Letter to Gavin Newsom and Alex Padilla

My name is Kai West, and I carry with me a story that is both personally painful and, tragically, far too common. As a former foster child in Missouri, I fell through the gaps in a system meant to protect me and found myself ignored and forgotten. Removed from everything familiar and thrust into a world of constant upheaval, I did not receive a single mental health service to assist me with the trauma inflicted. This is a reality shared by many foster children. Now, I’m asking for change. It is a fact that up to 80% of children in foster care have significant mental health needs, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and behavioral disorders. These mental health challenges often result from trauma, abuse, neglect, and instability that many have experienced. Despite this, mental health services are still not a guaranteed support for these vulnerable children in California. These children, stripped of love and security, should not be expected to overcome such adversities without adequate supports. It's time we prioritize the psychological well-being of foster children, and mandate mental health services as an essential part of their care. We plead with policymakers and government officials of California to ensure that no foster child is neglected by the system the way I was. Sign this petition to mandate comprehensive mental health services for all foster children in California.

Above the photo, please take the time to read the letter mailed to Senator Alex Padilla, Governor Gavin Newsom, and California Legislative Assembly. 

Link to the letter sent to over 50 California officials: https://jumpshare.com/s/x3SFpk7XzDKVmWViMpEj