Our 7th Annual Pack A Purse™ Drive launches on TODAY, November 8, 2013. We are collecting purses (including totes and other handbags) filled with personal hygiene items for teen girls in foster homes, group homes, and homeless shelters. Only new and gently used purses will be accepted. Personal hygiene items needed: toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, […]
7th Annual Pack A Purse™ Drive Starts TODAY Read More »
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 System Is A Lousy Parent Read More »
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
Together We Can Reverse The List Read More »
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,
How Will You Commemorate National Adoption Month? Read More »
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!
Reflections of a Foster Child Read More »
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.
12th Annual Jannie P. Hayes Adoption Awards Gala Read More »
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
Unconditional Love and Life-Long Connections Read More »
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”
Something Of Their Own Read More »
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
Put This In Your Foster Teen’s Toolbox Read More »
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
SPOTLIGHT On Jahlika H. Read More »