CA SB1091

Establishes funding for family finding and engagement programs to help locate permanent families and relationships for foster children, particularly those in care for 24+ months who are not living with relatives and for whom reunification is no longer the case plan.

Requires the State Department of Social Services to fund contracts with community-based organizations and provide local assistance allocations to counties and Indian tribes to support new or expanded family finding and engagement programs.

Authorizes use of funds for activities including locating relatives, using social media and investigators to find family, arranging visits and travel, creating engagement strategies, providing mental health support, and assisting with housing and other needs to prepare families to receive the child.

Requires entities receiving funds to collect data tracking outcomes and demonstrating the impact of family finding and engagement programs on children and families.

Directs the department to convene a collaborative leadership team including foster youth, judges, attorneys, social workers, permanency experts, and adoptive parents to develop recommendations for utilizing family finding and engagement best practices across child welfare and juvenile justice systems.