Riverside County Foster Agencies Address Training Barriers
Riverside County foster agencies, including Knotts Family Agency, are working to simplify the application process for prospective foster parents. These efforts gain new urgency following a wave of foster agency closures across California.
Foster agencies in Riverside County, such as Knotts Family Agency (KFA), are working to simplify the process for prospective parents to become foster families. This initiative gains new urgency due to a wave of closures among California's foster family agencies.
The agencies aim to remove training and access barriers that deter potential parents from starting the application process. KFA now offers the initial orientation session for the Resource Family Approval process online, allowing applicants to begin remotely rather than waiting for an in-person slot.
The agencies are facing pressure as numerous California foster family agencies ceased operations in 2024. Reasons include insurance premium hikes of up to 400%, leading to the closure of 29 agencies across 13 counties. This has reduced the pipeline connecting prospective parents with home studies and training slots.
KFA also offers a "Get Paid to Get Trained" program, providing a stipend for those who complete over 40 hours of annual training. Additionally, the agency offers specialized programs, respite care, and 24/7 support to ensure new foster parents do not manage difficult cases alone.