An advocate for foster youth and adoption, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has been reappointed to the California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care by Chief Justice Ronald M. George of the California Supreme Court.

The commission’s mission is to recommend to California ‘s Judicial Council the steps that courts and their partners can take to improve outcomes for children in foster care.

Through the Supervisor’s leadership, Los Angeles County has driven state legislation and allocated resources to improve the quality of life for foster youth and promote the placement of eligible children into safe, loving adoptive homes.  “Children aren’t the future, they are today,” says Antonovich.  “If we don’t meet their needs today, they will have no future.”

Through his efforts, the County has implemented innovative programs to:

• streamline the adoption process
• promote the adoption of older youth
• improve educational opportunities for foster and adoptive children
• develop public awareness campaigns promoting County adoptions

To provide children with permanent homes, Supervisor Antonovich negotiated the Title IV-E Project that gives the County flexible use of funding for innovative service delivery.  Supervisor Antonovich sponsors annual Foster Youth Career Fairs and Resource Expos, Adoption Festivals, fundraisers for foster youth needs, faith-based forums and provides supportive housing for transition age youth who are homeless or at-risk.  The National Association of Counties honored Antonovich with the 2003 “Counties Care for Kids” Award.