Resource Family Approval (Formerly Foster Care Licensing)

The Resource Family Approval (RFA) Program approves Resource Families to provide placement for children, youth, and young adults (non-minor dependents from 18 to 21 years old) who are under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, or otherwise in the care of a county child welfare agency or probation department. A Resource Family can be any individual, couple, or family who wants to provide care to related or unrelated children. The RFA Program also allows for emergency placements with relatives and non-related extended family members.

Resource Family Requirements

To become an approved Resource Family for Butte County Children's Services Division, applicants must:

  • Attend an RFA Orientation
  • Submit an RFA Application
  • Consent to a background check and submit a LiveScan (fingerprinting required for all adults living in the home or regularly present in the home)
  • Allow a home inspection to ensure the home and outdoor space meet required safety standards, and make any required corrections
  • Participate in a face to face interview (required for all persons living in the home)
  • Participate in a Family Evaluation
  • Complete 21 hours of Pre-Approval Training, with an additional 30 hours for applicants who wish to provide care for children ages 0 to 5
  • Be CPR and First Aid certified
  • Complete and submit all other required paperwork/documents
  • Meet all other RFA requirements

Once approved, Resource Families may be considered for Foster Care, Guardianship and Adoption placements, depending on the Resource Family's goals.

Resource Family Responsibilities

Resource Families responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Providing a safe and stable home for children and non-minor dependents (NMD) placed in their care
  • Meeting the needs of the child and NMD placed in their care
  • Keeping records regarding the children and NMD placed in their care
  • Upholding the personal rights of children and NMD placed in their care
  • Providing transportation to school, health related services, visits and extra-curricular activities
  • Supporting reunification, when applicable
  • Making required reports, such as suspected abuse, within the required timeframes.
  • Maintain a working relationship with Children's Services

RFA Orientation Schedule

Notice: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, RFA Orientation is being held through a pre-recorded video which is available to you while completing the online application process. In-person orientation will resume in the future, when permitted and will be held at the locations provided in the following.

RFA orientation is held every Wednesday alternating between the Chico and Oroville locations. Dates are available once you have started the online application process.

Chico RFA Orientation

  • Address:
    765 East Avenue
    Suite 120
    Chico, CA 95926
  • Day/Time: Every other Wednesday from 2 to 5 pm

Oroville RFA Orientation

  • Address:
    205 Mira Loma Drive
    The Daisy Room
    Oroville, CA 95965
  • Day/Time: Every other Wednesday from 9 am to Noon

RFA Pre-Approval Training

RFA Pre-approval Training is provided through the Butte College Foster/Kinship Care Education Program located at:
2480 Notre Dame Boulevard
Chico, CA 95928

Schedule is available once you have started the online application process. Call 530-897-6235 for additional information.

Contact Information

For questions or to request an RFA Application, please contact Butte County Children's Services Division Reception:

  • Chico: 530-879-3731
  • Oroville: 530-538-5119
  • Toll Free: 800-400-0902

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Resource Family Home in Butte County! Before attending Orientation, please begin the Online Application Process and complete your Caregiver Application.

Local Foster Family Agencies (FFA)

While we encourage you to apply to become a Resource Family through the Butte County Children's Services RFA Program; where you choose to do this is completely up to you and a very personal decision. Foster Family Agencies (FFA) offer different levels of support and are also able to assist with Emergency Placements needs. We work very collaboratively with our local FFA.

Notice: Due to the backlog of applicants, our approval process may be a bit longer than that of an FFA.

We encourage you to call around, educate yourself and see what is the right fit for you and your family. View a Listing of All the Local FFA in our area to help you with this process.