This measure would declare the month of May 2024 as Foster Care Awareness Month.

This measure would declare the month of May 2024 as Foster Care Awareness Month.

This measure would declare the month of May 2024 as Foster Care Awareness Month.

This measure would declare the month of May 2024 as Foster Care Month.

WHEREAS, The needs of children and youth for belonging and unconditional emotional commitment are best met in families; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 45,000 children in California are navigating the complexities of the foster care system, longing for and deserving safe, enduring bonds with nurturing adults, a stable home, and comprehensive supports to grow, learn, and thrive; and

WHEREAS, Californias children and youth represent our hope for the future and every child deserves a safe, loving, accepting, stable, and nurturing home; and

WHEREAS, Historically, foster youth have experienced alarming rates of homelessness as they transition out of care. While California has taken great strides to address this, 1 in 4 foster youth experience homelessness after exiting care and before turning 23 years of age; and

WHEREAS, Many California counties and community partners have successfully supported permanent family connections for foster youth, provided support for families at risk of entering the child welfare system, and changed practices to fully engage youth, families, and communities, thereby reducing the number of children in foster care; and

WHEREAS, California recognizes the enduring and valuable contribution of relatives and foster and adoptive parents who open their hearts, families, and homes to vulnerable children and youth; and

WHEREAS, California acknowledges the tireless efforts of countless individuals and organizations dedicated to meeting the needs of children and youth within, and transitioning out of, foster care, facilitating essential connections among youth and their siblings, and empowering young individuals to thrive as they transition into adulthood; and

WHEREAS, California is deeply committed to constructing a comprehensive, holistic behavioral health and strengths-based system for youth and families affected by the child welfare system, designed to be responsive to the trauma caused by family separation, specifically embracing nontraditional therapeutic methods such as enrichment activities and prioritizing lifelong relationships; and

WHEREAS, It is undeniable that children and adolescents thrive most effectively within the nurturing embrace of familial environments, thus ensuring that such placements continue to be given the highest priority; and

WHEREAS, California has undergone comprehensive reforms to improve the experience and outcomes of children and youth in foster care by improving assessments of children and families to make more informed and appropriate initial placement decisions, emphasizing home-based family care placements of children, appropriately supporting these placements with needed services, creating short-term programs for youth whose needs cannot be met safely in families, and increasing transparency and accountability for child outcomes; and

WHEREAS, California is dedicated to working in partnership with local governments, advocates, and stakeholders to address the disproportionate representation of Black, Latino, and indigenous youth in the foster care system, and further, to address systemwide outcomes that reflect that children of color in the foster care system are more likely to experience multiple placements and less likely to be reunited with their birth families than White children in the foster care system; and

WHEREAS, California is committed to working in partnership with the federal government, local governments, and community partners to improve the lives and futures of all children and youth touched by the child welfare system; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature declares the month of May 2024 as Foster Care Awareness Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, The needs of children and youth for belonging and unconditional emotional commitment are best met in families; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 45,000 children in California are navigating the complexities of the foster care system, longing for and deserving safe, enduring bonds with nurturing adults, a stable home, and comprehensive supports to grow, learn, and thrive; and

WHEREAS, Californias children and youth represent our hope for the future and every child deserves a safe, loving, accepting, stable, and nurturing home; and

WHEREAS, Historically, foster youth have experienced alarming rates of homelessness as they transition out of care. While California has taken great strides to address this, 1 in 4 foster youth experience homelessness after exiting care and before turning 23 years of age; and

WHEREAS, Many California counties and community partners have successfully supported permanent family connections for foster youth, provided support for families at risk of entering the child welfare system, and changed practices to fully engage youth, families, and communities, thereby reducing the number of children in foster care; and

WHEREAS, California recognizes the enduring and valuable contribution of relatives and foster and adoptive parents who open their hearts, families, and homes to vulnerable children and youth; and

WHEREAS, California acknowledges the tireless efforts of countless individuals and organizations dedicated to meeting the needs of children and youth within, and transitioning out of, foster care, facilitating essential connections among youth and their siblings, and empowering young individuals to thrive as they transition into adulthood; and

WHEREAS, California is deeply committed to constructing a comprehensive, holistic behavioral health and strengths-based system for youth and families affected by the child welfare system, designed to be responsive to the trauma caused by family separation, specifically embracing nontraditional therapeutic methods such as enrichment activities and prioritizing lifelong relationships; and

WHEREAS, It is undeniable that children and adolescents thrive most effectively within the nurturing embrace of familial environments, thus ensuring that such placements continue to be given the highest priority; and

WHEREAS, California has undergone comprehensive reforms to improve the experience and outcomes of children and youth in foster care by improving assessments of children and families to make more informed and appropriate initial placement decisions, emphasizing home-based family care placements of children, appropriately supporting these placements with needed services, creating short-term programs for youth whose needs cannot be met safely in families, and increasing transparency and accountability for child outcomes; and

