LOS ANGELES – Aiming to keep foster youth from going hungry when they age out of care, Los Angeles County officials voted Tuesday to put measures in place to make sure food stamps are on offer.
Supervisor Hilda Solis recommended instituting a policy mandating that youth transitioning out of the county’s care have a CalFresh application pending 90 days before they exit and during any placement change.
“No one should have to go hungry in L.A. County,” Solis said. “My action today expands the county’s outreach to some of our most vulnerable populations — youth who are in extended foster care or who have exited the foster care system.”
Only about one-third of former California foster youth ever accessed CalFresh food benefits by age 19, according to a 2016 University of Chicago study.
Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who co-authored Solis’ motion, said one of every three “transition age youth” coming out of foster care skip meals or go without eating for a day because they can’t afford food.
“Many current and former foster youth are eligible for CalFresh, which could help them pay for food, but they often don’t even know they can apply,” Kuehl said.
“This motion, in conjunction with our housing motion last week which will expand housing opportunities for these young adults, will help put them on a path to a stable and successful adulthood instead of hunger and homelessness.”
Eligibility for CalFresh benefits is made on a case by case basis and is based on income and expenses, among other factors, including student status.
The board also directed departments to provide more training for county workers and community partners to help foster youth ages 18-24 apply for benefits.
County departments were also charged with tracking eligibility and usage data and reporting back to the board quarterly.
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Food Stamp says
Many youths get jobs before they even turn 18 and many are dangerouse jobs such as working at Magic Mountain..if you say its not a dangerous job Guess how many Youths dies there or even injured..Yah nothing to say now..Well All youths should be given food stamps..than maybe they can learn the value of money..I know school is not teaching that anymore just how to look, talk back, be disrespectful, join gangs, fight, do drugs, and if they manage to scrape by away from that and actually get an education despite advances from Pedophiles, or just plain idiots..They should have a program such as food stamps to make sure they can eat at least while attaining a proper education, working a job, or just trying to find a job that actually worth something so that down the line they don’t end up back in a system thats flawed such as Welfare..Home Economics is gone from schools there no teaching how to sew, how to cook some potatoe salad, or even how to grow, and cook your food horticulture is out also..its either sports and your lucky if you get in..or theres cheerleading or maybe music or band..hey also Music is on the chopping block by the way..So Im in the Vote Yes for food stamps for youths but a teaching program too..that way they don’t blow all those food stamps at fast food places!!
Magnetlady says
Why aren’t these ”Transitioning Foster Kids” educated to go to work?? What is the County doing, making these people VICTIMS instead of Workers?? Who pays for all this? Oh, that would be ”WE THE TAXPAYER”!!! Not surprising the LIBERALS have come up with this ”SOCIAL ENGINEERING” program,,,
Laughing says
Many of them can only obtain minimum wage jobs that are part tie. Try renting, and buying groceries , not to mention transportation and clothing.
NoFreeFood says
I disagree. Get rid of Food Stamps.
Kiki says
Yes please no more food stamps make them work for food .tired of them feeding off of us working ppl.
Liberals have got it all wrong says
Agree that no one should go without subsistence while illegally inhabiting within United States of America, however,
a mandatory tubal ligation or vasectomy voucher should be part of the California welcome package.
Laughing says
Your comment has nothing to do with foster youth… in other words SHUT UP