SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) today announced that the Assembly Select Committee on Foster Care will hold its second hearing, with the focus being on the challenges that confront abused and neglected California youth in our foster care system that are cared for by relatives.

California has more children in out of home placement than any other State in the nation. A large percent of those foster children are currently placed in the homes of grandparents and other relatives.

“It is no secret that relative caregivers have always been a primary, if informal, source of care for children whose parents are absent. Therefore, it is extremely important that we ensure that relatives, who have the responsibility for these children also have the support, funding and legal authority that is currently available to non-relative families,” Assemblymember Bass said. “Research illustrates that children who have been in relative care are less likely to re-enter foster care than children who have been in non-relative placements.”

The Select Committee will focus on the following key topics:

• Existing federal climate and policy direction toward relative care;
  
• Federal policies and funding stream – what are the barriers;
  
• Recommendations for change on the federal restraints;
  
• Best practices or other suggested programs utilized nationally;
  
• Greatest challenges for relatives; and
  
• Research data regarding the outcomes for youth placed with relatives.
  

The Committee is scheduled to receive testimony from experts in the field of foster care and also hear from California families and relative caregivers about their personal experiences and the areas in which reforms would make significant improvements in the quality of life for California’s most vulnerable children.

WHERE:        State Capitol
Room 437
Sacramento, CA

WHEN:          Wednesday, February 15, 2006
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

NOTE: Over 100 caregivers and relative groups will be at the Capitol February 15 for a “Relative” rally and will be visiting legislative offices prior to the hearing to discuss their needs.