The Alliance for Children’s Rights conducted a voluntary, online survey in June of 2025 targeting stakeholders in the child welfare system, including caregivers, parents, current and former youth in foster care, service providers, and advocates. The survey aimed to gather input on the implementation of Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings and the Integrated Practice–Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (IP-CANS) assessment, both of which play a critical role in case planning and determining foster care rates under California’s new Tiered Rate Structure.
Survey participants highlighted the importance of centering youth and family voices in both CFT meetings and IP-CANS assessments, ensuring transparency, and addressing barriers such as scheduling challenges, power imbalances, and lack of clarity around roles and processes. Respondents emphasized that meaningful engagement in these processes is essential to creating individualized plans that promote healing, stability, and long-term success for children and youth in foster care.
By gathering input from those most impacted, the Alliance aims to inform policy recommendations, training strategies, and implementation that promote equity, collaboration, and trauma-responsive practices. These efforts are critical to creating a Tiered Rate Structure that prioritizes healing, stability, and the strengths of children and families across California.
By gathering input from those most impacted, the Alliance aims to inform policy recommendations, training strategies, and implementation that promote equity, collaboration, and trauma-responsive practices. These efforts are critical to creating a Tiered Rate Structure that prioritizes healing, stability, and the strengths of children and families across California.
