ARTICLE 2. Options for Recovery Program [16525.10. - 16525.30.]

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC 2.

in effect

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 16525.10. Section 16525.10.

(a) In order to promote the development of placements that will allow children to move into more homelike environments, counties may establish an “Options for Recovery” program. (b) Prior to the 2011–12 fiscal year, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the “Options for Recovery” services shall be funded with a 30 percent nonfederal county share consistent with the normal sharing ratio for child welfare services. This county share may be provided with county general funds, or other sources of funds which are unrestricted and are eligible for this use as provided by the funding source. The source of the county share shall meet all applicable state and federal requirements and provide counties with maximum flexibility. (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), beginning in the 2011–12 fiscal year, and for each fiscal year thereafter, funding and expenditures for programs and activities under this section shall be in accordance with the requirements provided in Sections 30025 and 30026.5 of the Government Code.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 16525.11. Section 16525.11.

Each participating county shall recruit foster families that shall be licensed as foster family homes and trained to care for children who are alcohol- or drug-exposed or who test HIV positive.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 16525.13. Section 16525.13.

(a) A participating county shall provide special training to recruited foster parents to care for eligible children and shall certify that the training has been provided. (b) Participating counties may provide the same special training to relative caretakers of project-eligible children, if classroom space permits and the cost of providing the training does not exceed the county’s allocation for project training.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 16525.14. Section 16525.14.

When a child is identified by a physician, medical team, county social worker, or placement source as a child who may be eligible for services under this chapter, the county shall determine if the child is eligible for placement pursuant to this chapter.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 16525.15. Section 16525.15.

(a) A participating county shall select a specialized foster family home for the child within the county in which the child’s eligibility is established. (b) If an eligible child’s out-of-home placement changes from one participating county to another participating county, the child shall remain eligible for services.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 16525.17. Section 16525.17.

(a) Participating counties shall prepare a child welfare services case plan pursuant to regulations adopted by the department and arrange nonmedical support services, including respite care for specially trained foster parents and relative caretakers. (b) Each participating county shall monitor the foster home in accordance with applicable regulations governing the foster care and child welfare services programs authorized by Article 5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 3 and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 16500).

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 16525.20. Section 16525.20.

(a) The Legislature encourages participating counties to design and implement a range of respite options for specially trained foster parents and relative caretakers, from foster parent to foster parent cooperatives to more formal arrangements for services from subcontractors. (b) No one who resides in the home with the eligible child shall receive payment for providing respite services for the eligible child or for any other child living in the home.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 16525.25. Section 16525.25.

The counties participating pursuant to this section shall do both of the following: (a) Maintain existing programs and standards for a specialized foster home recruitment and training project that will establish foster care placements to care for eligible children. (b) Coordinate sources of funding and services available to eligible children in order to maximize the social services provided to these children and avoid duplication of programs and funding.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 16525.26. Section 16525.26.

A participating county may contract for the provision of services under this chapter on a sole source basis.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 16525.27. Section 16525.27.

(a) Each participating county shall submit written progress reports as required by the department. (b) The progress report required by subdivision (a) shall include, but need not be limited to, all of the following data: (1) An estimate of the number of children adjudicated dependents of the juvenile court under Article 6 (commencing with Section 300) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 2 who are eligible children. (2) The number of eligible children who are in all of the following: (A) Foster family homes. (B) Group homes. (C) Homes of relative caretakers. (D) Certified foster family homes. (3) The number of eligible children who are in specialized foster care placements during and at the termination of the demonstration project. (4) The cost of providing training to foster parents in the care of eligible children. (5) The cost of providing specialized care for eligible children. (6) The cost of providing respite care services and the number of respite care hours each family received.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 16525.29. Section 16525.29.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent children who are alcohol- or drug-exposed or HIV positive who have adoption as a case plan goal from receiving services under this chapter.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 16525.30. Section 16525.30.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including, but not limited to, Sections 1250, 1251, 1254, 1270, 1501, 1502, 1505, 1507, 1521, 1530.6, and 11002, subdivision (c) of Section 1550, and subdivision (a) of Section 11154 of the Health and Safety Code, and Sections 2052, 2725, 2732, and 2795 of the Business and Professions Code, subdivisions (b) and (c) shall control the placement of a child pursuant to this chapter. (b) A county may place children who are alcohol- or drug-exposed or HIV positive in foster family homes pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1500) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code. (c) If a county makes a placement pursuant to subdivision (b), a foster parent trained by health care professionals pursuant to the discharge plan of the facility releasing the child may provide specialized in-home health care to that foster child.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026