Basic Services List
Basic services are those services to be provided by the foster parent as required by applicable laws, regulation, or contract/admission agreement. The foster parent or the Agency shall not make expenditures from the client's (foster child's) cash resources for any of the basic items or services listed below because the following items and services are to be provided by the foster parent. The list below includes, but is not limited to, those items considered to be basic services as defined in Title 22 Regulations of the California Administration Code:
  • Bath towels, hand towels, wash cloths
  • Bed, crib, bassinet
  • Bed springs (box springs)
  • Bedspread
  • Blanket(s)
  • Chair (1)
  • Comb
  • Denture cleanser
  • Fines (for library, video store, etc.)
  • First aid medications and first aid kit
  • Lamp or light(s)
  • Laundry services (washing, drying, ironing)
  • Laundry supplies
  • Linens
  • Telephone (excluding long- distance/toll calls)
  • Magazines and a variety of reading materials
  • Mattress
  • Mattress pads/covers
  • Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Meals (regular, modified, special)
  • Mending services and supplies
  • Newspaper (as is age-appropriate)
  • Night stand
  • Pillow case(s)
  • Pillow(s)
  • Shampoo
  • Sheeting (rubber or plastic)
  • Sheets (top and bottom)
  • Snacks and between-meal nourishment
  • Soap for hands and body (non- medicated)
  • Toilet paper
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste/tooth powder
The preceding items and services may be "interpreted" by taking into consideration the child's age and developmental disability. For example, some children do not need to have a daily newspaper, and an infant or non-ambulatory child does not need to use a chair.
When a client prefers to use a different brand of product or service other than the one the foster family provides, the client's cash resources may be used to substitute the product or service offered by the foster family with the client's desired product or service. However, only the cost difference between the product/service desired by the client and the product service used by the foster family may be deducted from the client's cash resources.

Foster Home Services and Equipment Requirements
In addition to the Basic Services List, the following items are needed in your home (this list is not intended to include all needed items in the home):

  1. A locked area(s) for medications and Personal & Incidental (P&I) funds, such as a cabinet, cupboard, closet, chest or box. This locked area will need to be of sufficient size to accommodate P&I funds, medications, the client's records, and other items that must be locked. Make this locked area convenient and accessible.
  2. If the foster child placed with you has to have injections, a "sharps" container is needed to safely dispose of used needles. You may use a coffee can with a lid on it. This container must be locked in a safe place, such as in the locked medication cabinet.
  3. A calendar for medical and dental appointments, medication refill dates and foster parent training dates, etc.
  4. A watch or clock with a second-hand for timing seizures (if you have a client who is diagnosed with epilepsy).
  5. A handicap ramp for the front and back of your home (if you have a client who is non-ambulatory). You will also need a fire clearance, which will be requested by CCL.
  6. Small Dixie cups for dispensing medications.
  7. A box of latex gloves in order to observe universal precautions.
Foster Home Document Posting Requirements
  1. Emergency Care and Disaster Plan form (needs to be posted in an accessible location near the telephone)
  2. House Rules form (available to the client and client's visitors)
  3. Rights of the Developmentally Disabled form (available to the client and client's visitors)
  4. A calendar (for use by the client and foster parent for events, appointments, prescription renewals, etc.)
Copies of Forms Given To Natural Parents/Consumers
The following copies of forms must be given to the natural parents and the consumer either on the pre-admission visit or on admission:
  1. Grievance Procedures
  2. Visitation Policy
  3. Notification of Natural Parents Rights
  4. Client's Rights – The form must be reviewed with and a copy given to the natural parent(s).