FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. PT
Contact: Matt Roman, [email protected], 617-835-3167
Over 1,000 Organizations Demand Governor Newsom Protect Foster Youth
The Family Urgent Response System is Proposed to be Eliminated from California’s Budget
OAKLAND, CA — One of the most alarming and significant proposed cuts in this year’s state budget is the elimination of the Family Urgent Response System (FURS), the effective in-person helpline specifically designed to support foster families.
Today, through The Children’s Movement of California, over 1,000 organizations sent this letter urging Governor Newsom to reverse course and protect the program in the May Revise set to be released on Friday, May 10.
“The last place we should look for cuts, let alone program elimination, is on programs that serve our state’s kids, especially our foster youth,” said Ted Lempert, President of Children Now. “This collective demand of over 1,000 organizations highlights how critical FURS is and sends a strong message that our state should never abandon foster kids to balance its budget.”
Since its creation, FURS has proven to be critically helpful for foster families. The hotline provides 24/7, in-person support from trained professionals for whatever situation foster youth or their caregivers need assistance. Responding to nearly 5,000 calls a year, the program has been effective at keeping foster families safe and together, reducing foster home changes by 16% in just 3 years.
The Children’s Movement of California is a network of more than 5,400 organizations and businesses from across the state – the most diverse network advocating for kids in the country – that care about kids and want to see public policies that prioritize them. Many of these organizations are well-aware of the vital impact FURS has had for years, and since the announcement in January of its proposed elimination, have been outspoken with their desire to protect it.
“We’re excited by the incredible level of diverse support this campaign to save FURS has received and are confident our state leaders hear us,” said Lempert. “But the proof has to be the reinstatement and continued funding of FURS in the state budget. Our foster youth cannot be cut off from support.”
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Children Now is a non-partisan, whole-child research, policy development and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting children’s health and education in California. The organization also leads The Children’s Movement of California, a network of more than 5,400 direct service, parent, civil rights, faith-based, and community groups dedicated to improving children’s well-being.
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