April 20, 2015 The Honorable Patty Lopez

April 20, 2015
The Honorable Patty Lopez
California State Assembly, 39th District
State Capitol, Room 5160
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE:
SUPPORT FOR AB 260—Foster care: parenting youth.
Dear Assemblymember Lopez:
NAMI California is pleased to support AB 260, which would declare that a child whose parent has been
adjudged a dependent child of the court shall not be considered at risk of abuse or neglect solely on the
basis of information concerning the parent's placement history, behaviors, health or mental health
diagnoses, or any other circumstances, occurring prior to the birth of the child.
NAMI California is the state’s organization of the country’s largest mental health advocacy organization,
the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Our 19,000 members and 62 affiliates include people living with
serious mental illnesses, their families and supporters. NAMI California advocates on their behalf,
providing education and support to its members and the broader community.
NAMI California believes that no child should be separated from a parent solely on the basis of either the
parent’s or the child’s serious mental illness. Family support can be integral to recovery, and mental
illness should not be equated with violence or dangerousness. The U.S. Surgeon General has reported that
the likelihood of violence by people with mental illness is low. In fact, "the overall contribution of mental
disorders to the total level of violence in society is exceptionally small." More often, people living with
mental illness are the victims of violence.
Specifically, a parent with serious mental illness should not be presumed unable to care for a child or
children solely on the basis of his or her diagnosis of mental illness. Instead, wraparound services should
be provided, including mental health services and social services. Parents with serious mental illness in
dependency proceedings must be eligible for reunification services, and the court system should provide
specialized services to families affected by serious mental illness.
Parents who are being treated for mental illness in an in-patient setting must be provided with visitation
opportunities with their children, if desired, in order to preserve the parent-child relationship. In-patient
treatment should also offer parenting services and services for children impacted by serious mental illness
in their family.
For these reasons, we support AB 260 and urge its passage. If you have questions, please contact Kiran
Savage-Sangwan, NAMI California Legislation and Public Policy Analyst at (916) 567-0163 or
kiran@namica.org.
Sincerely,
1850 Heritage Lane, Suite 150, Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 567-0163 phone (916) 567-1757 fax
Jessica Cruz, MPA/HS
Executive Director
NAMI California
Kiran Savage-Sangwan
Legislation and Public Policy Analyst
NAMI California
1850 Heritage Lane, Suite 150, Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 567-0163 phone (916) 567-1757 fax