SACRAMENTO – As a member of the California Child Welfare Council, Majority Leader Bass attended the first meeting, which brought together people who represent departments and organizations that focus on the needs of the state’s youth. The 53-member Council was formed as a result of Bass’ Assembly Bill 2216, which created a new leadership structure to ensure effective management and accountability over the state’s Foster Care System.

“I am pleased to that the Council includes a diverse group of people with vast expertise on different areas that focus on protecting the state’s children,” states Bass, chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Foster Care. “One of the fundamental problems in the Foster Care System is numerous agencies and other departments that interface with children but cannot or do not communicate with each other. The goal for the Council is to facilitate communication and collaboration between the different entities in order to improve the quality of service provided to foster youth.”

The Council co-chairs are Kimberly Belshe, secretary of the Health and Human Services Agency and Honorable Carlos R. Moreno, associate justice for the Supreme Court of California. Along with Majority Leader Bass, other state legislators include Assemblymember Bill Maze, vice chair of the Select Committee on Foster Care; Assemblymember David Jones; Assemblymember Jim Beall, Jr., Jr. Senator Darrell Steinberg; and Senator Patricia Wiggins. Other members include the Foster Care Ombudsman Karen Grace-Kaho and representatives from various organizations that focus on foster youth including Casey Family Services, California Youth Protection, SHEILDS for Families, Inc., Children’s Law Center and CA Permanency for Youth.

Assembly Bill 2216 was signed into law last year by the Governor and took effect on January 1, 2007. It was part of the last year’s reform effort to improve the System that included a legislative package that resulted in nine new laws; $82 million in the state budget; and $50 million in the Housing Bond. During the day-long meeting, the Council received an overview of the Child Welfare System and the other state departments that youth may come into contact with including health services, mental health and alcohol and drug programs as well as the juvenile justice system.

“There are other Systems that may interface with one child but do not know about each other,” according to Bass. “With all these people from different backgrounds, the overview ensured that the Council will begin with everyone on an even playing field.” 

Majority Leader Bass has been a State Assembly Member representing Los Angeles’ 47th District since 2005. Speaker Fabian Núñez selected Bass as the Majority Leader for the California State Assembly during the 2007-2008 legislative session, making her the first African American and the first woman to hold this leadership position. As the Assemblymember for the 47th District, Karen Bass serves the cities and communities of Culver City, West Los Angeles, Westwood, Cheviot Hills, Leimert Park, Baldwin Hills, Windsor Hills, Ladera Heights, the Crenshaw District, Little Ethiopia and portions of Korea Town and South Los Angeles.