CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2007–2008 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Joint Resolution
No. 26
Introduced by
Assembly Member
Bass, Leno, Ma
(Coauthor(s):
Assembly Member
Beall, Berg, Evans, Hancock, Jones, Maze, Parra, Portantino, Sharon Runner, Ruskin, Soto)
|
May 25, 2007 |
Relative to recognition of foster children in the United States census.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AJR 26, as introduced, Bass.
United States Census: Foster Child Category.
This measure would express the Legislature’s opposition to the decision of the United States Census Bureau to remove the foster child relationship category from the 2010 United States Census and the American Community Survey, and would call on the federal government to recognize the importance of collecting census information relating to foster children.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
NO WHEREAS, Children removed from their parents by the courts due to abuse and neglect are wards of the state. It is therefore the responsibility of the government and its systems to care for, prioritize, and collectively parent these youth; and
WHEREAS, There are an estimated 500,000 youth in and out of home care across the United States; and
WHEREAS, Over 80,000 children are in foster care in California, more than double the amount of any other state in the country; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of the United States Census Bureau is to serve as the leading source of quality data regarding the nation’s people and economy, including collecting statistical information from individuals and establishments in order to compile statistics, taking a census of the United States population every 10 years, and conducting various surveys annually; and
WHEREAS, The United States census proposed to eliminate the “Foster Child” relationship category from the 2010 Census and the American Community Survey, and under this modification, families would most likely categorize their foster children as a “roomer or boarder”; and
WHEREAS, This broad category does not capture the special circumstances of children living in foster care and could detract from the government’s responsibility to this vulnerable population; and
WHEREAS, The United States Census Bureau’s rationale was that the “foster child” category was expendable because it was one of the categories with the fewest numbers of responses in the 2000 United States Census, with 334,974 children in this category; and
WHEREAS, The 2000 United States Census indicates that the average income for households with foster children was 20 percent below the average for all households with children; and
WHEREAS, By excluding the foster child category from the census and the American Community Survey, the United States Census Bureau strips us of the ability to assess the socioeconomic status of foster children, the need for public assistance among foster parents, and the rate of employment among foster parents; and
WHEREAS, Excluding this category on the census demonstrates the lack of responsibility and liability the government has for these children for whom the government acts as the parent; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature expresses opposition to the United States Census Bureau’s decision to remove the foster child relationship category from the 2010 United States Census and the American Community Survey; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature calls on the federal government to recognize the importance of collecting information relating to our nation’s most vulnerable children; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator from California, and each member of the California delegation in the United States House of Representatives.