2. HEY’s Emancipated Youth Advocacy Board (EYAB) Corner
The EYAB wants to give a special thanks to Dan Baker for donating his time so HEY and EYAB can have professional photographs for the HEY Foster Youth Connections Breakfast, website and other forthcoming publications! Dan’s work was showcased at the HEY Breakfast on May 8th on the slideshow. Dan is based out of San Francisco and describes himself as a “synergistic mash-up of contradictory cultural experience.” He volunteered his time not only to take great pictures of EYAB and the HEY staff, but also helped to create the slideshow at the HEY Breakfast and was there with us to make sure it all went smoothly. We’ll be posting some of our favorite pictures on the HEY website, but in the meantime you can see of a few of the best, plus Dan’s other work at www.bakerphotographic.net. HEY thanks Dan Baker for his support of HEY and the 2008 EYAB team!
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3. Policy Updates
Local Budget
[From HSN Newsletter]
On May 7, the Mayor's Budget Office notified City Departments that the budget remained unbalanced, that discussions with labor for concessions have not been productive, and that Departments needed to cut an additional $60 million from their general fund spending. Reduction plans were due last week. These cuts have gone directly from departments to the Mayor's office without the opportunity for Commissions to review them.
As with the previous cuts, the worst impact appears to be in the Department of Public Health (DPH), which was asked to cut an additional $16 million. The Human Services Agency was asked for another $3.6 million, but they were able to secure another $1 million in revenues, find savings in aid reductions, and once again reach their target with minimal service cuts. (However, the Governor's proposed cuts to IHSS and the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants will have substantial impacts if approved by the State Legislature.)
Here are four things we need all of you to do—two of them right away:
(1) Budget impacts survey: Right now, this is the most important thing we need everybody to do. In order to develop and carry out an effective strategy with the Mayor, the Board and the media, HSN will compile data on the amounts and impacts of the budget reductions to CBOs. They have posted a "Budget Cuts Impact Survey" on the HSN website. (The link is under "What's New")
(2) Send letters: After you've done the survey, we need you to draft a letter describing the impact of these cuts on your programs and clients. (Even if you are one of the lucky few without cuts, please send letters opposing them. You could talk about how these cuts to other service providers will affect the people you serve.) The letter should go via email to the following: nani.coloretti@sfgov.org, catherine.dodd@sfgov.org, aaron.peskin@sfgov.org, jake.mcgoldrick@sfgov.org, carmen.chu@sfgov.org, chris.daly@sfgov.org, sean.elsbernd@sfgov.org, ross.mirkarimi@sfgov.org, michela.alioto-pier@sfgov.org, tom.ammiano@sfgov.org, bevan.dufty@sfgov.org, sophie.maxwell@sfgov.org, gerardo.sandoval@sfgov.org, health.commission.dph@sfdph.org, debbilerman@sfhsn.org
(3) Budget and Revenue Town Hall on June 9: HSN and Coleman Advocates are co-sponsoring this citywide forum on the Mayor's proposed budget cuts and strategies to save the safety net for all vulnerable San Franciscans.
(4) Contact the media: HSN is developing a media strategy for the coming weeks. Many of you also have good relationships with media contacts, and will urge them to do stories about the impact of cuts on your services and clients. When you do, please tell Debbi about it so that we can keep track of the stories that are getting out there. And when you speak to the media, please let them know about the Town Hall!
This is the worst budget year we have ever seen, with the most devastating cuts ever proposed, falling disproportionately on the most vulnerable city residents. We thank all of you for every action you take in the next six weeks. We'll see you at the Town Hall and hearings!
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS BUDGET HEARINGS
Monday, June 16 through Thursday, June 26, 11am
City Hall, Board Chambers, Rm. 250
The Board's Budget and Finance Committee will hold hearings on department budgets. The calendar is posted on the Board website. Please try to attend these meetings to show our community voice and interest as the Supervisors review the proposed budget cuts.
Local Budget
[From Family Budget Coalition, a project of Coleman Advocates]
The Family Budget coalition, a project of Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth, represents over 50 agencies and thousands of youth and families in San Francisco. This month the Coalition began a month of daily deliveries to Mayor Gavin Newsom, urging him to “Please Say Yes” to a fair city budget for struggling families. Hand-made cards created by children, youth, parents and providers, are being delivered to the Mayor’s Office in City Hall each working day beginning May 1st through May 30th.Take a look at snapshots of the cards to the Mayor and the Family Budget Coalition’ budget agenda. HEY sent a card to the Mayor on Thursday, May 22! For more information or questions about Coleman Advocates' Family Budget Coalition, please contact Chelsea Boilard, Coleman Action Network Organizer, at (415) 239-0161 x19 or cboilard@colemanadvocates.org.
