AB 3272 Summary

• Authorizes counties and Indian tribes to provide prevention services for children at risk of entering foster care and pregnant/parenting foster youth, with intent to obtain federal financial participation under the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018.

• Establishes requirements for short-term residential therapeutic programs (STRTPs) to comply with federal standards, including trauma-informed care, nursing staff availability, family participation in treatment, and discharge planning with at least six months of post-discharge support.

• Requires courts to review all placements in STRTPs within 45-60 days of placement and designates "qualified individuals" to assess whether children's needs can be met in home-based settings rather than residential programs.

• Mandates documentation in case plans, social studies, and court reports regarding STRTP placements, including assessments, child and family team involvement, treatment needs, and intensive efforts to transition children to less restrictive family settings.

• Allows the State Department of Social Services to implement provisions through all-county letters until formal regulations are adopted, and addresses state mandate reimbursement requirements for local agencies.