Title
Health and Human Services Agency, Child Welfare Services, recommending the Board proclaim the month of May 2021 as “National Foster Care Month” in the County of El Dorado.
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan issued the first Presidential proclamation that established May as National Foster Care Month. In the County of El Dorado, the Child Welfare Services program serves close to 400 foster children annually. The County has celebrated National Foster Care Month since 2007, acknowledging and thanking those families and community service providers who make it possible to improve the lives of foster children.
In June 2012, the State of California passed Senate Bill (SB) 1013 (Chapter 35, Statutes of 2012), which realigned adoption services from the State to the counties, and deleted the requirement for the State to act as an adoption agency in counties that are not served by county adoption agencies. SB 1013 revised child welfare provisions relating to family preservation and support services, including requiring counties to expend funds for these activities in a manner that will maximize eligibility for financial participation under the federal Promoting Safe and Stable Families program.
In 2015, the State passed Assembly Bill 403 which provided for the transition of foster care and adoption practices to shift the terminology used with respect to foster care to describe “resource families” as “home-based family care.” These families must parent and nurture vulnerable, traumatized children in emergencies, through transitions and crises, and sometimes make them a permanent part of their own families. These families are inclusive of related or unrelated caregivers who are approved to foster, adopt, or take guardianship of children in foster care, regardless of whether they are approved by a public or private agency.
There is an overwhelming need for individuals, families, and communities to become involved as resource families, respite providers, volunteers, advocates or mentors of children who need an adult role model. Some ways to help include the following:
- Becoming a resource family
- Volunteering as a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for children
- Being a mentor or "supportive adult" in a youth's life
- Joining or hosting a fundraising event
- Donating services, goods, computers, etc., to older youth in foster care
- Lending a hand to help current resource parents and caregivers with their day-to-day needs
Anyone who is interested in becoming a resource family can visit the County’s Human Services’ webpage at https://www.edcgov.us/Government/HumanServices/Protective%20Services/Pages/foster_care_program.aspx and take the opportunity to learn more about how to become a resource family.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could decline to adopt the Proclamation.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 05/14/19, 19-0471, HHSA 2019 Resource Family Appreciation Proclamation
2) 05/08/18, 18-0626, HHSA 2018 Foster Care Month Proclamation
3) 05/16/17, 14-0585, 2017 Resource Family Appreciation Month Proclamation
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain the Chair’s signature on one (1) Proclamation.
2) Clerk of the Board to return the signed Proclamation to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director