The Good Stuff in Child Welfare |
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Welcome to The Good Stuff in Child Welfare!
Our team at the Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice, & Research recognizes that between the all too frequent and grim child welfare stories that make us teary-eyed, clenched-fisted, and faint-hearted, there are inspiring accomplishments and heartening endeavors taking place all over this country at every level of practice. To elevate and promote these encouraging stories, we are pleased to bring you this monthly newsletter emphasizing news stories only about “The Good Stuff” from the broad field of child welfare. This month, we recognize the impact that can be made on youth in and aging out of foster care by donors, community organizations, and even government. 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.
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California Announces Guaranteed Income Pilot Projects for Former Foster Youth |
Researchers at the Urban Institute and UC Berkeley will be evaluating a group of seven guaranteed-income pilot projects beginning in 2023, four of which will serve youth who are aging out of foster care. The California Department of Social Services has awarded $25 million in grant funding to support monthly payments ranging from $600 to $1,200 per month for 12 to 18 months for vulnerable Californians. While a handful of California counties and cities are already utilizing guaranteed income to support youth aging out of foster care, this is the first state-funded guaranteed income program targeting these young people. “These pilots will serve as an important opportunity to assess the impact of an economic intervention during key life transitions, such as the birth of a child or entry into independence after extended foster care,” Department of Social Services Director Kim Johnson stated in a press release last month.
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Fostering Youth Independence Wins Aging Out Institute Award |
Santa Clarita-based Fostering Youth Independence in California has been named one of eight winners of the 2022 Aging Out Institute Awards Program for its strategies supporting youth after they age out of foster care. The awards program, and accompanying $40,000 prize for winners, supports AOI’s mission to identify, expand, and share award winners’ best practices with foster care professionals worldwide. Fostering Youth Independence addresses the challenges faced by youth who have aged out of foster care. Carolyn Olsen, FYI’s co-founder and executive director, says, “It is an honor to be recognized by a nationwide organization for our strategies to equip foster youth to become successful, independent adults.”
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Hope and Homes for Foster Youth |
A Los Angeles, CA-based organization, A Sense of Home, is working to address how many people with foster care experience become unhoused. They are doing so by creating homes specifically for those with experience in foster care – 800 in the last seven years. The organization held a fundraiser in Beverly Hills recently with Hollywood stars like Zach Braff and Michelle Rodriguez in attendance, hoping to raise $1 million to support expansion in both Los Angeles and their new location, New York.
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The Knighten Project Helping Local Foster Kids Who Are Aging Out of System |
The Knighten Project in the Tampa Bay area of Florida is supporting young adults who are aging out of foster care by providing brand new suitcases full of essentials to those leaving their placements. The suitcases include resources and tools, as well as space for personal belongings. The group is working to provide 100 young adults in the area with these gifts now through Christmas.
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Mother’s Love Has Granted 250,000 Wishes for Foster Kids–And Now She Surprised 9 With New Cars |
Danielle Gletow, founder of One Simple Wish, collected grants and was able to gift a new car to nine adults with experience in foster care. One Simple Wish provides youth in care and young adults impacted by the foster care system with specific wishes that anyone can fulfil through their website. To reach bigger goals, like the new cars, they also accept donations from bigger donors. Gletow said, “We realized that transportation was a massive obstacle.” Along with the cars, recipients also received a year’s worth of insurance and gas.
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Youngsters Transitioning out of Foster Care Find Home at Saints House |
In Miami-Dade County, FL, a new residential home named Saints House recently opened its doors to provide a home for six women who have aged out of the foster care system. Shavon Saint Preux understands this first hand; as someone with lived experience in foster care, Preux is hopeful that her story will show other women that anything is possible. With the support of generous donors, interior designers, and the Miami-Dade Commissioner himself, Preux hopes to provide a safe space for women to grow and learn.
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The Field Center team would like to thank the staff and students who brought this newsletter together. Specifically, we recognize our Fall 2022 students Meghan Chasar and Em Brandon for their contributions in providing readers with this uplifting content. Many thanks to our Program Manager Sarah Wasch for editing and our Administrative Coordinator Felicia Saunders 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! |
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