CA AB2183

Extends indefinitely the requirement for counties to provide emergency assistance or ARC payments to emergency caregivers caring for children or nonminor dependents, removing the June 30, 2018 sunset date.

Authorizes counties to waive permanency assessment criteria and approve individuals as resource families after completing only a home environment assessment if exceptional circumstances exist, with permanency assessment to be completed within one year.

Requires counties to immediately initiate emergency funding (through a new Section 11461.36) for children placed with relatives or nonrelative extended family members who are not yet approved as resource families.

Establishes that emergency caregivers with pending resource family applications receive payments equivalent to the resource family basic rate, with funding sourced through either the Approved Relative Caregiver Program or TANF Emergency Assistance Program depending on the child's federal eligibility.

Declares the act an urgency statute effective immediately to provide immediate financial assistance to families caring for foster youth.