CYC Youth Have Organized To Accomplish the Following Legislative Changes:
Improving Foster Youth Education California affirmed its commitment to foster youth education with the passage of AB 490 (Steinberg, Chapter 862,Statutes of 2003). This new law improves public school procedures so that foster youth have a better chance to succeed in school by requiring that youth are not forced to change schools unnecessarily, won't lose credits and can immediately enroll and quickly receive records at a new school. The bill also requires designation of a foster youth education liaison in each district.
Reforming Non-Public Schools Thousands of foster youth attending non-public schools will finally have the opportunity to receive a quality education due to the passage of AB 1858 (Steinberg, Chapter 914, Statutes of 2004). AB 1858 seeks to improve the quality of education provided at non-public schools by requiring them to meet the same standards for appropriate curricula, qualified teachers and adequate materials and supplies that public schools must meet. Additionally, AB 1858 calls for non-public schools to be monitored similarly to public schools to ensure they are offering appropriate educational services.
Extended Foster Care for Youth who Haven't Graduated All foster youth will have the chance to finish their high school diploma or equivalency before leaving foster care with the passage of AB 1633 (Evans, Chapter 641, Statutes of 2005). AB 1633 allows foster youth working on a high school equivalency to stay in foster care until the age of 19. AB 1633 also will help more foster youth access social security or SSI/SSP benefits and ensure those benefits are managed appropriately. This new law reinforces the need for everyone working with foster youth to educate youth about their education rights and available resources so that youth receive the help they need to graduate and are able to advocate for themselves.
Higher Education for Foster Youth Due to the efforts of CYC and other advocates, more foster youth will be prepared for college, and have increased financial resources to attend. California's 2006-07 budget partially funded components of AB 2489 (Leno) including $8.2 million for expansion of the Foster Youth Services program, a California Dept. of Education support program for foster youth and $5.7million for a state complement to the Chafee Grant (ETV) federal funds so more youth can receive this important financial aid.
Housing for Foster Youth in Higher Eduation In 2009, CYC sponsored legislation that would prioritize foster youth for housing in California's public postsecondary education systems. AB 1393 (Skinner, Chapter 391, Statutes of 2009). Requests the California Community Colleges (CCC) and the University of California (UC), and requires the California State University (CSU), in order to ensure stable housing for current and former foster youth, to give priority for campus housing to current and former foster youth with first priority for housing open for uninterrupted year-round occupation and next priority for housing open for occupation most days during the calendar year.
Permanency for Group Home Youth Due to the efforts of CYC and other child advocates, foster youth in group homes will now have greater chance of establishing a permanent life-long connection with a caring adult. AB 408 (Steinberg, Chapter 813, Statutes of 2003) requires social workers to ask youth over the age of 10 who live in group homes who is important to them and to take actions to support those relationships. AB 408 also strengthens a youth's right to attend their court hearings, and the right of youth to participate in social and extracurricular activities. The new law also allows funds to be used to convene a team of individuals important to the youth to develop a transition plan.
Permanency Planning Involvement for Foster Youth California acknowledged foster youths critical need for permanency and to be involved in the development of their permanency plan with the passage of AB 1412 (Leno, Chapter 640, Statutes of 2005). AB 1412 requires social workers to ask all foster youth, not just those in group homes, about who is important to them, and take actions to maintain those relationships. AB 1412 also gives youth the right to be involved in the plans for their life and well-being by allowing them to have input into and participate in the development of their permanency case plan after the age of 12.
Foster Care Independence Act HR 3443 (Chaffee) Federal legislation passed in 1999 doubled the amount of money the federal government allocates to states for independent living programs; gives states the option of extending Medi-Cal to age 21; requires states to use a portion of these funds for older youth who have left foster care but are under age 21; and allows states to use up to 30% of the federal money for housing for emancipating foster youth.
Extended Medi-Cal for Former Foster Youth Thanks to CYC and other child advocates, California was one of the first states in the country to take advantage of a new federal program that allows states to extend Medi-Cal for former foster youth until the age of 21. This law eliminates the re-application process that emancipated youth previously had to go through in order to get health care. This law change was enacted through the state budget and AB 2877 (Thompson, Chapter 93, Statutes of 2000).
Support for Emancipated Youth In a groundbreaking moment for the state of California, Governor Davis signed AB 427 (Hertzberg, Chapter 125, Statutes of 2001) creating the Supportive Transitional Emancipation Program (STEP), which allows counties to provide monthly financial support to emancipated foster youth as long as they are attending school or working towards the goals outlined in their TILPs. AB 427 also makes changes to the states Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP) that encourage providers to create or expand housing programs for current and former foster youth.
Improving the Independent Living Program CYC members all over the state celebrated the passage of AB 1979 (Steinberg, Chapter 271, Statutes of 2002) which creates statewide regulations for the Independent Living Program. With state regulations, we hope that every youth in California will have equal consistent access to this important program regardless of county.
Creating Housing Options for Foster Youth Transitional Housing Program AB 1198 (Bates, Chapter 799, Statutes of 1993) This bill created the in-care transitional housing option for foster youth 17 years of age or older and in their last year of high school. The program is called the Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP) and further modifications were made to THPP in 2001. Youth live in apartments or houses with close monitoring and supervision from the county or from a private agency.
Post-adoption contact with siblings AB 2196 (Washington, Chapter 1072, Statutes of 1997) was a CYC sponsored bill to increase contact and visitation when siblings are adopted separately. When a child is going to be adopted, the bill requires the social worker to include a discussion of sibling visitation and contact in the child's case plan. The bill also authorizes the court to include in an adoption order provisions that will facilitate sibling contact as long as the adoptive parents do not object.
Maintaining Sibling Togetherness On September 29, 2000 Governor Davis signed AB 1987 (Steinberg, Chapter 909, Statutes of 2000). This law requires social workers to include in court reports a section on the child's sibling relationships and the plans for visitation of siblings. It also requires social workers to notify children on their caseload of significant events in the lives of siblings. This bill takes us one step closer to requiring that siblings be placed together.
Drivers Licenses AB 2691 (Areias, Chapter 865, Statutes of 1992) This bill allows someone other than a child's parents or guardians to sign the child’s application for a drivers license. Probation officers and social workers can sign a drivers license application without liability for any accidents or tickets the child may incur. Any other person who signs the application will be jointly liable with the child for any damages resulting from the negligent or wrongful act of the child in driving a motor vehicle.
Foster Youth Rights After several attempts to put the rights of foster youth into California law, CYC realized success in 2001 as the foster youth bill of rights became law. AB 899 (Liu, Chapter 683, Statutes of 2001) consolidates all of the rights of foster children into a common location in California law. It also requires social workers to inform youth of their rights at least once every six months. Finally, AB 899 requires the list of rights to be posted in facilities that care for six or more foster children.
State Foster Care Ombudsman California has its first foster care ombudsman because of the efforts of CYC youth on SB 933 (Thompson, Chapter 311, Statutes of 1998). The ombudsman's office has a statewide toll free number, 1-877-846-1602 where youth can voice complaints or concerns regarding the foster care system and violations of their personal rights.
