The resolution acknowledges the efforts of various California counties and community partners that have successfully established permanent family connections, reduced the number of foster children, and provided vital support to families. Furthermore, it highlights the contributions of adoptive and foster parents in assisting vulnerable children and youth. ACR83 also brings attention to the state's ongoing continuum of care reform initiative aimed at improving the overall experience and outcomes for children and youth within the foster care system, focusing on better assessments and placements, home-based family care, and increasing service support.
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 83 (ACR83), authored by Cooley, aims to designate the month of May 2017 as Foster Care Month. The resolution seeks to recognize the approximately 65,000 children and youth currently in foster care in California who require safe and stable permanent connections with loving adults and the necessary preparation for a secure future. There is an emphasis on the need for families to provide belonging and unconditional emotional support to these young individuals, underlining the role of families in meeting their needs.
The sentiment surrounding ACR83 is largely positive, viewing the designation of Foster Care Month as an important step toward raising awareness about the challenges faced by youth in foster care. Legislators and community partners support this resolution as a way to promote better understanding and cooperation among individuals and organizations working within the child welfare system. Recognizing the month is considered a crucial acknowledgment of the importance of family connections and the ongoing support needed for those in foster care.
While there may not be significant points of contention specifically regarding ACR83, the broader context of foster care legislation and reforms often invites discussions about the adequacy of resources, the effectiveness of the child welfare system, and people's differing views on state involvement in family structures. The resolution's focus on permanent connections and the recognition of various stakeholders in the child welfare community may highlight existing debates over how best to support these vulnerable populations.