Foster youth: independent living services.

Existing federal law, the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999, provides the state with federal funding to enable programs that, among other things, identify children who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age and help those children make the transition to self-sufficiency by providing services such as assistance in obtaining a high school diploma, career exploration, vocational training, job placement and retention, training in daily living skills, training in budgeting and financial management skills, substance abuse prevention, and preventive health activities. Existing law designates the State Department of Social Services as supervisor and administrator of public social services, including the Independent Living Program. Existing law declares the administration of public social services in each of the several counties of the state to be a county function, and in the case of public social services for which federal or state funds are provided, subject to the regulations of the department. Existing law requires the department, in consultation with county and state representatives, foster youth, and advocates, to develop statewide standards for the implementation and administration of the Independent Living Program. Existing law requires each county department of social services to submit an annual Independent Living Program report to the department, as specified. This bill would require, for each county that has an Internet Web site, each county department of social services to publish on the county's Internet Web site information regarding all services offered to participants in the Independent Living Program, as specified. The bill would require each county department of social services to annually update that information. The bill would require the department to publish on its Internet Web site for the Independent Living Program direct links to the information published by each county described above. The bill would require the department to annually update those links. By increasing county responsibilities, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.