My letter to the Office of Child Support Enforcement

May 13, 2012

Vicki Turetsky
Office of Child Support Enforcement Commissioner
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Office of Child Support Enforcement
Administration for Children and Families
370 L’Enfant Promenade, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20447

Dear Commissioner Vicki Turetsky,

As you may know, there are approximately 500,000 children in the foster care system in the United States. Recent studies have shown that foster youth who leave the system without a permanent family or home, face consistent negative life outcomes and suffer with psychological, social, and mental issues.

Children wait months to receive care due to social workers’ caseloads. The government is faced with an overwhelming demand for services and an inability of social workers to cope with demands. More than 20,000 children each year never leave the system until they “age out.” Putting “The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act” into effect would increase federal support – promoting adoption and relative guardianship resulting in permanent families; as well as focusing on improving education and health care for foster children.

Enclosed is a report outlining information on the negative effects that are occurring due to the inefficient foster care system, trends that are being seen within the children, statistics proving so, and possible alterations.  Above all, the implication of The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act is at hand and stressed.

With your 30 years of experience as a public administrator and advocate for low-income families, I seek for you help. Your expertise in family policy and influential acts in enhancing child support payments to families can make the difference between the Fostering Connections Act being successfully implemented and states failing to act in accordance with the law. Thus, your expertise and moral commitment is greatly needed to encourage state agencies and legislatures to take advantage of this law’s provisions and help emphasize the need for suitable implementations.

Please consider this proposal for the foster youth aging and engaging in our communities.

Sincerely,
Betsaida A. Garcia
California State University, Monterey Bay
Collaborate Health and Human Services Major
Concentration in Social Work
Restorative Justice Partners Inc. Mediator

Voices for Children – CASA

“Voices for Children” trains and supports community volunteers who support and guide children in the foster care system. CASA’s (Court Appointed Special Advocates) speak up for the children’s best interests and build relationships that help restore a child’s trust. CASA‘s also mentor youth over age 18 as they transition out of foster care into independent living.

This organization aims to make sure that children placed in foster care do receive the care and services they need to be safe and happy. They also pursue to find permanent homes for the children who are leaving their homes due to maltreatment or family issues. Their help is provided by community volunteers, who are trained as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA‘s), and they provide practical support and rights-based advocacy for foster children of all ages. “Voices for Children” follows California and local rules of the court, it complies with the standards set by the National CASA Association and has been certified as a partner agency of United Way Monterey County!

So this is how it works..

when Child Protective Services removes a child from his or her parents when the child’s safety and well being are in danger. The child’s case comes before the Juvenile Dependency Court, and then the child is moved to a safe place, such as a foster home, and services are provided. The team that manages the case includes social workers, attorneys, and caregivers. The judge can order that the child get a CASA—a Court Appointed Special Advocate—to provide an additional layer of support and guidance. In addition to getting to know the child, CASAs submit reports, make recommendations, and speak up for the child to the judge in court proceedings. In preparation, CASAs spend time with the child, review records, research information, and talk with professionals, caregivers, teachers, and therapists. CASAs develop a case plan, identifying the child’s priority issues, and participate in team meetings to monitor, support, and guide progress toward family reunification or other permanency plans.

Locally, no other agency serves in this capacity.

“Voices for Children” provides professional training and supervision for volunteers appointed by the judge to serve as Officers of the Court. CASA has the legal responsibility to advocate for the best interests and quality of life for Monterey County’s foster children.

Get involved and make a difference in at least one child’s life at http://voicesforchildrencasa.org/get_involved . I am currently in the process of becoming an advocate and I am more than excited for what I have lying ahead of me!!

Listen up folks..

Approximately 500,000 children are in the foster care system in the United States, more over the time frame a child needs to be in foster care is quite extensive. Persistent moves in and out of foster homes can be deeply unsettling for children. Most children who grow up in the foster care system suffer from psychological, social, and mental issues.

Children enter the foster care system when their parents or legal guardians are unable or unwilling to provide care. A child, who falls under the Welfare and Institutions Code Section 300 descriptions, is under authority of juvenile court, which may deem the child to be dependent on the court and turned over to Child Protective Services. A child protective agency then works together with a family court and makes legal decisions for the child to be taken care of by the foster care system.

