In the context of the Adoption Assistance Program (see definition), an allowable cost factor that is covered by referring to the supervision provided to the child by the foster parent. This does not refer to respite care or baby-sitting costs.

DCFS staff assigned to the regions who are responsible for recruiting foster homes, training applicants and completing the foster home evaluation prior to the placement of any DCFS children in the home.

DCFS staff who are responsible for the recruitment, home evaluations, pre & post licensure training of foster family homes, as well as, provision of ongoing support to foster caregivers.

Located at: 3075 Wilshire Blvd. 2^nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010

213-639-4035; FAX: 213-639-1210

See "Healthy Start Liaison."

DCFS staff who facilitate resolution to issues, concerns and complaints.

Located at: 1373 Center Court Dr., Covina, CA 91724

888-889-9800; FAX: 626-859-2296

See "Pro Bono Orthodontia Program."

The Review Agent conducts the Grievance Review Hearing. In accordance with CDSS Manual of Policies and Procedures (MPP) 31-020.511-.513, the Review Agent is a staff or other person not involved in the complaint; neither a co-worker nor a person directly in the chain of supervision of any of the persons involved in the complaint unless the Agent is the Director or Chief Deputy of the county; knowledgeable of the field and capable of objectively reviewing the complaint. The Review Agent for Los Angeles County, DCFS is the Manager, Appeals Section.

See "Children’s Law Center (CLC) of Los Angeles."

A person who is the current or recent caretaker of a child and who has been found by the court to have assumed on a day-to-day basis the role of a parent to the child, fulfilling both the child’s physical and psychological needs for care and affection and who has assumed that role for a substantial period of time. Whether the person seeking de facto parent status is entitled to receive it depends on the particular individual and the unique circumstances of the case. The status of de facto parents does not entitle them to the same rights and responsibilities of parents or guardians. The de facto parent has the right to be present at dependency proceedings, to be represented by counsel and to present evidence. Although they are entitled to counsel, they do not have a right to court-appointed counsel. The court may appoint counsel or the de facto parent may retain private counsel. However, they do not have the right to reunification services, custody, or visitation and do not have the right to appeal a dependency court’s findings regarding such services. Additionally, de facto parent status only applies after disposition and not for placement purposes. A de facto parent is regarded as a non-relative for placement purposes.

See "Vital Records."

The systematic efforts made by DCFS to locate a parent or guardian whose whereabouts are unknown. Due diligence is important to ensure that all legal notice requirements are met and to help ensure child welfare services are provided in accordance with the law. The term also refers to the report.

See "Hearings."

In the context of the Adoption Assistance Program (AAP), a signed agreement between the adoptive parent(s) and the State or county adoption agency wherein AAP benefits will not be effective on the date of adoptive placement but may be initiated at a future date at the family’s request.

In the context of investigating allegations of abuse and/or neglect in out-of-home care, any failure to comply with any provision of the Community Care Facilities Act and/or regulations adopted by DCFS or CDSS CCLD pursuant to the Act.

See "Vital Records."

See "Hearings."

See "Model Case Format."

Any of various nucleic acids that are usually the molecular basis of heredity, and are commonly used in Paternity Testing.

See "Pro Bono Orthodontia Program."

See "Unhealthy Living Conditions."

Part of the California Office of the Attorney General. Among other responsibilities, DOJ maintains the Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) and completes criminal records checks.

See "Children’s Law Center (CLC) of Los Angeles

See "Preponderance of Evidence Model (POEM)."

See "Petition."

See "Hearings."

Services provided by the Regional Centers, which include diagnostic evaluation, coordination or resources such as education, health, welfare, rehabilitation and recreation for persons with developmental disabilities. Additional services include program planning, admission to and discharge from state hospitals, court-ordered evaluations and consultation to other agencies.

In the context of volunteers, an assignment that includes responsibility for face-to-face contact with and supervision of DCFS children.

Any person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activity such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working.

Making an assessment of the child’s current needs and evaluating the options available to the child for his or her placement, care and supervision. This includes matching the child’s needs with the caregiver best able to meet those needs.

See "Hearings."

The removal of the clothing of a child. Disrobing is done when the CSW has cause to believe the child is a victim of physical harm (see definition), to ascertain the existence of injuries to areas of the body covered by shoes or clothing. Changing a soiled diaper or soiled clothing is not considered "disrobing." See "Observe," "Rearranging clothing" and "Visual Examination."

See "Department of Justice."

The suspension of DCFS placements into a facility when an investigation indicates problems and/or deficiencies that would be compounded by additional or newly placed children. The Foster Care Quality Assurance Investigation Unit will make such a status decision. Such status may be used when children currently placed in the facility are found not to be at risk and when problems and/or deficiencies may be easily corrected by the licensee within a reasonable time frame. See "Do-Not-Use Status."

Status decision on a placement facility based on substantiated allegations from an investigation conducted by the Out-of-Home Care Evaluation Unit. The Foster Care Quality Assurance Investigation Unit will make such a status decision. When this status decision is made, all children in a specific placement are removed from the facility within a specified time period and no new placements may be made. Once a facility is placed on do-not-use status, it must go through the application process and be re-evaluated before any DCFS children may be placed.

See "Substance Abuse Testing."

See "Substance Abuse Testing."

See "Model Case Format."