Youth Perspective

Written by Aleks Talsky , Member of the ACF All-In Youth Engagement Team Policymakers, agencies, and professionals continue to expand and develop best practices around achieving permanency for young people served by the child welfare system. Whether... Read more

Music has always been very influential in my life. That being said, I am not musically talented in any way. Believe me when I tell you that I was most certainly not blessed with the ability to sing, read music, or play an instrument of any kind... Read more

I spent six years in foster care, and although difficult in many ways, that time during my youth gave me the resilience, passion and drive for the life I have now. I consider myself one of the foster care success stories. But, I can’t imagine if... Read more

On July 2, 2020, The National Foster Care Youth and Alumni Council hosted a webinar to discuss their 2020 Priorities: A Historic Opportunity to Reform the Child Welfare System: Youth & Alumni Priorities on Quality Residential Services Webinar... Read more

As a young adult who spent nearly 8 years in foster care before aging out, you’d think I’d be used to feeling like my life is out of my control. Living in foster care means never knowing what the day will bring and what will happen next. And, living... Read more

Sonia Emerson 26 years old She/Her/Hers 16 years in Ohio's child welfare system. Sonia Emerson entered foster care at the age of two, she was removed from her biological mother... Read more

Patrick Gem Gabbett 20 years old He/Him/His & They/Them/Theirs 3 years in California's child welfare system. Patrick entered care at the age of 17 after escaping his abusive... Read more