California fostering and caregiving
One clear path from first question to supported resource family.
A California-only resource center for prospective, kinship, foster, and adoptive caregivers—and for agencies evaluating future 101PD training. Follow the approval path, verify local rules, and see exactly what is ready now versus planned.
Choose your starting point
The right information depends on where you are today.
I am considering fostering
Start with the California overview, then compare county and foster family agency orientations.
Start with the overview
A child may be placed with my family
Contact the placing county immediately, then review emergency, kinship, RFA, and home steps.
Review the RFA path
I am an approved resource parent
Review annual learning, child-specific training, CPR and first aid, and current payment resources.
See ongoing training
I represent a county or agency
Inspect course slots, completion records, agency review gates, and provider readiness.
Review provider readiness
California guide library
Five focused guides; one shared source of truth.
The overview explains the whole journey. These focused guides provide the detail without forcing visitors through one enormous wall of text. Purple styling follows the fostering family from the homepage into every page.
Approval roadmap
Resource Family Approval, step by step
Compare county and foster family agency routes, prepare the application, and understand each assessment stage.
- Orientation
- Application
- Assessment
- Approval
Open guide
Eligibility and home
Requirements, background checks, and home safety
See what California evaluates, what the home walkthrough covers, and which questions belong with your RFA worker.
- Applicant factors
- Home checklist
- Background review
Open guide
Training and courses
Required training and the 101PD course roadmap
Understand the statewide minimums, county additions, qualified-source rule, and ten course shells ready for content.
- 12-hour minimum
- 8 annual hours
- Provider pathway
Open guide
Financial support
Current rates, levels of care, and payment questions
Read the current 2026-27 state rate table in context and understand why reimbursement is not a salary.
- Basic rate
- LOC 2-4
- ISFC
- Allowances
Open guide
Local starting point
All 58 California counties
Find the official county recruitment directory and a practical list of questions for orientation.
- 58 counties
- County variation
- Orientation questions
Open guide
What 101PD is—and is not—offering today
Available now
- Source-linked California RFA guidance
- Current statewide training minimums and rate context
- All 58 county names and the official CDSS directory
- Ten defined course slots with audiences and outcomes
Not yet claimed
- No fostering course is open for enrollment or sale
- No county or foster family agency acceptance is implied
- No statewide provider approval is claimed
- No planned course is represented as required credit