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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-16-2019 Item 02 - Dept of Social Services PresentationChild Welfare ServicesAngella Holmes,Program Manager Did you know:SLO County received 1,014 referrals from 10/1/2018 to 12/31/2018As of 1/2019 we had 372 children in foster care in our County What kind of kids are in foster care?Gender is split evenly at about 50% between male and female children31% are under the age of 5, 26% between 6 and 12 and 42% are age 13 or older46% have been in foster care less than one year, 20% between one and two years44% are placed in homes more than 11 miles from their home of removal Local StatisticsCity of San Luis Obispo and Surrounding AreasIn the San Luis Obispo service area (San Luis Obispo & Avila Beach) in 2018, the Department of Social Services received 650 child abuse and neglect referrals and of those referrals, 58 were substantiatedWith around 72 children, youth and teens coming into care from the San Luis Obispo service area, only 14% or 10 youth are able to be placed in an San Luis Obispo resource family homes.Given our current statistics this means that:22 youth from the San Luis Obispo Service Area are ages 0-519 youth are ages 6-1231 youth are ages 13 or older What can we do?Our goal is for every child to obtain permanency with a Loving Family who will support all their needs Permanency can be:Return to the birth home (preferred)AdoptionLegal GuardianshipLong term Foster Care Introducing Fiona SlatteryCurrent Resource Parent for the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Social Services How we can partnerMay is National Foster Care Month! Help us get the word out! Using the Power of Local GovernmentIn order for the Department of Social Services to overcome the ever-growing deficit of resource family homes, it is critical to raise as much awareness as possible to the need.We are asking our local city council representatives to use their voice to help raise awareness about the needs for more resource family homes during the month of May. This could be done in many different and creative ways:Write-Ups in Monthly NewslettersSocial Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTubeHosting Foster Youth Inspired Art at City Hall Locations Together, we can find a home for every child!!Thank you San Luis Obispo City Council for your time and consideration!