It is the intent of the Legislature that each county be encouraged to provide, in the county, a number and variety of licensed community care facilities, as defined in Sections 1502 and 1503 of the Health and Safety Code, commensurate to the needs of minors adjudged wards of the juvenile court pursuant to Section 601 or 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, hereinafter in this article referred to as wards of the juvenile court, who are residents of the county.

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