(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever the juvenile court terminates jurisdiction over a ward who has also been designated a dependent of the court, or upon release of a ward from a facility that is not a foster care facility, a probation officer or parole officer shall provide the person with, at a minimum, all of the following:
(1) A written notice stating that the person is a former foster child and may be eligible for the services and benefits that are available to a former foster child through public and private programs, including, but not limited to, any independent living program for former foster children. Providing the proof of dependency and wardship document described in All-County Letter 07-33 and Section 31-525.6 of Chapter 31-500 of Division 31 of the State Department of Social Services Manual of Policies and Procedures, as it existed on January 1, 2010, shall satisfy this requirement.
(2) Existing information described in Section 31-525.61 of Chapter 31-500 of Division 31 of the State Department of Social Services Manual of Policies and Procedures, as it existed on January 1, 2010, that informs the person of the availability of assistance to enable the person to apply for, and gain acceptance into, federal and state programs that provide benefits to former foster children, including, but not limited to, financial assistance, housing, and educational resources for which he or she may be eligible.
(3) Existing information described in Section 31-525.61 of Chapter 31-500 of Division 31 of the State Department of Social Services Manual of Policies and Procedures, as it existed on January 1, 2010, that informs the person of the availability of assistance to enable the person to apply for, and gain acceptance into, federal and state programs that provide independent living services to youth 16 years of age and over who may be eligible for services.
(b) This section shall apply to any ward who was previously adjudged a dependent child of the court pursuant to Section 300 or a child who at any time has been placed in foster care pursuant to Section 727.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to alter or amend the obligations of probation officers under current law.
(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 631, Sec. 2. (SB 945) Effective January 1, 2011.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018