California Foster Parent Association v. California Department of Social Services

October 21, 2008 The plaintiffs alleged that California payments to foster parents violate the federal Child Welfare Act because the rates are set by the legislature with no regard for the cost of providing care. The defendants rebutted that the federal Child Welfare Act does not require a specific level of support, nor does it require that actual costs be covered, or specify a rate-setting methodology. The judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. The state is required to establish a rate setting methodology . . .