Kenneth Davis MA Ed的动态

Today is National Foster Care Day, a day close to my heart. Here are 5 facts about foster care. 1. Over 400,000 children are in foster care in the United States. 2. The average age of a child entering foster care is 8 years old, but there are infants and teenagers in the system as well. 3. Approximately 25% of children in foster care are eventually adopted by their foster families or other permanent guardians. The other 75% age out of the system. 4. 25% of children in foster care graduate high school within 4 years. Less than 4% go on to earn a college degree. 5. Transitioning out of foster care can be challenging, as many youth face obstacles such as homelessness, unemployment, and lack of access to education and healthcare services.

Wrapping up May, which is National Foster Care Awareness Month, we want to give a huge shoutout to all the incredible organizations that work tirelessly to support foster youth. National Foster Care Month is celebrated to raise awareness about the needs of children and youth in foster care, and to recognize the dedicated foster families, social workers, and other professionals who support these children. The month-long observance aims to: Highlight the Importance of Foster Care: Shine a light on the critical role foster care plays in providing a temporary safe haven for children who cannot live with their biological families. Recruit Foster Families: Encourage more people to consider becoming foster parents to help address the shortage of foster homes. Support Foster Youth: Advocate for better policies, resources, and support systems for children and youth in foster care. Celebrate Success Stories: Recognize and celebrate the positive outcomes and success stories within the foster care system.

CarePortal is transforming how we support children at risk, using technology to connect them with local communities ready to help. There are more than 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system and this innovative platform has already transformed over 250,000 lives by preventing unnecessary foster care entries. Founded by Adrien Lewis, CarePortal was inspired by a vision to use technology to bridge the gap between children in crisis and local communities willing to help. They’ve become the Uber of care-sharing, from providing a bed to paying a bill, small acts are making a big difference. Each year, 7 million children come into contact with child protective services in the U.S. With a significant number in foster care, CarePortal addresses a critical gap, aiming to keep families together and children supported. Addressing the root cause: poverty, not abuse, leads most children into foster care. That’s why CarePortal empowers social workers and community volunteers to meet these needs directly, preventing the cycle from starting. The Stand Together and Care Portal partnership puts forward a category of “care-sharing” that creates an empowerment paradigm of local community members providing an enduring alternative to top-down solutions for social services. By unlocking this supply of care, the dependency and strain on public services can be reduced while improving the lives of individuals served on an immediate and long-term basis. Through locally-sourced and individualized care for neighbors in crisis, care can be shared with the intent of establishing lasting and meaningful connections. This empowers community members to provide care for specific needs and enables recipients to avoid lasting crises that could inhibit future developmental growth for the children. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eRvFsEta

At Norris, we believe that positive, livelong impact occurs when foster parents not only provide care for the child in their home, but focus on creating relationships with the children's family and with the goal of sustaining change -?Beyond Fostering.?We believe that when positive connections are made,?anything is possible. The Beyond Fostering Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) program provides clinical interventions within the context of a licensed treatment foster family provided to children with significant behavioral, emotional and/or medical challenges.?Children referred to the TFC program generally have complex trauma histories including abuse and neglect.?Children served are between the ages of 0-21.?Foster homes are licensed in the State of Wisconsin at a 3 or 4 certification level for treatment foster care to accept foster care placement or respite. There are over 400,000 children in foster care in the United States, 7,000 of which are in the state of Wisconsin.?There is a particular high need for foster families who can accept brothers and sisters, older youth and children with complex needs. The foundation of our programming is built on relationships.??Building and nurturing relationships with children and their families is the springboard for making progress on addressing the complex needs of children in foster care.??Connecting Families, Changing Lives.?Connections Matter.?

50% of the United States’ homeless population spent time in foster care, according to the National Foster Youth Institute (2024). This statistic reveals what child advocates already know. The traumatic experience of foster care sets kids up to struggle emotionally, physically, and academically. Trauma, abuse, and neglect harm a child's cognitive development, too. Youth in foster care end up with lower employment rates and college graduation rates than children who have not been in foster care. Source: National CASA/GAL Association, 2019. At CASA of Marion County, we help our kids beat the odds. And, we are getting results. 87% of teens assigned to a CASA year graduated on time this year, compared to the graduation rate of 49% for all foster youth statewide (based on 2023 data provided by the Annie E. Casey Foundation). Our goal is to reach every child in foster care. We serve 105 out of 171 children in foster care. We need approximately 33 more CASA volunteers to reach those remaining children. Please understand that these numbers fluctuate as kids cycle in and out of the foster care system. We need courageous adults ready to change a child's story. Sign up today at https://lnkd.in/ggAvkxnv.

