Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency Supports Assembly Bill 12

VISALIA - The State of California released a new report, highlighting the positive impact of implementing Assembly Bill 12 (AB 12), which would enable the State to implement provisions of a new federal law which would ultimately build brighter futures for the most vulnerable youth in communities throughout California.

"California has more than 75,000 youth in foster care today, and here in Tulare County, we have over 1,000 children who currently live in foster care," said Renee Smylie, Deputy Director of Child Welfare Services.  "The information that the State has released is promising, and shows us that if AB 12 is enacted, we can not only provide a brighter future for our youth, but an actual cost savings to the State, the Counties, and subsequently, to the taxpayer."

As stated in the report, "California's Fostering Connections to Success Act and the Costs and Benefits of Extending Foster Care to 21", youth who "age out" of foster care can experience unemployment, homelessness, unplanned pregnancies, and low educational achievement.

Findings by the State show that the costs to public assistance programs could be avoided if Counties were able to support former foster care youth, ages 18 - 21, with supportive programs including, but not limited to, transitional housing and education assistance.  Landmark federal legislation provides California with the ability to use federal funds to support youth to 21, and AB 12 leverages this opportunity and federal dollars to enable California to do good - and to do well.

"It pays to invest in foster youth," said Smylie.  "It helps the State realize long-term cost savings, but more importantly, it helps foster youth reach their full potential."

To learn more about AB 12 California Fostering Connections to Success Act, or to access the report, "California's Fostering Connections to Success Act and the Costs and Benefits of Extending Foster Care to 21" visit www.cafosteringconnections.org.

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