Resources for Providers
The Children's Residential licensing programs provide short-term or long-term care for children who are no longer able to live with their parents or guardians. Please click on the link for the list of Children's Residential facility types.
Getting Started
If you are interested in obtaining a California license to operate a community care facility, you must first attend an orientation. For more information, please click on this link, Register for an Orientation, or you may call the regional office nearest you.
How to Become Licensed or Approved
Register for an Orientation
Forms and Publications
Translated Forms and Publications
Licensing Fees
Background Check Information
The California Health and Safety Code requires a background check of all applicants, licensees, adult residents, volunteers under certain conditions and employees of community care facilities who have contact with clients. If the California Department of Social Services finds that an individual has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the individual cannot work or be present in any community care facility unless they receive a criminal record exemption from the Community Care Licensing Division, Caregiver Background Check Bureau (CBCB). Simply defined, an exemption is a Department authorized written document that "exempts" the individual from the requirement of having a criminal record clearance. CBCB also examines arrest records to determine if there is a possible danger to clients.
Background Check Process
CA Background Clearance Listing
LIS/LAARS Check Unit
LiveScan Application and Fees
Instructions for Resource Family Approval Applicant Live Scan Request Form BCIA 8016
TrustLine
Megan’s Law
Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006
Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) Plan Of Operation and Program Statement Review Tool
Updating your STRTP Plan of Operation and Program Statement? Please use the following review tool as a guide to do so.
STRTP v4 Review Tool
Information and Resources
The Community Care Licensing Division continues to strengthen and enhance our program including the commitment to educate our providers with helpful information.
2024 Regional Office Provider Meetings Schedule
Licensing Laws and Regulations
Self-Assessment Guides and Key Indicator Tools (KIT)
Make a Complaint
Administrator Certification Program
Information Releases
Children's Residential Quarterly Updates
All County Letters and Notices
Map of Children's Residential Regional Offices
Health and Safety Information
Provider Letters
Technical Support Program (TSP) Resource Guide for Licensees
Mandated Reporter Training
Other Links and Partner Agencies
Provider Information Notices
Most Commonly Cited Deficiencies