RESOURCES FOR ALL CAREGIVERS
The following items address a variety of issues faced by all relatives caring for minor children, whether informal relative caregivers, legal guardians, foster care relative caregivers or adoptive parents.
The California Child Care Resource and Referral Network also administers the TrustLine, a registry of child care providers that have cleared criminal background checks in California. To check if a provider is registered with the TrustLine, call 1-800-822-8490 or visit their website at www.trustline.org.
Additional resources for families seeking child care:
211 is a three-digit dialing code that allows a caller to access over 28,000 health and human service programs throughout Los Angeles County 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. 211 administer a First 5 Parent Helpline, which provides comprehensive information and referral services for callers with children ages 0-5. Specialists can also assist with enrollment in public health insurance programs such as Healthy Families, Medi-Cal, and Healthy Kids. The Developmental Screening Project, offered to all callers with children 0-5 years of age can screen for possible learning problems and provide needed referrals and support in the community.
Birth Certificate
The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office issues copies of birth certificates for persons born in the county. Parents, grandparents, siblings, and legal guardians can apply to obtain birth certificates.
Child Care
Families looking for child care
Public and private organizations may provide free or reduced-cost child care and after school care for eligible minor children. These programs may be offered at local community centers, churches and schools. Eligibility for these programs will be based on a variety of factors, including child’s age, household income and parent’s or guardian’s job hours. For more information about finding an appropriate child care provider, state licensing requirements, and the availability of child care subsidies, contact the California Child Care Resource and Referral Network at 800-543-7793.
Child Care Provider
In most communities, there is a constant need for quality child care providers. For information on how to become a child care provider or to access low-cost/free trainings on health, safety, child development, and sound business practices, contact the California Child Care Resource and Referral Network (Toll Free Number 800-543-7793, http://www.rrnetwork.org/). Local Resource & Referral Agencies also have a library of educational materials and toys that providers can utilize for their own child care programs. California Child Care Resource and Referral Network Toll-Free Number 800-543-7793 www.rrnetwork.org Education
Immunizations
Vaccines are an important preventative health measure that protects children against dangerous diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, hepatitis B and chickenpox. Certain immunizations are required by California law in order to enroll a child in school. A variety of free or low-cost immunization clinics are available throughout Los Angeles County. A parent or guardian must accompany a child who is to be immunized and should bring a copy of the child’s immunization record. A child may be exempted from some or all immunizations by (1) a doctor because of a medical condition or (2) a parent or guardian because of personal or religious beliefs. If you have questions, ask your child’s school or child-care provider for additional details.
Special Education Example: Mary is 11 years old and a fifth grader. She has always loved reading but is not doing very well in her classes this year. Her aunt, Louise, is her legal guardian and has had several meetings with her teachers regarding Mary’s school work. Louise is not getting much help from Mary’s teachers and is not sure how to help her niece. Do you think your child might have a disability that affects his or her educational performance at school? If so, your child may need special education services. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Conservatorship A Conservatorship is a proceeding where a person or organization is appointed by the probate court to protect and manage the personal care, or property and financial affairs, or both of an adult who has been found unable to manage his or her own affairs. As Conservator of the Person, you will make decisions regarding the person’s health care, meals, clothing, personal care, housekeeping, transportation and recreation. As Conservator of the Estate, you will manage, invest and protect the person’s assets. If you are caring for a minor child with disabilities that will last into adulthood, you might consider contacting a legal service provider to assist you with the conservatorship process. You can review materials online at the California Courts Self Help Center Web site.
California Courts Self Help Center www.courtinfo.ca.gov (IDEA)
A school is required by law to provide special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities, from three years through 21 years of age. Disabilities include hearing or visual impairment, emotional problems, learning impairment and physical impairment. Special education instruction and related services are provided at no cost to the caregiver because state and federal law require that children with disabilities are entitled to a free, appropriate public education (FAPE). Some examples of these services include speech and language therapy, counseling services, transportation services to a specific school and specialized textbooks. Although your child’s school has a legal responsibility to identify students who are eligible for the special education services, school personnel may not on their own discover that your child needs help. It is therefore critical that you submit a written request for an assessment to determine if your child’s problems in school are related to a disability that qualifies him or her for special education services. Note: You must become the child’s legal guardian, be appointed as the educational representative or surrogate by the school district, or be given education rights by the dependency court before you can consent to special education assessments and services. Once the Referral for Assessment letter is submitted, the school has 15 days to create a Proposed Assessment Plan. This plan will be submitted to the caregiver with education rights who then has 15 days to decide whether to sign and thereby agree to the proposed assessment plan. Once the assessment is conducted, the school has 60 days to develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for the child designed to meet the unique educational needs of the student. The caregiver is required to participate in the process and has the ability to appeal decisions regarding the IEP. Consult your local school to obtain the evaluation request forms regarding the Individual Education Program (IEP) process, or a legal service provider listed in the Services Directory on page 48. You can also consult Public Counsel’s booklet: Special Education Rights and Responsibilities for more information. To obtain a copy, call (213) 385-2977 x500 or visit www.publiccounsel.org.
