Advocacy strategies and resources

1. Confirm with the social worker if they have provided developmentally appropriate sexual health information. 

   a. When did they last talk about it? 

   b. Is the social worker helping the youth make appointments? 

   c. Is the social worker helping the youth make appointments? 

   NOTE: Social workers are required by law to do all the above.  

2. Confirm with the social worker that the youth receive comprehensive sexual health education (CSE) once in middle school and once in high school. In July 2017, California adopted a law requiring comprehensive sexual health education (CSE) for youth in foster care (SB89). This also includes new training requirements for caregivers, social workers, and judges.

3. Research appropriate services, from clinics to community-based organizations providing reproductive and sexual health support and education for youth 10+ years old.  

4. Contact your youth’s school to learn when and how it disseminates reproductive and sexual health information to its students. In California, there is a mandate for all public middle and high schools to provide comprehensive sexual health education (CSE). Not sure if that is happening at your youth’s school? Give the Foster Youth Liaison at their school or school district a call to find out. 

5. A youth’s reproductive and sexual health choices are private, and unless they explicitly state that they want you to share with others, refrain from doing so in your court report. This includes birth control choices, romantic relationships, pregnancy, and STDs. 

Provide them with one of these age-appropriate guides that cover their sexual and reproductive health rights: 

Tweens 

Middle adolescents  

Transitional aged youth 

Talking Points on Reproductive and Sexual Health (youth 18+ yrs old)  

Know Your Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights flyer  (youth 10-12+ years)  

1. Let them know that you can be a 100% judgement-free resource for information or support around their sexual and reproductive health. 

2. Ask if there's someone they feel comfortable talking to about their reproductive and sexual health. It's okay if that person isn’t you—help connect them with a trusted adult, caregiver, or professional they’re comfortable with. 

3. Don’t hesitate to talk about safety, consent, and personal boundaries—even with younger youth. These conversations are important. If they’re not comfortable talking with you, help connect them with someone they trust. 

4. If appropriate, help them set up medical appointments and access care as needed. They have a legal right to access most reproductive and sexual healthcare at any age, which includes the right to transportation.  

5. Engage with your youth about the qualities of a healthy relationship. 

In conversation, ask your youth open-ended questions like, 

• What does a loving and healthy relationship look like to you? 

• When you think about safety when it comes to sex and sexual health, what comes to mind? 

• How would you define consent? 

• Do you know what your rights to services are? I’d love to share that with you if you aren’t sure. 

• Is there someone you would feel comfortable speaking with about these things if not me?  

Despite considerable legislation in California meant to reduce the teen pregnancy rate, youth in foster care are still experiencing low quality health outcomes compared to their peers not involved in the system:  

• Youth in foster care have less access to birth control and comprehensive health education.  

• Female youth in foster care experience higher pregnancy rates. 

• Almost 50% of females in the California foster care system will have been pregnant at least once by the age of 19. 

• One in five pregnant youth in foster care never receive prenatal care and many will experience either a stillbirth or a miscarriage. 

Even with these statistics, CASA volunteers can support their youth who are either expecting or are parenting their own children. Youth have the right to: 

• Obtain and use female or male birth control and protection options, including condoms. 

• Access pregnancy testing and prenatal care. 

• Receive an abortion. 

• Access services that may be needed due to a rape or sexual assault. 

• Confidentiality with their doctor around what services they choose to access or consider accessing. 

• Transportation to appropriate services by their social worker, group home staff, or caregiver. 

• Beginning at age 12, foster youth can access healthcare services to prevent, test, and treat sexually transmitted infections and HIV. 

If a youth shares their pregnancy status with their CASA, it is imperative that advocates remain open minded and provide a judgement free atmosphere for youth to process and make choices about their reproductive health and family planning. As one’s pregnancy status is considered protected health information, the advocate is not allowed to share this information without first gaining the youth’s consent. 

Engaging with youth in reproductive health and pregnancy conversations: 

CASAs must be mindful to use a strengths-based approach when discussing reproductive health and pregnancy with their youth. Youth might feel judged when discussing these topics with others, and CASAs are meant to support youth in exploring their options in a safe and supportive environment.  

