ASSEMBLYMEMBER KAREN BASS
47TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
For Immediate Release: August 6, 2008
Contact: Steve Maviglio
Phone: (916) 319-2408

SACRAMENTO – Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) issued the following statement on the Sacramento County Grand Jury investigation of Child Protective Services due to a string of recent child deaths:

"The Sacramento DA should present to the grand jury its findings related to the recent deaths of children in foster care in this county. Additionally, the County's outside consultant review process should make recommendations as to how to strengthen the state Foster Care System. We need to take a comprehensive look at how our children are being cared for – including funding gaps, practice and oversight issues and level of staffing to ensure the safety and well-being of kids in foster care. These are our children and we have to look out for their best interests.”