Organizational Development

I had a long conversation with a colleague (with new found foster care knowledge) about why the foster care system fails so many youth. I explained that the foster care system is a lousy parent because a system is not a parent. Entry into the system is warranted by imminent danger, trauma or crisis. The […]

The Washington, DC metropolitan area is home to 6 of the top 10 wealthiest counties in the United States. Our area has one of the most educated workforces. We can also boast about our world class hospitals. Foster care intersects with poverty, education, employment, health and other social issues.   The Contradiction 1,300 estimated children

Every November, a Presidential Proclamation launches activities and celebrations to help build awareness of adoption throughout the nation. National Adoption Month is an initiative of the Children’s Bureau supported through AdoptUSKids and Child Welfare Information Gateway, members of the Children’s Bureau Training and Technical Assistance Network. Thousands of community organizations arrange and host programs, events,

Reflections of a Foster Child   When you see a child in care, when you see me… Answer this question, what do you see?   Do you see resiliency? Do you see what I plan to be?   I don’t think so, I think you see the system because to you, I have no face!

Coalition of Adoption Programs 12th Annual Jannie P. Hayes Adoption Awards Gala “Celebration of Champions”   Saturday, November 2, 2013 Bay Ridge Christian Church 1071 Bay Ridge Road Annapolis, MD 7:30 PM Semi-formal attire Purchase tickets here   Previously called the Annual Academy Awards of Adoption, the event has been renamed after the founder, Mrs.

This past weekend I attended yet another funeral. A classmate I had known since elementary school passed suddenly. This friend and I graduated from elementary school, junior high school, and high school together. Many of our classmates celebrated his life together this weekend because we were more than classmates. We were a family and three decades later

This past summer, I witnessed two professionals with different backgrounds having a polite but serious disagreement about whether a workforce readiness program should be limited to youth in foster care or expanded to include other disconnected young people.   The “Educator” was advocating for an exclusive group despite the fact that in her previous “mixed”

Number in foster care on September 30 of the FY2012 – 399,546   Case Plan Goal Emancipation – 20,251 Long Term Foster Care – 20,095   Age as of September 30th 16 years  – 27,356 17 year – 29,306 18 years – 11,273   We are aware of all the negative statistics for youth aging out of foster care

Jahlika is a 19 year old college student in New York determined never to let her past trauma or life circumstances define her. She has a strong work history and the goal of becoming a nurse.  Jahlika was recently awarded a hospital internship in conjunction with New Yorkers for Children.  Jahlika was selected for this

Sometimes you have to toot your own horn! YOU can nominate yourself for SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month. Our SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month award recognizes a youth (14-21) in the foster care system that is leading a life of promise and making a positive impact in his or her community.   Here are 5