Youth Acceptance Project.

Existing law generally provides for the placement of foster youth in various placement settings, and governs the provision of child welfare services, defined to mean public social services that are directed toward the accomplishment of specified purposes, including protecting and promoting the welfare of all children, preventing the unnecessary separation of children from their families, and restoring to their families children who have been removed. Existing law establishes the California Interagency Council on Homelessness, and requires the council to, among other things, set and measure progress towards goals to prevent and end homelessness among youth in California. This bill would, on or before July 1, 2023, require the State Department of Social Services to establish a 5-year pilot program, the Youth Acceptance Project (YAP) , in order to increase permanency outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or plus (LGBTQ+) and gender-expansive youth, as defined, in up to 5 counties, to be selected to participate on a voluntary basis in the pilot program, as specified. The bill would set forth qualifying conditions for YAP services, including the youth's receipt of child welfare services or being at risk of entering foster care, or being homeless or at risk of homelessness. The bill would, subject to an appropriation, require the department to work in consultation with the nonprofit organization Family Builders by Adoption and other relevant stakeholders, as specified, to assist participating counties in providing LGBTQ+ and gender-expansive youth, and their families who are struggling with accepting the youth's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, with advocacy, therapeutic-style support, and other necessary and appropriate intervention services. The bill would require participating counties to provide services that meet certain requirements relating to professional providers, principles, and procedures, including, among other things, any necessary housing and homelessness services, as specified. The bill would require the department to submit a report to the Legislature with an evaluation of the pilot program. This bill would make these provisions inoperative on July 1, 2029, and would repeal them as of January 1, 2030.