First Place for Youth’s Post

The average number of placements for youth experiencing foster care is 8.3. Now, read that statistic above again. If a child has moved to five or more placements, they’re facing a 90% chance of being involved with the criminal legal system. Every relocation erodes stability, relational permanency, and normalcy for youth experiencing foster care – all things critical for young people, no matter the circumstances, to thrive. We know the foster care system isn’t perfect. We know it’s in crisis. But systems don’t create deep, trusting relationships – people do. Where the system fails to provide stability and support when young people need it most, our communities can. Our programs partner with community members across the country to radically change the foster care experience – both for the children and youth experiencing foster care, and the families who open up their doors to foster. The fewer placements youth endure, the more likely they are to overcome the statistics they face. Decreasing placements for youth experiencing foster care (placement stability) is a cornerstone of our mission and programs – and every person can have a role in it. Some choose to foster. Some choose to volunteer. Some choose to stand in the gap by consistently supporting this life-changing work through a monthly donation. Your gift of $10, $25, $50, no matter the amount, influences the stats. Your gift sends a powerful message: you believe that every child, youth, and family experiencing foster care deserves to be reached and radically served by our programs. Will you join us? Visit: https://lnkd.in/gSvuKvmj #FosterCare #CriminalJusticeReform #NationalAngels #HomelessnessAwareness #FosterCareAwareness #EducationForAll #Foster #NFCM #Education #changethestats #OlympicAngels #OlympicPeninsula #volunteer #lovebox #mentor #daretodream #community #fostercarecommunity #nonprofit #donate #fostercarenonprofit *Statistical sources can be found at https://lnkd.in/gDWtFTaH

Vulnerable children need communities who are willing to step in to support them. Cardinal is beginning to think through how our state can serve foster families. We want to consider how communities can support these families. “[S]ocial workers generally do try to keep a child close to home. However, they cannot do so if there are not enough foster parents in the area. There are also less likely to be foster families in communities that lack any support structures for foster families. This could be at schools, non-profits, houses of worship, etc. Social workers cannot force families to take in children. It must come from good people who want to care for children. What if we began a movement of foster-care-friendly schools, churches, community centers, and other organizations?” https://lnkd.in/gmgXQe2d #WestVirginia #MountainState #FosterCare #FosterFamilies #FosterKids #FosterParents #RuralCommunities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EmpowHer Enterprises Inc Announces Partnership Between Children's Aid and Family Services and our signature program, Journey Totes EmpowHer, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young women, is thrilled to announce a new partnership between Children's Aid and Family Services and Journey Totes, one of EmpowHer's signature programs. This partnership aims to provide suitcases filled with personalized items such as toiletries, school supplies, and clothes to children in need. Journey Totes, an initiative developed by EmpowHer, focuses on supporting vulnerable children who are transitioning between homes or foster care placements. By providing them with essential items and personalized care packages, Journey Totes aims to bring comfort and stability during challenging times. The partnership with Children's Aid and Family Services will further strengthen the impact of this program and allow for even greater support to be provided to children in need. "We are excited to join forces with Children's Aid and Family Services to expand the reach of Journey Totes," said Zaza Farrell founder and spokesperson for EmpowHer. "Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of these children by providing them with the essential items they need and showing them that they are cared for and supported." Through this partnership, Journey Totes and Children's Aid and Family Services will work together to identify and support children who can benefit from this program. EmpowHer encourages individuals and organizations to join in this worthwhile cause by making a donation to support the provision of Journey Totes. Donations can be made by visiting https://lnkd.in/eW6Zy43Q and contributing to this worthy cause. EmpowHer, Children's Aid and Family Services, and Journey Totes express their gratitude to all individuals, organizations, and partners who contribute to this partnership and support the mission of providing personalized care packages to children in need. For more information about EmpowHer and the Journey Totes program, please visit www.empowherinc.org ### About EmpowHer: EmpowHer is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young women and equipping them with the skills, resources, and support they need to thrive. About Children's Aid and Family Services: Children's Aid and Family Services is a leading non-profit organization committed to supporting children, families, and individuals in need. With a focus on providing comprehensive services and programs, Children's Aid and Family Services strives to create a safe and nurturing environment for all individuals to thrive. About Journey Totes: Journey Totes is one of EmpowHer's signature programs that provides suitcases filled with personalized items such as toiletries, school supplies, and clothes to children in need.

