Karen Bass: When we put kids in foster care 'we become the parents'
Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., on Wednesday said government essentially becomes "the parents" when it puts children in foster care, and then "washes our hands of them" once they turn 18. "Any time a foster youth falls through the cracks, then the government is really responsible because when we remove children from their parents, we — meaning the government — then we become the parents, we are responsible for them," Bass said on the House floor. "So we're working on legislation t
Governor Brown Signs the Foster Children's Sibling Bill of Rights
SALEM, ORE. -- Current and former foster youth gathered at the Governor’s office on May 17 to participate in a ceremonial signing of the Foster Children’s Sibling Bill of Rights. The new law encourages the Department of Human Services to place foster youth and their siblings in the same home. When siblings can’t be placed together, the law ensures that DHS and foster families support foster youth in preserving relationships with their siblings – relationships that are critica
New department would save foster youth -- and money
If the health-care system’s first line of intervention was the emergency room, followed by intensive, remedial treatment, what kinds of outcomes would we get? Health care is most cost-effective and humane when it focuses on prevention and facilitates high quality of life. Child protective service investigations and foster care placements are proxy for the hospital emergency room. Juvenile justice has a small tool kit beyond incarceration. What kinds of outcomes can we expect
Oregon Governor Signs Laws To Expand Rights For Foster Kids
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed two bills into law Wednesday securing new rights for foster kids. One bill gives foster kids with siblings the right to be placed together whenever possible and the right to communicate with a sibling when not placed together. The second bill makes it easier for foster youth between 16 and 20 to live independently. DHS spokeswoman Rosemary Iavenditti said the bill allows foster kids to meet a 40-hour activity requirement for the program by volunt
PBS SoCal’s Social Impact Initiative “To Foster Change” Launches New Campaign for National Foster Ca
Los Angeles, May 12, 2017 – PBS SoCal KOCE’s “To Foster Change,” a social impact initiative that aims to create understanding, inspire hope and motivate positive actions that change the realities and life outcomes for Southern California foster youth, launches the next phase of its campaign during National Foster Care Month. The campaign celebrates the great efforts of individuals and organizations who are improving the lives of foster youth across the region. “Our hope is th
This resource map for youth exiting foster care is live
Youth Matters Philly, an app to help youth find local resources like shelters and food banks, was officially launched Monday, May 1, during a press conference with city officials and those involved in the development of the app, including staffers at the Juvenile Law Center, faculty and students from University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice and Hack4Impact. We’ve talked before about the difficulties youth in foster care go through once they turn 18, e
Penn partners on new app to aid vulnerable youth exiting foster care
The School of Social Policy & Practice worked with the Juvenile Law Center of Philadelphia on the formation of Youth Matters: Philly, a new web app developed by Penn Engineering students. Youth leaving foster care lack traditional family resources to help them apply for public benefits, school, or even a job. A new web app unveiled by the School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) and the Juvenile Law Center of Philadelphia literally puts these types of vital resources at the f