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AB 1574

The Tribal Foster Care Prevention Program.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Ahrens and 14 co-sponsors

Creates a dedicated Tribal Foster Care Prevention Program to fund culturally appropriate, voluntary family preservation and reduce Native American foster care entries in CA.

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
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Bill Summary · AB 1574

Purpose and intent

AB 1574, The Tribal Foster Care Prevention Program, would create a dedicated funding mechanism to support California’s federally recognized Indian tribes (including tribes whose lands extend into California). The core aim is to preserve families and prevent children from entering foster care, addressing overrepresentation of Native American children in the state foster system. The bill emphasizes government-to-government consultation with tribes and seeks to ensure equitable, culturally responsive funding for tribal prevention efforts.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment: Creates the Tribal Foster Care Prevention Program within Welfare and Institutions Code Section 10553.16 to fund services aimed at preserving families and preventing foster care placement for Indian children.
  • Administration and cost-sharing: Tribes may designate another entity to administer allocations on the tribe’s behalf. There shall be no tribal share of the cost for agreements under this section.
  • Eligibility and participation:
    • Tribes must enter into an agreement with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) pursuant to Section 10553.1 or in accordance with Section 1919 of Title 25 U.S.C. to be eligible for funding.
    • Tribes seeking funding must submit an annual letter of interest with: (a) the tribe’s name and contact person, and (b) the approximate number of Indian children in foster care within the tribe in the previous fiscal year.
  • Allocation and implementation:
    • Eligible tribes that enter into an agreement and submit a letter of interest will receive an annual allocation, subject to appropriation in the Budget Act.
    • Allocation methodology and implementation plan will be developed in government-to-government consultation with tribes.
    • The Department must provide an update on progress by February 1, 2028.
  • Reporting and accountability:
    • Tribes receiving funds must submit a progress report by September 30 after the close of the fiscal year. Reports must include (1) total children and families served with prevention funds, and (2) the approximate number of Indian children in foster care within the tribe in the prior year.
  • Federal collaboration and administration:
    • The department may seek federal approvals or waivers to maximize IV-E federal reimbursement and may authorize tribal agreements solely for administering prevention programs, consistent with federal law.
  • Regulatory approach and funding scope:
    • The department may issue guidance to implement or interpret provisions without new regulatory action.
    • Implementation is contingent on explicit funding in the annual Budget Act.

Who would be affected

  • Federally recognized Indian tribes located in California or with lands extending into California.
  • The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) as administrator and fiscal agent.
  • Indian children and their families within participating tribes, who would gain access to prevention services aimed at keeping families intact and reducing foster care involvement.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Annual letter of interest required for eligibility.
  • Progress reports due September 30 each year following the fiscal year of funding.
  • An implementation plan and funding methodology to be developed in government-to-government consultation.
  • CDSS update to legislative staff and stakeholders due by February 1, 2028.
  • Funding is contingent on annual Budget Act appropriations; no baseline appropriation is assumed in the bill.

Overall, AB 1574 would formalize a dedicated tribal prevention funding stream to support culturally appropriate family preservation efforts and reduce foster care entries among Native American children in California.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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