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For more information contact:
Bill Grimm
Senior Attorney, NCYL
(510) 835-8098 X 3016
Curt Child
Senior Attorney, NCYL
(916) 635-2730
(April 17, 2006) The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) is issuing a Report examining how children are faring in the child welfare and foster care programs in California. NCYL will release its findings, including rankings based on federal and state performance measures for each of the state's 58 counties, at a Press Conference 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, Room 317, State Capitol, Sacramento.
There are approximately 82,000 children in the child welfare system in California - 20 percent of all foster children in the nation, and the largest foster care population of all 50 states.
Using data supplied by the California Department of Social Services (DSS), NCYL analyzed each county's performance based on state and federal performance measures. These measures track how well counties ensure the safety, stability, and permanency of abused and neglected children. The county rankings (1 through 58, with 1 representing the best) are based on each county's overall performance. The Report also ranked counties according to size. The areas evaluated are:
- Recurrence of abuse or neglect
- Incidence of abuse or neglect in foster care
- Number of times a child is moved while in foster care
- Length of time to reunification or adoption
When parents cannot or will not care for their children, the government assumes the role of parent and is responsible for children's safety and well-being. NCYL's Report seeks to answer the question: How well is the state caring for its most vulnerable children? Is California a responsible parent? It also recommends policy reforms that will improve outcomes for children and youth.
When: Tuesday, April 18th at 10:00 a.m.
Where: State Capitol, Room 317
Speakers:
- Bill Grimm, National Center for Youth Law
- Assembly Member Karen Bass, Chair, Assembly Select Committee on Foster Care
- Former Assembly Member Darrell Steinberg
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