Advisory: Rally to Protect California's Most Vulnerable Children

 

 

 

 

 

		County of Los Angeles DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES   425 Shatto Place, Los Angeles, California  90020 (213) 351-5602
Board of Supervisors GLORIA MOLINA First District MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS Second District ZEV YAROSLAVSKY Third District DON KNABE Fourth District MICHAEL D. ANTONOVICH Fifth District                     PATRICIA S. PLOEHN, LCSW Director

 

 

    FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE

    September 8, 2009

 

   Contact:  Amy Lemley, John Burton Foundation

                 (415) 693-1322

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

Rally to Protect California's Most Vulnerable Children!

 

WHAT:            A rally to call for the restoration of the $80 million cut in Child Welfare Services, included in Governor Schwarzenegger's line-item veto.

 

WHEN:            Thursday, September 10^th at

Rally starts at 10:00 a.m.

Press Conference starts at 10:30

 

WHERE:         North Steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento

 

WHY:               On July 28^th, Governor Schwarzenegger included an $80 million cut to Child Welfare Services in his line-item veto. When the associated reduction in federal funding is included, the total loss to Child Welfare Services is $124 million. The most likely effect of the cut will be a reduction in up to 755 social workers, who ensure the safety of children in foster care and prevent further abuse and neglect. Other possible impacts include cuts in transitional housing for homeless former foster youth, support for kin caring for the children of other family members, foster parents recruitment and training, caseworker and group home monthly visits and health services for children in foster care.

 

The legislature recesses on September 11^th. NOW is the time to stand together for California's most vulnerable children! Not only is this cut a direct threat to their safety, it is in direct opposition to Governor Schwarzenegger's former stated commitment for children and youth in California's foster care system.

 

WHO:              Organizers include the California County Welfare Director's Association, the California State Association of Counties, the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, the Youth Law Center, Service Employees International Union, the John Burton Foundation, Prevent Child Abuse California and many more.

 

For more information, please contact Amy Lemley of the

 John Burton Foundation at 415-693-1322 or amy@johnburtonfoundation.org

 

 

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