It should go without saying — regardless of political affiliation — it is far better for our communities to solve local needs rather than depend upon the government. Right now on the Central Coast there is a significant need which needs families and individuals to rally together to solve!
To put it bluntly, there are not enough individuals and families to care for and meet the needs of the children and youth in our local foster care system. This shortage represents a significant community need — these are our kids who, through no fault of their own, have been removed from their families. These children and youth need our help.
My organization, the Family Care Network, has partnered with our Central Coast counties for nearly 30 years to provide families who nurture, support, and provide treatment to foster children and youths. At one time, we had enough families to serve 150 or so foster youth. Now, we have about one third of that capacity. And all of our local foster care agencies are being similarly impacted.