Governor Newsom Declares Foster Care Month 2025 — But Budget Cuts Tell a Different Story

Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed May as “Foster Care Month” in California—an effort meant to honor the more than 35,000 children in the state’s foster care system and the families who support them. Governor Newsom’s Foster Care Month proclamation acknowledges the challenges faced by foster youth, reaffirms the state’s commitment to helping them thrive, and praises foster families for providing stability during vulnerable times.

While the recognition is meaningful, it is difficult to ignore the contradiction in this gesture: just a year earlier, the Governor proposed deep budget cuts that directly affect foster youth and the families who care for them. So this begs the question: how can California celebrate foster youth while simultaneously dismantling the support systems they rely on?

The Reality Behind the Words

Public recognition like Newsom’s can help raise awareness and celebrate the role foster families play in a child’s life. It’s a meaningful gesture, but it also raises a difficult question: Can you truly support foster youth while pulling back the resources they need to succeed?

In his proclamation, Governor Newsom acknowledged the obstacles foster youth face: frequent placement changes, emotional trauma, disrupted education, and the overrepresentation of children of color and LGBTQ youth in the system. He reaffirmed the state’s focus on family-based placements over group homes and highlighted initiatives like guaranteed income for aged-out youth, CalKIDS savings accounts, and expanded college scholarships.

“Every foster child deserves to grow up happy, healthy, and loved. We are indebted to the many foster families across the state who have answered the call.”
— Governor Gavin Newsom

Read the full declaration here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/05/30/governor-newsom-proclaims-foster-care-month-2025 

It’s a strong message, and in theory, a meaningful affirmation of California’s values. But in practice, the story is more complicated.

The Other Side of the Same Coin: Budget Cuts That Undermine the Support

The Governor’s proposed budget for the 2024-25 budget proposal released in January 2024 revealed deep cuts across programs critical to foster youth and families. While the state budget totals $291 billion, it projects a $37.9 billion deficit and includes severe reductions that threaten the very safety net foster youth depend on. 

Among the most impactful cuts are:

• Elimination of the Family Urgent Response System (FURS): This $30 million program offered 24/7 crisis support to foster youth and caregivers, providing a vital safety net during emergencies. It has been cut completely.
• Housing Assistance Reductions: A planned $18.8 million increase in the Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP) housing supplement for foster youth aged 18–21 was canceled. Additionally, the $13.7 million Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program aimed at helping youth secure and keep housing was eliminated.
• Cuts to Emergency Child Care Bridge Program: Funding was slashed by 40%, reducing support for foster families needing child care during emergencies.
• Public Health Nursing Services Cuts in Los Angeles County: An $8.3 million health services program for foster children and families was eliminated.
• Reduced Support for Family Stabilization Programs: These programs help families regain stability, but cuts risk undermining efforts to prevent placement disruptions.

Delayed or deferred programs:

• Bringing Families Home Program designed to reduce homelessness among child welfare families, will have funding delays, slowing urgently needed progress.
• The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, initially slated for cuts, received a partial restoration of $40 million after advocacy but still faces uncertainty.

In other words? Many families who stepped up to care for foster youth may find it harder to access the tools and support they need. Young people aging out of the system could lose access to housing assistance and job preparation services. 

The proclamation says one thing; the budget says another.

California’s Foster Youth Need More Than Recognition

In a state as large as California, Governor Newsom’s Foster Care Month proclamation matters. Things like this shape public discourse and bring attention to vital issues. 

But recognition doesn’t pay rent, offer counseling during a crisis, or keep sibling groups together.

With over 43,000 children in foster care in the state alone, California’s system is already strained. Programs like guaranteed income, emergency placement stabilization, and college savings plans aren’t luxuries, they’re lifelines.

Cutting programs that directly address these issues while celebrating Foster Care Month sends mixed messages.

How You Can Help

Foster youth need more than praise. They need real action and we need your help to deliver it. So, in recognition of the now-past Foster Care Month, we invite you to make a real difference in supporting children in foster care:

• • Call or email your state legislators. Let them know that cutting programs for foster youth is unacceptable. Ask them to protect and restore funding for services like FURS, housing support, and youth mental health programs.
  • Stay informed and speak out at public hearings, budget meetings, or peaceful demonstrations advocating for child welfare funding.
  • Share the story, whether it’s on social media, at your workplace, or within your local community group. Awareness sparks action.
  • Donate to Foster Love programs help us keep vital initiatives running year-round
  • Become a Monthly Donor with us and impact the lives of children every month.
  • Volunteer at an upcoming Foster Love event to show foster youth they matter.

Let’s back foster youth with commitment, community, and year-round care. Real support doesn’t stop at the end of May, whether that be for Foster Care Awareness Month or Governor Newsom’s Foster Care Month, it continues all year long.