BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2129
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Date of Hearing: April 14, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 2129 (Bass) - As Introduced: February 18, 2010
Policy Committee: Human
ServicesVote:6 - 0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill extends the deadline from January 1, 2011, to January
1, 2014, for the Department of Social Services (DSS) to develop
a plan to transform the current statewide system of group homes
into a system of residentially based services. In addition, the
bill extends the timeline during which voluntary agreements can
be entered into between counties and nonprofit agencies to test
alternative program design and funding models from five years
beginning January 1, 2008 to five years beginning January 1,
2010.
FISCAL EFFECT
The original cost for the project was estimated to be in excess
of $250,000 for DSS to collaborate with stakeholders to develop
an alternative to the current group home system and to report to
the Legislature annually on the progress being made toward
developing an alternative system.
Delaying the completion date for the project should not increase
costs and may allow DSS to secure funding for the effort from
private foundations, thus saving state General Fund.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . The purpose of the original legislation, AB 1453
(Soto; Chapter 466, Statutes of 2007), was to ensure that the
state begin moving away from placing children in group homes
toward a program that provides residentially-based services,
thus allowing children and youth to live in a family setting
and ensuring they have access to any services that they need.
AB 2129
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AB 1453 was intended to begin reform of how group homes
deliver services to children and youth in foster care.
According to the author, AB 1453 represented "a unique
partnership between the Legislature, the State, and
philanthropy to move this project forward in difficult fiscal
times. Philanthropy (especially the Casey Foundation - Casey
Family Programs) has contributed significant resources to
support state operations and technical assistance."
The author notes there was a significant delay in DSS
developing the proper mechanism for receipt of private
funding, resulting in the delay in starting the project and
the need for additional time to accomplish the goals of the
project.
2)Background . For more than a decade, the Legislature has been
aware of the need to reform group home care because of the
poor outcomes for many children placed in those facilities.
In 1998, the Legislature passed AB 933 (Figueroa; Chapter 311,
Statutes of 1998) which, among other things, required DSS to
bring together stakeholders to "reexamine the role of group
care in a family-based system of care."
DSS prepared two reports to the Legislature based on these
stakeholders meetings, which included a wide range of
recommendations. Among them was the recommendation to develop
an alternative payment system that supports good foster care
practices and the "new vision of group care." The
recommendation was never implemented and AB 1453 represented
an attempt to continue the dialogue started a decade ago and
perhaps move toward a residentially-based foster care system
that provides necessary therapeutic services.
Analysis Prepared by : Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916)
319-2081