Youth Perspective

Where is the love for the holidays? Being in foster care, I never felt love, or the reason for the love, around the holidays. Having grown up in care, I didn't have a typical "happy" holiday. Being in 6 different foster homes, 1 youth shelter, and a... Read more

Permanency: lasting or intended to last or remain unchanged indefinitely. That is the dictionary definition of the word. However, in the perspective of a foster youth, permanency has no set definition. In the foster care system, youth may experience... Read more

Growing up in my grandmothers 1 bedroom trailer, living on the back balcony which we converted into my brother and Is room wasn’t all that bad. My biological mother is a drug addict and she chose drugs over her kids, so she wasn’t around very often... Read more

You are going to get a sneak at my journey of the foster homes that impacted me the most. The foster care system has made me who I am today. Today can be thanked in the form of a package labeled "Nicholas Rolfi". The system has shaped and... Read more

People who are interested in becoming foster parents often want to read perspectives on foster parenting from current foster parents. Youth perspectives can be helpful. As I advocate for current and former foster youth, I'm finding more... Read more

My name is Jessica Determan, I am 19 years old, and I am from southwest Minnesota. I have been in the child welfare system from ages 14 to 18. I have gone through two traditional foster homes, one kinship placement and at the age of 17, I found my... Read more

I spent 4 years in the foster care system in Las Vegas due to negligence and abuse. In 2010, I aged out of foster care at age 18 and lost my health insurance. Then I ended up in the hospital. My hemoglobin had dropped to critical level after years... Read more

Foster youth are very diverse individuals because they come from many unique backgrounds and cultures. I personally believe being a foster parent takes a lot of responsibility and patience. They have to make sure the children's needs are being... Read more

There are many attributes that contribute to making a great foster parent, most of which coincide with just being a great parent. To be a good parent it's important to be open and try to look at things from everyone's perspective. This is... Read more

As far as I remember, it was a good day at school. I went to my normal bus stops waiting to be picked up. Instead of my mom picking me up it was a lady who happened to be staying with us. Being the person I am, I asked a million questions. Never... Read more