Take ACTION by contacting your Assembly Member urging them to support Senate Bill 407.
- Find your California Assembly Member and Senator!
Sample script:
Hello, my name is [your name]. I’m calling today to urge [name of Assembly Member] to pass Senate Bill 407, which will protect LGBTQ+ foster youth by only placing them in homes that are supportive and affirming of their identities. The Jewish concept of b’tzelem elohim, that all people are created in God’s image and are holy, informs our belief that every person has the right to feel safe, supported, and affirmed in their home.Thank you for your consideration.
This is a scary time for LGBTQ+ people of any age, especially children. All across the country, legislation is being passed that bans their very existence. Having a supportive adult in your life who sees and loves you for who you are can be life changing, while not having that is extremely detrimental.
What is JCJ advocating for?
SB 407, which was introduced in the California State Senate and has now made it to the State Assembly, would increase protections for vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth in the foster care system. If passed, SB 407 would create a standardized system to vet and approve foster youth families who can create a supportive and affirming home for LGBTQ+ youth. It would also develop caregiver trainings to ensure supportive and affirming foster families have necessary knowledge and abilities to support children of all races, ethnic groups, identifications, ancestries, national origins, colors, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, gender identities, mental or physical disabilities, or HIV statuses. Overall, the passage of SB 407 from bill to law would create a safer and more welcoming foster care system.
The Torah teaches us that we share in the responsibility to care for the widow and the orphan and that we are expected to treat them well. One of the ways that each of us can uphold our share is by taking five minutes out of your day to call even just one of these assembly members and voicing your support of Senate Bill 407 is a step towards a safer future for all youth in the foster care system.
Additional Resources:
- California should keep its $60 million budget commitment to foster care children (CalMatters)
- Wiener introduces legislation to protect LGBTQ+ foster youth (Los Angeles Blade)
- The impact of a positive adult influence on our youth (Dr. Jennifer Salerno)
- Nearly half of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide, survey finds (NPR)