SACRAMENTO—Legislation expanding the allowable program types for foster youth residential crisis treatment to better meet the needs of foster youth and another bill authorizing the California Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into an operating agreement with the California Indian Heritage Center (CIHC) Support Organization to create a cultural center honoring the history and contributions of the state’s First People will both head to the Senate after approval by the Assembly today.
Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) authored the bills, AB 1579 dealing with foster youth and AB 1592 dealing with the cultural facility.
AB 1579 amends existing law to expand allowable program types for foster youth residential crisis services within the Children’s Crisis Pilot Program. The pilot would allow more flexibility to meet the needs of foster youth across the state so that a network of services exists when a youth requires a higher or lower level of intervention without disruption or delay. AB 1579 co-sponsors are Just Advocates and California Alliance of Child and Family Services. Other supporters include Alliance for Children’s Rights, Alliance for Community Advocacy, Alternative Family Services, California Behavioral Health Association, City and County of San Francisco, County Behavioral Health Directors Association, County of Fresno, County Welfare Directors Association of California, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Promesa Behavioral Health, Seneca Family of Agencies and Sycamores.
- AB 1592 authorizes the California Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into an agreement with the CIHC Support Organization to help facilitate the Department’s ongoing efforts to build the CIHC facility. The cultural center will be located in the City of West Sacramento at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers and serve as a unit of the state park system. Jamul Indian Village of California is the bill’s sponsor. AB 1592 is also supported by the California Tribal Business Alliance, Habemaltolel Pomo of Upper Lake, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and the Trust for Public Land.
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Assemblymember James C. Ramos proudly represents the 45th Assembly district that includes the Cities of Fontana, Highland, Mentone, Redlands, Rialto and San Bernardino. He is the first and only California Native American serving in the state’s legislature. Ramos chairs the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #6 on Public Safety and the Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs.