There are 5 (five) steps to be approved as a Resource Family (the term in California for a Foster Family since 2017). Most Resource Family Applicants can be approved within 90 days. This procedure is outlined below.
STEP 1: Orientation Meeting
An Orientation Meeting is a small group (one to two families) information meeting. These meetings are scheduled by appointment with the Executive Director and are held at the Beta Foster Care office. These meetings are an opportunity to discuss the following:
- Your calling to care for foster children and answer your questions.
- The Certification Requirements and procedure.
- An overview of the foster care system and placement process in Orange County.
- The unique Beta Foster Care services.
- The next step in the Resource Family Approval procedure.
STEP 2: LiveScan Fingerinting and Initial Application
The next step in the Resource Family Approval (RFA) process is for all adults (18 years of age and older) living in the home to obtain LiveScan fingerprints. Beta Foster Care shall provide reimbursement of all fingerprinting fees. Beta Foster Care staff shall then email the applicant a Resource Family Application to complete electronically.
STEP 3: Pre-Approval Training and Policy Review Meeting
There are 7 (seven) office meetings to complete with the Executive Director. Each meeting is 2.5 hours; 6 (six) of these meetings are for Pre-Approval Training and 1 (one) is for Policy Review to then complete a pre-service education. These meetings are designed for 1 (one) to 2 (two) families per the BETA Model of Training in a small group discussion format.
STEP 4: Home Study
Step 4 is scheduled to be concurrent with step 3 for efficiency and to expedite the approval process. While the applicant is meeting with the Executive Director for step 3, a designated Beta Foster Care-Social Worker is conducting the Home Study. The Home Study is a two-part process. The first part is an assessment of the Resource Family’s background, goals for foster care, and interest in potentially adopting and accepting permanent care of foster children. Beta Foster Care uses the SAFE Home Study Template for this assessment. The second part of the home study is the home safety approval using the required state checklist form.
STEP 5: Completion
Each week that the applicant Resource Family is meeting with the Executive Director, there shall be tasks to complete from the Resource Family Approval Requirements. The Executive Director will confirm that the requirements and the Home Study are completed. The Resource Family will then be certified for one year.
For more information about how we may help you explore your journey, see below: