Making the Job of Advocates for Foster Youth a Little Bit Easier

from NPR website

Sometimes it can feel like being an advocate for youth is absolutely Sisyphian, forever pushing new legislation and battling for funds. Once something is passed, you start all over protecting the new legislation and pushing out the next step for improving the systems that serve young people.

I’m always on the look out for things that might make this work a little bit easier.  Two came across my desk that can make a difference for advocates of foster youth:

1) Mainstream Media Embraces Foster Families:  ABC Family is piloting a new show, The Fosters, in which two foster mothers care for four teens-- some biological, some adopted, and some being fostered. ABC Family and executive producer Jennifer Lopez didn’t stop there -- this TV family is multi-racial as well. So it’s pretty clear that this storyline is about love. 

As described in NPR’s article Foster Families Take Center Stage, The Fosters challenges stereotypes that teens in foster care can be more difficult than younger children.  TV can be a powerful messenger – and this time they are carrying our message.

2) Quick and Easy Data:  When practitioners in youth programs become policy advocates for youth they have to spend a lot of time they don’t have getting the view of the wider landscape beyond their program.  A new resource, which explains the programs serving foster youth in each state, is available. The resource provides a quick snapshot of what is going on in your state.  At the 50 State Chartbook on Foster Care, produced by Boston University, you can easily compare your state to other states on information such as type of placements, outcomes, and expenditures.  It’s such an easy tool, you can also use it for professional development with your staff so that they understanding the context in which they are working.

What other things are making your job easier? Let us know and we’ll highlight them on Connected by 25.