Responding to requests by state and local officials, children’s advocates and concerned citizens, the U.S. Census Bureau has decided against shortening the 2010 census form by removing a category that would track data on foster children, announced Supervisor Michael. D. Antonovich.
On a motion by Antonovich, the Board of Supervisors forwarded a five-signature letter to the Congressional Subcommittee voicing its opposition to this action.
“The Federal Government has corrected what would have been a critical mistake negatively impacting the lives of countless children,” said Antonovich. “This vital data will help the federal government determine where abused and neglected children live and ensure that federal resources are allocated to those areas.”
Los Angeles County has 21,000 children placed in foster care, 950 of whom are awaiting adoption into safe homes with caring families.
For information on becoming an adoptive or foster parent, call 888-811-1121.