Foster Care & Extended Foster Care, In the News

California Department of Social Services Press Release, 8/5/24: California Announces Significant Investment to Support Foster Youth

“We believe the new Foster Rate Structure to be an unprecedented investment in foster youth and their families by the state of California. If implemented appropriately, the rates will finally create a funding structure that supports decades of attempted reforms by linking funding to the needs of the child – not of the placement – and providing dedicated funding for children’s strengths and for families’ immediate needs while also providing urgently needed funding increases for children with the most complex care needs. The rate structure will promote efficiencies by creating federal leveraging opportunities, supporting counties in creating appropriate services and supports for youth who traditionally have been stuck in ‘emergency placements’ or shelters, and most importantly, it will help children remain in their community with families, said Brian Blalock, Senior Directing Attorney, Youth Law Center. 

To learn more about this groundbreaking change for California youth in foster care, read the entire press release from the California Department of Social Services.