Unfortunately, State budget cuts have affected California’s department of family and protective services, resulting in hundreds of foster children facing the possibility of moving into agency offices instead of foster homes due to insufficient availability of foster home placement. Children can even wait up to months to receive treatment or counseling due to social workers’ caseloads. The government is faced with an overwhelming demand for services and an inability of social workers to cope with demands.

More than 20,000 children each year never leave the system, they remain in foster care until they “age out.” Studies conducted on foster youth leaving the system without a permanent family or home, have shown steadily negative life outcomes.

Adolescents who grow up in the foster care system are far more likely to grow up with complications and misfortunes than children who have permanent homes. The nation’s foster care system is inefficient and rife with problems; it requires adjustments to improve the wellness of children and their future.

Federal, State, and local governments, communities, and individuals all have a role to play to make sure that foster children do obtain the resources and encouragement they need to reach their full potentials.  

It is important to provide support and hold provisions in budgets to assist states with the child welfare reform that includes foster care and adoption services. Putting “The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act” into effect can increase federal support – promoting adoption and relative guardianship resulting in permanent families; and focuses on improving education and health care for foster children.

Alterations need to be made, for the reason that these children will grow up to construct our communities. Living in healthy environments and receiving all the aid needed, assists foster children to be vigorous adults in our societies.                                    

I love seeing this

As I was waiting for my coffee at Starbucks today, I started to skim through the Monterey Weekly to kill time. And guess what I found?! An add to make a difference in a child’s life, yup, a foster child at that! I feel like such a child when I hear or read the words Foster Children, because I want to keep learning and keep informing people of the information I know so far. I have grown to feel so passionate about my research topic within this class. Before I started the Writing for the Health and Human Services Professions course, I knew I wanted to be a social worker, and I knew it was specifically going to be with the Foster Care System. But now…now I know I will make a difference! I want to change children’s lives, I want to let people know of their struggles, I want to push people to help, I want to be an advocate for foster children. I am currently in the makings of leading a group (my LSG sorority sisters) at CSU Monterey Bay to bring awareness during the National Foster Care Month on campus. I think that by doing so, students will find that spark of interest and start to think just like me. Changes need to be made, and they can be made by students like us, who are leaders.

Presidential Proclamation

As of May of last year, May is officially National Foster Care Month. I think this is an awesome way to bring awareness of how important the foster care system is in our communities. This month is dedicated to express the commitment for children and youth entering the foster care system, as well as to praise foster parents because of their heartwarming actions to care for children without homes. Added to that, everyone who contributes to make a child’s life better in health is applauded and recognized. Because of so, I feel that people will start to understand what issues are being presented, what is being done right now, and what must be done in the future. People just might step it up and lend a hand.

Check out President Obama’s proclamation below.

Presidential Proclamation — National Foster Care Month

NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH, 2012
– – – – – – –
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Childhood is a time for our young people to grow and learn, protected by their families and safe in their homes. But for almost half a million children who are unable to remain at home through no fault of their own, childhood can be a time of sadness, pain, and separation. These children need and deserve safe, loving, and permanent families who can help restore their sense of well-being and give them hope for the future.

During National Foster Care Month, we recognize the promise of America’s children and youth in foster care, and we commend the devotion and selflessness of the foster parents who step in to care for them. We also pay tribute to the professionals nationwide who work to improve the safety of our most vulnerable children and assist their families in addressing the issues that brought them into the child welfare system. In communities across America, dedicated men and women — in schools, faith-based and community organizations, parent and advocacy groups — volunteer their time as mentors, tutors, and advocates for children in foster care. We all have a role to play in ensuring our children and youth grow up with the rich opportunities and support they need to reach their full potential.

