California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care

Principles and Values

In its early meetings, commissioners discussed and adopted a set of principles and values. This work guided their deliberations throughout the two years, as they listened, learned, and came to an agreement about draft recommendations.

The commission believes that:

• All children are equal and deserve safe and permanent homes.
• Efforts to improve the foster-care system should focus on safety, permanency, well-being, and fairness outcomes for children.
• Services to children and families should be integrated and comprehensive.
• Courts play an important and statutorily mandated role in overseeing children, families, and services in the dependency system.
• Court decisions must be timely in order to ensure quick reunification when possible and to assist children with the services they need to achieve permanency and transition into adulthood.
• The court must act with its partner agencies in supporting children and families. Collaboration, shared responsibility, and accountability are essential for achieving the best possible outcomes for children and families.
• Government agencies need adequate and flexible resources to provide the best outcomes for children in the foster-care system.

The commission set forth the following values to guide its work:

• Collaboration
• Shared responsibility
• Accountability
• Leadership
• Child safety
• Inclusion
• Permanency
• Listening to the voices of youth