California

Alliance Win for Families

Governor Signs Bill Providing Relief for Families Who Accept Placement Prior to Resource Family Approval

We prepared this letter for caregivers to understand whether they are eligible for this critical relief and what they can expect.  On March 13, Governor Brown signed AB 110, which includes an immediate solution to funding relatives and non-related extended family members who accept placement of a child prior to being approved as a resource family. The bill …

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Major victory on childcare may help more families step up to care for children in foster care

Today the governor approved $31 million in the state budget to create the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program. With this funding, counties will be able to provide caregivers and parenting youth with immediate access to up to six months of crucial child care services. In addition, caregivers will receive the assistance of navigators to help find …

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Proposed Federal Budget Cuts Would Endanger Vulnerable Families and Children in Foster Care

We’re out of the woods for the time being on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, but for vulnerable children and families, plenty of threats remain on the horizon. Unraveling the safety net, as these cuts promise to do, will put more children at risk of entries into foster care and, for those who …

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A Day In The Life – One Advocate Makes a Big Difference

Bonita Unified School District is setting the standard for supporting students in foster care with an innovative approach they began piloting in partnership with the Alliance two years ago. Leveraging special state funding, known as Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) funds, and our Education Toolkit, they created two dedicated foster care liaisons to help drive …

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What Does the Election of Trump Mean for Children and Families?

Angie Schwartz Policy Director What does the election of Donald Trump and the momentum of a Republican-dominated Senate mean for the vulnerable children and families for whom we advocate? That is the question at the forefront of my mind as I try to process the results of this election. We must prepare for years of …

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From Research to Practice: Study on Economic Well-Being of Kin Caregivers Helps Inform Practice and Policy Change in California

A recent study published by the University of California Berkeley School of Social Welfare surveyed the economic well-being of kin and non-kin caregivers in order to better understand the similarities and differences of these two groups of caregivers and the impacts of those characteristics on their caregiving. The study examined characteristics of kin and non-kin …

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Legislative Season 2015

Continuum of Care Reform: Working toward a financial support model that stabilizes placements and promotes permanency Children housed in group homes are at greater risk of high school dropout, incarceration and eventual homelessness as compared to those raised in family settings. It is estimated that 3,000 youth have resided in California’s group homes for more …

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Changing Policies to Better Support Foster Youth and Their Caregivers

Many children in foster care face serious developmental delays and disabilities as a result of abuse, neglect and prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol. California’s Regional Centers provide specialized services and supports to improve and overcome these conditions. However, under existing law, there are no requirements to transfer these services if a child moves, which …

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