WHEREAS, California is dedicated to working in partnership with local governments, advocates, and stakeholders to address the disproportionate representation of Black, Latino, and indigenous youth in the foster care system, and further, to address systemwide outcomes that reflect that children of color in the foster care system are more likely to experience multiple placements and less likely to be reunited with their birth families than White children in the foster care system; and

WHEREAS, California is committed to working in partnership with the federal government, local governments, and community partners to improve the lives and futures of all children and youth touched by the child welfare system; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature declares the month of May 2024 as Foster Care Awareness Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, The needs of children and youth for belonging and unconditional emotional commitment are best met in families; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 45,000 children in California are navigating the complexities of the foster care system, longing for and deserving safe, enduring bonds with nurturing adults, a stable home, and comprehensive supports to grow, learn, and thrive; and

WHEREAS, Californias children and youth represent our hope for the future and every child deserves a safe, loving, accepting, stable, and nurturing home; and

WHEREAS, Historically, foster youth have experienced alarming rates of homelessness as they transition out of care. While California has taken great strides to address this, 1 in 4 foster youth experience homelessness after exiting care and before turning 23 years of age; and

WHEREAS, Many California counties and community partners have successfully supported permanent family connections for foster youth, provided support for families at risk of entering the child welfare system, and changed practices to fully engage youth, family, families, and communities, thereby reducing the number of children in foster care; and

WHEREAS, California recognizes the enduring and valuable contribution of relatives and foster and adoptive parents who open their hearts, families, and homes to vulnerable children and youth; and

WHEREAS, California acknowledges the tireless efforts of countless individuals and organizations dedicated to meeting the needs of children and youth within, and transitioning out of, foster care, facilitating essential connections among youth and their siblings, and empowering young individuals to thrive as they transition into adulthood; and

WHEREAS, California is deeply committed to constructing a comprehensive, holistic behavioral health and strengths-based system for youth and families affected by the child welfare system, designed to be responsive to the trauma caused by family separation, specifically embracing nontraditional therapeutic methods such as enrichment activities and prioritizing lifelong relationships; and

WHEREAS, It is undeniable that children and adolescents thrive most effectively within the nurturing embrace of familial environments, thus ensuring that such placements continue to be given the highest priority; and

WHEREAS, California is engaged in continuum of care reform, which is a comprehensive approach to improving has undergone comprehensive reforms to improve the experience and outcomes of children and youth in foster care by improving assessments of children and families to make more informed and appropriate initial placement decisions, emphasizing home-based family care placements of children, appropriately supporting these placements with needed services, creating short-term residential therapeutic programs for youth whose needs cannot be met safely in families, and increasing transparency and accountability for child outcomes; and

WHEREAS, California is committed dedicated to working in partnership with local governments, advocates, and stakeholders to address the disproportionate representation of Black and indigenous youth and youth of color Black, Latino, and indigenous youth in the foster care system, and further, to address systemwide outcomes that reflect that children of color in the foster care system are more likely to experience multiple placements and less likely to be reunited with their birth families than White children in the foster care system; and

WHEREAS, California is committed to working in partnership with the federal government and local governments government, local governments, and community partners to improve the lives and futures of all children and youth touched by the child welfare system; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature declares the month of May 2024 as Foster Care Awareness Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, There are nearly 45,000 California children and youth in foster care who need and deserve safe, permanent connections to loving adults, a stable home, and adequate preparation for a secure future; and

WHEREAS, The needs of children and youth for belonging and unconditional emotional commitment are best met in families; and

WHEREAS, Many California counties and community partners have successfully supported permanent family connections for foster youth, provided support for families at risk of entering the child welfare system, and changed practices to fully engage youth, family, and communities, thereby reducing the number of children in foster care; and

WHEREAS, California recognizes the enduring and valuable contribution of relatives and foster and adoptive parents who open their hearts, families, and homes to vulnerable children and youth; and

WHEREAS, California recognizes the numerous individuals and public and private organizations that work to ensure that the needs of children and youth living in, and leaving, foster care are met, that help provide foster and former foster children and youth with vital connections to their siblings, and that help launch young people into successful adulthood; and

WHEREAS, California is engaged in continuum of care reform, which is a comprehensive approach to improving the experience and outcomes of children and youth in foster care by improving assessments of children and families to make more informed and appropriate initial placement decisions, emphasizing home-based family care placements of children, appropriately supporting these placements with needed services, creating short-term residential therapeutic programs for youth whose needs cannot be met safely in families, and increasing transparency and accountability for child outcomes; and

WHEREAS, California is further engaged in building a comprehensive behavioral health system for youth and families impacted by the child welfare system that is responsive to the trauma inherent to family separation; and

