Foster care
Bench Card: Ensuring Housing Security for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care by Utilizing FYI Vouchers
The court plays a central role in ensuring that young people have an adequate transition...
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition
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Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative FAQs
The purpose of this FAQ is to provide guidance to stakeholders in California on the...
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition, Public Benefits/Funding
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ALERT: Applications Open for CDSS’s Guaranteed Income (GI) Pilot Program for 300 Youth Aging Out of Extended Foster Ca...
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) oversees the Guaranteed Income (GI) Pilot Program and...
Categories: AB 12, AB 12, AB 12 Probation, Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Foster Care Benefits, Independent Living/Transition, Juvenile Justice, Public Benefits/Funding
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Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Voucher Program: Best Practices for Stakeholders
The purpose of this document is to provide insight to stakeholders in California on successful...
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition
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California Bench Card: Ensuring Normalcy and Well-Being Through Participation in Enrichment Activities
Research has conclusively demonstrated that court-involved children and adolescents present with extremely high rates of...
Categories: Child Welfare, Child/Adolescent Development, Foster care, Juvenile Justice
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FAFSA Simplification Act: The Impacts on Youth With Experience in Foster Care and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Once fully implemented, the FAFSA Simplification Act (FSA) will represent a significant overhaul of how...
Categories: Child Welfare, Education, Foster care
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Collaborating for Change – Emergency Placement Blueprint
Many counties in California are grappling with emergency housing needs for older youth in foster...
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care
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Permiso para Ausentarse del Trabajo por Cuidado Temporal de un Menor en California (español)
Hoja informativa de Legal Aid at Work y Youth Law Center sobre los derechos de...
Categories: Child Welfare, Foster care, Foster parents
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Taking Leave from Work to Care for a Foster Child in California (English)
Fact sheet from Legal Aid at Work and Youth Law Center about foster parents' rights...
Categories: Child Welfare, Foster care, Foster parents
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Advocacy Tool: Reproductive Health Care Access for Young People with Experience in Foster Care
This advocacy tool and worksheet was developed to help state advocates navigate the current state...
Categories: Access to care, Child Welfare, Foster care, Health, Medicaid/Medi-Cal
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NACC Red Book 4th Edition: Representing Transition-Aged Youth (Chapter 22)
The National Association of Counsel For Children (NACC) recently released the 4th edition of its...
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Legal Representation
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Community Care Licensing (CCL) Complaints: An Overview for Advocates
The Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is...
Categories: AB 12, AB 12 Probation, Child Welfare, Congregate care, Foster care, Group Homes/Non-Secure Placement, Inspection/assessment material, Juvenile Justice, Placement/Confinement, Standards/enforcement
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Template Community Care Licensing Complaint
The Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is...
Categories: AB 12, AB 12 Probation, Child Welfare, Congregate care, Foster care, Group Homes/Non-Secure Placement, Inspection/assessment material, Juvenile Justice, Placement/Confinement, Standards/enforcement
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Trainings and Workshops from Youth Law Center’s Transition-Aged Youth (TAY) Civil Legal Practice Exchange (Fall 2020 &...
Youth Law Center’s TAY Practice Exchange is a free practice support network for civil legal advocates across...
Categories: AB 12, AB 12, Access to care, Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Education, Equity Issues, Foster care, Foster Care Benefits, Girls, Health, Independent Living/Transition, Juvenile Justice, LGBTQ, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, Mental Health, Mental health needs, Public Benefits/Funding, Specific services/programs, SSI/Social Security
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Toolkit to Promote the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Program in California
This toolkit includes documents that we hope will aid advocates to help young people access...
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition, Public Benefits/Funding
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Normalcy FAQ for Children and Youth in CA’s Foster Care System
Categories: Child Welfare, Foster care
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Transition Planning for California Foster Youth FAQ
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care
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Fact Sheet: Overview of SB 187: Updates to Foster Youth Rights Regarding Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
The Foster Care Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Assistance Program (created by AB 1633...
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition, Juvenile Justice, Public Benefits/Funding, SSI/Social Security
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Template Letters for SSI/OASDI Advocacy for California Foster Youth
This resource contains template letters to request information and actions related to foster youth clients,...
