BILL NUMBER: AB 2342AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 15, 2010 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Evans FEBRUARY 19, 2010 An act to add Section 16523 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to foster youth. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2342, as amended, Evans. Foster youth: outreach programs. Existing law provides for child welfare services, which are public social services directed toward, among other purposes, protecting and promoting the welfare of all children, including those in foster care placement. This bill would require the State Department of Social Services , in consult with relevant state departments, the State Foster Care Ombudsperson, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and foster youth stakeholders, to develop a resource guide for adolescent foster youth that outlines available statewide programs and services, and the eligibility standards for those programs and services, as specified. This bill would require the department to make the resource guide available on its Internet Web site, in addition to a printed format. This bill would require the department to seek public and private grants to fund the development and distribution of the resource guide. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 16523 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read: 16523. (a) The State Department of Social Services shall develop a resource guide for adolescent foster youth that outlines available statewide programs and services, and the eligibility standards for those programs and services. The programs and services included in the resource guide shall include, but not be limited to, those associated with education, health, housing, mental health services, independent living programs, personal finance, and career and job opportunities. (b) The resource guide shall be available on the department's Internet Web site, in addition to being available in a printed format. (c) The department shall consult with relevant state departments, the State Foster Care Ombudsperson, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and foster youth stakeholders, including, but not limited to, California Youth Connection, to develop the resource guide.(c)(d) The department shall seek public and private grants to fund the development and distribution of the resource guide.