California Foster Care System Moving To Needs-Based Rates

On July 1, 2016, the California Department of Social Services (DSS) began overhauling the foster care rate structure in preparation for launching a new rate system based the child’s level of need for services. This new approach will replace the current approach that links foster care rates to the child’s age. The new approach and new rates for foster parents and kinship caregivers will go into effect by January 2017. Under this new approach, kinship caregivers will receive the same maintenance rates as non-relative foster parents.

During this preparation period, DSS has implemented new rates for kinship . . .