State Budget
Governor’s May Revise (revisions to the January budget and preparation for the final budget before the end of fiscal year)
The Governor's May Revise retains his proposal to cut foster care and MediCal as part of an effort to close the state's $17.2 billion cuts. This includes:
- An 11.4% reduction to the State General Fund allocation to the counties for Child Welfare Services, or $83.7 million annually.
- A 10% rate reduction for foster family homes, group homes, KinGAP, specialized care rates, and the clothing allowances.
- A 5% reduction of the Statewide Maximum Allowances (SMAs) of "non-inpatient" specialty mental health services.
Download a readable summary of the May Revise from John Laird, chair of the Assembly Budget Committee.
Governor Releases May Revised Budget
[from Family Budget Coalition]
Last week, Governor Schwarzenegger released the May Revision to his proposed 2008-2009 state budget, which includes devastating reductions to health and human services. The May Revision projects a $15.2 billion shortfall, and includes $17.2 billion of solutions, leaving a $2 billion reserve. The Governor proposes some small fee increases, but aside from those, new revenue is not a factor in his plan. The good news is that his revised budget includes reduced cuts to education spending, and the levels of education funding he proposes do meet the Proposition 98 guarantee. The bad news is that the proposed cuts have deepened, to health and human services programs like MediCal, CalWorks, Healthy Families, and child care/development programs. The Governor no longer plans to move forward with the early release of 22,000 inmates. For more details on the Governor’s May Revision of the proposed 2008-2009 state budget, check out the California Budget Project at www.cbp.org.
Federal Policy
HUD Reverses Policy on Kin-Gap
[from Foster Youth Alliance Bulletin]
Good news! HUD has reversed its policy to count program payments received by families participating in California's Kin-GAP program as income for the Section 8 housing program. The many letters of concern sent to members of Congress and HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson paid off. Congresswoman Maxine Waters led the effort. As she states in her press release of April 10th: “This is a victory for relative caregivers in California and throughout the country who have wondered how they would pay the rent in light of HUD’s policy shift. I have received countless letters from relative caregivers in California who were concerned about the impact HUD’s policy would have on their families. Hopefully, these families can rest easy now." Read the press release.
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4. Articles
Study: Big gaps in foster vs. traditional homes
USA Today • May 16, 2008
Open your heart to a foster child
News Record • May 14, 2008
For Bass, budget gets top billing [foster care remains part of her top priorities]
Sacramento Bee • May 12, 2008
California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care holds public hearing on draft recommendations
Sun Herald • May 12, 2008
Fostering a family: Chancellor’s wife raises foster family awareness, promotes scholarship
Daily Camera • May 11, 2008
Ne-Yo bringing awareness to foster care system
May 8, 2008 • SF Chronicle
Foster care advocates honored in Sacramento
May 7, 2008 • Mercury News
S. F. Supes slam agency over Edgewood Center
May 6, 2008 • SF Chronicle
S. F. Kids may have to leave treatment center
May 5, 2008 • SF Chronicle
The Bay Area's FOX affiliate KTVU aired a story about the Board of Supervisors hearing during their 10pm newscast on May 5, 2008.
NEWS ARTICLES ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA BUDGET CRISIS
Budget cuts programs for the ailing poor
May 15, 2008 • SF Chronicle
K-12 education funding cuts by 8.8%
May 15, 2008 • SF Chronicle
Health Care
May 15, 2008 • SF Chronicle
Analysis: Schwarzenegger faces rough sledding on state budget negotiations
May 14, 2008 • Sacramento Bee
Don’t withdraw a helping hand
April 28, 2008 • San Francisco Chronicle
RELATED NEWS
Bass taps Evans, de Leon for budget and approps
May 16, 2008 • Sacramento Bee
Protesters surround Capitol over education, health cuts
May 15, 2008 • Inside Bay Area
Tens of thousands of high school seniors still need to pass exit exam
May 4, 2006 • SF Chronicle
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5. Reports & Useful Websites
[from Kidsdata Monthly]
May is National Foster Care Month. In line with a statewide trend, the number of children in foster care across the six Bay Area counties declined by 34 percent, from 12,833 foster children in 1998 to 8,516 in 2007. More data about foster care in the Bay Area:
- Neglect generally is the most common reason children are removed from their families in the Bay Area and statewide.
- Reunification Among children who entered foster care in the first half of 2006, between one-third and one-half had been reunified with their families 12 months later.
- Map Compare the 2006 rate of first entries into foster care by county.
A Changing Child Welfare System: a CFK Q&A
May is the 20th annual celebration of Foster Care Month! To put the latest facts in context and to get the lowdown on emerging trends, Connect for Kids spoke with Candice Douglass, communications director with Casey Family Programs. Hey also talked to Celeste Bodner, Executive Director of FosterClub.
