Juvenile Institutions State Aid

In response to urgent pleas from Los Angeles-area lawmakers, state officials said Thursday they will convene a cabinet-level meeting to see if they can come up with enough state aid to save the county's 19 juvenile probation camps, which are set to close in May for lack of money.

Buffeted by reports of troubles in California's child welfare system, state lawmakers are considering an $81-million plan to improve oversight and care for abused, abandoned and delinquent children. Among the areas targeted for attention is the over-medication of some of the 15,000 children housed in the state's network of group homes. A state task force has also proposed an increase in funding for more frequent social worker visits to ensure that children are receiving proper care.

The powerful Assembly Ways and Means Committee unanimously passed a bill Wednesday that would provide $33 million next year for youth probation camps, including about $11 million to potentially save 18 of Los Angeles County's 19 camps from closing due to budget cuts. Los Angeles County officials have been lobbying for such a bailout from the state, saying it is the only way they can keep the camps open and prevent thousands of dangerous youthful offenders from being let loose on the streets.

Buffeted by reports of troubles in California's child welfare system, state lawmakers are considering an $81-million plan to improve oversight and care for abused, abandoned and delinquent children. Among the areas targeted for attention is the over-medication of some of the 15,000 children housed in the state's network of group homes. A state task force has also proposed an increase in funding for more frequent social worker visits to ensure that children are receiving proper care.

Juvenile probation camps in Los Angeles County that had been threatened with closure because of the budget squeeze appear to have been spared by an agreement between the Wilson Administration and Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Brentwood). A Friedman bill to implement the agreement was passed Friday by the state Senate and returned to the Assembly for expected approval.

Buffeted by reports of troubles in California's child welfare system, state lawmakers are considering an $81-million plan to improve oversight and care for abused, abandoned and delinquent children. Among the areas targeted for attention is the over-medication of some of the 15,000 children housed in the state's network of group homes. A state task force has also proposed an increase in funding for more frequent social worker visits to ensure that children are receiving proper care.

The Assembly on Monday overwhelmingly approved a bill to provide $33 million in state funds to keep open 18 juvenile probation camps slated for closure in Los Angeles County and three others elsewhere. A 63-1 vote sent the bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Brentwood), to the Senate. There was no Assembly debate.

Linking his tough new stance on juvenile crime with maintaining the county's youth probation camps, Gov. Pete Wilson signed a bill in Burbank Friday to keep the camps open and "prevent the release of 1,400 teen-age thugs." At a news conference at Burbank Airport, Wilson said the county's system of 19 camps are important for deterrance of juvenile crime. "Los Angeles, like many towns and cities . . . seems to be under a siege of juvenile crime," Wilson said.

Buffeted by reports of troubles in California's child welfare system, state lawmakers are considering an $81-million plan to improve oversight and care for abused, abandoned and delinquent children. Among the areas targeted for attention is the over-medication of some of the 15,000 children housed in the state's network of group homes. A state task force has also proposed an increase in funding for more frequent social worker visits to ensure that children are receiving proper care.

By unanimous vote, the Assembly gave final legislative approval Tuesday to keep California's county-run youth offender camps in business and at the same time save the jobs of more than 1,000 Los Angeles County youth camp employees. The measure passed 68 to 0 in the normally divisive lower house. Gov. Pete Wilson said he is prepared to sign the legislation in time to avert the layoffs and demotions at the county Probation Department, which are scheduled to take effect Monday.

Linking his tough new stance on juvenile crime with maintaining the county's youth probation camps, Gov. Pete Wilson signed a bill in Burbank Friday to keep the camps open and "prevent the release of 1,400 teen-age thugs." At a news conference at Burbank Airport, Wilson said the county's system of 19 camps are important for deterrance of juvenile crime. "Los Angeles, like many towns and cities . . . seems to be under a siege of juvenile crime," Wilson said.

By unanimous vote, the Assembly gave final legislative approval Tuesday to keep California's county-run youth offender camps in business and at the same time save the jobs of more than 1,000 Los Angeles County youth camp employees. The measure passed 68 to 0 in the normally divisive lower house. Gov. Pete Wilson said he is prepared to sign the legislation in time to avert the layoffs and demotions at the county Probation Department, which are scheduled to take effect Monday.

Juvenile probation camps in Los Angeles County that had been threatened with closure because of the budget squeeze appear to have been spared by an agreement between the Wilson Administration and Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Brentwood). A Friedman bill to implement the agreement was passed Friday by the state Senate and returned to the Assembly for expected approval.

The Assembly on Monday overwhelmingly approved a bill to provide $33 million in state funds to keep open 18 juvenile probation camps slated for closure in Los Angeles County and three others elsewhere. A 63-1 vote sent the bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Brentwood), to the Senate. There was no Assembly debate.

The powerful Assembly Ways and Means Committee unanimously passed a bill Wednesday that would provide $33 million next year for youth probation camps, including about $11 million to potentially save 18 of Los Angeles County's 19 camps from closing due to budget cuts. Los Angeles County officials have been lobbying for such a bailout from the state, saying it is the only way they can keep the camps open and prevent thousands of dangerous youthful offenders from being let loose on the streets.

In response to urgent pleas from Los Angeles-area lawmakers, state officials said Thursday they will convene a cabinet-level meeting to see if they can come up with enough state aid to save the county's 19 juvenile probation camps, which are set to close in May for lack of money.