Over 4,000 foster youth emancipate from California's foster care system each year

Antonovich calls for enhanced services and financial support for emancipated foster youth.
Bossert, Dave. West Ranch Beacon, Jan. 10, 2007.

The Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich directing County departments to work with the State legislative delegation to sponsor legislation that provides enhanced services and financial support to emancipated foster youth between the ages of 18 and 21 years.

Each year, more than 4,000 youths emancipate from California’s foster care system – nearly 1,500 in Los Angeles County.

“Just as youth who leave their families as young adults depend upon the continued support of their birth parents to meet their individualized needs, so do youth emancipating from foster care,” said Supervisor Antonovich.

“This places them at greater risk of unemployment, homelessness, and incarceration, every effort should be made to ensure that each youth emancipating from our county’s foster care system is afforded the continued opportunities available to achieve success and become a fully contributing member of society,” added Supervisor Antonovich.