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1. HEY Events 2. HEY’s Emancipated Youth Advocacy Board Corner 4. Articles
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1. HEY EventsSAVE the DATE
HEY National Foster Care Month Planning Committee HEY Education Workgroup Meeting HEY Employment Workgroup Meeting Questions? Please contact Sara Razavi at 415-808-4435 |
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2. HEY’s Emancipated Youth Advocacy Board (EYAB) CornerHEY is recruiting for the new EYAB! 3. Policy UpdatesLocal Budget The Health Commission held a hearing on Tuesday, February 19 and took public comment on the first round of cuts to the Department of Public Health budget. The proposed budget includes severe cuts to nonprofit community-based services. Please turn out today and take this opportunity to let the Commission know how these cuts will impact your ability to provide services to vulnerable San Francisco residents. The budget was the only major item on the agenda. It states that, "For the convenience of the public, public testimony will be grouped by category. Each person will be given two minutes to speak, and can speak only one time. The following is the order in which testimony will be taken. In order to accommodate all who wish to testify, members of the public who missed their topic to will be given the opportunity to testify at the end of the hearing." The order for public comment will be: (1) Mid-year budget reductions; (2) FY 2008-09 budget reductions: (a) Community programs; (b) Environmental health; (c) Laguna Honda; (d) S.F. General Hospital and Health at Home; and (e) Department-wide administrative and operating revenues. Future Commission meetings include: The Commission will hold its third hearing on the Department of Human Services FY 2008-09 budget. Budget information is available on the Commission website as part of the supporting documents for the February 13 meeting, and an updated memo should be posted in advance of the February 28 meeting. State Policy HUD and California’s Kin-GAP program The effect of this change will be significant for the estimated 1,000 low-income families participating in Kin-GAP who live in federally subsidized housing in California (initial estimate). At a minimum, it will increase their monthly rent. For some, it will push them over the income limit for federally subsidized housing and force them to either move from their home or return the child in their care to the foster care system. This policy change breaks the promise that has been made to Kin-GAP families and is contrary to the program's goal of promoting permanency. Take Action Download a fact sheet with more information. California Youth Connection (CYC) Day at the Capitol This year’s day at the capitol rally was PHENOMENAL! After jumping over a few hurdles our energetic and passionate members made CYC’s presence at the capitol known. The topic of discussion was the governor’s proposed budget cuts. As CYC chapter members questioned the governor’s motives they also shed light on the potential outcomes by sharing personal stories. This year CYC honored Amy Lemley, Policy Director for the John Burton Foundation and Jennifer Rodriquez, Attorney for the Youth Law Center (YLC) and former CYC staff. We were pleased that various media representatives showed up to spotlight this historic event. For two days, youth members learned about CYC’s two legislative issues this year: 1) making sure that state budget cuts do not impact foster care services, and 2) advocating for foster youth who crossover into the juvenile justice system to retain foster care services. On the third and final day of the conference, 140 current and former foster youth descended on the State Capitol meeting with 114 legislators or their staff to talk about CYC’s two legislative issues. CYC members held a rally on the Capitol steps, where members spoke about their experiences in care and the need for legislators to support foster care and make sure that supporting foster youth is a state priority. A few members also had the chance to testify in front of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee that deals with foster care issues and gave rousing testimonies that moved both the members and the audience. For more information on California Youth Connection, please call 415.442.5060 or visit www.calyouthconn.org. State Budget Federal Budget 4. ArticlesSan Jose Mercury News began reporting the results of a year long investigation into California's Dependency Court. Click here for ABC 7 coverage of the story and hear reporter Karen de Sá talk about the investigative report Feb 8 • Part I: How rushed justice fails our kids—broken families, broken courts: A Mercury News investigation Mercury News Feb 11 • Part II: A timid advocate for parents’ rights—broken families, broken courts: A Mercury News investigation Mercury News Feb 12 • Part III: Big stakes, but little voice for kids—broken families, broken courts: A Mercury News investigation Mercury News Feb 14 • A call for swift change for juvenile dependency courts Mercury News RELATED NEWS Feb 19 • Editorial: The toll of truancy SF Chronicle Feb 15 • Assembly approves cuts to education, health care to ease budget Inside Bay Area Feb 15 • Mayor plans to redesign 2 homeless shelters SF Chronicle Feb 12 • Newsome tours Sunnydale with department heads SF Chronicle 5. Reports & Useful WebsitesOn March 1-2, 2007, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sponsored the second National Symposium on Homelessness Research. The 2007 Symposium focused on lessons learned from research and practice. Teams of authors consisting of leading researchers and practitioners were commissioned to prepare 10 papers for discussion at the Symposium, all of which are now available to the public. Click here for information on the symposium and several reports. Of special interest to the transitional aged foster care community are:
6. Job OpportunitiesCSU is hiring San Francisco Health Plan is hiring 7. Upcoming Events5th Annual AHWG Provider Gathering CNYD Speaker’s Forum Youth Development in the Streets The Coleman Community Academy ONE DAY BUDGET INTENSIVE A Fun, Interactive Budget Advocacy Training for Children, Youth and Family Service Providers. The focus is on local Budget Advocacy. This day-long intensive will be both a training and an opportunity to strategize about budget advocacy plans. The agenda will also feature key city official guests to offer an inside perspective on the city budget. Free—but a donation of $100 per agency is requested to help cover the cost of training materials and food for up to 2 participants. Free breakfast and lunch! Submit your registration form to Chelsea Boilard. Fax: (415) 239-0584. Email: cboilard@colemanadvocates.org. Call if questions: (415) 239-0161, ext. 19. Caregiver Appreciation Meet and Greet
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