My Administration is committed to increasing positive outcomes for every infant and child in foster care, and to promoting a successful transition to adulthood for older youth. We are working to increase permanency through reunification, adoption, and guardianship; to prevent maltreatment; to reduce rates of re-entry into foster care; and to ensure all qualified caregivers have the opportunity to serve as foster parents. Through the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act, we are granting States more flexibility in supporting a range of services for children in foster care, including health care and treatment of emotional trauma. And through the Affordable Care Act, beginning in 2014, every State will be required to extend Medicaid coverage up to age 26 for former foster youth.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Children’s Bureau, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that carries forward a legacy of protecting our Nation’s children and strengthening families through programs like the Permanency Innovations Initiative. Over 5 years, this initiative is investing $100 million in new strategies to identify permanent homes for youth in long-term foster care, including more than 100,000 children awaiting adoption, and to reducing time spent in foster care placements.

National Foster Care Month is a time to reflect on the many ways government, social workers, foster families, religious institutions, and others are helping improve the lives of children in foster care, and it also serves as a reminder that we cannot rest until every child has a safe, loving, and permanent home. Together, we give thanks to those individuals from all walks of life who have opened their hearts and their homes to a child, and we rededicate ourselves to ensuring a bright and hopeful future for America’s foster youth.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2012 as National Foster Care Month. I encourage all Americans to observe this month by dedicating their time, love, and resources to helping youth in foster care, whether by taking time to mentor, lending a hand to a foster family, or taking an active role in their communities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

CSU’s help foster care

Did you guys know that California State Universities provide a range of services to foster youth. They may receive help from their transition out of foster care to a school, or when they are transferring from a community college to a CSU, as well as graduate school! These youth get help through programs, financial aid, housing, support services and resources available at whatever campus they are attending. Resources are available for former and current foster youth individuals. Some programs and services that are listed for current and former foster care students are Guardian Scholars, Renaissance Scholars, CME Society, Promise Scholars, ACE Scholars and EOP. And again, all of these programs help with with admissions, financial aid, housing, orientation, advisement, counseling, life skills, employment and career planning to ensure their success through graduation.

Because I am at California State University, Monterey Bay, I will give you information on the resources available on our website.

Foster Youth

California State University, Monterey Bay recognizes that most students that have come through the foster youth experience often have overcome more obstacles, have less support and fewer resources than most entering students. To help meet these unique needs, the university has a designated a foster youth advisor and created a resource website of campus and local community support services. You will find brief descriptions of the services available, university departments.

The Educational Opportunity Program has a Retention Advisor here to assist you regardless if you are an EOP student or not. The Advisor is your first point of contact or “home base” for guidance through your academic career. Please establish contact with the EOP department at your earliest convenience, and we look forward to meeting you. We can be reached at 831-582-3841 or by email at eop@csumb.edu

The Nation’s Only Monthly Magazine Devoted to Foster Care

I think having a magazine out about foster care is such a good recognition method. Slowly the distribution of “Foster Focus” can increase and bring awareness to more communities. A magazine talking about the issues presented, as well as advertising proposals and programs available is needed. 

 

Anyone can subscribe to it, 12 magazines for $25. 

 

This is the “about page” on their web site.

Judges, lawyers, caseworkers, advocates, foster parents, adoptive parents, foster care alumni, guidance counselors, teachers, principles and current foster youth all read Foster Focus. The go-to source of foster care news and information for anyone involved in anyway with the foster care industry.

 

Foster Focus is a monthly magazine dealing exclusively and entirely with the Foster Care Industry.  The core of the magazine are seven monthly featured sections, Anonymous Faces, Ask a Pro, Editor’s Notes, Family Adventures, Guest Speaker, What Do They DO? A nonprofit profile and Lawmakers.  These sections coupled with cover stories and coverage of events focused on foster care will, in fact make for the most in depth view of the Foster Care Industry ever published.  Accomplished doctors, attorneys and psychiatrists and New York Times bestselling authors make up the writing staff for Foster Focus they add credibility and project a sense of understanding to our readers. A range of stories and subjects are covered, highlights include; interviews with Country star Jimmy Wayne and From the NFL’s New Orleans Saints Jimmy Graham, exclusive stories by Dr.John DeGarmo, Rhonda Sciortino, FCAA CEO Adam Robe and Casey Family Planning CEO William Bell.

