BILL NUMBER: ACR 63	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Bass
   (Principal coauthor: Senator Steinberg)

                        APRIL 20, 2009

   Relative to Foster Care Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 63, as introduced, Bass. Foster Care Month.
   This measure would declare the month of May 2009 as Foster Care
Month.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, In California there are 75,000 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;
and
   WHEREAS, The needs of children and youth for belonging and
unconditional emotional commitment are best met in families; and
   WHEREAS, Many California counties 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; and
   WHEREAS, California recognizes the enduring and valuable
contribution of relatives and foster and adoptive parents who open
their hearts, families, and homes to vulnerable children and youth;
and
   WHEREAS, California recognizes the numerous individuals and public
and private organizations that work to ensure that the needs of
children and youth living in and leaving foster care are met, that
help provide foster and former foster children and youth with vital
connections to their siblings, and that help launch young people into
successful adulthood; and
   WHEREAS, The new federal law, the Fostering Connections to Success
and Increasing Adoptions Act, 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 foster care; and
   WHEREAS, The new federal law affirms California's leadership and
success in pioneering innovative child welfare approaches; and
   WHEREAS, California is committed to working in partnership with
the federal government to improve the lives and futures of all
children and youth touched by the child welfare system; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature declares the month of May
2009 as Foster Care Month; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.