College Financial Aid
If you are caring for a child who is nearing high school graduation, it is important to discuss future plans, including college education. A student who plans to attend college needs to make sure that she is taking the required courses (often referred to as the A-G requirements). One helpful website for planning and reviewing required credits and courses needed is www.californiacolleges.eduadmissions. Click on High School Planner. Another helpful website is www.cacollegepathways.org, which provides an Education Planner for students. In addition, it is important to complete the college financial aid in a timely manner to ensure the best financial aid package available. To receive financial aid from the federal government you must complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) found at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. To complete the FAFSA online you must request a (“PIN”), also available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. For a hard copy of the application simply request one from your high school counselor and or from any college or university financial aid office, trade and technical school, or at any public libraries. Generally, the financial aid application requires that the student provide income information for her parents. However, if the child’s parents are not caring for him or her, the child can request that he or she be considered as an “independent student.” A financial aid administrator at a college can designate a student as independent due to “other unusual circumstances” which can include homelessness or separation from parents. Contact the financial aid administrator at the college of your choice for more information. Children who have been in foster care at any time after the age of 13 qualify automatically as “independent students.” Youth in foster care, can contact an ILP coordinator for assistance with college planning. Children who are 12 and 13 years old may obtain a work permit that allows them to work on school holidays and vacations. With permission from their school or guardian, children who are 14 and 15 may also work on school days but are restricted to certain hours and lengths of employment. However, a full-time work permit is available to children who are 14 to 16 years old, if the minor needs employment to support self or family or resides in foster care or with a guardian, and obtains the written permission of the foster parent, guardian or social worker and permission from the their school. Children over the age of 16 can obtain full-time work permits without parental permission, while those over 18 years of age do not need work permits. Contact the child’s school to obtain a copy of the “Statement of Intent to Employ Minor and Request for Work Permit (B1-1).” If a child is employed in the entertainment industry, work permits are issued through the Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
EMANCIPATION
Emancipation is a court proceeding by which minor children, 14 through 17 years of age, may become freed from the custody and control of their parents or guardian. This means a child is legally separated from his or her parents or legal guardian and has some of the rights and responsibilities of an adult. Only older youth who do well in school and can support themselves financially will qualify. Emancipation makes important changes in the child’s relationship with parents, guardians and public agencies.
• A child will lose the right to have financial support—basic living expenses and health care—paid by parents or guardians;
• Parents or guardians will no longer be legally or financially responsible for any injuries the child may cause to others.
If the child in your care has expressed an interest in becoming emancipated, do seek the advice of a legal services provider.
Work Permit In all states, laws regulate how and when a child is permitted to work.
ESTATE PLANNING (California)
A will is a document that directs how you want your estate to be handled after your death. It may include instructions on how to dispose of your remains, who is to handle your affairs (the Executor), who is to be the guardian of any minor children (if no other person is responsible for the children), whom to give your assets and real or personal property and any other matters. If you are caring for minor children, it is very important to write a will naming a guardian for the children. You can get a copy of the California Statutory Will from www.courtinfo.ca.gov. If you have any questions about drafting a will, you should contact a legal services provider. A trust is a long-term arrangement where a manager (called a “trustee”) invests and manages assets for someone (called a “beneficiary”) based on the terms of the person who set up the trust. There are many kinds of trusts, including trusts created by wills (called “testamentary trust”) and trusts created during your lifetime (called “living trust”). Because trusts can be complicated legal instruments, we recommend that you consult an attorney if you want to create a trust. All caregivers should be aware of the following tax credits, deductions and exemptions that can be claimed on their federal and state income tax returns related to caring for a minor child. You may qualify for the credits even though you do not owe any income tax. Consult a tax professional to discuss your particular circumstances.
• Itemized Deductions: Medical and Dental Expenses
• Tax Credits: Child and Dependent Care Expenses, Child Tax Credit, Adoption Credit/ Exclusion
• Payments: Earned Income Credit
Internal Revenue Service Toll-Free Number 800-829-1040 www.irs.gov
Franchise Tax Board Toll-Free Number 800-338-0505 www.ftb.ca.gov
Taxpayer Advocate Service Toll-Free Number 877-777-4778
HOUSING
No specific housing projects for caregivers are operated; however, both the City and County offer public housing programs for residents. Individuals can apply for residence in certain public housing buildings or use the Section 8 program to select a residence. All housing programs currently have long waiting lists.
INCOME TAX RETURNS
A minor may be required to file federal and state income tax returns if the child has earnings or unearned income in the form of interest in excess of certain limits. However, a parent or guardian may elect to claim the child as a “dependent” on federal or state income tax returns. If the minor child’s tax is not paid, a parent or guardian may be liable for that tax.
SOCIAL SECURITY DOCUMENTS
The Social Security Administration (SSA) issues Social Security numbers. Social Security Administration Toll-Free Number 800-772-1213 www.ssa.gov
TRANSPORTATION
Child Safety Seats
All children must be secured in a child passenger restraint (safety seat or booster seat) in the back seat of a car until they are at least 6 years old or weigh at least 60 pounds. Driver cited for transporting an unrestrained child can be fined and given a point on their driving record. If you need help adjusting a child safety seat, you can contact the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for assistance. The CHP also provides a limited number of replacement child safety seats to those in need. To find a child safety seat inspection station near you, go to: www.nhtsa.gov.
Driver’s License
At age 15, a child may apply for a provisional driver’s license or permit. A parent or guardian will be required to sign the application form. When a parent or guardian signs the application form for a minor to get a driver’s license, they are stating that they will accept financial responsibility for that minor. In California, drivers and vehicle owners are required to carry automobile insurance with minimum monetary limits. If you have questions, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles at 800-777-0133 or www.dmv.ca.gov.