Report & Toolkit: Expectant Parent Payment for California Foster Youth

This report shares findings and recommendations from a March 2022 survey conducted by John Burton Advocates for Youth in partnership with the University of California Berkeley School of Public Health and the County Welfare Directors Association of California to understand the extent to which county child welfare agencies have established policy and procedures to implement a new law AB 153 which provides a payment of $2,700 to pregnant foster youth as of January 1, 2022.

The EPP is intended to support pregnant foster youth and improve pregnancy and birth outcomes, promote birth readiness, promote maternal and child health, and help prevent child abuse and neglect. The funds may be used to meet the specialized needs of pregnant minors or nonminor dependents, and to properly prepare for the needs of the infant.

Implementation Toolkit

In response to the survey, JBAY created an EPP Implementation toolkit, which includes a factsheet, sample budget, outreach materials, and two sample policies from Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo counties. JBAY recommends counties utilize the toolkit to support their policy development, raise awareness of the EPP in their region, and support expectant parents with financial planning.