Fargo/Moorhead Youth Fill the Dome Project Exceeds Goal!

My blog normally includes articles written by me or others I find on the Internet about foster care, thus the title of my blog.
However I am so proud of the youth here in my hometown community of Fargo, North Dakota/Moorhead, Minnasota that I just have to share this story beyond our area.
In the fall of [...]

Resource Center Established to Help States Implement Foster Care Legislation

A coalition of child welfare, adoption, healthcare, and education leaders has announced the launch of a national effort to fully implement the Fostering Connections Act, year-old legislation designed to address the healthcare needs of foster youth.
On the first anniversary of passage of the act, the coalition announced the creation of the Fostering Connections Resource Center, [...]

Some States do LITTLE for Older Youth in Foster Care to be Adopted

Thed US Department of Health & Human Service Adminsitration for Children & Family Services have released the data for states who made efforts to increase adoptions of “older youth” in the foster care system across the United States. It appears some states have made strong efforts to accomplish this as indicated by the incentive dollars [...]

Florida child-welfare employees put kids at risk!

Below is a recent article in the Orlando Sentinal. This situation is not unique to Florida. However, please note there are many, many dedicated case workers in the field who give their all to children. Until those “bad apples” who put children at risk are dealt with by more than a hand slap stories such as [...]

Children of the System

New research supports a radical shift in child-welfare policy for the thousands of teens who ‘age out’ of foster care at age 18, only to face high rates of homelessness, unemployment and incarceration. The system is failing thousands of youth under their care each and every year, 29,000 youth faced aging out last year.
By Daniel [...]

Sabotoged By the System

Sabotaged By the System
By Jesse Ellison | NEWSWEEK
Published Feb 7, 2009
From the magazine issue dated Feb 16, 2009
 
When Tyrome Sams turned 18 two years ago, he engaged in a modern rite of passage: he applied for a credit card. Credit wasn’t hard to come by then, yet Sams was refused again and again. Eventually he [...]

7 Yr. Old Foster Youth Hangs Himself!

Personal Note: When I read this article for the first time I cried for Gabriel. At age 7 he decided life was no longer worth living. It brought back to me memories of my own years in foster care.
By the age of 10 I had been in foster care since the day of my birth. [...]

Care Packages Replace Traditional Luggage

The article below recently appeared in the newspaper for a project I began:
November 19th was a great day for former foster child turned author and activist Larry Adams of North Dakota.
It was also a tremendous day for local youth that unfortunately may need to enter foster care.
It was the culmination of the first drive to [...]

Teen Won’t Let Foster Care be His Legacy!!!

I read this article in the Detroit Free Press the other evening after getting my daily “foster care” alert. Reading Alex’s story made my chest swell up in pride for him and anyone who has been placed on the foster care merry-go-round and not allowed it to overwhelm them, make them want to make themselves a [...]

2008 A Bad Year for Foster Care…Prospects for 2009!!

 
 A few hours ago we turned the final page, read the last paragraphs and finally closed the book called 2008.
 
We know how dreadful a year it was in regards to our economy, many losing their jobs and homes, more people without health care, falling apart infrastructure and the list goes on and on. We know [...]

Family Giving Up Custody of Abused Boy!

I find this story absolutely sickening, deplorable and sadas this boy’s life may already be destroyed as well as the family that adopted him in hopes of giving him a better life.
To tell the adoptive parents that for him to get help he must be given up…and in the end the system will just let [...]

The Agony of Foster Care Does NOT End When You Leave It!

I am a firm believer that though one may leave the foster care system the foster care system never leaves you.
One may go on with their lives, and they need to, but the system and one’s expereiences will always remain a part of you…one must learn however to not allow it to control them.
The article [...]

Bitter Life Teaches Foster Youth to NOT Limit Herself!

I think it is important for foster youth or foster alumni to read and hear about others who have gome through the system who have made it, who have not proclaimed themselves as victims.
Therefore I was delighted when I read the article velow in the Idaho Statesmen and felt the need to share it here [...]

Law Lets Little Boy Down…Destroys Family!!!

How could the system allow such a travesty to happen…and they wonder why youth involved with the system may turn out, in their words, bad! Do they think of the potential damage they are causing to this boy? Cases such as this absolutely disgusts me and is but more proof the system needs dramatic overhaul!!!
Law [...]

Fed Judge Orders GA Find Perm Homes for Foster Youth

It is about time a Federal Judge has stepped in and done something…of course if ASFA1997 were enforced by states this action would not be necessary!!
Atlanta Journal Constitution
Judge orders state to find homes for 500 kids
By CRAIG SCHNEIDER
Monday, December 15, 2008
A federal judge on Monday ordered the state child welfare agency to improve its efforts [...]

You’re Nothing More Than a Foster Child!

This was sent to me by a youth who has been in foster care for the past 7 years and will age out next March with no family or support network to go to. It breaks my heart that things I expereinced and thoughts I had over 40 years ago remain a constant in so [...]

Foster Care Data for FY2006

The United States Foster Care System
 

FY2006 Foster Care Data
The U. S. Department of Health & Human Services Administration for Children & Families collects data each year from the states as to their foster care system. This, along with other resources provide for the base of this analysis. There is usually a 2 year lapse in [...]

Christmas Wishes!

I want to take this early morning opportunity to wish each of you, my readers, the full richness of the Spirit, Joy and Blessings of the Christmas Season!
As you rush to complete those last minute details in preparation for the day I pray each will take a moment to remember those who are less fortunate than [...]

Do You Know What ASFA of 1997 Really Says??

A decade ago, children were more likely to spend years in foster care as authorities tried again and again to reunite them with their biological families.
Reunification at ALL costs appeared to be the ultimate goal of the various state agencies. Young lives were being damaged at best and destroyed at worst with this philosophy.
The 1997 [...]

Imagine this was YOU!

For a brief moment, close your eyes; free your mind and imagine a baby, or a 2, 4, 6, or 10 year old and playing with their favorite toy.
All of a sudden, there’s a knock on the door. The foster parent opens the door and in walks a nicely dressed lady. The lady briefly speaks [...]