Recent news

Regardless of its manifestation, permanency must include supportive, life-long connections. Yet, large numbers of youth leave the child welfare system without the vital connections that are crucial to adult success. Today, in the wake of Thanksgiving and being surrounded by our loved ones, we are highlighting foster care alums who found their “forever families” – some with the support of the child welfare system and others on their own.

According to research, the critical brain development that occurs during teenage years must be supported by strong and stable connections with family, friends, and community. This means helping teenagers embrace and be part of families is essential to healthy development. It is a moral imperative if we are to meet our obligation to youth in the child welfare system. Unfortunately, each year as a country, we fail to meet this imperative.

November marks National Adoption Month – a month we must come and leave with a sense of urgency and purpose. Large numbers of youth in the child welfare system are waiting to be reunified with or find family. Children need families to heal and to grow. Every child deserves a family to have a fair shot at health, happiness, and success in life. When we do not provide youth what they need to grow and achieve their potential we not only fail them, but also put them at great risk.

As part of National Adoption Month, we’re kicking off a special blog series focused on older youth in foster care and the importance of family and permanency. Throughout November, we’ll highlight the need for family and permanency, investigate common barriers, uplift success stories, and share policies and reforms that support achieving permanency for older youth in foster care.