RFA-01A Form California: How to Complete Your Resource Family Application

The RFA-01A is the document that formally initiates your Resource Family Approval process in California. It's not long—a few pages of basic household and personal information—but mistakes on this form cause delays that can stretch for weeks. Here's how to complete it correctly the first time and what to attach when you submit.

What the RFA-01A Is

RFA-01A (Resource Family Application) is the official CDSS form that opens your file with the county welfare department or Foster Family Agency. It's submitted alongside RFA-01B (Criminal Record Statement), which is a separate form completed by every adult in the household.

The form collects:

• Applicant name(s), address, contact information
• Type of care you're applying to provide (foster care, adoption, legal guardianship, or all)
• Household composition: every person living in the home, their ages, and their relationship to the applicant
• Confirmation that you consent to background checks and home inspections

It is not a detailed application. There's no essay portion, no narrative about your motivation to foster, and no financial disclosure section. Those come later in the RFA process—specifically in the RFA-05 family evaluation interviews and the home environment assessment (RFA-03 checklist).

Who Must Submit and When

Standard applicants: You submit RFA-01A and RFA-01B at the start of your application process—typically after attending your county's mandatory orientation session.

Kinship and NREFM emergency placements: If a child has been placed in your home on an emergency basis before you've completed any paperwork, you must submit RFA-01A and RFA-01B within 5 business days of the placement date. This deadline triggers access to Emergency Assistance caregiver funding. Missing it delays your financial support.

Completing the Form Correctly

Every adult in the household needs to appear. The form requires you to list all household members. Every adult (18+) will also need to complete RFA-01B separately and submit to LiveScan fingerprinting. A common error is listing only the primary applicant and forgetting a spouse, partner, or adult child living in the home. Any adult not listed and cleared cannot be in the home during the approval process without causing a compliance issue.

Match names exactly to legal ID. The name on the RFA-01A must match the name on the government ID you'll provide later and the name submitted for LiveScan. A discrepancy—even a middle name versus middle initial—can create background check matching errors that extend your timeline.

Type of care: select all that apply. Many families check only "foster care" because they're not sure whether they want to adopt. CDSS recommends checking all applicable boxes (foster care, adoption, guardianship) because the RFA process qualifies you for all three simultaneously. You don't have to adopt just because you checked the box. This is the whole point of the unified RFA standard—it approves you for everything and lets the child's case plan determine the outcome.

Rental agreements count as proof of "control of property." If you rent, include a copy of your current lease. Some applicants with informal living arrangements (renting month-to-month from a family member) need to obtain a written document that demonstrates they have control over the property. A signed letter from the landlord specifying your tenancy is acceptable if a formal lease doesn't exist.

Required Documents to Submit with RFA-01A

The complete initial packet varies slightly by county, but at minimum you'll need:

• RFA-01A (completed and signed by all applicants)
• RFA-01B (Criminal Record Statement, one per adult in the household)
• Proof of identity — government-issued photo ID for each adult
• Proof of residency — lease, mortgage statement, or deed in your name
• Income verification — recent pay stubs, tax return, or other documentation showing financial self-sufficiency (not a minimum income—just evidence you're not relying on the foster care stipend for basic expenses)

Counties may also request:

• Emergency plan (LIC 610B) — a basic written plan for household emergencies
• Reference names — you'll eventually need three personal references; some counties ask for the list at intake

Where to Submit

You submit to whichever entity is processing your application:

• County welfare department: Submit directly to the county RFA unit. Most large counties (LA, San Diego, Santa Clara) use the Binti platform for online application submission. Some smaller counties still process paper packets.
• Foster Family Agency (FFA): If you're applying through a private FFA, submit directly to the agency. They will coordinate with the county on your behalf.

If you're unsure whether to apply through the county or an FFA, this is one of the most consequential decisions in the RFA process and worth thinking through carefully before you submit. Switching paths mid-process is possible but time-consuming.

What Happens After Submission

Once RFA-01A is received, the county or FFA:

1. Opens your file and assigns you a case number
2. Initiates LiveScan fingerprinting for all adults in the household
3. Schedules your first in-person interview (part of the RFA-05 family evaluation)
4. Provides the RFA-03 home safety checklist for your self-review
5. Enrolls you in pre-service training (if not already in progress)

Processing time after submission varies significantly by county. In LA County, expect weeks before you receive confirmation that your file is active. Keep a copy of everything you submit and note the date.

The California Foster Care Licensing Guide includes a complete documentation checklist, the most common RFA-01A errors that trigger delays, and a guide to the county-vs-FFA decision before you submit your first form.

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