Juvenile Justice, Success & Impact
Youth Law Center Issues New Progress Report on Daniels v. Sacramento County - Implementation of Efforts to Prevent Unlicensed Care
California’s child welfare system has been undergoing essential reforms, driven by a commitment to improve the care and outcomes for children in foster care across the state. Sacramento County, in particular, has faced significant challenges in finding safe and licensed placements for youth in care, but is in the process of implementing required reforms in response to the Youth Law Center’s 2023 lawsuit, Daniels v. Sacramento County.
Sacramento County’s efforts are focused on three key strategies to foster a healthier child welfare system. The first critical element is increasing placements with kin, which includes both relatives and non-relative extended family members, to provide familiarity and stability to children who are separated from their parents. The second critical element is connecting youth with community-based mental health services to allow youth to receive the care they need while remaining in the least restrictive and most supportive environment. Finally, the third critical element is developing emergency placements based in small residential homes, rather than large institutional settings.
In its new progress report entitled Moving Away from Unlicensed Care and Emergency Placements in Sacramento County, Youth Law Center reflects on the first year since the closure of the WET Youth Center in Sacramento and the entry of the court’s Final Judgment outlining the County’s commitments. In the report, Youth Law Center observes that, after the closure of the WET Youth Center in Sacramento and the court’s Final Judgment, the County has made notable progress but continues to face challenges. Sacramento’s kinship care numbers remain low, but it has initiated several promising partnerships to increase placements with kin, such as performing a Kinship Sprint with the nonprofit organization Think Of Us.
The County has enhanced access to community-based mental health services by accelerating referrals, opening more outpatient clinics, and increasing funding for innovative programs for youth in foster care. The County has also obtained proper licenses for the new emergency placements, referred to as the “Welcome Homes,” ensuring that youth awaiting placement with a family can be cared for in a less institutional, licensed setting. Some advocates have expressed concerns about the conditions at the Welcome Homes, so close monitoring and oversight is required.
The journey towards a reformed child welfare system in California, and specifically Sacramento County, remains ongoing. The dedication to achieving tangible, sustainable change reflects a statewide commitment to ensuring that every child has access to a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment. As these efforts evolve, continuous evaluation and adaptation will be crucial to maintaining momentum and achieving lasting results.
To read the report in its entirety, please visit: ylc.org/resource/moving-away-from-unlicensed-care-and-emergency-placements-in-sacramento-county-daniels-v-county-of-sacramento-progress-report
The petition and settlement agreement for Daniels v. Sacramento is available here: ylc.org/judgment-entered-on-sacramento-countys-unlicensed-placements