Cal. Welf. and Inst. Code § 10907
The board of supervisors of any county may grant to any permanent employee of the county department a leave of absence with pay to attend an institution of learning for the purpose of improving his skill, knowledge and technique in the administration of social welfare programs which will benefit the county department.
In order to be eligible for an educational leave, the employee must have a satisfactory service record with the county and must execute an agreement to return to the county department to render one year of service. The employee shall furnish a suitable bond indemnifying the county against possible loss in the event the employee fails to return to the county and render the required period of service stipulated in the agreement. Such bond shall be exonerated in the event the failure of the employee to render the stipulated period of service is caused by death, physical or mental disability of the employee. If the board of supervisors finds, and by resolution declares, that the interests of the county will be protected by written agreement of the employee to return to the service of the county and render at least one year of service therein following his return from leave, the board of supervisors may waive the furnishing of the bond.
The terms and amount of pay or stipend to be paid shall be set by the board of supervisors. Any such pay or stipend shall be considered a proper charge against the administration of the public welfare programs.
Notwithstanding any other provisions in this section to the contrary, the board of supervisors may provide educational leaves to employees under such conditions as may be prescribed in an agreement or plan entered into by this state with the federal government.
Ca. Welf. and Inst. Code § 10907