[Filed with Secretary of State September 3, 2015.]
ACR 85, Gordon. Medically fragile foster care children and adoptive placement children.
This measure would designate November 2015 as a month to raise awareness about the issue of medically fragile foster care children and adoptive placement children and the actions that every Californian can take to make a positive difference in these children’s lives.
WHEREAS, Over 60,000 California children are currently in the foster care system; and
WHEREAS, A certain subset of the foster care population are medically fragile children, who are children with physical or intellectual disabilities or both that require an increased level of care and support; and
WHEREAS, The number of foster care and adoptive placements currently far exceeds the availability of foster care and adoptive parents, making it a challenge to provide foster care and adoptive placement homes for all who need them, and this shortage has reached crisis proportions in some parts of the state; and
WHEREAS, It is particularly difficult to place medically fragile foster care children and adoptive placement children due to the increased level of care they need; and
WHEREAS, Every child deserves the opportunity to achieve his or her fullest potential in a safe, stable, and loving environment; and
WHEREAS, There are California families who are stepping up to make a difference for medically fragile foster care children by opening their hearts, homes, and lives, but many more are needed; and
WHEREAS, If greater awareness is raised about this vulnerable foster care population and the ways that ordinary Californians can make a difference, this crisis will begin to be averted; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature declares November 2015 as a month to raise awareness about the issue of medically fragile foster care children and adoptive placement children and the actions that every Californian can take to make a positive difference in these children’s lives; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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