WHEREAS, California is committed to working in partnership with local governments, advocates, and stakeholders to address the disproportionate representation of Black and indigenous youth and youth of color in the foster care system, and further, to address systemwide outcomes that reflect that children of color in the foster care system are more likely to experience multiple placements and less likely to be reunited with their birth families than White children in the foster care system; and

WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges for children and youth in foster care, including widening the gap in education achievement and mental health support services; and

WHEREAS, Historically, foster youth have experienced alarming rates of homelessness as they transition out of care. While California has taken great strides to address this, 1 in 3 foster youth experience homelessness after exiting care and before turning 23 years of age; and

WHEREAS, California is committed to working in partnership with the federal government and local governments to improve the lives and futures of all children and youth touched by the child welfare system; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature declares the month of May 2024 as Foster Care Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: ACR 193

Author: Bryan (D), Friedman (D) and Hart (D), et al.

Amended: 5/28/24 in Assembly

Vote: 21

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: Read and adopted, 5/30/24

SUBJECT: Foster Care Awareness Month

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution declares the month of May 2024 as Foster Care Awareness Month.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Nearly 45,000 children in California are navigating the complexities of the foster care system, longing for and deserving safe, enduring bonds with nurturing adults, a stable home, and comprehensive supports to grow, learn, and thrive.
2. Historically, foster youth have experienced alarming rates of homelessness as they transition out of care. While California has taken great strides to address this, 1 in 4 foster youth experience homelessness after exiting care and before turning 23 years of age.
3. Many California counties and community partners have successfully supported permanent family connections for foster youth, provided support for families at risk of entering the child welfare system, and changed practices to fully engage youth, families, and communities, thereby reducing the number of children in foster care.
4. California acknowledges the tireless efforts of countless individuals and organizations dedicated to meeting the needs of children and youth within, and transitioning out of, foster care, facilitating essential connections among youth and their siblings, and empowering young individuals to thrive as they transition into adulthood.
5. California has undergone comprehensive reforms to improve the experience and outcomes of children and youth in foster care by improving assessments of children and families to make more informed and appropriate initial placement decisions, emphasizing home-based family care placements of children, appropriately supporting these placements with needed services, creating short-term programs for youth whose needs cannot be met safely in families, and increasing transparency and accountability for child outcomes.

This resolution declares the month of May 2024 as Foster Care Awareness Month.

Comments

According to the author:

May is National Foster Care Month. Foster youth are among our state's most vulnerable populations. Transition-aged foster youth face high rates homelessness, low educational attainment, and are more likely to touch the carceral system. Although California has made strides in reforming our child welfare system to center the needs and best interests of foster youth, there is still significant work to be done to improve our model of care.

Related/Prior Legislation

SCR 147 (Ashby, 2024) would designate the month of May 2024 as Foster Youth Awareness Month. This resolution is pending in the Assembly Rules Committee.

SCR 65 (Ashby, Resolution Chapter 102, Statutes of 2023) designated the month of May 2023, as Foster Youth Awareness Month.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 6/11/24)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/11/24)

None received

Prepared by: Holly Hummelt / SFA / (916) 651-1520

6/12/24 14:36:44

**** END ****

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:ACR 193

Author:(Bryan, et al.)

As Amended Ver:May 28, 2024

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Declares the month of May 2024 as Foster Care Awareness Month.

Major Provisions

1. Nearly 45,000 children in California are navigating the complexities of the foster care system, longing for and deserving safe, enduring bonds with nurturing adults, a stable home, and comprehensive supports to grow, learn, and thrive.
2. California's children and youth represent our hope for the future and every child deserves a safe, loving, accepting, stable, and nurturing home.
3. Historically, foster youth have experienced alarming rates of homelessness as they transition out of care. While California has taken great strides to address this, one in four foster youth experience homelessness after exiting care and before turning 23 years of age.
4. Many California counties and community partners have successfully supported permanent family connections for foster youth, provided support for families at risk of entering the child welfare system, and changed practices to fully engage youth, families, and communities, thereby reducing the number of children in foster care.
5. California recognizes the enduring and valuable contribution of relatives and foster and adoptive parents who open their hearts, families, and homes to vulnerable children and youth.
6. California acknowledges the tireless efforts of countless individuals and organizations dedicated to meeting the needs of children and youth within, and transitioning out of, foster care, facilitating essential connections among youth and their sibling, and empowering young individuals to thrive as they transition into adulthood.
7. It is undeniable that children and adolescents thrive most effectively within the nurturing embrace of familial environments, thus ensuring that such placements continue to be given the highest priority.
8. California is dedicated to working in partnership with local governments, advocates, and stakeholders to address the disproportionate representation of Black, Latino, and indigenous youth in the foster care system. And further, to address system-wide outcomes that reflect that children of color in the foster care system are more likely to experience multiple placements and less likely to be reunited with their birth families than White children in the foster care system.
9. California is committed to working in partnership with the federal government, local governments, and community partners to improve the lives and futures of all children and youth touched by the child welfare system.

