Los Angeles County example
The county describes a 12-hour pre-approval training path through designated organizations and separate post-approval options.
Open county source (opens in a new tab)FC
Local starting point
All 58 California counties, one official starting directory
California applies statewide RFA standards through local counties and licensed foster family agencies. Start with the official CDSS directory, then verify training, scheduling, forms, placement priorities, and support with the organization that will approve your home.
California onlySource reviewed July 21, 2026General information, not legal advice
Authoritative handoff
Use CDSS to reach the current county page
County websites and contractor links change. The CDSS directory is the maintained statewide handoff and is safer than copying 58 brittle destination URLs into an independent site.
California county index
Every county, alphabetically
Select your county from the official CDSS directory above. This index confirms the complete 58-county scope.
- 1Alameda
- 2Alpine
- 3Amador
- 4Butte
- 5Calaveras
- 6Colusa
- 7Contra Costa
- 8Del Norte
- 9El Dorado
- 10Fresno
- 11Glenn
- 12Humboldt
- 13Imperial
- 14Inyo
- 15Kern
- 16Kings
- 17Lake
- 18Lassen
- 19Los Angeles
- 20Madera
- 21Marin
- 22Mariposa
- 23Mendocino
- 24Merced
- 25Modoc
- 26Mono
- 27Monterey
- 28Napa
- 29Nevada
- 30Orange
- 31Placer
- 32Plumas
- 33Riverside
- 34Sacramento
- 35San Benito
- 36San Bernardino
- 37San Diego
- 38San Francisco
- 39San Joaquin
- 40San Luis Obispo
- 41San Mateo
- 42Santa Barbara
- 43Santa Clara
- 44Santa Cruz
- 45Shasta
- 46Sierra
- 47Siskiyou
- 48Solano
- 49Sonoma
- 50Stanislaus
- 51Sutter
- 52Tehama
- 53Trinity
- 54Tulare
- 55Tuolumne
- 56Ventura
- 57Yolo
- 58Yuba
Why local confirmation matters
The 12-hour statewide floor is not a universal local schedule
San Benito County example
The county page identifies a 16-hour pre-approval training process and directs applicants to its current delivery method.
Open county source (opens in a new tab)Colusa County example
The county describes 21 hours of pre-approval training and additional preparation for some placements, demonstrating local expansion.
Open county source (opens in a new tab)Examples were reviewed July 21, 2026 and illustrate variation; they do not replace a current orientation or written direction from the approving organization.
Orientation worksheet
Eight questions to save before you call
- 1When is the next orientation, and is it virtual or in person?
- 2Does the county accept new general applicants, relatives, or both right now?
- 3How many pre-approval hours and which exact curriculum are required?
- 4Which online providers and course versions are accepted, and for how many hours?
- 5What are the current application, Live Scan, reference, medical, and home documents?
- 6What age groups, siblings, or placement needs are most urgent locally?
- 7What support is available after hours, for respite, and after an allegation?
- 8Which clothing, child care, transportation, education, and specialized supports apply?