Approval roadmap
Resource Family Approval is a comprehensive assessment—not a single form or class. Use this roadmap to prepare, then follow the exact sequence and documents given by your California county or licensed foster family agency.
Nine-stage roadmap
Learn the approving organization's placement population, training schedule, support model, and application process. Attending more than one orientation can help you compare routes.
A county approves families directly. A licensed foster family agency approves and supports its affiliated families. Both apply California RFA standards, but local services and added requirements differ.
Complete the agency's current application and provide identity, household, relationship, reference, and other requested information. An individual may begin pre-approval training up to 60 days before applying, but must apply before completing it.
Applicants and other adults who reside or are regularly present in the home complete the applicable criminal record, child abuse index, and child welfare history review. Never guess about a record—disclose and ask.
Each applicant completes at least 12 hours of pre-approval training. The approving organization may require more, specify a curriculum, or add child-specific preparation.
The worker evaluates the building, grounds, storage, sleeping arrangements, safety, emergency planning, and other standards using the current RFA-03 or an allowed equivalent.
Interviews and supporting information assess history, family dynamics, risk, motivation, support, parenting knowledge, relationships, permanency, culture, identity, and readiness to meet children's needs.
The county or agency documents the comprehensive assessment and makes the approval decision. An approved family receives an RFA certificate showing the home, approval date, capacity, and applicable conditions.
Approval does not guarantee a placement. Discuss age and needs, siblings, transportation, education, family time, services, respite, after-hours help, and the right to decline a proposed match.
Choose your route
| Ask about | Why it matters | What to document |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Hours and approved sources can exceed the statewide minimum. | Schedule, format, attendance, make-up, and acceptance rules |
| Placements | Organizations may serve different ages, siblings, needs, or geographic areas. | Population served and current placement priorities |
| Support | Response time and worker availability affect real-life stability. | After-hours line, visit frequency, respite, peer support |
| Language and access | Orientation and assessment must work for the household. | Interpretation, disability access, virtual or in-person options |
| Post-approval learning | Annual and specialized training continues after approval. | Calendar, accepted providers, reporting process |
If a specific child is already with you or may need immediate placement, call the placing county now. Emergency, child-specific, and simplified-relative processes can alter timing, but they do not turn a public web guide into case advice.
The RFA certificate remains in effect, but the family must keep meeting requirements, complete ongoing learning, cooperate with monitoring and updates, and report material household or address changes promptly.
Official source: California RFA Written Directives, Version 8 (opens in a new tab).