Sources
Sources behind this course
Each lesson lists the sources it uses. Open the original for the exact rule, form or instruction that applies to your work. The source library describes each one in more detail.
Community Care Facility Search, with its FAQ and Glossary
The state's public search of licensed care homes: facility type, license status, capacity, the Regional Office, visits, complaints, citations and reports, and what each term means.
Where to look: A home's detail page; the FAQ (Searching, Results, Facility Detail) and the Glossary (Adult Residential Facility, Capacity, Citation, Complainant, Probation, Revocation, Substantiated, Suspended, Unsubstantiated).
Open the CDSS Facility SearchFacility Search Welcome
What the Facility Search holds (five years of information, complaint reports, email updates) and how to use it: never alone, always with a visit and the home's current licensing information.
Where to look: The "A few important notes" list.
Open the CDSS Facility Search Welcome pageResources for Residents and Families (Senior Care Licensing)
What an RCFE is, how to review a facility file, and where to report elder abuse or get help from the Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
Where to look: Senior Care Facility Types, How to Review a Facility File, Elder Abuse and Neglect Reporting, Resident Advocacy.
Open the CDSS page for residents and familiesChoosing a Residential Care Facility for Seniors in California: A Guide for Consumers (version 06/01/2022)
The state's consumer guide for choosing an RCFE: what an RCFE is, basic services, the license, identifying needs, the facility search and public file, visits, complaints and the visit checklist.
Where to look: Sections 1, 2 and 4 to 8, and section 10 (Facility Visit Overview).
Open the CDSS guide to choosing an RCFE (PDF)Choosing a Residential Care Facility for Adults in California: A Guide for Consumers (version 03/02/2023)
The state's consumer guide for choosing an ARF: the license, what an ARF is, needs and supports, referrals for specialized programs, the facility search, the visit checklist and complaints.
Where to look: Sections 1, 3, 5 and 6, section 8 (Facility Visit Overview) and section 9 (complaints).
Open the CDSS guide to choosing an ARF (PDF)LIC 613C-2, Personal Rights of Residents in Privately Operated Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (3/25)
The personal rights of residents in a privately run RCFE, when they are explained and given, the posting rule, and the complaint and elder-abuse contacts.
Where to look: Page 1 (explanation and contacts), pages 2 to 5 (the rights), page 7 (the signature block).
Open LIC 613C-2 (PDF)Community Care Licensing forms
The CDSS forms list, including the personal-rights forms: LIC 613 (adult residential care facilities), LIC 613C (publicly operated RCFEs) and LIC 613C-2 (privately operated RCFEs).
Where to look: The I to L list: the LIC 613 entries and their revision dates.
Open the CDSS forms libraryTitle 22, section 87101: Definitions
The RCFE definitions, including what a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly is.
Where to look: Subdivision (r)(5).
Open section 87101 on Cornell LIICalifornia Code of Regulations, title 22, section 80001 (Definitions)
The general licensing definitions for community care facilities, including what an Adult Residential Facility is.
Where to look: Subdivision (a)(5).
Open section 80001 on Cornell LIIDHCS 0062, Assisted Living Waiver Freedom of Choice Form (Revised 12/2019)
The person's written choice to accept or decline ALW services as an alternative to nursing facility care, the right to choose a waiver provider, and when an authorized representative signs.
Where to look: Page 1 (the letter and the two numbered statements) and page 2 (the Accept and Decline sections).
Open the DHCS 0062 Freedom of Choice form (PDF)DHCS 1322, Assisted Living Waiver Patient's Rights (Revised 2/2024)
What the person confirms with the care coordinator: free choice of services, providers and where they live, the setting options discussed, contact details, and where rights concerns go.
Where to look: Page 1 (the checklist and contact lines), page 2 (signatures) and page 3 (the Ombudsman and CRISISline notice).
Open the DHCS 1322 Patient's Rights form (PDF)ALW Assisted Living Facilities (DHCS dataset, data as of 1/1/2026)
The DHCS list of homes enrolled in the ALW, and the DHCS statement of who is eligible (Medi-Cal, nursing facility level of care, no share of cost). It is not a list of openings.
Where to look: The dataset description and its fields (provider names, enrolled capacity, location, counties, phone).
Open the DHCS list of ALW enrolled homesALW participating facilities
The state’s list of participating homes. It is not a list of openings and not an admission decision.
Where to look: The RCFE and ARF participating-facility table.
Open the DHCS participating-facility list