Support for AB 12 keeps on coming in!
A chance for state to aid teen foster dependents
May 14th, 2010, San Francisco Chronicle Open Forum
A foster care winner for California
January 27, 2010, LA Times Editorial: Assembly Bill 12 would let the state get federal money and help troubled children. It needs to pass.
No excuse for California to fail foster children now
January 27, 2010, Daniel Heimpel for the San Jose Mercury News: Because of the rewriting of a single sentence of federal foster care policy, California is suddenly left with few excuses not to radically improve the lives of the 80,000 children in the state's foster care system and set a progressive tone for the 500,000 others across the nation.
The Price of a Sentence: Thousands of foster children may be removed from their homes because of a well-intentioned federal law.
On December 14, 2009, Newsweek published an article outlining how California's efforts to expand support for youth in foster care to age 21 hinge on a decision by federal policy about whether or not it will partially fund the state's subsidized guardianship program.
This past Sunday, March 15th, the Sacramento Bee published its editorial in support of AB 12. On Tuesday, March 17th, The Fresno Bee published its editorial supporting the bill. Also on Tuesday, at its regular meeting, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution introduced by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to support AB 12. The Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency took a public position in support of the bill as well.
The bill and last week’s press conference continue to receive significant news coverage. The San Francisco Examiner published an article online this past week, as did The California Progress Report. The San Diego-based Asian Journal covered the bill in a lengthy online piece.
Perhaps most significantly, foster and former foster youth themselves have begun to weigh in on AB 12. LA Youth published transcribed comments from a panel of youth who stated clearly “We need more support.” ON Tuesday the 17th, the San Francisco Chronicle published an op-ed by Terri Larkins, a former foster youth from Vallejo, calling on California to adopt AB 12. On March 19th, LA Weekly published a piece about homeless former foster youth in Los Angeles titled “Rooftop Foster Kids,” which includes profiles of two youth and notes the potential benefits of AB 12.
On Thursday, March 19th, AB 12 was the focus of Forum with Michael Krasny on KQED.org. Amy Lemley, Policy Director at the John Burton Foundation was a featured panelist, along with Speaker Karen Bass, Sam Cobbs of First Place for Youth, and Chio Saetern and Shaquila Smith, former foster youth from the Bay Area.
AB 12 was also discussed on Monday March 29th on the popular morning drive time Armstrong and Getty Show. Jessica Rosenthal of Fox News Radio provided background on the bill and context, and the hosts took callers, including several former foster youth. download mp3
Press conference demonstrates broad support for AB 12
On Monday, March 9th, co-authors Speaker Karen Bass and Assemblymember Jim Beall, Jr. held a press conference at the Capitol to express their support for AB 12, the California Fostering Connections to Success Act. The event also marked the release of Professor Mark Courtney’s new report that estimates a benefit of $2.40 for every $1 invested in extending foster care to 21.
The speakers were:
- Speaker of the Assembly Karen Bass
- Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg
- Assemblymember Jim Beall, Jr.
- Dr. Mark Courtney, University of Washington
- Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno
- Kevin West, Former Foster Youth
- Assemblymember Danny Gilmore
- John Wagner, California Department of Social Services
- Senator John Burton (Ret), Chair, John Burton Foundation
Download Press Kit from the 3/19/09 Press Conference: Media Advisory • Agenda • AB 12 Fact Sheet • List of Sponsors and Co-authors • Press Release • Governor’s Support Statement • Summary of Dr. Courtney’s report • John Burton Foundation Fact Sheet • Foster Care Populations by County
Listen to audio from the press conference.
Watch video of the conference on the California Channel
The press conference generated significant media attention. ABC News 10, Sacramento covered the event on the evening news, as did KSBW News 8, Monterey, and ABC7, Los Angeles. KCBS All News Radio, in the Bay Area, also provided coverage. The Sacramento Bee and San Jose Mercury News both published articles about AB 12.
On March 11, The Los Angeles Times took a strong position in support of AB 12. On March 10, The San Francisco Chronicle published its editorial supporting the bill.
Also on the day of the press conference, Newsweek published an article online, "Should States Support Foster Kids till Age 21?" that quotes Speaker Bass on AB 12.
More News Coverage
Am I Ready To Be On My Own?
An article from LA Youth, a teen journalism project in Los Angeles, containing selected comments from six youth in the foster care system, made at a youth organized and moderated roundtable.
Assemblymember Beall Addresses Foster Care System
December 18, 2008. An op-ed by Assemblymember Jim Beall, Jr. (D–24th Assembly District) introducing AB 12 and describing the importance of extending foster care to age 21.
Foster Care System Changes Are in the Works
December 12, 2008; by Lyanne Melendez. Accompanies a news story on San Francisco’s KGO News ABC Local 7 on HR 6893 and the recommendations of the California Blue Ribbon Commission.
New Legislation Will Help Children
November 12, 2008; by Marci McCoy-Roth of The Pew Charitable Trusts. An op-ed lauding the passage of HR 6893 and outlining its potential benefits to foster youth.
Finally, a Foster Care Fix
Published Friday, July 25, 2008, in the Los Angeles Times. An op-ed by Miriam Aroni Krinsky, a member of the California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care and lecturer at the UCLA School of Public Affairs.
On Government’s Social Responsibilities: Congress must step up to help foster youth
By Senator John Burton (Ret.) and Miriam Aroni Krinsky; Published Tuesday, July 22, 2008, in The San Francisco Chronicle. An op-ed by John Burton, former president pro tem of the California state Senate, now Chair of the John Burton Foundation for Children Without Homes, and Miriam Aroni Krinsky, a member of the California Blue Ribbon Commission on Foster Care, supporting legislation incorporated into HR 6893.
Our foster youth need support until age 21
By Senator John Burton (Ret.); Published Sunday, August 5, 2007, in The San Francisco Chronicle. An op-ed by Senator John Burton supporting a 2007 bill by U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer to extend federal funding for foster care until age 21.
Kids without a family need an extra leg up into adulthood
Published June 28, 2005, in the Daily Journal Forum
By Miriam Aroni Krinsky, a member of the California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care and lecturer at the UCLA School of Public Affairs.
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