STRTP Licensing and Regulatory Compliance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which California state agency is primarily responsible for licensing Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs)?
- Department of Social Services (DSS) (Correct answer)
- Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
- Department of Education (CDE)
- Department of Justice (DOJ)
Correct answer: Department of Social Services (DSS)
The California Department of Social Services (DSS) is the primary licensing authority for STRTPs under California Welfare and Institutions Code.
Question 2: Under California law, an STRTP license is required when a program serves how many or more children at a time?
- 1 (Correct answer)
- 4
- 6
- 10
Correct answer: 1
Any facility providing 24-hour residential care and supervision to one or more children as an STRTP must hold a valid DSS license.
Question 3: What is the maximum length of stay for a child in an STRTP without a court-ordered extension?
- 6 months (Correct answer)
- 12 months
- 18 months
- 24 months
Correct answer: 6 months
STRTPs are designed for short-term stays of up to six months, with extensions requiring court approval.
Question 4: Which document must an STRTP have approved before admitting children to serve as a Medi-Cal provider?
- Medi-Cal Provider Agreement (Correct answer)
- Foster Care Rate Card
- Therapeutic Behavioral Services Plan
- Individualized Budget Authorization
Correct answer: Medi-Cal Provider Agreement
An STRTP must execute a Medi-Cal Provider Agreement with DHCS to bill for mental health services under Medi-Cal.
Question 5: How often must an STRTP undergo a full licensing inspection by DSS?
- Annually (Correct answer)
- Every two years
- Every three years
- Only upon complaint
Correct answer: Annually
California DSS conducts annual inspections of STRTPs to ensure ongoing compliance with licensing standards.
Question 6: Which of the following is a mandatory reporting requirement for STRTPs under California law?
- Reporting suspected child abuse to a child protective services agency or law enforcement (Correct answer)
- Reporting resident curfew violations to parents only
- Reporting medication refusals to DSS within 72 hours
- Reporting staff absences to the county mental health authority
Correct answer: Reporting suspected child abuse to a child protective services agency or law enforcement
All STRTP staff are mandated reporters and must immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect to CPS or law enforcement.
STRTP Licensing and Regulatory Compliance 1
Which California state agency is primarily responsible for licensing Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs)?