COVID-19 Foster Youth Resources

California Department of Education (CDE) COVID-19 Guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Main Web Page

All County Letter (ACL) from California Department of Social Services (CDSS)

ACL 20-81 (July 9, 2020)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related To Foster Care Eligibility And Funding During The Declared COVID-19 State Of Emergency (PDF)

COVID-19 Related Guidance from Federal Agencies

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Considerations for Kindergarten through Grade 12 Schools: Readiness and Planning Tool
  The CDC has released a readiness assessment and planning tool (PDF) for schools to prevent and stop the spread of COVID-19 in schools. School administrators may review and complete the general readiness assessment while working with state, local, tribal, territorial, or federal officials when making initial preparations to promote healthy behaviors, environments, and operations that reduce the spread of COVID-19. Planning tools are also included to help school administrators prepare to respond if someone gets sick and to identify special considerations specific to their school community. Implementation should be guided by what is feasible, practical, acceptable, and tailored to the needs and context of each community.
  

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) FAQ on COVID-19
  CMS released an updated FAQ on June 30, 2020 (PDF). It includes several key questions and answers questions on school-based Medicaid. While much of this information reiterates previous versions, please be sure to share any reactions or questions with us so that we can help track responses and additional clarifications needed.
  

• U.S. Department of Education (ED), Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services document on obtaining parental consent electronically
  ED’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Programs has released a question and answer document (PDF) stating that schools may obtain parental consent electronically for special education services and for Medicaid claiming. This document does not impose any additional requirements beyond those included in applicable law and regulations.
  

Department of Social Services Foster Youth Guidance and Resources

• Guidance For The Resource Family Approval Program Due To COVID-19 Impacts (PDF)
• Verification Of Foster Care Status To Facilitate Foster Youth Access To Cell Phones To Mitigate The Impacts Of COVID-19 (PDF)
• Guidance Regarding Extended Foster Care Program Flexibilities Due To COVID-19 Impacts (PDF)
• COVID-19 Guidance Regarding Reassessment And Redetermination Requirements For Federal Adoption Assistance Program And The Kinship-Guardianship Assistance Payment Program (PDF)
• Guidance For County Placement Agencies Regarding Outreach To Foster Caregivers 65 Years Of Age Or Older During The COVID-19 State Of Emergency (PDF)
• ACL providing information to foster families, tribes, and other providers for what they should do when a foster youth tests positive or has signs of COVID-19 (PDF)

Webinars

• Safeguarding Children Through Distance Learning
• The California Alliance of Child and Family Services and the University of California, Davis Continuing and Professional Education held "The Engagement in Distance Learning" Webinar last week (Video; 2:01:14)

Other Resources

• This document contains various mental health resources related to children and COVID-19 (PDF)
• The Department of Public Health has resources and guidance for families with children with special health care needs

Helpful Links

• California Department of Education and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Guidance for schools regarding the Coronavirus (PDF)
• CDPH web page
• CDSS web page
• CDC web page
• Department of Health and Human Services web page
• Department of Health Care Services web page