(a)Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, voluntary family reunification services shall be provided without fee to families who qualify, or would qualify if application had been made therefor, as recipients of public assistance under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program as described in the State Plan in effect on July 1, 1996. If the family is not qualified for aid, voluntary family reunification services may be utilized, provided that the county seeks reimbursement from the parent or guardian on a statewide sliding scale according to income as determined by the State Department of Social Services and approved by the Department of Finance. The fee may be waived if the social worker determines that the payment of the fee may be a barrier to reunification. Sect
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(a)
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, voluntary family reunification services shall be provided without fee to families who qualify, or would qualify if application had been made therefor, as recipients of public assistance under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program as described in the State Plan in effect on July 1, 1996. If the family is not qualified for aid, voluntary family reunification services may be utilized, provided that the county seeks reimbursement from the parent or guardian on a statewide sliding scale according to income as determined by the State Department of Social Services and approved by the Department of Finance. The fee may be waived if the social worker determines that the payment of the fee may be a barrier to reunification. Section 17552 of the Family Code shall also
apply.
(b)
An out-of-home placement of a minor without adjudication by the juvenile court may occur only when all of the following conditions exist:
(1)
There is a mutual decision between the child’s parent, Indian custodian, or guardian and the county welfare department in accordance with regulations promulgated by the State Department of Social Services.
(2)
There is a written agreement between the county welfare department and the parent or guardian specifying the terms of the voluntary placement. The State Department of Social Services shall develop a form for voluntary placement agreements that shall be used by all counties. The form shall indicate that foster care under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program is available to those children.
(3)
In the case of an Indian child, in accordance with Section 1913 of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1901 et seq.), the following criteria are met:
(A)
The parent or Indian custodian’s consent to the voluntary out-of-home placement is executed in writing at least 10 days after the child’s birth and recorded before a judge.
(B)
The judge certifies that the terms and consequences of the consent were fully explained in detail in English and were fully understood by the parent or that they were interpreted into a language that the parent understood.
(C)
A parent of an Indian child may withdraw his or her consent to a voluntary foster care placement or voluntary termination of parental rights or relinquishment for any reason at any time and the child shall be returned to the
parent.
(D)
The placement complies with preferences set forth in Section 361.31.
(c)
In the case of a voluntary placement pending relinquishment, a county welfare department shall have the option of delegating to a licensed private adoption agency the responsibility for placement by the county welfare department. If a delegation occurs, the voluntary placement agreement shall be signed by the county welfare department, the child’s parent or guardian, and the licensed private adoption agency.
(d)
The State Department of Social Services shall amend its plan pursuant to Part E (commencing with Section 670) of Subchapter IV of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code in order to conform to mandates of Public Law 96-272 and Public Law 110-351 for federal financial participation in voluntary
placements.