California Policy

May 16, 2013 - The Alameda County Budget Working Group met on Monday for the last time before formal budget hearings begin in BOS Chambers in mid-June. At earlier Working Group meetings, the County Administrator had identified a projected FY 2013-14 budget shortfall of $80.2 million dollars. $53.7 of this total represents the "structural deficit" created by the use of Fiscal Management Rewards savings in the prior year - essentially, dollars associated with budgeted but unfilled...Read more »

May 16, 2013 - On Tuesday, Governor Jerry Brown released his 2013 May Revise of his proposed FY 2013-14 state budget. As all foster care, children's mental health and community mental health services were Realigned to the counties in 2011, the state budget hasn't even mentioned them since. For local advocates like FYA, though, two major interlinked proposals included in the Revise are of considerable interest. The Revise provides additional details on plans for the Medi-Cal expansion...Read more »

May 16, 2013 - Georgette Todd has just published her first book, Foster Girl, a Memoir, about her experiences in foster care. From the book jacket:  "Complete with transcribed court documents, letters, photos and narration by a spirited yet desperate teenager, Foster Girl recreates a wildly unpredictable coming-of-age story of one girl’s struggle to survive long enough for life after foster care."  Georgette is available for speaking, consulting, and training engagements, and can be contacted...Read more »

May 15, 2013 - Our Spring 2013 FYA Newsletter features a profile of the fabulous Ashley McCullough, who shares her powerful insights into what young people in foster care need most of all.Read more »

May 08, 2013 - Innovations in Reentry, formerly known as the Realignment Innovations Fund, is a pilot grant program designed to spur innovative approaches to addressing the needs of the adult reentry population and reducing recidivism in Alameda County. Funding is available through Innovations in Reentry grants for proposals from qualified applicants. Information on how to apply HERE. Proposals due no later than June 7, 2013. READ MORE. Read more »

May 08, 2013 - The federal sequestration has impacted Chafee education grants for foster youth, as noted in this Special Alert from the California Student Aid Commission. Funds for the 2012-13 award year have been reduced by $233,000. For the 2013-14 award year, the reduction will be $412,000. As noted in the special alert, "new 2013-14 applications are currently being accepted online at www.chafee.csac.ca.gov. READ MORE. Read more »

April 17, 2013 - On behalf of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, please join Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan and other Alameda County leaders at a hearing on the Human Impact of cumulative State budget cuts on residents in need of safety net services. The hearing will take place Wednesday, May 1, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, in the Alameda County Board of Supervisors Chambers, located on the 5th floor, 1221 Oak Street, Oakland. (Please note:...Read more »

April 03, 2013 - Please save the date for a hearing on the cumulative impact of State and Federal budget cuts on safety net services and the people who depend on them in Alameda County. Supervisor Wilma Chan and Alameda County will be hosting a hearing on May 1, 6:30-8:30, in the Alameda County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 1221 Oak Street. The program is still being developed, and the organizers are seeking one or more presenters to join...Read more »