GREAT job Mariah T.! A person with lived child welfare experience, she has chosen to be an active participant in transforming the system to make it better for other children and youth. I support her recommendations to the US Congress: 1. Ensure every eligible youth in foster care learns about Chafee services. Young people shouldn’t go without support simply because they weren’t informed. There are proven outreach models Congress can use to inform policy. 2. Increase Chafee investment by at least $100M per year so state and local agencies have resources to serve all eligible youth. 3. Improve the effectiveness of Chafee by providing services older youth say they need most — mental health, housing, education, employment, and transportation — and involve youth in continuous program improvement. Support @Mariah's effort - read the attached article, comment on the article and share it with others others.  

This is spot-on. And love the recommendations: 1. If you are Mandated Reporter, offer support to families before you report. 2. Consider donating to or volunteering at local agencies that are helping families meet concrete needs. 3. Spread the word to colleagues, friends, and family members in your network on how they help keep families safely together too. 4. Consider how racism and bias show up in your practice and work to make a change. #FamilySupport #BuildPositiveChildhoods

💡 Did you know, every year, approximately 700 children will age out of the foster care system in #Georgia, and 27,000 will age out nationwide. To put these numbers into perspective, the average public school in a suburban area contains around 656 students, and in the fall of 2020, the University of Georgia had 29,765 students enroll in their undergrad programs. (source: https://lnkd.in/gZ29NEFc) As they step into #adulthood, many young adults face the world with excitement and optimism. However, for those aging out of the foster care system, this #transition can be filled with uncertainty and challenges. It's imperative that we rally around these young individuals, offering them the #support they need to #thrive. Without the safety net of family support, these young adults are at a higher risk of unemployment, homelessness, and a lack of higher education opportunities. #Support systems can make a world of difference. #Programs that provide housing assistance, job training, and educational opportunities are crucial. For instance, at Camp Horizon, we offer #mentoring and #resources that help bridge the gap to independence. #Call to #Action: We must come together to support these young adults. By advocating for policy changes, volunteering our time, or donating to organizations focused on this cause, we can create a brighter future for all. #FosterCare #YouthSupport #Community #AgingOut #Nonprofit #Georgia #YoungAdults Image originally generated by"DALL·E."

Nonprofit Spotlight: @NCHS From the Giving Guide & Event Book 2024 NCHS's primary services are adoption, foster care, and family support. Did you know the organization was established in 1893? Learn more: https://loom.ly/EYlkuFI

Today we released "Resilient Families: Helping Grandparents and Kin Raise Children in New Mexico,” detailing the growth and specific needs of kinship families in the state and making recommendations for how these families can be better supported. Grandparents and kin play an increasingly important role in raising children in New Mexico. From 2017 to 2023, the number of children in kinship care (where grandparents or kin raise children) rose from 30,000 to 36,000, an increase of 20 percent. This is likely an undercount, however, since many families rely on informal arrangements. By some census estimates, as many as 55 children are being informally raised by kin for every one child being raised by kin through the state’s foster care program. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gNFfJf8w

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month - a time to highlight the needs of children and youth in foster care and what we can do to make a meaningful impact for them. Founded more than 40 years ago on the idea that we can, and should, do more for young people in care, Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation works every day to change their stories so they can lead fuller, richer and more productive lives. We are here to help children and youth in foster care and those that care for them. How We Help: - Childhood Activities: affcf.org/guidelines - Keys to Success: affcf.org/keys - Post-Secondary Programs: affcf.org/ps_programs How You Can Help: - Donate to AFFCF: affcf.org/give - Foster a Child: https://lnkd.in/gcCdB2j9 - Raise Awareness: share our posts with your network to spread word that help is available and how others can get involved #affcf40thanniversary #fostercare #40yearsofimpact #childhoodactivities #keystosuccess #keystofinancialsuccess #postsecondaryprograms #AFFCF #azffcf #youwinkidswin