BILL NUMBER: SCR 104	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Steinberg

                        APRIL 26, 2010

   Relative to Foster Care Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 104, as introduced, Steinberg. Foster Care Month.
   This measure would designate May 2010 as Foster Care Month.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, In California, there are more than 60,000 children and
youth in foster care who need and deserve safe and stable homes,
permanent connections to loving adults, and adequate preparation for
adulthood; and
   WHEREAS, A child's and youth's need for a sense of belonging,
unconditional love, and emotional commitment are best met in
families; and
   WHEREAS, Many California counties are working to provide permanent
family connections for foster youth, provide support for families at
risk of entering the child welfare system, and improve practices to
fully engage youth, family, and communities, thereby reducing the
number of children and youth in foster care; and
   WHEREAS, California recognizes the enduring and valuable
contribution of relatives, foster parents, and adoptive parents who
open their hearts, families, and homes to vulnerable children and
youth; and
   WHEREAS, California recognizes the numerous individuals in public
agencies and private organizations that work to ensure that the needs
of children and youth living in, and leaving, foster care are met,
that help to provide foster children and youth and former foster
children and youth with vital connections to their siblings, and that
help launch young people into successful adulthood; and
   WHEREAS, The current economic recession has presented additional
challenges for individuals, agencies, and organizations working to
meet the needs of foster youth; and
   WHEREAS, A recent federal law, the Fostering Connections to
Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-351),
offers opportunities to improve California's efforts to promote
permanent families for children in foster care, improve outcomes for
older youth in foster care, increase support for Native American
foster children and youth, improve the quality of staff working with
children and youth in the child welfare system, expand our support of
relative and adoptive caregivers, and assist older foster youth in
securing meaningful supportive transitions from foster care; and
   WHEREAS, The federal act 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 Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature designates May 2010 as
Foster Care Month; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.