What does Indigenous Peoples' Day have to do with foster youth?
Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. For the second year in a row, it is recognized as a federal holiday in the United States. What you may not know is why Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated and how it’s connected to Native youth in foster care today. Indigenous Peoples’ Day seeks to recognize the resilience, sovereignty and contributions of Native people...
Facing Crisis without Support
“My emotional health has been really impacted during the pandemic. I have to pay for professional support out of pocket; I’ve been choosing that over having enough food.” I’m a 25-year old who spent 2 years in foster care. I’ve been taking care of myself and two of my siblings during this pandemic. I’m working 2 jobs, going to school...
Running Out of Time: Helping Foster Youth Like Me Get Back on Track
I’m trying to connect with several hundred young people who experienced foster care in my state. Unless I reach them in the next day, I won’t be able to help them because they won’t be eligible for pandemic relief after September 30th. I’m a lived experience leader who is now working in child welfare in my state*. In my role...
Former Foster Youth Like Me Face Eviction as Pandemic Drags On; Congressional Champions Introduce Life-Saving Extensions
As the pandemic drags on, young people from foster care are continuing to struggle with employment, school and housing instability. The pandemic relief provided by Congress for older youth from foster care has been making a huge difference in helping young people navigate these challenges, but unfortunately much of this help is set to expire at the end of September...
Supporting Youth Connections After Adoption
Written by Alex Oleson, 2020 ACF All-In Youth Engagement Team Member The goal for any young person in the foster care system is permanency. Although this looks different in every case there are currently over 122,000 young people whose parental rights have been terminated and they are oftentimes lingering around in care without achieving adoption or legal permanency. In 2019...
What is Youth Engagement?
Written by Courtney Canova, 2020 ACF All-In Youth Engagement Team Member & Member of the National Foster Care Youth & Alumni Policy Council Over the past several years the child welfare system has shifted some focus to preserve and strengthen families. This shift can be attributed to data collection or even changes in policy or funding streams for services. However...