Q: I am a relative caregiver. I understand that foster care rates changed effective January 1, 2017. Who did they change for, and when will I see this change in the monthly check I receive? If I don’t see an increase, who should I contact about it?
A: You are correct. Foster care rates did change for relative caregivers in addition to several other types of placement settings. The passage of Assembly Bill 403 necessitated the implementation of a new rate setting system to support the goals of California’s Continuum of Care Reform effort. This new rate structure will be implemented in two phases. The first phase, which took effect January 1, 2017, made changes to the rates for Home-Based Family Care (HBFC) and Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs).
The rates changes are outlined below. Because foster care is paid in arrears, care providers can expect to receive the payment showing the increased amount for care provided for January 2017, no later than February 15, 2017. If you do not see the correct amount, you should contact the California Department of Social Services’ Foster Care Audits & Rates Bureau at fosterca@dss.ca.gov.
Effective January 1, 2017, a basic level rate of $889 will be issued for all new placements of a child/youth in one of the following settings:
- Resource Families
- County foster family homes
- Relatives (including both Federal and non-Federal relative cases and regardless of participation in the Approved Relative Caregiver Program)
- Nonrelative Extended Family Members
- Non-Minor Dependents in Supervised Independent Living Placements
Foster Family Agency (FFA) Rates
Effective January 1, 2017, all new and existing FFA Resource Families and certified families will be paid according to a rate structure that provides one flat rate for administration and incorporates the new components of Resource Family Approval (RFA) and Service & Supports (S&S).FFAs will be paid the total rate in the chart below:
| Age | 0-4 | 508 | 9-11 | 12-14 | 15-21 |
| FFA Certified Family | $896 | $954 | $994 | $1,032 | $1,072 |
| Social Worker | $340 | $340 | $340 | $340 | $340 |
| S&S | $156 | $156 | $156 | $156 | $156 |
| RFA | $48 | $48 | $48 | $48 | $48 |
| Administration | $672 | $672 | $672 | $672 | $672 |
| Rate | $2,112 | $2,170 | $2,210 | $2,248 | $2,288 |
Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs) and Group Homes
Effective January 1, 2017, the new STRTP rate is $12,036. For all out-of-state group home placements, the rate the county pays is based on the out-of-state group homes rate; however, the rate paid cannot exceed the new STRTP rate.
Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (Kin-GAP), Non-Related Legal Guardianship (NRLG) Program & Adoption Assistance Program (AAP)
New placements of a child or youth (on or after January 1, 2017) who is determined to be eligible to receive assistance under Kin-GAP, the NRLG Program, and AAP will receive the basic level rate of $889.
The rate structure for families receiving AAP on behalf of an eligible child whose AAP agreement was signed and whose adoption finalized prior to May 27, 2011 will not change. (Consistent with existing law, AAP agreements signed or for AAP eligible adoptions that were finalized on or after May 27, 2011, may be reassessed based on the changing needs of the child or the circumstances of the adoptive parent).
The rate structure for families currently receiving Kin-GAP assistance payments or for NRLG cases where guardianship was established prior to or after May 1, 2011 will not change. Effective January 1, 2017, the Kin-GAP basic rate may be increased upon reassessment of the circumstances of the caregiver and the needs of the child for cases in which the kinship guardianship was established and dependency was terminated on or after May 1, 2011.
Out-of-State Foster Family Home (FFH) Placements
Out-of-State FFH rates will remain the same. Counties will continue to pay the other state’s rate as they do now.
Wraparound Rate
Effective January 1, 2017, the Wraparound rate is $8,573.
AB 12 Question of the Week 
Foster Care is paid in arrears. A payment received in January will most likely be for care provided for December. Care Providers can expect to receive the payment showing the increased amount for care provided for January 2017, no later than February 15, 2017.
Thank you Beverly for catching this!