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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
Los Angeles County Grand Jury
• 2011-2012
Aging-out of the Foster Care System
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 6 findings
F1
Page 190
DCA does not have a dedicated hotline and webpage to make DCA services more accessible to foster youth. These resources could assist youth in filing a consumer complaint, speaking directly with DCA staff, and scheduling one-on-one consumer counseling. In discussion with high-level staff at the DCA, they agreed that there was a cost-effective solution to this issue that would be targeted specifically to the TAY population, if the Board of Supervisors provided the necessary funding.
F2
Page 190
DCA has held pilot consumer education workshops for TAYs at group homes and probation facilities. These presentations were given to TAYs to assist them in transitioning to adulthood outside of the foster care system and be more self- sufficient. Expanded workshops could teach foster youth and their care providers (such as social workers, probation officers, group home staff, and foster parents) how to identify, prevent and resolve top consumer issues such as identity theft, landlord/tenant disputes, car purchasing difficulties, education scams, and credit/finance problems.
F3
Page 190
DCA agreed that since their staff had a larger population of volunteers (approximately 75) than actual salaried employees (approximately 50), and that they could solicit additional volunteers, specifically targeting the senior citizen population. This is a population of citizens that has not specifically been targeted in the past. Volunteers not only answer phones and assist individuals with consumer issues, but also accompany individuals when they are pursuing such things as housing and transportation needs. This would be of great service to TAYs who for the most part have no previous experience with renting of housing, purchasing a form of transportation, banking, or applying for a job. AGING-OUT - TAY 2011–2012 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT 165
F4
Page 191
DCA could provide internships in which TAYs can gain first-hand experience in helping consumers resolve financial scams, and learn about how to protect themselves and their friends from consumer fraud. Unpaid internships could be made immediately available. If additional funding were identified, paid internships could also be developed.
F5
Page 190
DCFS Youth Development Services Division, Independent Living Program has developed an "Emancipation Resource Directory" that is given to the TAYs when they leave the foster care system. The directory is in dire need of reorganization. This Directory, although it contains excellent information, is not user-friendly and lacks proper organization of the material. Also, the CGJ felt that the contact information to DCA should be listed as one of the first contacts in the directory. Transportation
F6
Page 191
MTA has agreed with the action plan made by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to provide "no-cost EZ Transit Passes" on all municipal and rail systems to DCFS and probation youth transitioning out of the county systems, for youth ages 18-21 for a 12 month period. AGING-OUT - TAY 166 2011–2012 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT
Recommendations 7
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R1Page 187The Department of Consumer Affairs establish a dedicated hotline and webpage for TAYs.
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R2Page 187The Department of Consumer Affairs continue and expand their consumer education workshops for youth preparing to exit the foster care system (ages 16-18), at group homes, probation facilities, and designated locations per DCFS requirements for TAYs prior to their leaving foster care and probation. These consumer education workshops should address specific consumer issues facing TAYs as they prepare for adulthood to help them identify, prevent and resolve consumer issues, such as landlord/tenant disputes, car purchasing difficulties, education scams, credit/finance problems, and identity theft.
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R3Page 187The Department of Consumer Affairs actively solicit volunteers, including those from the senior citizen population, to assist TAYs with consumer issues during their transition to adulthood, and also have volunteers accompany TAYs when they are seeking things such as transportation needs, renting of housing, banking, and applying for a job.
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R4Page 187The Department of Consumer Affairs provide unpaid internships for TAYs so they could gain first-hand experience in helping consumers resolve financial scams, and learn about how to protect themselves and their friends from consumer fraud. DCA consider establishing paid internships with a stipend.
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R5Page 187The Department of Children and Family Services Youth Development Services Division, Independent Living Program reorganize the Emancipation Resource Directory to a more user-friendly document with the contact information for DCA listed as one of the first contacts in the directory, and that physical copies be bound for easy access and use by TAYs.
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R6Page 187The Metropolitan Transit Authority Board of Directors follow through with their commitment slated to begin 7/1/12, to provide "no-cost EZ Transit Passes" on all municipal and rail systems to DCFS and probation youth transitioning out of the county systems, for youth ages 18-21, for longer than a 12 month period, and on a continuing basis until the youth reaches his or her 22nd birthday. AGING-OUT - TAY 2011–2012 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT 167
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R18-21Page 191for a 12 month period.