Post by Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services

Last month, Maria Bhattachan, Optimist's Chief Operating Officer, traveled to Sacramento with the California Alliance of Child and Family Services for Advocacy Day — meeting directly with legislators, their staff, and fellow nonprofits working on policy that shapes how organizations like Optimist serve foster youth across the state. Three bills are on our radar right now: AB 1989, which addresses hiring delays caused by out-of-state background check timelines; a proposed Tiered Rate Structure, where reimbursement gaps make it difficult to sustain the programs foster youth depend on; and AB 2333, which would revisit insurance requirements that have driven up costs for youth-serving nonprofits. Policymakers need to hear from people delivering services on the ground. That's why we show up.