Latest Foster Care and Adoption Data Released
Just in time for Foster Care Month, the federal Children's Bureau offers the latest national statistics on adoption and foster care in its Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) Report. Among the findings:
- The number of children in foster care dropped from 513,300 in 2005 to 510,000 in 2006.
- During the same time period, there was a significant increase in the termination of parental rights for children in foster care.
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6. Job Opportunities
CHALK is hiring: Outreach Workers and Youthline Information Support Specialist
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7. Opportunities
University Summer Living Initiative (through Beyond Emancipation and CSU East Bay)
The University Summer Living Initiative (USLI) was designed to meet the need for summer housing for emancipated foster youth. This 11-week program provides youth with safe, structured and supportive housing. Designed for youth who are returning hoe for the summer from college/university, or any THP-Plus eligible youth who needs short term housing, this program provides:
- 24 hour support
- Education advocacy and support
- Job readiness training
- Permanent housing placement assistance
- Advanced life skills training
The program is from June 23-Sept 5. For more information contact Gary Hull, 510-261-4102 x28 or gary@beyondemancipation.org
Spark Internship in Youth Program Leadership
Spark operates unique apprenticeship programs that inspire middle-school youth to pursue their interests, create bonds with their communities, and develop a lifelong passion for learning. For more information, see www.sparkprogram.org. To Apply: Send resume and cover letter to Stephen Hsu, Program Coordinator, at stephen@sparkprogram.org. For questions, please contact Stephen via email or phone at (415) 626-5470 x101.
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8. Upcoming Events
San Francisco Budget & Revenue Townhall
A citywide forum on the Mayor’s proposed budget cuts and strategies for saving the safety net for all vulnerable San Franciscans
SPECIAL GUEST: Jean Ross, Executive Director, California Budget Project.
MONDAY, JUNE 9TH
2-4pm
SF Main Library, Koret Auditorium
100 Larkin St. (at Grove). Koret Auditorium is located on the Library's lower level. Please enter at 30 Grove St. and then proceed downstairs.
For more info, call Debbi Lerman at (415)668-0444 x2 or download the Town Hall flyer.
All the Way Home: Creating Partnerships to House Emancipated Foster and Homeless Youth
TENTH QUARTERLY ROUNDTABLE MEETING
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (working lunch with option to purchase meal)
Affordable Housing Associates, Madison Apartments
155 Madison Street in Oakland, CA
Please RSVP for this meeting by emailing Gail.B.Goldman@hud.gov by May 30, 2008. If you have any questions, please email or call Gail Goldman at (415) 489-6587.
BAY AREA HEART GALLERY
The Bay Area Heart Gallery is a stunning professional photography exhibit consisting of photographs of children and youth living in foster care in need of adoptive families and permanent lifelong relationships. The Heart Gallery also features portraits of adoptive families and their children. These families reflect the diversity of adoptive families across the Bay Area.
Upcoming Calendar of the Bay Area Heart Gallery:
Main Exhibit: 5/5/08–6/30/08
San Francisco City Hall, Van Ness Street Entrance & 4th Floor, San Francisco
7/12/08-8/17/08
San Francisco Main Library, Jewett Gallery, Lower Level, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco
Creating a Blueprint Conference
Save the Date. The conference dates have been set for October 21-23, 2008 and will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in San Jose. Blueprint Newsletter. As part of our ongoing efforts to keep everyone updated on things going on around the country, we are putting together a semi-annual e-newsletter for all conference attendees and partner organizations. Programs are invited to share their achievements, updates, and best practices. Right now, we're looking for article submissions to go into our first issue, which is due to come out in June. Submissions are due by Friday, May 30. Call for Programs. And, of course, we are inviting people to submit program proposals for the conference. Program proposals are due by Friday, June 6. For more information visit: http://www.svcf.org/newsandfeatures/index.html#CreatingaBlueprint2008CallforPrograms
 About
Honoring Emancipated Youth
About Honoring Emancipated Youth
Honoring Emancipated Youth (HEY), a community project of United Way of the Bay Area, is a San Francisco-based intermediary providing leadership to the Bay Area foster care community by convening and informing stakeholders of trends and best practices in order to raise public awareness and promote successful policies that affect emancipated foster youth. HEY is committed to the inclusion of current and former foster youth, service providers, and community members in identifying and promoting strategies and best practices that ensure there are effective systems to serve Bay Area foster care youth in achieving a successful transition to adulthood.
This newsletter is solely for informational purposes; the legislative information and articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Honoring Emancipated Youth or United Way of the Bay Area.
Sara Razavi
Executive Director, Honoring Emancipated Youth (HEY)
United Way of the Bay Area
221 Main Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 808-4435 • Fax (415) 817-4615
srazavi@uwba.org
Visit us at www.heysf.org
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