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Board proclaims May Foster Care Month; youth ambassador urges more resource families
Summary
The board proclaimed May 2024 as National Foster Care Month in San Luis Obispo County; Sandra Jimenez of Child Welfare Services outlined local numbers (about 260 children in care, ~65 active resource families) and youth engagement ambassador Pilar Ortega described her experience and called for more resource families.
On May 14 the Board of Supervisors proclaimed May 2024 as National Foster Care Month in San Luis Obispo County.
Supervisor Gibson read the resolution, and Sandra Jimenez, program manager in Child Welfare Services, provided statistics and context. Jimenez said the county currently has about 260 children and youth in foster care and approximately 65 active community resource families available for placement, leaving the department with a shortage of well‑matched resource homes. She described efforts to place children with biological families where safe and thanked local partner agencies, including Family Care Network, Seneca Family of Agencies and others.
Pilar Ortega, a youth engagement ambassador and former foster youth, spoke about her experience in the system, describing multiple placements and challenges. Ortega said foster care programs and local advocacy (including CASA) helped her find stability, and she urged community members to consider becoming resource families.
Board members thanked presenters and attendees and encouraged outreach to recruit additional resource families. The board recorded the proclamation and accepted the department’s request to publicize resource family information and the county’s hotline.
