The Good Stuff - Volume 63 | March 18, 2026 | | The Good Stuff in Child Welfare | | |
Welcome to The Good Stuff in Child Welfare!
At the Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research, we acknowledge the often heart-wrenching and distressing narratives that dominate the child welfare landscape, leaving us deeply moved and impassioned. However, amidst these challenging stories, there exists a wealth of inspiring achievements and uplifting initiatives occurring nationwide at every level of practice. To highlight and celebrate these positive developments, we are delighted to present this monthly newsletter, dedicated exclusively to showcasing “The Good Stuff” within the expansive field of child welfare.
The Good Stuff This Month:
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This month, we feature stories of states, nonprofits, and individuals innovating on behalf of young people in foster care. We hope this read gives you a few moments of hopefulness and a sense of possibility.
If there's something you'd like to see here, shoot us an email. Know someone who could use a little Good Stuff in Child Welfare? Send them a copy! We hope you love it as much as we do.
| | Maria House Provides Hope, Housing for Clarksville Teen Moms in Foster Care | |
In Clarksville, TN, Maria House opens its doors to teenage mothers in foster care. The home, an initiative of Tennessee-based nonprofit Agape, was started by former foster parents Troy and Rebecca Allen to provide support for this often-overlooked population within the foster care system. They believe that children in foster care deserve a healthy family environment and the opportunity to build life skills for their future. As a result, Maria’s House was created to be a safe, nurturing living environment where residents are given meals, baby supplies, and a community to lean on as they step into motherhood.
Link to Full Article
| | Joliet Woman Clothing Foster Children in Carbon County | |
Emilee Cherry opened Community Connections, a nonprofit in Joliet, Montana to support clothing and food needs for youth in foster care. She utilizes social media to create an online space for county residents to request assistance for their needs. Donations arrive to Emilee anonymously, and she distributes supplies with the help of her family. Foster parent Taylor Arnold highlighted her experience working with Community Connections, stating “Try to get over that fear of people judging you or whatever it may be, and just reach out and ask for it because I think that’s really how we get the village that we need to help raise the kids.”
Link to Full Article
| | Idaho Extends Foster Care to 23 to Curb Homelessness, Joblessness Among Youth | |
Idaho has recently expanded foster care services for youth up to age 23, providing young adults with continued access to case management, housing support, education assistance, and job training. The state also offers independent living programs to help youth develop life skills, find employment, and achieve stability. Advocates believe that this expanded support will decrease rates of homelessness, unemployment, and involvement in the criminal justice system among young adults leaving the foster care system. Beyond policy, a successful transition for youth aging out requires a strong and supportive network of community members. As such, nonprofits in the state have also stepped in with mentorship opportunities, job connections, and even basic household furniture, further helping youth find stability and a sense of belonging.
Link to Full Article
| | Wake County Nonprofit Highlights Growing Needs of Foster and Homeless Children at Annual Fundraiser | | |
Myra’s Angels Foundation in Wake County, North Carolina was featured in February 2026 for its compassionate support of children entering foster care or experiencing homelessness. The nonprofit assembles “Angel Care Bags” filled with clothing, hygiene items, school supplies, and comfort objects so children don’t arrive at a new placement with nothing. Working closely with Wake County Schools’ McKinney‑Vento Program, the foundation reaches students quickly and with dignity. Last month’s fundraising gala shows how community volunteers and local partners can meet urgent needs with warmth, stability, and practical care.
Link to Full Article
| | Arkansas Teen Offers Free Dance Classes to Foster Children | | |
Adalai Weeks, a teenager from Arkansas and a dancer since she was seven, launched Catalyst for Kids, a nonprofit that creates resources for children in foster care and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs. Inspired by her father and uncle, both legal professionals who work extensively with the foster care system, she wanted to ensure that the over 4,000 kids placed in foster homes in Arkansas have the same life experiences as any other child. Weeks utilized her passion for dance to offer free dance classes to youth in the child welfare system, partnering with Together We Foster, a nonprofit serving foster children, families, and children in protective cases in northeast Arkansas. Weeks aspires to expand her classes to central Arkansas.
Link to Full Article
| | New Housing Complex Offers Stability for Young Adults Aging Out of Foster Care | |
Young people aging out of foster care face steep housing barriers, often leading directly to homelessness. A new housing development in West Palm Beach, FL featured in the CBS News Forever Family segment offers stability, quality apartments, and wraparound support for former foster youth. Staff help participants secure Foster Youth Independence (FYI) vouchers, which reduce rent burdens and allow young adults to save money while working toward full independence. Residents like Kenyana, Michael, and Tyrone describe moving from homelessness or couch‑surfing into safe, affordable homes. The program also builds long‑term financial security through an escrow savings component, helping some graduates purchase cars, pursue education, or even buy homes.
Link to Full Article
| | The Field Center team would like to thank the staff and students who brought this newsletter together. Specifically, we recognize our Spring 2026 students Saadhya Bahudodda, Cheri Mitchell, and Jasleen Virk for their contributions in providing readers with this uplifting content. Many thanks to our Associate Director Sarah Wasch for editing and our Administrative Coordinator Amber Davis for handling design and distribution. Special thanks to our Managing Faculty Director, Dr. Johanna Greeson for her idea to curate the “good news stories” happening in child welfare! | | | | |