 

Another service offered by Foster Focus is the website, which can be viewed at http://www.FosterFocusMag.com, It has excerpts of the magazines authors and highlights of the monthly sections and allows non-subscribers the opportunity to subscribe via the internet.

My desire to make a CHANGE

Before I plan to change things within the entire foster care system, I have to decide where to start. I have been thinking about impact of the inefficient foster care system on the broader communities and their requisite macro stakeholders.  Now, before I reach to the macro level, I must hit the micro level to make a change. I will advocate locally by informing my community of the resources, programs, and organizations for foster care children.

First, individuals should be aware of what is provided in their own communities. Services provided by the Kinship Center (located in Monterey County) includes specialized training for parents, individualized services for each child, ongoing professional support, and the friendship and support of other foster and adoptive families providing the same valuable care to children. The Kinship Center’s foster care program includes short or long term parenting for children with a variety of special circumstances.

Most importantly, communities should know laws, provisions, and policies that impact foster care children. Programs like the National Foster Youth Action Network can become available anywhere. And if it is available everywhere, then many of the foster youth that age out would be able to step out of the horrible stigma foster youth face. Foster youth can become leaders and advocates of their own communities! How awesome is that?

So how can all this be done? How can we provide programs and put things into action?

People who care need to stand up! And for those who don’t care YET, need to become aware of this issue, and how it impacts children’s lives, impacts families, impacts communities, and impacts the U.S. in all. I feel like bringing awareness is a start, awareness to what we all a whole can do to bring all this organizations out of hiding from our foster children and communities.

April is Child Abuse Awareness month

There are 500,000 children in the foster care system in the United States. Children enter the foster care system when their parents or legal guardians are unable or unwilling to endow with care. While that is being figured out, a child protective agency works together with a family court and makes the legal decisions for the child to be taken care of by foster parents.

“Approximately 70 percent of the children who enter the foster care system, were neglected or abused by their parents” (Miller, 2010).

Any child who comes within any of the Welfare and Institutions Code Section 300 descriptions is within the authority of juvenile court, which may deem that person to be a dependent child of the court and handed to Child Protective Services, Foster Care and Adoption.

Child Abuse Awareness month!

The definition of child abuse is physical or emotional mistreatment or neglect of a child. Additionally, it is the failure of being an adequate parent or caretaker that leads to death or serious physical or emotional harm to a child.

 

I have attached the Welfare and Institutions Code Section 300 for those of you who are curious of the guidelines, when a child is removed from their parents or caretakers.

Welfare and Institutions Code Section 300

National Foster Youth Action Network

 

I came across this awesome organization for foster youth!

Foster youth transforming themselves into powerful leaders and advocates.

The “National Foster Youth Action Network” envisions state and national child welfare systems that provide services for mental wellness, permanency, education and career opportunities, economic security, and self-sufficiency for all foster youth. Not just that, but they also envision national policy makers and state child welfare systems working together with current and former foster youth in the making of child welfare policies.

This organization’s mission is to build leadership and advocacy skills of current and former foster youth to educate decision makers. They then can work collaboratively to improve state and local child welfare systems, as well as national policies that affect all foster youths in some way.

 

This Action Network can help foster youth learn how to advocate  and recommend solutions with legislators and policymakers on issues like:

-Improving access to college

-Increasing transitional housing services

-Sibling togetherness

-Improving independent living programs (post-emancipation services)

-Increasing the availability of social worker and mental health services

 

The organization can also help foster youth get organized and:

-Make a mission statement for goals

-Learn how policies are made

-Learn how to run professional meetings

-Develop a decision-making process as a group to let every voice speak

 

Lastly, if youth wants to raise awareness about the issues they are facing, the Action Network can help them build:

-Youth conferences that educate policymakers about foster care issues

-Community dinners t0 educate the communities about the issues

 

I believe that this organization has amazing visions for foster youth! It slightly upsets me that it actually has taken so long for such a good idea to arise. Having foster youth themselves speak up about the issues they faced or are facing while in foster care is essential when seeking for solutions.

http://www.fosteryouthaction.org