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition, Juvenile Justice, Public Benefits/Funding, SSI/Social Security
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Fact Sheet: Transition Jurisdiction
This fact sheet, updated in 2023, outlines California law related to transition jurisdiction in juvenile...
Categories: Child Welfare, Foster care, Juvenile Justice
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Housing & Homelessness Prevention for Transition Aged Foster and Former Foster Youth: A Presentation of the Youth L...
Homelessness both during extended foster care and after leaving extended foster care are critical issues...
Categories: AB 12, AB 12 Probation, Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition, Juvenile Justice
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Advocacy Strategies for Preventing Involuntary Exits from THP-NMD: A Presentation of the Youth Law Center
Homelessness and housing/placement instability are a critical issue facing transition-aged youth in California. Despite broad...
Categories: AB 12, AB 12 Probation, Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition, Juvenile Justice
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Housing Preservation Strategies: A Supplement to Youth Law Center’s Presentation: Housing & Homelessness Preventi...
Homelessness both during extended foster care and after leaving extended foster care are critical issues...
Categories: AB 12, AB 12 Probation, Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition, Juvenile Justice
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Glossary of Terms: A Supplement to Youth Law Center’s Presentation: Advocacy Strategies for Preventing Involuntary Exi...
This supplement to the Youth Law Center Presentation: Advocacy Strategies for Preventing Involuntary Exits from THP-NMD provides a...
Categories: AB 12, AB 12 Probation, Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition, Juvenile Justice
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Hypotheticals: A Supplement to Youth Law Center’s Presentation: Advocacy Strategies for Preventing Involuntary Exits f...
This supplement to the Youth Law Center Presentation: Advocacy Strategies for Preventing Involuntary Exits from THP-NMD provides...
Categories: AB 12, AB 12 Probation, Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition, Juvenile Justice
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Unusual Circumstances Override
This resource provides guidance on how to assist youth who cannot obtain parental information to...
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Education, Education Access, Foster care, Juvenile Justice
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Requesting Unspent Chafee and ETV Funds for FY 2023
This document provides information on how state child welfare agencies can request unspent Chafee funds. This opportunity...
Categories: Child Welfare, Foster care
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Information and Resources to Support Reproductive Health Access for Young People with Experience in Foster Care
This fact sheet provides resources to help advocates support young people in foster care navigate...
Categories: Access to care, Child Welfare, Foster care, Health
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ALERT: Examples of How AB 153 Funding and Medicaid Can be Used to Support Family Based Settings
This publication provides an update on funding that the state has made available to county...
Categories: Child Welfare, Congregate care, Foster care, Health, Mental Health
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SUPPORT Act Implementation Resource
This resource alert provides an update related to older foster youth access to Medicaid. The...
Categories: Access to care, Child Welfare, Foster care, Health, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, Public Benefits/Funding
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Youth Law Center Housing Resources (2020-present)
Homelessness and housing/placement instability for current foster youth, youth in extended foster care and former...
Categories: AB 12, AB 12 Probation, Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition, Juvenile Justice
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Golden State Social Opportunities Program
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Education, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition
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Supporting Higher Education Success for Youth with Experience in Foster Care and Homelessness-Briefing Summary
Categories: Child Welfare, Education, Foster care
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Foster Care Benefits: AFDC-FC Program Change Alert
Foster Care Benefits: AFDC-FC Program Change Alert
Categories: Child Welfare, Foster care, Foster Care Benefits, Public Benefits/Funding
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Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Fact Sheet
Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Fact Sheet
Categories: Child Welfare, Foster care, Kinship/guardianship, Relatives/kinship care
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Info Sheet for Pregnant & Parenting Foster Youth in CA
Categories: Babies/young children, Child Welfare, Foster care
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Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Foster Youth in California
Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Foster Youth in California - A Fact Sheet Prepared by...
Categories: Child Welfare, Foster care, Teen parenting
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FYI/FUP Template Letters
Assisting young adults in securing affordable housing continues to be a challenging task. The tools...
