California Code, Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 16500

The state, through the department and county welfare departments, shall establish and support a public system of statewide child welfare services to be developed as rapidly as possible and to be available in each county of the state.  All counties shall establish and maintain specialized organizational entities within the county welfare department which shall have sole responsibility for the operation of the child welfare services program.

The Legislature hereby declares its intent, in providing for this statewide system of child welfare services, that all children are entitled to be safe and free from abuse and neglect.