placement date.

As an approved Resource Family, you may be offered placement of a child.

Please Note: Becoming an approved Resource Family does not guarantee placement. A social worker must consider the best interests of the child before placing a child in a home.

Besides caring for the child, there are other ways you can be part of the child's life:

• Helping the child reunify with their parent
• Telling CPS about other relatives who may want to help
• Visiting with the child
• Giving information to the Juvenile Court (verbal or written)

If you can help in any of these ways, or have other ideas, please call the child's social worker.

RFFB (Resource Family Friendly Business)

The RFFB partnership connects the families caring for Kern County's foster youth to the local businesses who have pledged the families free discounts!

• Current MyRFFB Directory
• How RFFB Membership Works