Last month, California Department of Social Services released the most ambitious foster care reform program in a generation. At a time when budgets across state agencies are being slashed, California is investing an extra $1 billion each year in improving the lives of foster kids and I wholeheartedly support it. The proposal proposal is notable three main reasons: 1. It is data driven. By relying on CANS assessments instead of placement types, more money will flow to the young people who need it the most. 2. If enacted, EVERY young person in the foster care system will receive at least $500 per month just to be a kid. Piano lessons, basketball leagues, and trips to the bookstore are now within reach for all 50,000 of California's foster youth. 3. Critically, the rates provide an important bridge to matching funds from Medi-Cal for the children with the most acute needs, unlocking hundreds of millions in additional federal funds. No plan is perfect and I’m particularly wary of the implementation challenges. But the status quo isn’t acceptable and I applaud CDSS's bold stance on behalf of some of California’s most vulnerable kids.?

MDUSD recognizes May as National Foster Care Month. The MDUSD Board resolution says, in part: "Much remains to be done to ensure that all children have a safe, loving, nurturing, and permanent family, regardless of age or special needs" and "the MDUSD Board of Education (1) recognizes National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the educational challenges that children face in the foster care system; (2) acknowledges the unique needs of children in the foster care system; (3) recognizes foster youth throughout the United States for their ongoing tenacity, courage, and resilience while facing life challenges; (4) acknowledges the exceptional alumni of the foster care system who serve as advocates and role models for youth who remain in foster care; (5) honors the commitment and dedication of the individuals who work tirelessly to provide assistance and services to children in the foster care system." The complete resolution is here: https://lnkd.in/gjYy7tqA

Today is National Foster Care Day. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the realities faced by children in the foster care system. Recently, I had the privilege of attending a gala hosted by HeartShare Human Services of New York, an organization dedicated to supporting foster children with education, nutrition, community service, and various other activities. During the event, I came across a statistic that deeply resonated with me, and I believe it's essential to share it with you. Did you know that only 25% of foster care children graduate from high school within four years? Even more disheartening, less than 4% of them go on to earn a college degree. And shockingly, 50% of those who do graduate from foster care; find themselves with zero earnings or employment opportunities. These numbers are more than just statistics; they represent the tangible challenges and obstacles that countless foster children face every day. While organizations like Heart Share strive tirelessly to provide support and opportunities for these young individuals, it's evident that we, as a society, need to do more. Think about it: out of every 100 foster care children, only four will earn a college degree. That's a stark reality that demands our attention and action. As we commemorate National Foster Care Day, let's not only celebrate the resilience and strength of these children but also commit ourselves to creating a brighter and more equitable future for them. They deserve nothing less. You never know what foster child will become the next superstar.

The statistic that 65% of children in foster care in Collier County lack placement within the community underscores a significant challenge in the foster care system. In recognition of May being National Foster Care Month, NCEF would like to acknowledge the disruption children face when they are unable to find placements within their own communities. Being placed outside of their community can exacerbate feelings of isolation and abandonment, compounding the trauma already experienced due to family separation. Moreover, it can hinder efforts to maintain connections with siblings, extended family members and cultural heritage, further disrupting their sense of identity and belonging. The impact of this lack of community placement extends beyond the individual child, affecting their long-term well-being, stability and prospects for permanency.? By providing families with resources, education and support early on, we can address underlying issues and strengthen their capacity to provide safe and nurturing environments for their children. Interventions such as parenting classes, mental health services, substance abuse treatment and financial assistance not only reduces the trauma and disruption experienced by children but also supports the preservation of familial bonds and community connections, ultimately fostering healthier outcomes for families and communities as a whole.?

May is Foster Care Awareness Month Here are some facts about Tennessee foster care to support our increased awareness from the 2023 report from the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. The report is short, well-organized, with clear graphics, and is a powerful read. https://lnkd.in/eH3Cs_yP During FY2021, 14,558 children in Tennessee were served by the foster system. Parental Substance abuse and neglect are the two most frequent circumstances associated with a child’s removal. 57% of children left foster care by reunification, 23% by adoption. Also at that time, over 1,000 children were in the full guardianship of the state. Many of these children are available for adoption. In 2021the median age of these waiting children was 10. Foster parents are most often the adoptive parents of children in state custody.