The Extended Foster Youth Program – A Vision Unrealized

Nine years ago California made history. In 2010, AB 12, The California Fostering Connections to Success Act, was signed into law. This made our state one of the first in the nation to create an extended foster youth program, an opportunity born from the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. California had a vision to allow foster youth the same experience and advantages of their peers by extending the time we can continue to link them to housing. It was a brave, compassionate and noble vision; however, nine years later it has yet to be fully realized.

Prior to the creation of the extended foster youth program, foster youth faced serious challenges once they aged out of the system at 18. Often, they were ending up in circumstances of extreme poverty, homelessness and incarceration. While studies have shown that the program has brought significant improvements to the lives of participating youth, including education opportunities, employment and other social benefits, the same studies have also revealed a startling lapse. In Chapin Hall’s recent CalYouth study, it was found that over 35% of enrolled foster youth reported experiencing homelessness.

This is yet another situation where the housing crisis is affecting our most vulnerable residents. If 35% of foster youth are housing insecure, this program is not living up to its intentions
or promises.

Nine years later, it’s time we address it. For this reason, I have introduced AB 531, my bill to help connect foster youth to housing as they make the transition to adulthood and fulfill the promises of the extended foster care program. AB 531 will increase the housing options available to foster youth in the extended foster youth program. Based on recommendations from numerous studies, this measure will create housing navigators to help guide youth in locating and securing housing, it will require counties to keep tabs on their ability to meet the immediate housing needs of foster youth in their care and break down existing barriers that currently obstruct host families’ ability to continue providing housing to those enrolled.

As most young Californians transition from adolescence to adulthood and independence, they have the assistance of their parents to rely upon. I believe that, as a legislator, it is my duty and purpose to fight for the needs and rights of all Californians. And while foster youth make up a small percentage of the population, they have the special distinction of being the responsibility of every Californian. They are our children, and we should care for them as such.

In 2017, the legislature and governor overwhelmingly supported one of my first bills, AB 766, which bridged a gap to ensure that every foster youth enrolled in college has access to housing support. This year, I hope my colleagues will again show the same level of compassion and commitment to our foster youth.

Just as with any child, setting up foster youth for a lifetime of success benefits all of us. It was from that very belief that the historic extended foster youth program was established, and I believe it is from this same belief that my colleagues will work with me to fully realize it.

I would love to answer any questions or to hear your thoughts, ideas, or concerns. Please feel free to reach out to me, for any reason, through my District Office by phone (818) 558-2043 or email Assemblymember.Friedman@assembly.ca.gov.

Laura Friedman represents Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, and Silver Lake.