LOS ANGELES (KNX) — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted to better support youth working their way out of the foster care system, due to the guidance of County Supervisor Hilda Solis.
Over the last two years, the federal “Supporting Foster Youth and Families Though the Pandemic” act has allowed young adults over 21 years old to remain in the County’s extended foster care program (EFC) — something Solis said has been critical to their success.
“While I am glad stable housing has been identified for the young adults who would have fallen into homelessness if it weren’t for the Extended Foster Care program, it is critical that we identify contingency plans in case housing falls through for all youth who will become ineligible for foster care at the end of the year,” Solis said in a statement.
Earlier in the year the EFC program was extended from June 30 to Dec. 31, 2021. But Solis said many issues will still exist for some 1,100 young people come Jan. 1, 2022 and Tuesday’s motion will continue to help them.
“These contingency efforts are necessary to help some of the exiting youth avoid falling into homelessness and the associated health and safety risks. We have what it takes to support our young adults' transition and this motion helps to connect all those dots,” Solis said.
The motion directs the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to work with the L.A. Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) to ensure that the group has access to Rapid Rehousing funds for eligible youth, Solis said in a statement.
For those who do not qualify, the motion directs the County’s Chief Executive Office, working with other departments, to ensure that they are matched to other housing resources to help them succeed.
“Los Angeles is one of the most expensive counties in the nation and we’re facing an affordable housing crisis at every level, making it vital to have contingency plans as described in this Motion that take into account the variety of factors faced by exiting youth who do not yet have housing,” said Rachel Stein, supervising staff attorney at the Transition Youth Project.
“Our goal is to ensure everyone is safe and housed come January 1.”
To learn more about the motions approved Tuesday, click here.
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