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Definition of facility types:

Adult Residential Facilities (ARF)
Provide 24-hour a day, non-medical care and supervision for clients ages 18-59 or any person 60 years of age or older under specified requirements. These clients may have a mental, physical or developmental disability.

Enhanced Behavioral Support Homes-ARF (EBSH)
Enhanced Behavioral Support Home means a facility certified by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and licensed by the Department (CCLD) as an Adult Residential Facility that provides 24-hour nonmedical care to individuals with developmental disabilities who require enhanced behavioral supports under specified requirements.

Community Crisis Homes-ARF (CCH)
Community Crisis Home means an Adult Residential Facility certified by the Department of Developmental Services and licensed by the Department that provides 24-hour nonmedical care to individuals with developmental disabilities receiving regional center services and in need of crisis intervention services under specified requirements.

Social Rehabilitation Facilities (SRF)
Provide 24 hour a day non-medical care and supervision in a group setting to adults recovering from a mental illness who temporarily need assistance, guidance or counseling. Mental Health certification from the California Department of Health Care Services. is required for this type of facility.

Residential Care Facilities for the Chronically Ill (RCFCI)
Provides care and supervision to adults who have HIV disease or AIDS, emancipated minors with HIV disease or AIDS, or family units with adults or children or both with HIV disease or AIDS, or have a terminal illness.

Adult Residential Facilities for Persons with Special Health Care Needs (ARFPSHN)
Provide 24-hour a day services for up to five adults with developmental disabilities, who have special health care needs and intensive support needs. This facility type requires certification of program approval from the Department of Developmental Services. [http://www.dds.ca.gov/]

Adult Day Programs (ADP)
Any community-based facility or program that provides non-medical care and supervision to persons 18 years of age or older in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or for the protection of these individuals, in a day care setting, on less than a 24-hour basis.

Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE)
A housing arrangement for persons, 60 years of age and over, where 24-hour non-medical care and supervision is provided. Residential Care Facility for the Elderly are often referred to as assisted living facilities, or board and care homes.

Residential Care Facility for the Elderly-Continuing Care Retirement Community (RCFE-CCRC)

Offer a long-term continuing care contract that provides for housing, residential services, and nursing care, usually in one location, and usually for a resident’s lifetime.

Steps to obtaining a license involve:

1. For a new licensee, completion of a three-part component process, consisting of: Orientation for a specific facility category and obtaining a certificate for completion. Component II is conducted by the reviewing analyst one-on-one with the applicant once the application is submitted and reviewed. Component III is category specific training and discussion in areas not often understood by new licensees intended to promote successful facility operation. Component III is conducted prior to licensure.
    
2. Submission of an application, with appropriate fee payment. This fee is not refundable. Applicant must include the proposed facility address on the check or money order.

Mail completed application with payment to:

Department of Social Services
Centralized Applications Bureau
Community Care Licensing
Adult and Senior Care Program
744 P Street, MS 9-14-8201
Sacramento, CA 95814  

Please note:

1. Applicant and other identified persons named in the application are required to obtain a criminal record clearance.
2. Applicant must identify the local fire authority so that a fire clearance can be ordered by CAB.
3. For certain facility types, determining if there are overconcentration issues.
4. A review of the application documents.
5. Financial verification to ensure sufficient start-up funds.
6. A review of the applicant’s credit history.
7. A review of the applicant's prior compliance history, if any.
8. For larger facilities, ensuring that a conditional use permit is obtained.
9. A pre-licensing inspection is conducted.
10. If video surveillance is to be used, follow Video Surveillance guidelines EM 2-5800 Evaluator Manual 2-5800 GUIDELINES FOR USE OF VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

It is the responsibility of the licensee and administrator to possess adequate knowledge of the governing statutes and regulations and the skill to effectively operate the type of facility they are applying for.

Make sure to retain a copy of the application documents for your records.

Make sure the application is complete with all required documents including the orientation certificate, administrator certificate and appropriate application fee.

Make sure you are ready for licensure prior to submitting the application (i.e., construction is completed, facility start-up funds have been secured, conditional use permit obtained).

Be sure to verify the local fire authority information such as the correct mailing address, fax and phone contact.

Be sure to provide a good daytime contact number and email.

Do not place application documents in sheet protectors.

Submit applications directly to the Centralized Application Bureau.

Centralized Applications Bureau
Community Care Licensing
Adult and Senior Care Program
744 P Street, MS 9-14-8201
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (833) 827-6084
Fax: (916) 651-7916