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition, Public Benefits/Funding
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Information gathering letter on existing FYI program
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Legal Representation, Public Benefits/Funding
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Referral letter for FUP from Civil Legal Aid attorney
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Legal Representation, Permanency planning, Public Benefits/Funding
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FYI Referral Letter CA Attorneys
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition, Public Benefits/Funding
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THP-NMD: An Advocacy Guide to Preventing Involuntary Exits
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition
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Transition Planning Check List for Young People Aging Out on December 31st
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care
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Six Ways to Ensure Transition Aged Youth Leverage Federal Support During and Post-Pandemic
A few things you can do to help transition aged youth with experience in the...
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Child Welfare, Foster care, Public Benefits/Funding
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Seven Strategies Counties Can Implement to Ensure Housing Stability and Maximize Participation in THP-Plus During COVID-...
Did you know that the California state budget recently made changes to the eligibility requirements...
Categories: Aging Out/Transition, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition
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Child Welfare Advocates COVID-19 Response Letter
The Youth Law Center joins a coalition of child welfare advocates in requesting Governor Newsom...
Categories: Foster care
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Providing Normalcy for California Foster Youth
Providing Normalcy for California Foster Youth
Categories: Foster care
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AB 2813 Fact Sheet – Equitable Standards for Foster Youth
This fact sheet describing AB 2813, a bill that would protect children and youth in...
Categories: Congregate care, Foster care, Legal/policy issues
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AB 2813 – Letter to Gov. Brown – request for signature
Letter to Governor Brown requesting signature on AB 2813, a bill to protect children and...
Categories: Congregate care, Foster care, Legal/policy issues
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Letter from Jennifer Rodriguez to Commissioner Sanders
Letter from Jennifer Rodriguez to Commissioner Sanders appearing as an appendix to final report of...
Categories: Access to care, Babies/young children, Early childhood, Foster care, Foster parents, Health care needs, Mental health needs, Specific services/programs, Specific services/programs
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Fact Sheet: Within Our Reach: A National Strategy to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities
Key Findings and Recommendations of the report: Within Our Reach: A National Strategy to Eliminate...
Categories: Access to care, Babies/young children, Early childhood, Foster care, Foster parents, Health care needs, Mental health needs, Specific services/programs, Specific services/programs
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Within Our Reach: A National Strategy to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities
Final report by the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities.
Categories: Access to care, Babies/young children, Early childhood, Foster care, Foster parents, Health care needs, Specific services/programs
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Within Our Reach: A National Strategy to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities
Final report by the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities.
Categories: Access to care, Babies/young children, Early childhood, Foster care, Foster parents, Health care needs, Specific services/programs
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CECANF Works Toward Development of a National Strategy
Article on the work of the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities
Categories: Foster care
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Presidential Proclamation — National Foster Care Month, 2015
Proclamation by President Obama naming May 2015 National Foster Care Month
Categories: Foster care, Foster parents, Permanency planning
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Educational Rights as a Pregnant or Parenting Teen
Fact sheet on educational rights of pregnant or parenting teens.
Categories: "Know your rights", A.B. 490/foster care education, Foster care, Teen parenting
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I want to be there when he graduates: Foster parents show higher levels of commitment than group care providers
YLC co-authored this study which showed greater commitment of foster parents to children than group...
Categories: Congregate care, Foster care
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Legal Rights of Teens in Out of Home Care (2014)
This booklet, based on California law, covers some of the concerns of a youth in...
Categories: "Know your rights", AB 12, AB 12, Access to care/EPSDT, Alternatives to incarceration/JDAI, Congregate care, Foster care, Independent Living/Transition, Inmate Exclusion, Kinship/guardianship, Legal Rights/Placement, Mental Health Services Act, Permanency planning, Placement delay, Relatives/kinship care, Specific Services, SSI/Social Security, Title IV-E funding, Transitional Medicaid
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Letter from YLC sponsoring AB 388
Letter to Assembly Member Wesley Chesbro co-sponsoring SB 388
Categories: Congregate care, Dual jurisdiction, Foster care
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AB 388 Chaptered Text
Text of AB 388, bill requiring oversight on the use of law enforcement in group...
