California Alliance Of Child And Family Services

THROUGH ADVOCACY, EDUCATION AND EXECUTIVE SUPPORT, PROMOTE, CHAMPION, AND LEAD OUR MEMBER AGENCIES IN PROVIDING SERVICES OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY THAT DEMONSTRABLY IMPROVE THE LIVES OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

MEMBER SERVICESWHEN AN AGENCY JOINS THE CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES, IT JOINS A FAMILY OF OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN BE COUNTED ON FOR SUPPORT, ADVICE, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. MEMBER AGENCIES RECEIVE ALL THE FOLLOWING SERVICES AND BENEFITS:COVID19 RELATED ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED LOCAL ADVOCACY TALKING POINTS TO ADDRESS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE DEPARTMENTS ON RATE ADJUSTMENTS DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE COVID19 (BEHAVIORAL HEALTH) CONTINUED MEMBER FORUMS TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATE MEMBER CONCERNS INCLUDING HR, CFO, CEO, CLINICAL DIRECTORS, AND NURSING FORUMS AND BROUGHT IN EXPERTS TO ADDRESS MEMBER QUESTIONS (MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT) CONTINUED COVID-RELATED COMMUNICATIONS TO PROVIDE TIME-URGENT INFORMATION TO MEMBERS ON GOVERNMENT FUNDING, TELEHEALTH, PPE, AND OTHER CRITICAL ISSUES TO ASSIST IN MEMBER SUSTAINABILITY (MEMBER SUPPORT) ADVOCATED FOR COVID-SPECIFIC FUNDING FOR FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS (PREVENTION) CONTINUED WEBINARS AND TRAINING RELATED TO TELEHEALTH, FAMILY AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND OTHER MEMBER-REQUESTED TOPICS RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC (MEMBER SUPPORT) ADDITIONAL MEMBER SUPPORTPROVIDED SUPPORT TO ALLIANCE MEMBERS NEEDING CLARIFICATION ABOUT LICENSING OR OPERATIONAL ISSUES OR REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CALLS WITH CDSS AND COUNTIES (STRTP)MONTHLY AND BI-WEEKLY COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR ALL PROGRAM COMMITTEES

ADVOCACYTHE CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES PURSUES AN AGGRESSIVE AGENDA OF LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF ITS MEMBER AGENCIES AND THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THEY SERVE. STAFF REPRESENTS THE ALLIANCE BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE, REGULATORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES, AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. EXPERIENCED AND EXPERT, STAFF MEMBERS MONITOR THE STATE BUDGET AND LOBBY BOTH FOR AND AGAINST LEGISLATION. THE CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE PROMOTES PROGRAMS AND POLICIES THAT ARE BENEFICIAL TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, GUARDS THE RESOURCES NECESSARY FOR MEMBER AGENCIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THEY SERVE, AND VIGOROUSLY OPPOSES LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS THAT ARE POTENTIALLY HARMFUL. STATE BUDGETSPONSORED BUDGET PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH ONGOING FUNDING FOR OFFICE OF SUICIDE PREVENTION (2.7 MILLION ONGOING) INFLUENCED COMPONENTS OF NONPUBLIC SCHOOL STUDY INCLUDED IN THE STATE BUDGET SPONSORED BUDGET PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE $42M IN COVID-19 RELIEF FOR SHORT TERM RESIDENTIAL THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS (STRTPS) SPONSORED BUDGET PROPOSAL TO CREATE BRIDGE FUNDING FOR STRTPS AMIDST DHCSS IMD DETERMINATIONS: ~$10.4M TO AID THE TRANSITION OF PROGRAMS AND MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CAPACITY FOR THE FOSTER CARE AND PROBATION YOUTH POPULATIONS ~$7.5M TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO QUALIFIED COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH PLANS TO MATCH LOST FEDERAL FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION (FFP) FOR SPECIALTY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES SPONSORED BUDGET PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE AN ONGOING FFA INCREASE OF $50 PER MONTH IN THE SOCIAL WORKER COMPONENT OF THE FFA RATE. SPONSORED BUDGET PROPOSAL TO KEEP A ONE-TIME FFA RATE INCREASE THAT CACFS SUCCESSFULLY SPONSORED IN 2019LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS - BILLS PASSED SB 14 (PORTANTINO) - PUPIL EXCUSED ABSENCES MAY INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH SB 221 (WIENER) - CODIFIES EXISTING TIMELY ACCESS TO CARE STANDARDS FOR HEALTH PLANS AND HEALTH INSURERS, APPLIES THESE REQUIREMENTS TO MEDI-CAL MANAGED CARE PLANS, AND ADDS A STANDARD FOR NON-URGENT FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENTS FOR NON PHYSICIAN MENTAL HEALTH CARE OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER PROVIDERS THAT IS WITHIN 10 DAYS OF THE PRIOR APPOINTMENT. SB 224 (PORTANTINO) - ADDRESSES YOUTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS SB 354 (SKINNER) - ADDRESSES BARRIERS TO PLACING CHILDREN WITH RELATIVES WHEN THERE ARE NO SAFETY RISKS BUT THE RELATIVES HAVE A CRIMINAL HISTORY, WHICH DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTS FAMILIES OF COLOR. AB 27 (RIVAS) - ENSURES LEAS TRACK HOMELESS STUDENTS AND UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH (SCHOOL DISTRICTS) AB 46 (RIVAS) - ESTABLISHES THE CALIFORNIA YOUTH EMPOWERMENT COMMISSION, WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CALIFORNIAS DISCONNECTED AND DISADVANTAGED YOUTH. AB 260 (STONE) - THAT GUARDIANSHIP LAWS AND THE PROBATE COURT OPERATE SEAMLESSLY WITH JUVENILE COURT LAWS AND THE DEPENDENCY COURT SO THAT THOSE CASES THE PROBATE COURT REFERS FOR A CHILD WELFARE INVESTIGATION ARE EVALUATED BY THE DEPENDENCY COURT WITHOUT LIMITING THE PROBATE COURTS ABILITY TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PROTECT THE CHILD DURING THE INVESTIGATION, WHILE SECURING APPROPRIATE SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR RELATIVE GUARDIANS TO CARE FOR THE CHILDREN IN THEIR HOMES. AB 309 (GABRIEL) - REQUIRES CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP MODEL MENTAL HEALTH REFERRAL PROTOCOLS AND POST ON WEBSITE. AB 366 (RUBIO) - KEEPS SIBLINGS IN FOSTER CARE TOGETHER BY SPECIFYING THAT AN APPROVED RESOURCE FAMILY SHALL BE PRESUMED TO HAVE THE SIZE AND SPACE TO PLACE SIBLINGS TOGETHER UNLESS THERE IS A SAFETY RISK. LEGAL CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS ON RESOURCE FAMILY HOMES CAN LEAD TO SEPARATION OF SIBLINGS CREATING MORE TRAUMA AND LOSS AT THE OUTSET OF THE CHILDRENS DEPENDENCY CASE WHICH CAN REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT SIBLINGS WILL HAVE THE SAME PERMANENT PLAN, LEADING TO LIFE-LONG SEPARATION. AB 592 (FRIEDMAN) - PROMOTES PLACEMENT STABILITY AND THE TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE BY ALLOWING RESOURCE FAMILIES TO SERVE AS A HOST FAMILY AND WOULD ALLOW COUNTIES TO OFFER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO NON-MINOR DEPENDENTS THROUGH A THP PROVIDER WHILE THE YOUTH RESIDES IN A SUPERVISED INDEPENDENT LIVING SETTING. AB 670 (CALDERON) - REQUIRES, WHEN A REPORT ALLEGING ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF THE CHILD OF A DEPENDENT OF THE JUVENILE COURT IS MADE, THE AGENCY THAT RECEIVED THE REPORT TO NOTIFY THE ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THE DEPENDENT WITHIN 36 HOURS; AND REQUIRES A SOCIAL WORKER OR PROBATION OFFICER TO USE A STRENGTHS-BASED APPROACH TO SUPPORTING A MINOR OR NON-MINOR DEPENDENT PARENT IN PROVIDING A SAFE AND PERMANENT HOME FOR THEIR CHILD. AB 788 (CALDERON) - CLARIFIES THAT RESISTED DOES NOT INCLUDE A RELAPSE THAT CURRENTLY PREVENTS PARENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A RELAPSE FROM FAMILY REUNIFICATION SERVICES. A