Advocacy Day in Sacramento

Our Government Relations & Advocacy team went to Sacramento for Advocacy Day, standing alongside members of the California Alliance of Children and Family Services (CACFS). CACFS is a statewide association of over 160 nonprofit agencies dedicated to advancing the well-being of children, youth and families. Our mission is to ensure that children and families – continue to receive the resources, education and emotional support they need to thrive. In a time of federal funding cuts, our work has never been more critical.

“Every year I am honored to represent our diverse and resilient LA communities, bringing the voices of nearly 30,000 children and families we serve to our State Capitol on Advocacy Day. As a resident and advocate in our communities, now more than ever, California must continue to invest in foster youth, mental health in public schools and community organizations that ensure young people are happy, healthy and housed. Grateful for the leadership and engagement of our state legislature,” said Terry Kim, our Director of Government Relations & Advocacy.

One of the most crucial pieces of legislation we championed was SB 531, authored by Senator Susan Rubio. This bill would require all students in grades 1-12 to receive age-appropriate mental health education, equipping them with tools to support their well-being and navigate life’s challenges. “Youth in our programs emphasize with staff how critical trauma-informed school culture is to their well-being. This legislation contributes to that culture. It’s exciting to engage with a bill like SB 531 that invests in school-based mental health strategies that foster positive learning and success in life,” said Kelsey Gordon, Government Relations & Advocacy Associate.

The urgency of this issue is highlighted by a 30% increase in California’s young adult mortality rate from 2019 to 2023, as noted in a recent Legislative Analyst Office report. Beyond mental health education, we also advocated for budget and legislative items including:

• A $50 million budget request to safeguard community-based organizations that serve 9,700 youth impacted by the foster family agency insurance crisis. Without immediate support, these essential programs face devastating disruptions.
• AB 276 (Bennet): Addressing out-of-state background check delays, which have worsened workforce shortages in residential programs. Staffing shortfalls mean vulnerable children may not receive the care they need.
• AB 534 (Schiavo) & AB 1314 (Ahrens): Providing housing access for former foster youth and justice-involved youth through transitional housing placement programs. Stable housing is fundamental to breaking cycles of instability and ensuring that young people can transition into adulthood with dignity and support.

We urge lawmakers to support these collective budget and legislative priorities to protect foster youth, school-based mental health, and housing services. Our children’s future depends on it.