As used in this article, the term “wards of the juvenile court” shall include minors who have been found by the juvenile court to be described by Section 601 or 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, as well as minors who are described by Section 601 or 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code who have been diverted from formal juvenile court proceedings. It is further the intent of the Legislature to encourage that wards of the juvenile court be placed in licensed community care facilities within their county of residence, unless an individual ward has identifiable needs requiring specialized care which cannot be provided in a local facility, or unless the needs of the individual ward dictate physical separation from his family.

(Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 889.)