Overview
In 2006 approximately 83,000 youth were in foster care in California and nearly 500,000 incidents of child abuse and neglect were reported to Child Welfare Services. Youth who are exposed to abuse, neglect and instability in their home life have a greater risk for physical and mental health problems, academic failure and incarceration. Nationally, 30 percent perform below grade level and 50 percent are held back in school. They are significantly under-represented in post-secondary programs and are over-represented in special education programs. Recent legislative and local efforts are currently underway to provide better support for youth and families in the foster care system in an attempt to mitigate the negative consequence associated with abuse and neglect. This includes the passage of AB 490 and the Child Welfare Services Redesign. Effective January 2004, AB 490 requires that education and school placements decisions are to be made in the best interest of the child. The Child Welfare Services Redesign requires the California Department of Social Services to provide quarterly reports to counties that measure child welfare outcomes rather than processes.
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