The central premise of this book by Bronson (What Should I Do with My Life?) and Merryman, a Washington Post journalist, is that many of modern society's most popular strategies for raising children are in fact backfiring because key points in the science of child development and behavior have been overlooked.

Your Foster Care Certification:  How it All Works
 
   Whether you are in the process of being certified or have been certified for a few years, it is important to not only understand the requirements for foster homes, but also all the parties involved with your home being a certified foster home. All foster homes in California must comply with Title 22, Division 6 regulations.  Title 22, Division 6 delineates certification requirements, including the physical safety of foster homes, the process of obtaining criminal record clearances, and foster parent education training.
    Foster Family Agencies, such as Angels, must also follow Title 22 regulations to ensure that the certification of foster homes, placement of children in certified foster homes, and the care provided to children in certified foster homes is at all times in accordance with Title 22.
    Community Care Licensing (C.C.L.) is a division of California State Department of Social Services, with local branches throughout the state.  Part of C.C.L.'s legal mandate is to issue licenses to Foster Family Agencies (FFAs) and monitor their services and activities for compliance with Title 22. It is through our license with C.C.L. that Angels is able to operate, certifying homes and placing children.
    In addition to certifying foster homes and overseeing the care of children placed in homes, Angels is responsible for reporting to C.C.L. any complaints received regarding a foster home. This includes any allegations of suspected child abuse involving a foster home or FFA staff person, any violation of personal rights, and any unusual incidents (such as a child being seen a Emergency Room for illness or injury).  If an allegation pertains to the abuse or neglect of a child, Santa Barbara County Child Welfare Services will also be notified.
   Once C.C.L. receives a complaint, they are mandated by law to conduct an investigation.  Typically, C.C.L. investigations are completed within 30-90 days. An analyst employed by C.C.L. conducts the "investigation" process.  This process usually involves interviewing all parties involved (including possible witnesses), reviewing relevant records or documents at the Angels office, and interviewing Angels staff.  In most cases, C.C.L. staff will not provide prior notice before showing up at a foster home to investigate foster parents and/or children about a complaint. If Angels is aware of the complaint and impending investigation, it is very important for foster parents to know that Angels is prohibited by law from informing foster parents about the investigation. 
    It is also important for foster parents to be aware that C.C.L., and Santa Barbara County Child Welfare Services must be permitted access to the foster home at any time. There must also be cooperation from all parties who need to be interviewed in the course of the investigation. Professionalism on the part of foster parents is imperative to ensure a complete, fair, and accurate investigation.  In turn, foster parents are entitled to respectful and professional conduct by investigators.
   If a representative from C.C.L. comes to your home, please cooperate with them, verify their identification and call the Angels office to speak to your social worker after the C.C.L. worker has left.  Keep in mind that while the C.C.L analyst is at your home they may want to examine: any of your foster child's records; medication logs; your Angels foster care license; Disaster and Emergency Plan; house floor plan; storage of cleaning supplies and medications; and the bedroom of your Angels' child.
    As stressful as this investigation experience may sound, it is important to remember it does not need to be a crisis. A false allegation or complaint can be proven false through a fairly smooth and "painless" process if it is handled appropriately. These requires all parties to maintain professionalism, keep a "cool head," and focus on the child's best interest at all times.
   The intention of this reminder is not intended to cause any anxiety, but simply to prepare and remind you of the importance of proper conduct if a C.C.L representative should visit your home. For more information on C.C.L., licensing requirements and other information, please check out the Community Care Licensing Division's website at www.ccld.ca.gov.   Or talk with your Angels social worker.