LOS ANGELES COUNTY – The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to create an online Centralized Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Hub to provide vital access to programs and services to youth, caregivers, social workers and advocates.
The proposed online Centralized TAY Hub will improve the county’s ability to serve TAY as they age out of the foster care system by helping them connect to education, career and housing resources.
“The county has created countless programs over the years to provide valuable job training, access to transportation, educational stability and other services to foster youth. Yet, we continue to have a number of Transitional Age Youth exit out of the child welfare system facing poor outcomes and at risk of becoming another devastating statistic of homelessness, substance abuse addiction and mental health issues,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. “We need to develop a coordinated system so youth know what is available to them and are connected to the right services at the right time to enrich their lives.”
The 4-0 vote gave the Chief Executive Office the directive to explore means to develop and launch the Hub, coordinate with the Office of Child Protection and other relevant departments and agencies, and develop Management Appraisal Performance Program goals to ensure streamlined and effective service delivery.
Department of Children and Family Services Director Bobby Cagle cited that there are about 10,000 TAY in Los Angeles County who would benefit from this program.
“We have to do what we can to provide them with the tools and resources they need so they can achieve their dreams and live the lives they hope to lead when they reach adulthood,” Cagle said. “As with any vulnerable population, we have learned that individual departments cannot effectively serve a child in isolation. We know that enhanced coordination, along with the better integration of resources, will improve services for our foster youth and help them achieve self-sufficiency.”