Rina Palta

A new state bill aims to help make being a foster parent easier and thereby decrease the use of group homes for small children.

Homeless families can't get into overflowing shelters in South Los Angeles. Local leaders are looking for solutions.

As San Bernardino fights to rehab its image and attract private investment, the president's proposed budget cuts could throw a wrench in revitalization efforts.

Facing a continuing shortage of foster homes, Los Angeles County is hoping to make it easier for foster parents to take in very young children.

President Donald Trump's proposed budget, which calls for dramatic cuts to public programs, would complicate L.A's efforts to end homelessness.

L.A.'s traffic issues, among other problems, are hampering one of the child welfare system's basic functions: getting foster kids face time with their parents.

Because homeless children have such high rates of truancy, school districts around the county are losing millions in funding as the population of homeless students grows.

L.A. County supervisors could change the bail system so that inmates would be released based on their criminal history and risk to the community, not on their ability to pay a set amount.

With Tuesday's electoral victory, leaders in L.A. seem to have the money they need to tackle the area's growing homeless crisis. Now the pressure is on to make good on their promises.

Tuesday is Election Day in Los Angeles County and perhaps the biggest item on the ballot is Measure H, a sales tax to fund services for the homeless.

The state receives about $29 billion annually in federal funding for social safety net programs like food stamps (CalFresh), cash welfare (CalWORKs), foster care, and social security. Poverty advocates are bracing for potential cuts to some programs.

There is currently a shortfall of 2,200 shelter beds in LA County, forcing many of the current shelters to hit capacity at night. The Board of Supervisors is considering a plan to fill the gap.