When engaging with youth, CASAs should remember to thank their youth for trusting them with their story! Validate their courage! CASAs should also ask the youth if they have any other trusted adults with whom they feel comfortable sharing their pregnancy status. 

If there are concerns or information disclosed regarding physical or sexual abuse, as Mandated Reporters, CASAs should contact the police or child abuse authorities (CPS). If there are no concerns for physical or sexual abuse, Youth ages 12+ must provide written consent to give permission to a healthcare provider to disclose reproductive/sexual health information with others. 

Supporting youth with pregnancy testing: 

All youth in foster care have the right to access pregnancy testing. If a youth mentions they might be pregnant, a CASA can support a youth in obtaining a pregnancy test either at a pharmacy, a clinic or a doctor’s office.  

Supporting youth through pregnancy and birthing process: 

All youth in foster care have the right to access prenatal care.  

• WIC provides nutritional services during pregnancy and for newborns through age 5.  

• The average cost to maintain health and safety standards before childbirth is $2,000. The advocates should work with their youth to ensure that the youth has all they need for when the baby is born. 

Supporting youth post birth:  

CASAs should support youth to contact their social worker within 30 days of birth to ensure that their baby is added to the youth’s Medi-Cal insurance. It is important to note that the newborn is only on the Medi-Cal plan for 30 days.  

Supporting youth through pregnancy termination: 

All youth in foster care have the right to receive an abortion.  

Youth younger than 18 in California have the right to decide whether they want to continue with a pregnancy or to end it and do not need need parental consent orpermission from anyone. The youth’s assigned social worker must provide referrals to healthcare services if the youth were to decide to terminate the pregnancy. For those who complete their pregnancy, the child will not become part of Dependency, and the youth will have parental rights to live with and care for their newborn. 

Pregnancy can be a vulnerable and emotional experience for foster youth. It can be seen as an opportunity to create a loving family of their own or as a chapter in their life they are not ready for.  

CASAs should continue to meet their youth where they are at without any judgement and look to support their youth with any decision they make. CASAs should advocate according to their youth's decision and ensure they have access to appropriate care and resources. 

Supporting Parenting Youth 

As an advocate, you may support a youth who is pregnant or parenting. Young parents often need help accessing resources like childcare, early education, and special needs services. Understanding child development is key to meeting these needs. If your youth is expecting or parenting, review the Development section to help them find childcare so they can continue their education or work. 

Resources for Expectant and Parenting Youth in Foster Care - Provides $2,700 to pregnant minor and non-minor dependents 3 months prior to their expected due date. Provides $900 per month to foster youth who are custodial parents. Provides a childcare voucher or payment and assistance with finding a subsidized childcare placement. 

San Francisco Nurse Home Visiting Program - A public health nurse meets with youth to discuss questions or concerns, and helps guide youth to: 

• take steps for a healthy pregnancy 

• prepare for the baby 

• become a confident parent and help the baby learn and grow 

• support the family’s health 

• help the family connect to community resources 

• get needed supplies (crib, diapers, etc.) 

All pregnant and postpartum women who live in San Francisco are eligible and encouraged to enroll as early in pregnancy as possible to get an early start on a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. 

Child Care Support for Parenting Youth

California CASA Conversations:  Pregnant and Parenting Teens and Young Adults

Center for Youth Wellness

Child and Adolescent Support and Advocacy Center

Good Samaritan Family Resource Center

Help a Mother Out

Know Your Rights: Abortion Access in California

Planned Parenthood

Pregnancy & Parenting

Resources for Teen Parents in Foster Care 

Safe and Sound - Offers a variety of parent supports to help disrupt cycles of poverty and abuse

San Francisco Community Health Center

SF Office of Early Care and Education

WIC

Youth Law Center - Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Youth

YWCA Early Childhood Education

Article – Building A Safety Net for Teen Parents in Foster Care

Article - California Weighs Protections for Parenting Foster Youth