foster care

National Foster Care Week: what happens to kids that age out of foster care?

Kimberly Springer — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:26:00 +0000

We've already acknowledged the proliferation of different days and weeks, whether by official proclamation or organizational mandate, declared for raising awareness of various social issues. But let's talk about just one more: National Foster Care Month.

Guest blogger: Adoption and early childhood trauma

Shannon Mackie — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:05:00 +0000

At 30, my husband and I became adoptive parents to a 5-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy. We began the adoption process through the Michigan foster care system in 2008.

Are kids in the state's care safe? Court monitor says not safe enough.

Sarah Alvarez — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:36:01 +0000

Almost 14,000 kids in Michigan have been taken out of their own homes by the state because of an abuse or neglect allegation.

Those kids then rely upon the state's Department of Human Services (DHS) to keep them safe and put them in an environment where they have a chance to thrive. Most of those kids end up in foster care.

Six years ago the state was sued by the advocacy group Children's Rights over treatment of kids in its care.

The state was back in court today to see where things stand. Everyone agrees things have gotten better since the lawsuit started six years ago, but the court appointed monitor said too many kids are still unsafe.

One program ends, another one starts: is it progress for kids, or just random change?

Dustin Dwyer — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:28:33 +0000

In August, I reported on a pilot project in Michigan that reduced caseloads for Child Protective Services and helped families. Despite impressive results, the funding for that project ran out at the end of September.

When working hard doesn't necessarily get you ahead

Dustin Dwyer — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 05:00:00 +0000

I don’t know you. I don’t know what your life is like. But if there is an average you, that is, an average NPR listener, I can guess that odds are, you are not poor.

Is foster care in Michigan getting better?

Sarah Alvarez — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 09:45:24 +0000

Michigan’s foster care system is huge, the sixth biggest in the country. So many kids in the system were being abused, neglected or just forgotten about under the state’s care that a group called Children’s Rights sued the state to force it to change in 2006. Two years ago, the state entered into a court settlement and is now being monitored as it makes changes to its child welfare system.
Toni Williams grew up in foster care. She spent almost her whole life in the system, from the time she was a baby until a year ago when the state says she became too old for the system. Williams was 20. Under recent legislation some young people in Michigan can now receive transitional services until 21.
Williams just graduated from high school and is going to community college in the fall where she’s going to study to be a childcare provider and maybe work with the foster system.
“The reason why is because I know what it feels like, you know, to not have your family," says Williams. "You know what I’m saying? So it’s actually a good feeling to know that there’s someone out here who is willing to take a place for being a mother, or a father.”
Williams knows somebody needs to step up and be there for kids who need love, and guidance. The state for too long, was not stepping up.