Monthly Archives: March 2011

NBC Nightly News Story on the Guardian Scholars Program at S.F. State

In May of 2010, Sokhom Mao – a former foster youth graduated from San Francisco State University. He now has successfully transitioned into the professional world and currently works at U.C. Berkeley. By Sokhom’s own account this most likely would not have been possible without the support of The Guardian Scholars Program. Countless other students are currently receiving the support they need to successfully graduate and thrive post-college. In this NBC Nightly News special on the Guardian Scholars Program we meet Sokhom and some of the other students currently enrolled.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, … Read more

Listen with your Eyes: A Zine & Exhibit by Foster Youth

Help Support the Arts in the Foster Care Community

Listen with your Eyes is Fostering Art’s first ever zine created by our advanced photography students. The zine features photography and poetry projects by former foster youth that express love, question gender, show faith, document lives and re-imagine the landscape.

Fostering Art is a year-long photography and creative writing program for current and former foster youth in the Bay Area. For over seven years, we’ve been teaching photographic and writing skills to a population that is often invisible, but not by choice. Using images and text, this program assists young artists … Read more

Child Welfare Trends in 2011; Town Hall March 30th, DC

On March 30th, the Child Welfare League of America will be holding a Town Hall on the emerging trends in the field of child welfare. Check the details below….

WHAT: A Town Hall discussion hosted by the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), focused emerging trends in child welfare practice and policy. Panelists will include Bryan Samuels, Secretary for the Administration for Children, Youth and Families; Keith Liederman, Executive director of Kingsley House, representing the private sector; Marva Hammons, Executive Vice President of Child and Family Services; Regina Calcaterra, representing the consumer; and Daniel Heimpel, Project Director … Read more

Media Coverage on Opening Juvenile Dependency Courts, CA

Everyday, thousands of children are shuffled through our state’s juvenile dependency courts. Despite the critical importance of these proceedings, they are not open to the public.

But that could change. Right now, landmark legislation that would make these cloaked proceedings “presumptively open” is working its way through the CA State Assembly. Journalists’ coverage of this development now could very well help make open courts a reality, and that is something all of those who want to cover the foster care system can benefit from. Here is a smattering of the coverage and opinions thus far:

 

Karen de Sa, … Read more

Alliance for Children’s Rights, Runs

Our friends at the Alliance for Children’s Rights in Los Angeles are going to run to raise money for the incredible work they do. In September, FMC spent time with the Alliance and the young people they represent. Their exemplary work is a perfect illustration of what having dedicated legal staff supporting foster children can do.

Please have a look at the Alliance release below.

-FMC

The Alliance for Children’s Rights runs the Honda LA Marathon & 5K

A race to the finish line to help out Los Angeles foster youth

Los Angeles, Calif. – March 17, 2011 – … Read more

Foster Care Press Briefing in DC Tomorrow

Tomorrow, the Children’s Advocacy Institute and First Star will hold a press briefing on identity theft and Social Security for foster youth at the nation’s capital. Details below…..

REPORT: The Fleecing of Foster Children

Advocates Document Confiscation of Foster Children’s Assets by State Governments

& Increase in Identity Theft

Federal Legislation Unveiled to Prohibit Abuse by States, Better Protect Identities

WHAT: The Children’s Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego Law School (CAI),             in conjunction with First Star, will release a report entitled, “The Fleecing of Foster        Children: How We Confiscate Their Assets and Undermine Their Financial … Read more

Opening Juvenile Dependency Courts

SACRAMENTO – On March 1st, the California State Assembly’s Judiciary Committee held a heated hearing over whether or not to open juvenile dependency courts to the public. The move would allow journalists and other members of the public into court rooms that have been closed since 1961 on grounds of protecting children.

FMC was there to capture the action and will be following developments on this closely. Here is a TV News piece reported by Ben Deci that aired on 2nd on Fox Affiliate KTXL.

-FMC

Fostering Media Connections (FMC) is a project of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption … Read more

Video – Opening Dependency Courts

On March 1st, the California State Assembly’s Judiciary Committee held a heated hearing over whether or not to open juvenile dependency courts to the public. The move would allow journalists and other members of the public into court rooms that have been closed since 1961 on grounds of protecting children. FMC was there to capture the action and will be following developments on this closely.

Fostering Media Connections (FMC) is a project of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. FMC harnesses the power of journalism and media to drive public and political will behind policy and practice that improve outcomes … Read more