Categories: Congregate care, Dual jurisdiction, Foster care
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Youth Participation in Court Hearings
In recent years, courts and child welfare systems around the country have recognized the importance...
Categories: Foster care, Juvenile records/court proceedings, Practice standards/guides
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Senator Debbie Stabenow’s Amendment re TFC
The Youth Law Center joined with over 35 national child welfare and mental organizations to...
Categories: Foster care, Health care needs, Mental health needs, Specific Services
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Thank You Letter to Senator Debbie Stabenow Re Medicaid Coverage Amendment
The Youth Law Center joined with over 35 national child welfare and mental organizations to...
Categories: Foster care, Health care needs, Mental health needs, Specific Services
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Probation Provisions in California’s Fostering Connections to Success Act – Powerpoint Presentation
On August 30, 2011, Jennifer Rodriguez and Maria Ramiu presented a webinar on “Probation Provisions...
Categories: AB 12, Disposition/placement, Foster care
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QPI Process Chart
This chart describes what will be covered at each QPI meeting, who is to attend...
Categories: Foster care, Foster parents, Relatives/kinship care
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All County Letter re Caregiver Recruitment and Retention Pilot
The purpose of this All County Information Notice (ACIN) is to provide information regarding the...
Categories: Foster care, Foster parents, Relatives/kinship care
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Fostering Families Today Article on QPI
This article, written by Carole Shauffer, describes what QPI is.
Categories: Foster care, Foster parents, Relatives/kinship care
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Wheeler v. Sanders Joint Stipulation for Dismissal
Filed in December 2003, Wheeler v. Sanders alleged that Los Angeles County violated state and...
Categories: Foster care, Relatives/kinship care
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Wheeler v. Sanders Petition for Writ and Complaint
Filed in December 2003, Wheeler v. Sanders alleged that Los Angeles County violated state and...
Categories: Foster care, Relatives/kinship care
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Warren v. Saenz Peremptory Writ of Mandate
Warren v. Saenz was a taxpayer action alleging that the California Department of Social Services...
Categories: Foster care, Inspection/assessment material
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Warren v. Saenz Petition for Writ and Complaint
Warren v. Saenz was a taxpayer action alleging that the California Department of Social Services...
Categories: Foster care, Inspection/assessment material
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Ward v. Kearney Settlement Agreement
Ward v. Kearney was a federal class action lawsuit that alleged that Broward County's foster...
Categories: Foster care
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Ward v. Kearney Complaint
Ward v. Kearney was a federal class action lawsuit that alleged that Broward County's foster...
Categories: Foster care
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Timothy J. v. Chaffee Settlement Agreement
Timothy J. v. Chaffee challenged the failure of the Los Angeles County Department of Children's...
Categories: Foster care
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Timothy J. v. Chaffee First Amended Complaint
Timothy J. v. Chaffee challenged the failure of the Los Angeles County Department of Children's...
Categories: Foster care
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Susan C. v. Florida Department of Children and Family Services Writ of Mandamus
Susan C. v. Florida Department of Children and Family Services, filed in state court in...
Categories: Foster care
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Susan C. v. Florida Department of Children and Family Services Settlement wtih Big Bend
Susan C. v. Florida Department of Children and Family Services, filed in state court in...
Categories: Foster care
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Susan C. v. Florida Department of Children and Family Services Complaint
Susan C. v. Florida Department of Children and Family Services, filed in state court in...
Categories: Foster care
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Rene M. v. Anderson Amended Petition
Rene M. v. Anderson was filed as a writ of mandate to require that the...
Categories: Foster care, Health care needs
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Rene M. v. Anderson Stipulated Settlement
Rene M. v. Anderson was filed as a writ of mandate to require that the...
Categories: Foster care, Health care needs
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Donaldson v. Archuleta Settlement Agreement and Full Release
This lawsuit challenged Alameda County’s failure to comply with the minimum child welfare health and...
Categories: Foster care
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Donaldson v. Archuleta Petition and Complaint
This lawsuit challenged Alameda County’s failure to comply with the minimum child welfare health and...
Categories: Foster care
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Booraem v. Orange County Settlement Agreement
Booraem v. Orange County, filed in August 1998, challenged the detention of abused and neglected...
Categories: Congregate care, Foster care, Legal/policy issues
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Booraem v. Orange County Complaint and Petition for Writ of Mandate
Booraem v. Orange County, filed in August 1998, challenged the detention of abused and neglected...
Categories: Congregate care, Foster care, Legal/policy issues
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Bohler v. Anderson Order Granting Writ of Mandate
Bohler v. Anderson was filed in June 1997 over the failure of the Department of...
Categories: Foster care, Inspection/assessment material
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Bohler v. Anderson Petition for Writ of Mandate
Bohler v. Anderson was filed in June 1997 over the failure of the Department of...
Categories: Foster care, Inspection/assessment material
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Key Facts: An Overview of Fostering Connections Discussion Draft – California Working Families Policy Summit
The Youth Law Center was co-sponsor of the 2009 California Working Families Policy Summit, held...
Categories: Foster care
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Recommendations on Children in Foster Care – California Working Families Policy Summit
The Youth Law Center was co-sponsor of the 2009 California Working Families Policy Summit, held...
Categories: Access to care/EPSDT, Congregate care, Foster care
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Sam M. v. Carcieri Amicus
The Youth Law Center joined fourteen other children's advocacy organizations in an amicus brief filed...
Categories: Foster care
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Rights of Children and Youth in Foster Care to Have Contact with Relatives and Friends
This three-page fact sheet explains the rights of children and youth in foster care to...
Categories: Child Welfare, Foster care, Relatives/kinship care
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Overpayments – YLC Fact Sheet
This fact sheet describes what overpayments are and what the rules are if the overpayments...
Categories: Adoption, Adoption assistance, Foster care, Kinship/guardianship, Title IV-E funding
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AB 12 Fact Sheet
AB 12, the California Fostering Connections to Success Act, is co-sponsored by the Youth Law...
Categories: Foster care
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Understanding the Educational Needs of English Learner & Migrant Foster Youth – Powerpoint Presentation
This powerpoint covers issues related to the eligibility of foster youth for programs designed to...
Categories: English learner/migrant/homeless, Foster care
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The Quality Parenting Initiative – Fostering in the 21st Century
The May/June 2012 issue of Fostering Families Today features an article on Youth Law Center's...
Categories: Foster care, Foster parents, Relatives/kinship care
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Update: “Fostering Connections to Success: Extending a Social Safety Net for Youths Facing Homelessness and Poverty”
The Clearinghouse Review has published an update on The Fostering Connections Act written by YLC...
Categories: Adoption assistance, Foster care, Kinship/guardianship, Title IV-E funding
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Fostering Connections to Success: Extending a Social Safety Net for Youths Facing Homelessness and Poverty
YLC staff attorneys Jennifer Rodriguez and Alice Bussiere co-authored an article with Juvenile Law Center...
Categories: Adoption assistance, Foster care, Kinship/guardianship, Title IV-E funding
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Fresno County Standing Order Auhorizing Sharing of Information With School Personnel
This Standing Order addresses the exchange of information between the Fresno County Department of Children...
Categories: Enrollment/re-entry, Foster care, Information Sharing
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Emancipating from Foster Care in the Bay Area: What Types of Programs Are Available for Youth Aging Out of the Foster C...
This BASSC Monograph examines the current needs of youth aging out of the foster care...
Categories: Foster care, Independent Living/Transition
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Adolescents, the Foster Care System, and the Transition to Adulthood: What Legal Aid Lawyers Need to Know
Older adolescents leaving foster care still face tremendous obstacles as they make the transition to...
Categories: Foster care, Independent Living/Transition, Permanency planning
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Making Reasonable Efforts: A Permanent Home for Every Child
An update of our earlier publication, Making Reasonable Efforts: Steps for Keeping Families Together, this...
Categories: Foster care
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Model Questions for Defining Reasonable Efforts
A booklet in question and answer format that serves as a guide for judges in...
Categories: Foster care
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Sam and Tony M. v. Carcieri Opinion
The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (which included Justice Souter sitting...
Categories: Foster care
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