Looking Back on Foster Care Month

Jun 4, 2014 Issues: Foster Care and Adoption

Last week the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth held its third annual—and most successful—shadow day on Capitol Hill.

Members of Congress hosted nearly 70 current and former foster youth from across the nation in Washington in an effort to help them understand the inner workings of the House of Representatives, learn about the legislative initiatives related to foster care, and share their stories with policy makers.

I had the privilege of spending time with my shadow, Jacqueline, an alumna of the Minnesota foster care system, and Lisa, a social worker from the Duluth area.

Jacqueline was in foster care from 6 months to age 17. I appreciated hearing about her experience aging out of the system, about her relationship with her family, her educational goals, and what she hopes Congress will address to improve the lives of those still in the system. She was most passionate about her experience living in group homes and the financial struggles for those who graduate high school before they are 18 but want to attend college.

Jacqueline has such a giving heart, and it’s encouraging to see such a motivated young woman. It won’t be easy, but she has a strong support system and I know she’ll reach her goals. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for her.

As part of the shadow day, Jacqueline and the other shadows visited the White House to share their experiences with staff, and toured the buildings on and around Capitol Hill. To cap it off was a luncheon at the Library of Congress featuring a visit by Dr. Phil, who was in town to testify before Congress on the use of psychotropic medications on foster youth.

His overall message to the attendees? "Sometimes you have to give yourself what you should get from someone else....Whatever happened, I've made it this far. I'm a survivior....If you face a challenge or a difficult decision ask if it will get you closer to your dreams and life goals. If it doesn't, say no."

Foster Care Month

Shadow Day came at the end of a successful Foster Care Month. Throughout the month of May, we highlighted an issue that is near and dear to my heart—foster care.

Nearly 400,000 children are living in the United States without permanent families. Of these, more than 100,000 are eligible for adoption.

23,000 each year will simply age out of the foster care system without finding the stability and love of a forever family.

A quarter of them will age out without a high school diploma. Unemployment, out-of-wedlock pregnancies, PTSD and homelessness are common.

The statistics are sobering. The challenges are often quite daunting. But there is reason for hope.

Thankfully, there are more resources than ever before for those in the foster care system, those aging out, and the families interested in helping vulnerable youth by fostering, sponsoring, or even adopting.

Contrary to popular misconceptions, children in foster care are not delinquents but are ordinary children who through no fault of their own have experienced abuse or neglect.

They are simply in need of the unconditional love, support, and care of a safe and permanent family.

Although May has come and gone, I hope you will join my colleagues and me in advocating for America’s forgotten kids.

Every child needs to know at least one person is crazy about them, and every child deserves the chance at a forever family.