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California, Senator Barbara Boxer: We need to create better futures



 
 
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Old July 27th 07, 03:23 AM posted to alt.support.child-protective-services,alt.support.foster-parents,alt.dads-rights.unmoderated,alt.parenting.spanking
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Default 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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