California's San Diego County, Board of Supervisors Director, Greg Cox is outlining several new efforts he will be bringing forward to help youth in foster care during his last elected year. These include adopting a youth-led, trauma-informed code of conduct and creating a mentorship program. A "Housing out Youth" initiative will provide housing vouchers and additional services for former youth who have been in foster care.
Indiana legislature has pushed two bills through that will effect the Indiana Department of Child Services greatly. Bill 345 establishes an oversight committee to review department and court decisions in certain cases. Senate Bill 259 requires child services department to prepare expenditure reports to help legislators make budget decisions next year.
New York's Chautauqua County Adult, Children and Family Services is focusing on placing more children with a family member or a friend instead of a residential congregate care setting so as to be in compliance with the new federal law. The Family First plan prioritizes being placed with family or friends instead of a residential facility since federal funding could be cut if these standards are not being met. County officials will need to change their practice and culture to encourage kinship care.
CALL FOR ACTION from Voice for Adoption - The latest Voice for Adoption advocacy updates can be found here.
Aderholt Amendment update from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation can be found here.
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