Ocean S. v. L.A. County

Vindicating the Right to Safe, Stable Housing and Supportive Services for Young People in Los Angeles County’s Foster Care System

A primary goal of California’s extended foster care program is to prevent young people from falling off a metaphorical cliff when they turn eighteen. Common sense and scientific research confirm that young people entering adulthood require ongoing support, and it’s widely understood that parents don’t stop caring for their children at age 18. And many young people in foster care have experienced the trauma of being separated from their families and losing social ties, and have often experienced additional trauma while in foster care. These young people require significant support and services to address this complex trauma. That is why foster care services were extended to young people up to age 21 – and the State of California and Los Angeles County are required to ensure that all youth in foster care have safe, stable, and appropriate housing, necessary supportive services, and legally compliant case and transition planning tailored to meet their individual needs.

Yet, there is an acute incongruity between the stated goals of extended foster care and the reality experienced by the young people in Los Angeles County’s care, who are struggling to navigate the transition to adulthood without the benefit of a caring, reliable support system.  Despite the clear mandates by Congress and the California Legislature to develop an extended foster care program with homelessness prevention at its core, homelessness remains a significant problem for youth in California’s extended foster care. And despite clear mandates designed to ensure access to mental health services and transition planning, youth in extended foster care continue to be denied these crucial services and supports. 

To address these legal violations, seven young people in foster care have filed a civil rights lawsuit against the California Department of Social Services, California Health and Human Services Agency, California Department of Health Care Services, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. The complaint challenges these Defendants’ persistent failure to provide transition age youth (ages 16-21) in foster care with the safe, stable, and appropriate housing and necessary supportive services to which they are legally entitled.

Plaintiffs are pursuing declaratory and injunctive relief necessary for young people in foster care to thrive – including improved case planning services, trauma-responsive supports to help young people maintain placement, and a more robust portfolio of housing placements and placement types.

The plaintiffs are represented by three nonprofit law firms – Alliance for Children’s Rights, Public Counsel, and Children’s Rights – and pro bono law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP. The seven courageous young people who brought this suit, alongside their coalition of legal advocates, are committed to upholding the right of transition age youth in foster care to receive safe, stable, and appropriate housing, necessary supportive services, and case and transition planning tailored to meet their individual needs.

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