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Newly-released Report Shows How Florida Compares to Other States in Outcomes of Youth Transitioning from Foster Care

Statewide Advocacy Organization Florida's Children First and Youth Advocates from Florida Youth SHINE Ask Legislature for Bill of Rights for Kids in Foster Care

CORAL SPRINGS, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 13, 2018 / Today, the Annie E. Casey Foundation released Fostering Youth Transitions, a report with the most comprehensive data ever collected across all 50 states to help illustrate how young people ages 14 and older are faring as they transition from foster care to adulthood. This first-of-its-kind report examines how children from foster care in Florida are handling the transition out of care in comparison with the rest of the country.

"Florida is ahead of the curve, largely thanks to the state's legislature for its past work in crafting laws to assist foster youth transitioning to adulthood. However, when it comes to the care of our kids we want to strive for the best care, not the average," said Christina Spudeas, Executive Director of Florida's Children First (FCF), a statewide advocacy organization focused on protecting the legal rights of at-risk and foster care children. "In order to improve our standard of care, youth need to know about these laws and resources available to them. We are asking the legislature to consider a Bill of Rights for foster children."

FCF and Florida Youth SHINE, a statewide organization founded by FCF that empowers current and former foster youth to become advocates for all youth in care, have continuously worked to inform the public and legislators about the needs of the youth who are aging out. Youth advocates from Florida Youth SHINE have appeared in Tallahassee and across the state to share their personal stories of the struggles they faced while in care and as they exited foster care - all of which has helped lawmakers understand the need for reform.

Through these efforts, Florida has many great laws in place and has taken significant strides to support kids transitioning from foster care. However, the data on this report shows that Florida still has a long way to go to help these kids live better lives in this state, and to help them transition into a secure and responsible adulthood. According to the Fostering Youth Transitions report:

  • Far too many teens have multiple placements, going from home to home and school to school.
  • Too many youth are not living with families, but rather, are placed in group homes, which contributes to another bad outcome of leaving care without a supportive family.
  • Perhaps most alarming, Florida data shows that almost half of the youth leaving foster care do not receive the support made available to them by the legislature.

"We recognize that some of these issues are complex and difficult to tackle. However, there is one clear thing that can be done immediately - we can help children in care become better self-advocates by making sure they understand their rights and how they should be treated in care," Spudeas said.

A Bill of Rights for children in care in Florida would not only help these kids become more informed and better understand their rights, it would also give them the knowledge to become effective advocates for change. Throughout its history, Florida Youth SHINE has shown the power of youth advocacy. When they have an understanding, and learn to speak up for themselves, they are learning a skill that can carry them through their lives.

"Being able to advocate for myself makes me feel confident that I am improving the system for those that are coming behind me," said Anna Zhang, the Chair of Florida Youth SHINE. "It's important to teach other kids their rights so they don't become victims of the system and they can have better outcomes. Youth in care need to know that they are treated fairly and how to speak up when things are unjust."

Recently, Florida has extended foster care to age 21, recognizing that youth at age 18 are not ready to be out in the world alone. Florida has the most extensive support for children who are attending post-secondary education, with financial help as well as free tuition. And, Florida has created groundbreaking laws that formed the basis for federal legislation, requiring kids in foster care to be allowed to participate in normal, childhood activities upon caregiver approval.

All young people - regardless of race, ethnicity, or ZIP code - deserve the relationships, resources and opportunities needed to help ensure their well-being and success as they transition from foster care to adulthood. There is so much more to do to ensure that child welfare systems are doing all they can to place young people, no matter their age, with caring families, and to help them cultivate relationships with supportive adults. It is the hope of FCF and Florida Youth SHINE that advocates, policymakers and child welfare leaders will use this information to elevate the standard of care for the state's youth.

About Florida's Children First: Florida's Children First is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the rights of at-risk children and youth, especially those in foster care. Uniquely positioned as Florida's premiere independent advocacy organization, our mission is to seek full representation of children and youth and obtain meaningful and sustainable improvement in Florida's child serving systems.

Media Contact: Michelle Griffith, BoardroomPR, mgriffith@boardroompr.com, (407) 973-8555

SOURCE: Florida's Children First



View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/527950/Newly-released-Report-Shows-How-Florida-Compares-to-Other-States-in-Outcomes-of-Youth-Transitioning-from-Foster-Care

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