BILL NUMBER: AB 2342	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 15, 2010

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Evans

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2010

   An act to add Section 16523 to the Welfare and Institutions Code,
relating to foster youth.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2342, as amended, Evans. Foster youth: outreach programs.
   Existing law provides for child welfare services, which are public
social services directed toward, among other purposes, protecting
and promoting the welfare of all children, including those in foster
care placement.
   This bill would require the State Department of Social Services
 , in consult with relevant state departments, the State Foster
Care Ombudsperson, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and
foster youth stakeholders,  to develop a resource guide for 
adolescent  foster youth that outlines available statewide
programs and services, and the eligibility standards for those
programs and services, as specified. This bill would require the
department to make the resource guide available on its Internet Web
site, in addition to a printed format. This bill would require the
department to seek public and private grants to fund the development
and distribution of the resource guide.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 16523 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, to read:
   16523.  (a) The State Department of Social Services shall develop
a resource guide for  adolescent  foster youth that outlines
available statewide programs and services, and the eligibility
standards for those programs and services. The programs and services
included in the resource guide shall include, but not be limited to,
those associated with education,  health,  housing, mental
health services, independent living programs,  personal finance,
 and career and job opportunities.
   (b) The resource guide shall be available on the department's
Internet Web site, in addition to being available in a printed
format. 
   (c) The department shall consult with relevant state departments,
the State Foster Care Ombudsperson, the Administrative Office of the
Courts, and foster youth stakeholders, including, but not limited to,
California Youth Connection, to develop the resource guide. 

   (c) 
    (d)  The department shall seek public and private grants
to fund the development and distribution of the resource guide.