San Mateo County grand jury report urges better mentoring for former foster-care children

By Neil Gonzales
ngonzales@bayareanewsgroup.com

Posted: 06/16/2011 07:06:43 PM PDT
Updated: 06/16/2011 11:16:14 PM PDT

REDWOOD CITY -- San Mateo County should bolster mentoring services for former foster-care children, the county's civil grand jury said in a report released Thursday.

The grand jury noted that although programs are available to young adults who age out of foster care, persuading them to participate is a challenge. The county Human Services Agency's Adolescent Services Program "has difficulty remaining in contact with all emancipated youth, since some are not interested in continuing any contact with county agencies," the grand jury said.

One way to overcome that problem is for the agency to develop formal recruiting and training programs for mentors, the grand jury said. "It is critical for the future success of the foster youth that they have a permanent, committed and qualified mentor before their emancipation from foster care," the grand jury noted in the report. "Without a formal training program, mentors may not have the right information and tools to fulfill their responsibilities."

The grand jury commended Adolescent Services for its work helping emancipated foster children despite fiscal constraints and decreased resources. "It looks like the civil grand jury found a lot of strengths in our program and assets to build on," agency spokeswoman Amanda Kim said. "Foster youth certainly need a range of resources to do well over the long term."

Patricia Miljanich -- executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates of San Mateo County, which serves the foster-youth community -- said she supports the call for improving services, "but I don't think we need to reinvent the wheel."

Her organization has the kind of mentoring program the grand jury is talking about, she said. "One quick, easy way to support (foster-related services) is volunteers and more funding," Miljanich said.

To see the full report, visit www.sanmateocourt.org.

Contact Neil Gonzales at 650-348-4338.

http://www.mercurynews.com/san-mateo-county/ci_18295633