BILL ANALYSIS
AB 880
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 880 (Cohn)
As Amended April 20, 2005
Majority vote
HUMAN SERVICES 5-2 APPROPRIATIONS 13-5
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|Ayes:|Evans, Arambula, Bass, |Ayes:|Chu, Bass, Berg, |
| |Coto, Nation | |Calderon, Mullin, |
| | | |Karnette, Klehs, Leno, |
| | | |Nation, Oropeza, |
| | | |Ridley-Thomas, Saldana, |
| | | |Yee |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Haynes, Spitzer |Nays:|Sharon Runner, Emmerson, |
| | | |Haynes, Nakanishi, |
| | | |Walters |
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SUMMARY : Requires the California Department of Social Services
(DSS) in conjunction with stakeholders to draft guidelines
outlining best practices in the use of advanced technology to
assist counties in identifying all relatives, nonrelatives
and extended members at the earliest possible moment for the
foster child.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, minor absorbable workload to DSS to draft the best
practice guidelines.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "(i)n California, eight
counties including: Alameda County, Monterey County, Orange
County, Placer County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County,
Stanislaus County, San Mateo County have voluntarily initiated
programs to provide the vital function of seeking to find a
foster child's relatives and nonrelative extended family members
using new advances in technology." These advanced search
methods can serve to find family members who may agree to house
children who would otherwise be at risk of foster care
placement. Relative homes offer stability to children in crisis
and enhance family reunification.
Through this bill, DSS may identify best practices as reported
AB 880
Page 2
by the counties that are planning, designing, and implementing
strategies to prioritize the placement of children. The
creation of public and private partnerships will be encouraged
and will enhance programs designed to quickly identify the
relative and nonrelative extended family members of children
placed in foster care.
Analysis Prepared by: Caitlin O'Halloran / HUM. S. /
(916)-319-2089
FN: 0010299