BILL NUMBER: ACR 85	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  136
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 19, 2005
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  SEPTEMBER 7, 2005
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 30, 2005

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Leno

                        AUGUST 16, 2005

   Relative to Court Adoption and Permanency Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 85, Leno  Court Adoption and Permanency Month.
   This measure would proclaim November 2005, as Court Adoption and
Permanency Month.




   WHEREAS, Each year in California, there are more than 490,000
reports of child abuse and neglect and approximately 27,000 children
enter foster care; and
   WHEREAS, Almost 85,000 children in California are living apart
from their families in out-of-home care; and
   WHEREAS, Thirty-four percent of the children in foster care in
California have been away from their families in out-of-home care for
four or more years; and
   WHEREAS, Of the more than 35,000 children exiting foster care
between January and December 2004, 52 percent reunited with their
families and 20 percent were adopted; and
   WHEREAS, The Judicial Council is committed to working with the
Governor, the Legislature, and local courts and communities to bring
about permanency for children who have been abused and neglected; and

   WHEREAS, Local courts and communities throughout California have
created programs promoting adoption and permanency that have resulted
in a decrease in the number of children waiting for permanent, safe
homes; and
   WHEREAS, The Assembly and Senate are committed to working together
to improve outcomes for children in the child welfare system; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That November 2005, is hereby proclaimed to be
Court Adoption and Permanency Month, in which the courts and their
local communities are encouraged to join together in activities to
expedite permanency; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.