BILL ANALYSIS Ó ACR 179 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 12, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES Richard S. Gordon, Chair ACR 179 (Cooley) - As Introduced May 3, 2016 SUBJECT: Foster Care Month SUMMARY: Declares the month of May 2016 as Foster Care Month. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings: 1)In California, there are approximately 66,250 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. 2)Many counties in California 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)The federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 offers opportunities to promote permanent families for children in foster care, improve outcomes for older youth in foster care, increase support for Native American foster children, improve the quality of staff working with youth in the child welfare system, expand our support of relative and adoptive caregivers, and assist older youth in securing meaningful supportive transitions from ACR 179 Page 2 foster care. 4)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: None REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION: Support None on file Opposition None on file Analysis Prepared by:Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800