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California, Senator Barbara Boxer: We need to create better futures
We need to create better futures for foster care youth Barbara BOXER http://www.insidebayarea.com/opinion/tribune/ci_6468122 Article Last Updated: 07/26/2007 05:48:14 AM PDT FOR MANY of the 513,000 children and teenagers in our foster care system, having a permanent "home" to grow up in is a dream that will never be realized. The foster care system is often a last resort — offering a safe environment when there is nowhere else to turn, or providing a family for children who have been separated from their own. We have seen many successes through the foster care system — children finding stability and comfort through caring relationships with generous and nurturing families, mentors and volunteers. But for many children, the help stops when they turn 18 and "age out" of the system. We must do more for these young adults who have already been through so much. Each year, approximately 24,400 foster youth are emancipated, or age out of the system. Many of these young adults lack the proper education, life skills and resources to successfully transition to adulthood. In California, approximately 4,200 foster youth are emancipated each year on their 18th birthday. About 65 percent of those teenagers face homelessness, 51 percent are unemployed and less than 3 percent go to college. For those lucky enough to go to college there is often nowhere to go when the dorms close for holidays and school breaks. We just can't turn off our compassion when a child turns 18 — we just can't turn off our caring. When I was 18, I certainly needed the support and security of my family as I began the journey into adulthood. A recent report by The Pew Charitable Trusts stated that every day we wait for reform, 67 more children age out of the system. These are not just statistics — these are the lives of the young people who, without our help, have very limited options. We can and must do better to change the messages that we send our youth. Fortunately, a few states such as Illinois, Arizona, Connecticut and Florida have taken steps to allow youth to voluntarily remain in foster care and have access to foster care services up to age 19, 20 or 21. But their compassion comes with a price: the additional costs of allowing these children to stay in the system falls entirely on state and local governments. We must make more of an effort on a federal level to ensure that foster care services are available to youth over the age of 18. That is why earlier this year I embraced an idea brought to me by my friend John Burton, former president of the California State Senate and long-time advocate for disadvantaged children, and introduced legislation to help states continue providing essential foster care services such as food, housing and advocacy in casework to youth over the age of 18. The Foster Care Continuing Opportunities Act would allow states the choice of accessing federal funds to match state and county funds used to cover the cost of continuing services for foster youth 18-21 years old. This legislation is a first step toward making sure that young adults who still need foster care services can get them, and that they have the resources to transition into adulthood. Recently, I received a letter from David Ambroz, a young man who spent 11 years of his life homeless and then 7 years of his life in foster care. After being emancipated at only 17, he went on to Vassar College, Oxford University and ultimately UCLA School of Law. Today, he is using his experience and education to try to reform the foster care system and give a voice to those less fortunate. Change is long overdue, and it's time for the federal government to do its part. Let's make sure that these children are given the tools, support, time and hope they need to get on their own two feet. They deserve nothing less. Barbara Boxer is a U.S. Senator representing California. CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NSA / CIA WIRETAPPING PROGRAM.... CPS Does not protect children... It is sickening how many children are subject to abuse, neglect and even killed at the hands of Child Protective Services. every parent should read this .pdf from connecticut dcf watch... http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com/8x11.pdf http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the US These numbers come from The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington. (NCCAN) Recent numbers have increased significantly for CPS *Perpetrators of Maltreatment* Physical Abuse CPS 160, Parents 59 Sexual Abuse CPS 112, Parents 13 Neglect CPS 410, Parents 241 Medical Neglect CPS 14 Parents 12 Fatalities CPS 6.4, Parents 1.5 CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, HAPPILY DESTROYING HUNDREDS OF INNOCENT FAMILIES YEARLY NATIONWIDE AND COMING TO YOU'RE HOME SOON... BE SURE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STANDS ON THE ISSUE OF REFORMING OR ABOLISHING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ("MAKE YOUR CANDIDATES TAKE A STAND ON THIS ISSUE.") THEN REMEMBER TO VOTE ACCORDINGLY IF THEY ARE "FAMILY UNFRIENDLY" IN THE NEXT ELECTION... |
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