BILL ANALYSIS �
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | ACR 139|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|1020 N Street, Suite 524 | |
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|327-4478 | |
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THIRD READING
Bill No: ACR 139
Author: Beall (D), et al.
Amended: 5/8/12 in Assembly
Vote: 21
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : Not available
SUBJECT : Foster Care Month
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution designates May 2012 as Foster
Care Month in California.
ANALYSIS : This resolution makes the following
legislative findings:
1. Progress can be measured by the opportunities we pass on
to our children. For the youth in foster care across
our state, we can give them the chance to have a safe,
permanent, loving home where they can feel secure and
thrive.
2. California has the largest foster care population of any
state, and most children in foster care are removed from
their parents by the county child welfare departments,
in conjunction with juvenile dependency courts, for a
variety of reasons including abuse, abandonment, or
neglect.
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3. During 2011, California's foster care system provided
for the care of approximately 55,000 children on average
each day.
4. By October of 2011, 5,342 children were adopted and
2,056 children obtained guardianship.
5. In recent years, more than one-half of the children
leaving foster care returned to their families.
6. Each year, approximately 4,000 to 5,000 foster youth
reach the age of eighteen in the foster care system
without ever being adopted by, or finding permanency
with, a family that loves, nurtures, protects, and
guides them.
7. Children "aging out" of foster care need and deserve a
support system as they work to secure affordable
housing, pursue higher education, and acquire adequate
employment.
8. During Foster Care Month, we recognize the efforts of
California's adoptive and foster families, relative
caregivers, social workers, local governments,
faith-based and community organizations, and others that
are improving the lives of young people in foster care,
and encourage all Californians to partake in efforts to
serve these children in the year ahead.
This resolution designates May 2012 as Foster Care Month in
California.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/15/12)
California Alliance of Child and Family Services
California Now
Children's Law Center of California
County Welfare Directors Association of California
Court Appointed Special Advocates
Seneca Family of Agencies
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CTW:kc 5/15/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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