Santa Barbara Commission on Foster Care Announces Foster Care Summit 2011
In collaboration with the State Administrative Office of the Courts, Center for Families, Children and the Courts, and thanks to the generous support of the Santa Barbara Foundation, the event is free, with lunch provided. In addition, Continuing Education Credits are offered for the Summit’s workshops. All county residents who are involved and/or interested in foster youth issues are encouraged to attend. Space is limited and registration is required.
The Foster Care Summit is intended to engage members of the community, bringing together a diversity of voices and individuals committed to supporting our foster children. Commission Co-chair and Presiding Juvenile Court Judge Arthur Garcia, states, “The court is pleased that state and local foster care leaders are gathering to dialogue and share information with interested professionals and community members.”
The Foster Care Summit will begin with a panel discussion featuring local and state speakers who will discuss the California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care,, followed by a selection of focused breakout sessions covering topics such as education, public health, AB 12/212, and transitioning youth programs. The sessions are designed to provide attendees with additional knowledge and tools to ensure that children and youth in foster care receive every advantage and opportunity to succeed in their community.
Created in 2009, the Santa Barbara Commission on Foster Care unites high-ranking individuals who are empowered to initiate improvements to our county’s system of care. Judge Arthur Garcia, and Director of the county’s Department of Social Services, Kathy Gallagher, serve as co-chairs of the Commission. They are joined by a cross-section of community leaders, including County Supervisor Janet Wolf and representatives from nonprofits, public agencies, and the community at-large.
For more information, or to register, please contact Cindy Chen, phone: (415) 865-7644, email: cindy.chen@jud.ca.gov, fax: (415) 865-4399.
