Group Homes

In accordance with All County Information Notice (ACIN) I-49-20, which was released on June 23, 2020, AFDC-FC group home rates are no longer approved and existing group home rates approved through the rate classification level (RCL) system are terminated December 31, 2020. 

Historical Background: Group homes provided the most restrictive out-of-home placement option for children in foster care. They provided a placement option for children with significant emotional or behavioral problems who require more restrictive environments. The licensed group home is defined as a facility of any capacity which provide 24-hour nonmedical care and supervision to children in a structured environment, with such services provided at least in part by staff employed by the licensee. Group homes run the gamut from large institutional type environments which provide an intense therapeutic setting, often called "residential treatment centers," to small home environments which incorporate a "house parent" model. As a result, group home placements provide various levels of structure, supervision and services.

Group homes may offer specific services targeted to a specific population of children or a range of services depending on the design of their program. These services include substance abuse, minor-parent (mothers and babies), infant programs, mental health treatment, vocational training, mental health day treatment, sex offenders, wards only, emancipation and reunification. Many programs provide more than one service and list their primary service function as reunification of children with the biological family. A high number also list their primary function as emancipation.

Historic Group Home Rate Classification Level (RCL) system Overview

For Additional Information:

Foster Care Rates & Outcomes Bureau (formerly named the Foster Care Rates Bureau)
744 P Street, MS 8-3-570
Sacramento, CA 95814

Email: fosterca@dss.ca.gov
(916) 651-9152