Judge in San Francisco|Gives Foster Kids a Break

(CN) - A federal judge in San Francisco issued a temporary restraining order barring California from cutting reimbursement for foster care group homes by 10 percent. U.S. District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel acknowledged that California is "navigating a severe budget crisis," but ruled that this "does not outweigh the irreparable injury likely to be sustained by the foster children living in group homes that may have already begun terminating staff and cutting services."

Patel found that the California Alliance of Child and Family Services "demonstrated that the balance of hardships tips sharply in its favor."

Twelve group homes already have closed because the state cut off reimbursement funds, said California Alliance attorney William Abrams, and many have begun cutting beds, programs and staff.

Many of the children are developmentally disabled and have no families to return to, Abrams said.

The California Alliance wants the state permanently enjoined from making the cuts. The hearing on the preliminary injunction will be held Nov. 13.

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