Blog
First Place for Youth
Mar 18, 2019
California was ahead of the curve in extending foster care to youth ages 18-21, and thousands of young people have reaped immense benefits from the longer runway to independence. However, even youth who remain in care face challenges in consistently accessing needed supports and maintaining stable housing. According to the CalYOUTH study, more than 35% of youth have experienced homelessness while actively enrolled in extended foster care. Until we can ensure that the full support of extended foster care is available to all eligible youth, we cannot fulfill the program’s goals and vision.
This is why we are teaming with County Welfare Directors Association of California, Children Now, the Alliance for Children’s Rights, and GRACE to co-sponsor AB 531, a bill that will make significant investments and improvements in extended foster care to ensure transition-age youth have access to supportive advocates and appropriate housing options.
These improvements include:
We are asking you to join us in supporting this measure.
Make your voice heard by downloading the letter of support template (.docx), personalizing it for yourself or your organization, and submitting it via the California Legislature Advocate web portal (registration required).
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