In a move that has been met with widespread criticism, California Governor Gavin Newsom and state officials have proposed cutting foster care funding by two-thirds.
The cuts, which would amount to $40 million, would come at a time when the state's foster care system is already struggling to meet the needs of its over 60,000 children.
In Los Angeles County alone there are more than 30,000 youth in the child welfare system. These children come from all walks of life, but they all have one thing in common: they have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or other circumstances.
Under the proposed changes funding would be reduced for the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) support services. CASA organizes the community and advocates for children and families in LA County’s overburdened child welfare and juvenile justice systems”.
California faces a budget deficit of $25 billion. Newsom has said that the cut is necessary to help balance the budget, but advocates for foster children say that it will have a devastating impact on the children who are already struggling.
CASA volunteers provide one-on-one support to children, advocate for their needs in court, and help them to find safe and permanent homes. The proposed cut would mean that fewer children would have access to this essential service.
The governor's budget proposal may be a step in the wrong direction. Foster youth are facing significant challenges, and they need more support, not less.
Advocates are calling on the governor to increase funding for foster care and to make sure that all foster youth have access to the services they need.
The cuts are still being debated, and it is unclear whether they will be approved by the legislature.
May is National Foster Care Month, a time to raise awareness of the needs of children and youth in foster care.
If you are interested in helping children in foster care, there are many ways to get involved. You can become a foster parent, volunteer your time, or donate to a local foster care organization.
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'The Aspire' housing for homeless & aged-out foster youth breaks ground downtown Riverside
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