California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 1502.3

(a) It is owned by the county, and operated by the county or by a private nonprofit organization under contract to the county.

(b) It is a group care facility that provides for 24-hour nonmedical care of children who are in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance that is essential for sustaining the activities of daily living, or for the protection of the individual on a short-term basis. As used in this section, “short-term” means up to 90 days from the date of admission.

(c) It is for the sole purpose of providing care for children who have been removed from their homes as a result of abuse or neglect, or both; for children who have been adjudged wards of the court; and, for children who are seriously emotionally disturbed children. For purposes of this subdivision, “abuse or neglect” means the same as defined in Section 300 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. For purposes of this subdivision, “wards of the court” means the same as defined in Section 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. For purposes of this subdivision, “seriously emotionally disturbed children” means the same as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 5600.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(d) It primarily serves children who have previously been placed in a community care facility and are awaiting placement into a different community care facility that is appropriate to their needs. Children residing in transitional shelter care facilities may include children who are very difficult to place in appropriate community care facilities because of factors which may be present in combination, including: threatening, aggressive, suicide, runaway or destructive behaviors and behaviors as defined in Section 5600.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(e) Based upon an agreement with the county, the licensee shall agree to accept, for placement into its transitional shelter care program, all children referred by the county.

(f) The licensee shall not discharge any child without the permission of the county, except when a child:

(g) The licensee shall provide a program that is designed to be flexible enough to care for a highly variable population size and shall allow for the special needs of sibling groups.