In 2010, California passed Assembly Bill 12 (Fostering Connections to Success Act), which extended foster-care benefits from age 18 to 21. California was one of the first states in the country to pass legislation that made it possible for transition-age youth to receive federal funds as long as they met work or school requirements. (Now a majority of states are enacting legislation that would allow youth to remain in care until age 21.)
But even with the passage of AB 12 and subsequent amendments, many foster youth in California still struggle as they prepare to leave care. In some cases, youth have difficulty accessing supportive services while others need a wider array of programming to better nurture the transition into adulthood and independence.
In the second part of our series on policy recommendations from California foster youth, California Youth Connection advocates Jeremiah McWright and Michelle Ziko describe the impact of AB 12 and offer ideas to best help support transition-age youth.
Watch the video below.
Video Credit: Bryan Curiel and Holden Slattery