California to spend extra $42 million to help foster youth during pandemic

April 13, 2020By 0 comment

Originally published by on 13/04/2020

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Summary

While California appears to have been successful in bending the curve of the spread of the coronavirus by staying home, social workers have been mostly unable to conduct in-person welfare checks of youths in foster care. In addition, the closure of California’s public schools have reduced the ability of mandated reporters (teachers, nurses) to report cases of possible neglect and abuse.Governor Gavin Newsome has announced that California will steer $42m towards helping foster youth. Most of the money will be directed to families with children at risk of becoming foster youth in the form of $200 monthly payments. In addition, money will go to: child care providers serving families who receive public assistance; people earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level; the expansion of family resource centers, California’s 211 helpline and to secure laptops and cell phones for foster youth; PPE for case workers so they can continue in-home visits.California is also extending their emancipation timelines so that they will not age out of the system during the shutdown.

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Youth in detention should be released to reduce coronavirus risk, advocates say

March 17, 2020By 0 comment

Originally published by LA Times on 17/03/2020

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Summary

Defense attorneys are working to expedite the release of juveniles in custody citing the Covid-19 virus’ ability to spread in congested areas and that the suspension of family visits could dangerously isolate the children. Detention operations including the state Division of Juvenile Justice have suspended family visits due to the coronavirus.LA County Sheriff had announced that it was: – releasing inmates from its jails; and – cutting down on how many people it books into custody to protect those housed in close quarters.LA County Probation Department said that it was currently: – screening all youth admitted to facilities for risk of infection at the time of admission; – collaborating with attorneys so that children are not sent back to juvenile hall for first-time probation violations – which decision is ultimately at the discretion of the court; – working on holding first time violations in abeyance, – working on other options for families to communicate with their youth, such as video conferencing; – posting additional signs, – ensuring restrooms and staff quarters are clean and well stocked, – bringing in more staff to regularly clean and disinfect common areas.

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