The California Alliance of Child and Family Services (CACFS)

The California Alliance of Child and Family Services (CACFS) is a statewide association of more than 130 private nonprofit child and family serving agencies committed to providing the highest quality services in the most caring and effective fashion. The CACFS provides legislative and regulatory advocacy on behalf of our member agencies regarding a wide range of key policy issues. The Alliance represents member agencies to the: Office of the Governor, State Legislature, Health and Human Services, Department of Finance, Department of Mental Health, Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, and the Department of Education.

California Blue Ribbon Commission

The charge of the California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care is to provide recommendations to the California Judicial Council on the ways in which the courts and their partners can improve safety, permanency, well-being, and fairness outcomes for children and families.

California Youth Connection

The California Youth Connection (CYC) is guided by current and former foster youth with the assistance of committed community members. CYC promotes the participation of foster youth in policy development and legislative change to improve the foster care system.

CYC Legislative Accomplishments

Foster and Kinship Care Education (FKCE) Program

The Foster and Kinship Care Education Program provides quality education and support opportunities to caregivers of children and youth in out-of-home care so that these providers may meet the educational, emotional, behavioral and developmental needs of children and youth in the foster care system.

Foster Care Ombudsman

The Foster Care Ombudsman investigates and resolves complaints made by or on behalf of children placed in foster care without fear of retribution from those who provide their care and services. The Ombudsman also provides children and youth with information on their rights when placed in foster care and maintains a toll-free hotline for their concerns and complaints.

Foster Youth Services

Foster Youth Services (FYS) programs ensure that health and school records are obtained to establish appropriate placements and coordinate instruction, counseling, tutoring, mentoring, vocational training, emancipation, and other related services.

Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI)

The California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office (CCCCO) has recognized that there is a significant deficit regarding youth from foster care attending higher education. Acknowledging this need, they are sponsoring a concerted effort called the Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI) to bring issues affecting these youth to the forefront and to improve the ability of these youth to access postsecondary education and benefit from the support services that are available but are often unknown to them.

Legislative Matrix (2007)

Select Committee on Foster Care

The mission of the Select Committee on Foster Care is to address how the state's Foster Care System "parents" these children as well as determine the ways in which the various agencies can effectively work together. The goal is to collectively address the critical challenges and issues that impact our state's at-risk children.

Transitional Housing Placement Plus (THP-Plus)

The THP-Plus program provides affordable housing and support services for up to 24 months to help former foster care and probation youth ages 18 to 24 make a successful transition to independent living. The program is administered by the California Department of Social Services, and distributed to county departments of social services.