Youth Perspective
Blog

By APetite1 — Aug 20, 2018

Two members of the National Foster Youth and Alumni Policy Council traveled to Denver in mid- July, connecting with state legislators for the National Conference of State Legislatures first ever Child Welfare Fellows Program. Kodi Baughman and... Read more

Youth Perspective
Blog

By Catherine — Aug 17, 2018

Noel Anaya, a foster alumni and staff person at Youth Radio , wrote an article highlighting the similarities between foster youth and immigrant families being separated. Anaya shares his personal experiences with familial separation, and speaks to... Read more

Tagged:
Rights in foster care
Youth Perspective
Blog

By YeshiV — Aug 13, 2018

There are great trees filled with leaves that are very beautiful, gorgeous, and precious. Each leaf is shaped uniquely, and it is astounding to notice how, although they are each different, they complement one another with their different shapes and... Read more

Tagged:
Sibling separation
Youth Perspective
Blog

By sillychild18 — Aug 8, 2018

I do not let money stand in my way and neither should you. Health care and educational funding should be available for everyone, including foster youth, until age 26. As foster youth, we are like all youth: anxious to be out and on our own. However... Read more

Tagged:
Health care
Higher education
Transition (aging out)
Youth Perspective
Blog

By TheBrightPhoenix — Aug 8, 2018

People say, “brothers are forever." That they will, “always be by your side, no matter what.” Of course that's what they say; it's just hard to believe. It's hard to believe when your brother is on the other side of the state. I am 18 years old and... Read more

Tagged:
Family relationships
Sibling separation
Youth Perspective
Blog

By ShelliG99 — Aug 8, 2018

“Just give it another try.” I heard it many times. Sibling visits were something I despised. My siblings had been precious to me in the moment of removal from our home, but prior to that I wanted nothing to do with them. I loved them with my entire... Read more

Tagged:
Sibling separation
Youth Perspective
Blog

By YeshiV — Aug 7, 2018

Failed Adoption wasn't the end of my story! It was the beginning of having my dreams come true. Child welfare calls an adoption that ends before it is finalized a disrupted adoption. My adoption was finalized and later dissolved through an adoption... Read more

Tagged:
Adoption
Youth Perspective
Blog

By ShelliG99 — Aug 7, 2018

A team brings more than just support during an activity, they bring safety, comfort, and hope. My team, a group of All-Stars, called ourselves the DREAM team. From my experience with youth, I’ve found it difficult to find a place to belong in their... Read more

Tagged:
Education
Youth Perspective
Blog

By 18saujaz — Aug 6, 2018

Sibling (noun) - A partner in crime; an individual who holds your secrets. This is a definition I wish I would have been able to connect to. A wise person once told me that siblings are made to walk with you your whole life. Oftentimes... Read more

Tagged:
Family relationships
Sibling separation
Youth Perspective
Blog

By YeshiV — Jul 25, 2018

I was ready to be taught about health care my whole life, but it felt like the system was saying, “ain’t nobody got time for that!” Soon after entering foster care at age 16, I ended up in the hospital for a week and had too many... Read more

Tagged:
Health care