COMMENTS

According to the Author

May is National Foster Care Month. Foster youth are among our state's most vulnerable populations. Transition-aged foster youth face high rates of homelessness, low educational attainment, and are more likely to touch the carceral system. Although California has made strides in reforming our child welfare system to center the needs and best interests of foster youth, there is still significant work to be done to improve our model of care.

Arguments in Support

None on file

Arguments in Opposition

None on file

FISCAL COMMENTS

No fiscal impact. This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

VOTES

ASM RULES: 10-0-1

YES: Pacheco, Cervantes, Flora, Friedman, Holden, Jones-Sawyer, Maienschein, Dixon, Ting, Waldron

ABS, ABST OR NV: Low

UPDATED

VERSION: May 28, 2024

CONSULTANT: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800 FN: 0003483

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:ACR 193

Author:(Bryan, et al.)

As Introduced Ver:May 2, 2024

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Declares the month of May 2024 as Foster Care Month.

Major Provisions

1. There are nearly 45,000 California children and youth in foster care who need and deserve safe, permanent connections to loving adults, a stable home, and adequate preparation for a secure future. The needs of children and youth for belonging and unconditional emotional commitment are best met in families.
2. Many California counties and community partners have successfully supported permanent family connections for foster youth, provided support for families at risk of entering the child welfare system, and changed practices to fully engage youth, family, and communities, thereby reducing the number of children in foster care.
3. California recognizes the enduring and valuable contribution of relatives and foster and adoptive parents who open their hearts, families, and homes to vulnerable children and youth.
4. California recognizes the numerous individuals and public and private organizations that work to ensure that the needs of children and youth living in, and leaving, foster care are met, that help provide foster and former foster children and youth with vital connections to their siblings, and that help launch young people into successful adulthood.
5. California is committed to working in partnership with local governments, advocates, and stakeholders to address the disproportionate representation of Black and indigenous youth and youth of color in the foster care system. And further, to address system-wide outcomes that reflect that children of color in the foster care system are more likely to experience multiple placements and less likely to be reunited with their birth families than White children in the foster care system.
6. The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges for children and youth in foster care, including widening the gap in education achievement and mental health support services.
7. California is committed to working in partnership with the federal government and local governments to improve the lives and futures of all children and youth touched by the child welfare system.

COMMENTS

According to the Author

May is National Foster Care Month. Foster youth are among our state's most vulnerable populations. Transition-aged foster youth face high rates of homelessness, low educational attainment, and are more likely to touch the carceral system. Although California has made strides in reforming our child welfare system to center the needs and best interests of foster youth, there is still significant work to be done to improve our model of care.

Arguments in Support

None on file

Arguments in Opposition

None on file

FISCAL COMMENTS

No fiscal impact. This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

VOTES

ASM RULES: 10-0-1

YES: Pacheco, Cervantes, Flora, Friedman, Holden, Jones-Sawyer, Maienschein, Dixon, Ting, Waldron

ABS, ABST OR NV: Low

UPDATED

VERSION: May 2, 2024

CONSULTANT: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800 FN: 0002936

Date of Hearing: May 13, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES

Blanca Pacheco, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:ACR 193 (

Author:Bryan) – As Introduced Ver:May 2, 2024

SUBJECT: Foster Care Month.

SUMMARY: Declares the month of May 2024 as Foster Care Month. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. There are nearly 45,000 California children and youth in foster care who need and deserve safe, permanent connections to loving adults, a stable home, and adequate preparation for a secure future. The needs of children and youth for belonging and unconditional emotional commitment are best met in families.
2. Many California counties and community partners have successfully supported permanent family connections for foster youth, provided support for families at risk of entering the child welfare system, and changed practices to fully engage youth, family, and communities, thereby reducing the number of children in foster care.
3. California recognizes the enduring and valuable contribution of relatives and foster and adoptive parents who open their hearts, families, and homes to vulnerable children and youth.
4. California recognizes the numerous individuals and public and private organizations that work to ensure that the needs of children and youth living in, and leaving, foster care are met, that help provide foster and former foster children and youth with vital connections to their siblings, and that help launch young people into successful adulthood.
5. California is committed to working in partnership with local governments, advocates, and stakeholders to address the disproportionate representation of Black and indigenous youth and youth of color in the foster care system. And further, to address system-wide outcomes that reflect that children of color in the foster care system are more likely to experience multiple placements and less likely to be reunited with their birth families than White children in the foster care system.
6. The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges for children and youth in foster care, including widening the gap in education achievement and mental health support services.
7. California is committed to working in partnership with the federal government and local governments to improve the lives and futures of all children and youth touched by the child welfare system.

FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800