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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing the month of May 2018 as Foster Care Awareness Month in Solano County (Supervisor Brown)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No __X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board adopt and present a resolution recognizing the month of May 2018 as Foster Care Awareness Month in Solano County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Since 1988, the month of May has been designated nationally for the recognition of Foster Care providers and their dedication to working with children. All children deserve to live in a safe, stable, and permanent home and be nurtured by loving adults, caring families, and strong communities. This year’s theme is “It’s All Relative: Supporting Kinship Connections,” an opportunity to acknowledge the vital role relatives play in the life of a foster child. Resource families, which include relatives, foster parents, non-related-extended-family members, and kinship caregivers step in and provide assistance to at-risk abused or neglected children.
As of March 2018, Solano County Child Welfare Services had 347 dependent youth in out-of-home care; of that number, 56 are young adults in extended foster care in various placement settings. Of the 347 children and youth, 137 are living in relative or resource family homes. Resource Families provide hope to youth and a system that is moving away from an over-reliance on congregate care in the form of group homes. They offer nurturing connections in safe, stable homes where youth experiencing the crisis of child abuse or neglect have their unique needs met by loving adults, caring families, and strong communities.
The Resource Families who open their homes and hearts to children whose families are in crisis play a vital role in helping those families heal and reunite. When families cannot be reunited and children remain in out-of-home care, Resource Families provide permanence to youth who need it. Recognition of the important work of Resource Families elevates them as full partners within the network of professional colleagues, stakeholders, and community organizations working together to improve the lives of youth in care and to help prepare them for successful adulthood. Resource Families are unique in that they do this work directly with the youth in their care every day. Foster Care Awareness Month is a time to raise community awareness about the needs of foster children and youth and spotlight the importance of and offer appreciation to the Resource Families of Solano County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2017/18 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2017/18 Adopted Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt the resolution. This is not recommended because it is an opportunity for the Board to recognize the important contribution of Resource Families in caring for Solano County’s most vulnerable children.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION