Late 2006, RPIC partnered with Assembly Member Karen Bass (District 47) and the Casey Family Foundation to host a statewide conference on the state of foster care and its impact on the African American community.  The conference allowed RPIC to focus on the needs of one of our more unprotected constituencies—the children and youth of the foster care system.

The conference brought together public policy makers, child care advocates, academic scholars, representatives from state and local government, care givers, as well as foster children and families affected by foster care.   Conference attendees worked together to develop strategies that will help meet the needs of children in the foster care system. 

The views shared during the conference will help to shape the public policy agenda for foster care reform in this State.  To highlight the day’s events, there was even an appearance by Governor Schwarzenegger who signed legislation aimed at expanding and improving foster care services. 

To further show our commitment to this cause, RPIC is expanding its African American Youth Leadership Program to honor foster children who exhibit great potential for success despite the challenges they have had to endure from a life affected by the foster care system.

The preservation of our community is dependent on the protection we give our children.  While the Black population in California is approximately six percent, Black youth represent more than forty percent of the children in foster care.

The California Legislative Black Caucus
The State of Black California Report