RESOLUTION NO. _____________
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BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
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RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SB 1289 (CEDILLO), FOSTER CHILDREN CONTINUING AID AND TRANSITIONAL SERVICES
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RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, that
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WHEREAS, under current law, foster youth receive aid until the age of 18 and can only be continued after age 18 if the youth is attending high school (or an equivalent program) and is expected to complete his/her education before reaching age 19; and
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WHEREAS, statewide statistics suggest that youth emancipating from foster care may not able to be independent at age 18 (or 19) with responsibility to care for themselves including finding and maintain housing, employment and, possibly education; and
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WHEREAS, a recent survey of San Mateo County foster youth found that that 56 percent of the reporting emancipated youths experiencing bouts of homelessness for at least brief periods; and
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WHEREAS, SB 1289 would allow foster youth receiving AFDC-FC aid to continue receiving such aid until 21 years of age if the youth on his or her 18th birthday either is attending high school, college or vocational/technical training or is employed; and
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WHEREAS, SB 1289 would also require counties to phase in monthly one-on-one counseling for foster youth starting at age 14; and
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WHEREAS, SB 1289 is intended to allow (but not require) emancipating foster youth who are most vulnerable and least able to care for themselves to remain in foster care until the age of 21 while they acquire additional educational skills and/or work experience that can reduce the occurrence of homelessness, un- and underemployment, and other risks associated with emancipation.
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NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DETERMINED AND ORDERED that the Board of Supervisors by adoption of this resolution hereby supports SB 1289 (Cedillo) regarding foster children continuing aid and transitional services.
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