News
President of SMC Foster Parent Association Testifies at State Capitol
By: Jennie Hwang
The County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA) invited three counties, including San Mateo County, to testify on AB 2481 (Evans) at the Assembly Human Services Committee Hearing on April 25, 2006. AB 2481 is a bill which would increase much needed cost of living adjustment to foster home rates and fund additional recruitment and retention activiites including respite care and training. Shauna Mullins, President of the San Mateo County Foster Parent Association, testified on our behalf. She has been a foster parent for about nine years; during that time, she has taken care of over 30 foster infants and young children. She spoke eloquently about the need for additional funding for foster parents and the challenge of the lack of foster homes to care for children in the foster care system. Shauna said, “This bill will enable San Mateo County and other high cost counties to provide recruitment and retention stipends in recognition of the extraordinary high cost of living in our area.” AB 2481 passed from the Assembly Human Services Committee with a 6 to 1 vote. Now on to Assembly Committee on Appropriation!
We thank Shauna for taking the day out of her busy schedule to go to Sacramento to testify as well as many other activities that she has taken on to help foster children.
For more information about AB2482 (Evans), please contact Jennie Hwang Loft, Legislative Liaison, at (650) 802-6433.