A federal lawsuit obtained on Friday alleges that Los Angeles County and state agencies responsible for providing welfare and mental health services to older youth in foster care have created a “pipeline to homelessness,” violating the plaintiffs’ constitutional rights. Youth advocacy organizations argue that these agencies have persistently failed to ensure that transition age foster youth (between 16 and 21 years old) have meaningful access to necessary housing, mental health, and other services they are legally entitled to.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles federal court on behalf of six young people in foster care, claims that the county’s Children and Family Services and Mental Health departments, as well as the state’s Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Health Care Services, and Department of Social Services, are not fulfilling their mandate to provide safe, stable, and appropriate placements for dependents in foster care. Additionally, they are failing to provide health and mental welfare services, causing physical, psychological, and emotional harm.
In response to the allegations, the county departments issued a joint statement expressing their commitment to the well-being of young people transitioning into adulthood and their dedication to providing services to assist with that transition. They acknowledged the significant challenges faced by young people exiting the child welfare system, such as food, housing, and income insecurity, and stated that DCFS and DMH offer assistance with education and housing plans, job preparedness, transportation, and mental health services to support these individuals.
DCFS and DMH also mentioned their ongoing efforts to collaborate with public, private, and nonprofit organizations to enhance housing stability and create living-wage job opportunities for young people leaving foster care. The state agencies declined to comment on the pending litigation.
The lawsuit highlights that eligible youth have the option to remain in foster care until the age of 21. It states that last year, the county was responsible for more than 4,200 young people between the ages of 16 and 21.
Tara Ford, senior counsel at Public Counsel, one of the firms involved in preparing the lawsuit, emphasized that by denying housing and crucial services to transition age youth in foster care, the state and county defendants convey the message that these young individuals are disposable. Ford expressed the commitment to defend the rights of these youth to safe, stable, and appropriate housing and necessary supportive services.
The plaintiffs contend that the foster care system exacerbates existing trauma as youth are placed in unsuitable environments, lose contact with loved ones, and experience abuse and neglect. Many of them have mental health conditions and disabilities related to complex trauma. The overwhelming majority of foster youth in Los Angeles County come from low-income Black and Latino communities.
The alleged failures of the state and county agencies to fulfill their legal duties have created a pipeline from the foster care system to homelessness, subjecting these youth to further trauma and marginalizing them in society. Transition age foster youth are forced into unstable housing situations, such as couch surfing, tents on city streets, dangerous temporary shelters, and vehicular homelessness. The lack of reliable places to sleep, shower, and store belongings makes it extremely difficult for these youth to pursue higher education or maintain stable employment.
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