RECENT CALIFORNIA APPELLATE COURT DECISION HAS CLARIFIED THAT RELAPSE IS NOT THE SAME AS ACTIVELY RESISTING DRUG TREATMENT. AB 1055 (RAMOS) - ENSURES THAT TRIBAL FOSTER YOUTH AND YOUTH WITH VOLUNTARY PLACEMENT AGREEMENTS MEET THE DEFINITION OF FOSTER YOUTH UNDER THE LOCAL CONTROL FUNDING FORMULA. AB 1140 (RIVAS) - EXTENDS THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FOSTER CARE OMBUDSPERSON TO INCLUDE CHILDREN WHO ARE PLACED IN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND HOMES BY THE OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. AB 1283 (STONE) - ADOPTS CHANGES TO FURTHER FACILITATE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTINUUM OF CARE REFORM.STATE-LEVEL STRATEGIC ACTIVITIES AND COLLABORATIONS CONTINUED WORK WITH DELTA CENTER CALIFORNIA PROJECT, A TWO-YEAR INITIATIVE FUNDED BY ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION AND THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION TO ACCELERATE LEADERSHIP ON PRIMARY CARE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INTEGRATION (BEHAVIORAL HEALTH) BUILT AND STRENGTHENED ALLIANCES WITH CHILD AND FAMILY SERVING ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS IN CALIFORNIA TO SUPPORT A COLLABORATIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH POLICY AGENDA (BEHAVIORAL HEALTH) CHAIR OF THE FOSTER YOUTH EDUCATION TASK FORCE LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE, COLLABORATING WITH SCHOOL STAFF AND ADVOCATES TO ADVANCE THE NEEDS OF FOSTER YOUTH IN CALIFORNIAS K-12 SYSTEM (EDUCATION/FOSTER CARE) CO-DEVELOPED WITH CHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCACY GROUPS A NEW PLAN TO IMPROVE THE FAMILY-BASED RATE SYSTEM AND STRENGTHEN THE INTENSIVE SERVICES FOSTER CARE PROGRAM (FFA) INITIATED COLLABORATIVE AND ONGOING DIALOGUE AS BETWEEN ALLIANCE STRTP PROVIDERS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO ADDRESS BURDENSOME DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS MANDATED BY THE EXISTING STRTP INTERIM LICENSING STANDARDS (STRTP) PARTICIPATED IN ONGOING CDSS-INITIATED WORK GROUPS EVALUATING WORKFLOW WITHIN THE STRTP THROUGH A CHILD-FOCUSED PERSPECTIVE (STRTP) COLLABORATED WITH CDSS, ALLIANCE MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS AND YOUTH ADVOCATES TO DEVELOP A SERIES OF WEBINARS ADDRESSING DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION (DEI)

TRAININGTHE CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING A HIGHLY SKILLED AND APPROPRIATELY COMPENSATED WORKFORCE OF PROFESSIONALS. THE ALLIANCE PROVIDES AN ARRAY OF TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES SPECIFICALLY GEARED TO IMPROVING THE SKILLS OF DIRECT CARE STAFF, CLINICIANS, AND ADMINISTRATORS WORKING IN CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES. EACH YEAR THE CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE HOLDS TWO MEMBERSHIP CONFERENCES FOR EXECUTIVES AND SENIOR MANAGERS INCORPORATING PLENARIES AND WORKSHOPS ON A WIDE VARIETY OF TIMELY AND IMPORTANT TOPICS. OFTEN THE LIST OF SPEAKERS INCLUDES MEMBERS OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE, HIGH-RANKING INDIVIDUALS FROM WITHIN THE STATE ADMINISTRATION, COUNTY WELFARE, MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES, AND JUVENILE PROBATION AGENCIES, OR FROM PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS. THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP BUSINESS MEETINGS ARE HELD AT THESE CONFERENCES.PLENARIES AND WORKSHOPS AT MEMBERSHIP CONFERENCES ARE APPROVED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR GROUP HOME ADMINISTRATOR CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS AND BY THE BOARD OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES EXAMINERS FOR LCSW AND MFT CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS, AND BY THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS.