Issues We Follow
FYA tracks news, research and legislation of relevance to foster and probation youth and their advocates. The priority issues listed below have been identified by FYA member agencies and reflect our common values and advocacy agenda.
Foster Care Issues
AB 12
AB 12 will bring extraordinary change and unprecedented support for older foster and probation youth. Here you’ll find comprehensive coverage of AB 12’s progress from bill to law, learn about its provisions and reforms, and track its implementation.
FYA Research Library
FYA’s Research Library will be an unparalleled collection of research and articles on foster care issues. Here you’ll find links to publicly available articles and publications, as well as annotated citations for research available to those with journal access. For now, see our list of latest publications covering FYA’s focus areas.
Mental Health
Current and former foster youth need consistent access to quality mental health programs and support. Find out about the impact of mental health issues on foster and probation youth and what we’re doing in Alameda County to help.
Education
As foster youth move from placement to placement, they often change schools, falling behind and losing credits. Nearly half haven’t graduated from High School upon leaving the system. Alameda County is leading the way in the development of programs and advocacy to support the educational attainment of all foster and probation youth.
Health and Wellness
For current and former foster and probation youth to thrive, they need access to quality services and programs promoting health and wellness. Here you’ll find news and updates about health and wellness programs, particularly those designed for youth.
State Budget
The amount of money allocated to programs serving foster and probation youth in the state budget sends a message about how legislators and the governor prioritize those youth. Find out where foster and probation youth stand in the State Budget.
Housing
While the THP-Plus transitional housing program has provided critical support to many youth, there is still much work to be done to ensure that no foster or probation youth leaves the system only to find themselves homeless. Here, you’ll learn about all that FYA is doing to fight homelessness among former foster and probation youth, as well as other news and updates about housing.
Permanency
Permanency may mean guardianship or adoption for younger foster youth; for older youth the system strives to provide a lifelong connection to a caring, older adult. Regardless of how we define permanency, we know it to be a critical factor to the success of our foster youth. Learn more about current efforts to support Permanency for all youth in Alameda County.
Title IV-E Waiver
The Title IV-E Waiver is a federal financing demonstration project undertaken by Alameda County to facilitate major reforms of the foster care system. Here, you’ll find information about the impact of the IV-E Waiver.
Media Coverage of Foster Care
Thanks to more than a decade of FYA and other advocates raising our voices and bringing the stories of foster youth to the media and policy makers, foster care is no longer the “quiet crisis” it was not so long ago. In fact, foster care has received more media attention in recent years than ever before, and here you’ll find a frequently updated library of news and editorials of note.
