SACRAMENTO—An excited crowd of foster youth advocates eagerly looked on as Assemblymember Karen Bass was sworn in as the next Speaker of the California State Assembly. A passionate champion of the state’s most vulnerable population, the foster care community looks forward to working with her to continue an era of historic foster care system reform.
Casey Family Programs’ Director of California Strategies Miryam Choca said, “Casey Family Programs celebrates the historic swearing in of Assemblymember Karen Bass as Speaker of the State Assembly and commends her passionate commitment to California’s over 75,000 foster youth. We look forward to continuing to work with such an extraordinary champion who lifts up the voices of California’s children.”
Speaker Bass’ inauguration is timely—May is National Foster Care Month. Casey Family Programs chaired a coalition of more than 30 organizations that kicked off nearly 50 activities throughout California to increase awareness statewide of the dire needs of foster youth with the 4th Annual California Capitol National Foster Care Month Event.
Yakiciwey Mitchell, Senior Director of the Casey Family Programs’ Los Angeles Field Office, commented, “This is a moment that’s historic in many ways. We are honored to continue to work with such an outspoken and deeply committed advocate for foster care issues as Speaker Bass and to be in partnership with the Community Coalition.” Casey Family Programs has partnered with the Community Coalition and its Kinship In Action work since 2004.