1. Home
2. Foster & Kinship Care Education
3. Courses

Courses

PRE-SERVICE TRAININGS

Pre-Service training consist of 16 hours which is for first time Certification ONLY. Pre-Service hours cannot be used for renewal of in-service hours. Training is available in English and Spanish and throughout the year. This training is mandatory for Foster/Resource Parents, Kinship (Relative) Caregivers, or Adoptive Parents who are or wish to care for children/youth with the following special needs.

 D-RATE – Emotional/Behavioral difficulties
 F-RATE – Medically Fragile
 W-RATE – Whole Foster Family Home (caring for pregnant or parenting youth)

B, D, F, W-RATE IN-SERVICE (RENEWAL) CLASSES
English and Spanish offerings are offered on an ongoing basis throughout the year. These classes must be completed yearly by the foster/resource parent or caregiver in order to keep certification current. The number of required yearly hours varies on Rate. Currently the yearly renewal hours for B-Rate (Basic) and F-Rate (Medically Fragile) are 12 hours, 18 hours for D-Rate (Emotional/Behavioral Difficulties) and 4 hours for W-Rate (Whole Foster Family Home).

KINSHIP EDUCATION & ORIENTATION
Kinship classes and orientations are offered to support and meet the specific needs of relative care providers (grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, siblings, or extended family members, etc.) with their involvement with child protective services.

*ALL CLASSES are FREE and open to the public *
*CLASS/TRAINING TOPICS, PRESENTERS, AND DATES MAY CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE*

B-RATE

B-Rate is referred to as the Basic Foster Care Maintenance. 12 In-Service Hours (Renewal Hours) per year.

D-RATE

D-Rate is the rate for children who have been assessed and classified by the Department of Mental Health who exhibit severe and persistent emotional and behavioral problems. It is recommended that caregivers who have been licensed for at least two years or directed by DCFS child social workers (CSW) to take this training in order to be considered for D-Rate certification. The foster parent must then complete the 16-hour D-Rate Pre-Service Training Program in order to qualify and to receive the specialized rate.

18 In-Service Hours (Renewal Hours) per year.

F-RATE

F-Rate is the rate for children who have been classified medically fragile by DCFS. It is recommended that caregivers who have been licensed for at least two years or directed by DCFS child social workers (CSW) to take this training in order to be considered for F-Rate certification. The foster parent must then complete the 16-hour F-Rate Pre-Service Training Program in order to qualify and to receive the specialized rate. DCFS approval must be obtained before new or additional children with special medical conditions can be placed in their foster homes. 12 In-Service Hours (Renewal Hours) per year.

W-RATE

W-Rate A Whole Family Foster Home provides care for a teen parent and her/his non-dependent child, and is specifically recruited and trained to assist the teen parent in developing the skills necessary to provide a safe, stable, and permanent home. During the certification, a Shared Responsibility Plan (SRP) will be completed; discussion in caring for the developing teen and baby, discussion in roles, rights, and responsibilities of teen parents and caregivers; information on available tools and resources, and a discuss ion on DCFS policies and compensation. 4 In-Service Hours (Renewal Hours) per year.

Resource Family Approval (RFA)

As of January 1st, 2017 all relative caregivers (related and non-related) are mandated to complete a Resource Family Approval (RFA) course enacted by the California Department of Social Services to better place children, youth and young adults with families that can provide for the needs of all children in the foster care system. RFA’s main goal focuses on lifelong relationships, stable permanent places and improved outcomes for the children, and benefits all relative caregivers by offering income for every child in their care. This new program will combine the elements of the current foster parent licensing process which means that there will be a 12 hour RFA beginning course and a completion of 12 hours of ongoing training services annually which will be provided by the Cerritos College FKCE program.

Cerritos College is on board with the hopes and views of this new program’s goals and we too want to implement this family friendly program that will benefit both the children and caregivers. Through the Cerritos College FKCE program, the RFA program will be free of cost and will serve as a supportive outlet for all of you, foster parents and caregivers alike. Cerritos College FKCE program will be more than happy to answer any of your questions at the number (562) 860-2451 Ext: 2496 or at 213-640-3082. If you would like to read more about the new RFA program overview, please visit this website: http:/www.childsworld.ca.gov/PG3416.htm or you can email your questions or comments to the California Department of Social Services at RFA@dss.ca.gov or at jnieto@cerritos.edu.

Estimados Padres de Familia,

A partir del 1 de enero del 2017, todos los cuidadores relativos (relacionados y no relacionados) tienen el mandato de completar un curso de Aprobación Familiar de Recursos (RFA) promulgado por el Departamento de Servicios Sociales de California para colocar mejor a los niños y jóvenes con familias que puedan proporcionar para las necesidades de todos los niños en el sistema de crianza temporal. El objetivo principal de RFA se centra en las relaciones de por vida, lugares permanentes estables y mejores resultados para los niños, y beneficia a todos los cuidadores relativos ofreciendo ingresos para cada niño bajo su cuidado. Este nuevo programa combinará los elementos del actual proceso de otorgamiento de licencias para padres de crianza, lo que significa que habrá un curso inicial de 12 horas de RFA y una terminación de 12 horas de servicios de capacitación continua anualmente que será proporcionado por el programa FKCE de Cerritos College.

Cerritos College está a bordo con las esperanzas y puntos de vista de los objetivos de este nuevo programa y nosotros también queremos implementar este programa familiar que beneficiará tanto a los niños como a los cuidadores. A través del programa FKCE del Cerritos College, el programa de RFA será gratuito y servirá como una salida de apoyo para todos ustedes, padres de crianza temporal y cuidadores por igual. El programa FKCE de Cerritos College estará más que feliz de responder a cualquiera de sus preguntas al número (562) 860-2451 Ext: 2496 o al 213-640-3082. Si desea leer más sobre el nuevo programa de RFA, visite este sitio web: http: www.childsworld.ca.gov/PG3416.htm o puede enviar sus preguntas o comentarios por correo electrónico al Departamento de Servicios Sociales de California en RFA@dss.ca.gov o jnieto@cerritos.edu.