CA AB3006

Requires each county welfare department and entities providing child welfare services to ensure deaf and hard of hearing recipients have equal access to services at no cost.

Mandates each county designate one staff person as Deaf and Hard of Hearing Coordinator fluent in American Sign Language (or able to secure interpreters) to oversee accommodations and facilitate communication between staff and deaf/hard of hearing children and parents.

Coordinator must oversee accommodations for effective communications and communicate with the Court Interpreters Program regarding special accommodations needed for juvenile court proceedings.

Requires the State Department of Social Services to establish a Deaf Services Manager within the Children and Family Services Division to oversee statewide implementation and serve as a resource for county coordinators.

State Department must develop protocols, procedures, training curricula, and materials for uniform implementation across all counties and establish a working group including deaf and hard of hearing representatives, advocacy groups, and court representatives to consult on implementation.