LOS ANGELES - California leads the nation with the largest number of children in the Foster Care system. With nearly 100,000 youth in the state’s care, Assembly Member Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) will examine legislative options to improve outcomes for the scores of children experiencing immediate and long-term neglect.

“These children are the responsibility of the State of California and by most accounts the state is doing a poor job taking care of its most vulnerable citizens,” says Bass.

Recognizing that less than 50% of foster youth finish high school and more than 51% are unemployed, Bass is calling on the legislature and the Governor to make significant policy changes.

On Monday, November 21st, Assembly Member Bass will chair the first of several hearings to provide and overview of the foster care system in California. The hearing will take place in downtown Los Angeles at the Junipero Building, 320 W. 4thStreet beginning at 1:00 p.m.

The hearing will explore child welfare issues and foster care from a national, state and local perspective. Participants will include current and former foster youth as well as professional experts, social workers, administrators and relative caregivers..

Bass’ primary concerns revolve around kinship care and emancipation.

Representatives from the Pew Commission on Foster Care, the Little Hoover Commission, the California Youth Connection, The Children’s Law Center of Los Angeles, The Urban Institute, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, various judges, social workers, elected officials, parents and foster youth will all provide testimony to determine how to improve foster care outcomes.