| Summary: | <p> The Resource Family Approval (RFA) program replaces the current pathways for approving, certifying, or licensing relatives and foster families in California and creates a single process for assessing and approving caregivers for children, youth, and non-minor dependents under the supervision of child welfare or probation systems. Five counties comprise the first cohort of RFA early implementers, three of which participated in this research: San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Clara. The purpose of the study was to examine the RFA program through qualitative interviews with county representatives to identify themes and lay a foundation for future research. All three participants reported fewer complaints against resource families and improved placement stability, preliminary indicators that RFA is achieving improvements in child safety, permanence, and well-being. This research provides qualitative support for the RFA program’s impact on child welfare outcomes as well as guidance to counties planning for statewide implementation.</p>
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