What are RFA homes?
In California, a Resource Family is a caregiver who provides out-of-home care for children in foster care. Resource Families include individuals, couples, and families. They may be related (kinship), have a familiar or mentoring relationship (a non-related extended family member), or no previous relationship with the child.
Resource Family homes are approved to be caregivers to foster youth from newborn to our transitional age youth, 18 – 21 years of age. Foster caregivers guide and shelter children until they can return to their family of origin (reunification). When reunification efforts are not successful, the goal is permanency through adoption.
Where can I take the required classes to become a RFA foster caregiver?
The Foster and Kinship Care Education (FKCE) program at Woodland Community College in partnership with Yolo County offers specialized FREE classes that meet State and County requirements for Resource Family Approval. These classes will help you understand the dependency system, the impact of trauma, foster youth rights, resources, and positive parenting to help you provide a stable, nurturing home that promotes healing for our foster youth. See our class schedule for Pre-Approval Training.
Prospective Resource Families are required to attend 18 hours of pre-approval classes.
What is the full process to become a RFA foster caregiver?
1. Complete the application
Fill out the Yolo County Resource Family application to begin your approval process and create an account on the Binti web site.
2. Attend an Orientation
Find an orientation to attend on our class schedule. The orientation is an informal meeting for you to learn about the Resource Family Approval (RFA) process, ask any important questions and decide whether you are ready to become a resource family.
3. Complete background checks
After submitting your application, you will receive a call to come in for fingerprints, called a Live Scan.
4. Attend Pre-Approval & CPR/First Aid Training Classes
Prospective Resource Families are required to attend 18 hours of pre-approval classes – see the class link at the top of this web page. The RFA training program will provide you with valuable information about the foster care system, the needs of children, and what means to be a Resource Family. Complete CPR training
5. Have a social worker complete the Home Environment Assessment
An RFA Social Worker will schedule a time to meet with you and your family in your home to assess your home’s safety. They will make sure your home passes a basic health and safety inspection and provides a suitable environment for child in the foster care system.
6. Complete a Family Evaluation, which determines your readiness to be a resource family
A RFA Social Worker will schedule an appointment with you and your family to discuss your family, interests and lifestyle, childcare experiences, the types of children you feel would best fit in your home, and your strengths and skills in meeting the children’s needs. Also, you and the RFA Social Worker will make a decision about the number of children, ages, and child behaviors you feel you are prepared to accept into your family and home.
You will then receive a Resource Family certificate of approval. Soon after, you will be contacted by our social workers to discuss the placement of a child or children who match your preferences.
What do I need to do to maintain my RFA?
- Attend 8 hours of continuing foster and kinship classes. The Foster and Kinship Care Education (FKCE) program at Woodland Community College offers specialized FREE classes – class schedule.
- Maintain a CPR/First Aid training certificate (often good for 2 years).
- Upload current car insurance and car registration documents to the Binti site as old documents expire.