When a child transitions into adulthood, making sure they have a safe place to live is a priority. However, reports say as many as a third of young adults aging out of California’s foster care system experience homelessness. A new law is hoping to improve those statistics. The Children’s Advocacy Institute co-sponsored AB-546, new legislation that will require counties to report a foster youth’s housing plan to a judge before they exit the system. The bill was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom unopposed.

An Indiana Senate committee approved a bill aimed at providing a court-appointed attorney in certain types of juvenile cases. Sen. Jon Ford, R-Terre Haute, authored the bill, which will require juvenile courts to appoint an attorney prior to the first hearing to represent the child in certain cases involving foster care. One supporter, Joshua Oswald, said “Children really need a team and a complete team that ensures that their legal rights are protected and a team that can help them get what they need to be safe and healthy.” 

Sacramento Kings’ Maurice “Moe” Harkless inspires many from his hometown Queens, New York who need help transitioning out of the foster care system. Since 2020 the forward has given $50,000 to the Last Resort Emergency Response Fund, organized by New Yorkers For Children and New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services created in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. His donations have reportedly helped at least 100 individuals and families facing housing instability, food insecurity, and other financial strains worsened by the pandemic.