CFK reports from: Capitol Hill
Event: Congressional Briefing on Mental Health Services and Former Foster Care Youth
Organized by: The Casey Family Programs, Harvard Medical School and New America Foundation
Where/When: Washington, D.C., April 6, 2005

On April 6, 2005 Harvard Medical School and Casey Family Programs held a Congressional briefing on mental health services and former foster care youth to release the Northwest Foster Care Alumni Study.

Concept 1 Academies provides independent living skills, workforce development skills training and computer/academic skills training in a residential setting to prepare older foster care teens for successful transition into independence. Preparing tomorrow's leaders, today!

YACD empower emancipated youth transition from foster care to adulthood. This is accomplished with self advocacy and mentoring.

TRAC is a one-stop center that offers access to affordable housing, liveable wage jobs and a safety net to young people, age 14-24, who are transitioning from subsitite care (CPS/JD) toward self-sufficiency.

What works to help youth aging out of foster care successfully transition to independent adulthood? In addition to improving supports and programs, communities can combine the available programs and funding streams to provide more comprehensive and seamless services for these youth. This issue brief offers an overview of the challenges and promising practices.

A White House Council for Youth would put on the national agenda policies and programs that keep youth on track and provide effective pathways for those who become disconnected from their schools and families. The National Collaboration for Youth has a new information center about the Federal Youth Coordination Act, which would establish such a Council, with background information, fact sheets and updates, as well as opportunities to sign on as a supporting organization and to contact Congress.

CFK reports from: "The Road from Foster Care to Adulthood: Experiences and Insights of Former Foster Care Youth" & "Solving America's Child Welfare Crisis: Former Foster Youth Speak Out"
Events: Informational briefing, panel discussion, dinner discussion
Organized by: Orphan Foundation of America, Freddie Mac Foundation, New America Foundation
Where/When: Washington, D.C., June 22 & 23, 2004
Report by: Diana Strumbos

Children in foster care face long educational odds: Only about 50 percent graduate from high school, only 11 percent of those high school graduates pursue post-secondary education and only 4 to 7 percent finish college or vocational school nationally.

Caps and gowns, tears and celebration - for graduating high school and college students, this is a special time of year. Among those walking across the stage to receive a diploma this spring are some who have special reasons to be proud. Janis Avery, executive director of Treehouse, a Seattle agency serving children in foster care, applauds them.

For many kids, the transition to adulthood is tumultuous. For others, it's downright dangerous - teens in the foster care and juvenile justice systems, teens with children, and those who don't finish high school. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual "Kids Count" data book looks how these kids are faring.

This week, Kate Mattos, the president of our board of directors, considers the power we each hold to make a difference for kids.