Aging Out Can No Longer be at 18

I have not been very good about writing lately. (S) has not been sleeping at all and as a result, neither are we. It makes for little ambition during the course of the day.

We have seen some improvements, but they are very slow. Almost at a snail's pace. On the bright side, she is still a cheery and wonderful child to have around the house and she does make us laugh at least once or twice every day.

I came across this editorial from a Pennsylvania newspaper this weekend. It is right on and in support of additional assistance for children "aging out" of the foster care system. I have mentioned this problem several times ehre and while there are many states that have some kind of a program in place, they are not always comprehensive and there are still many states that have nothing for these children that reach age 18.

There is one line in this editorial by Jeanette Krebs that really sums it up best:

"It is a sad commentary that kids who have been abused or neglected by no fault of their own wind up with little or no support when they become young adults."

You can check out the entire editorial here:

http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2009/04/tough_future_for_teens_aging_o.html

Eda LaShan, author and psychologist is quoted as saying:

"Becoming responsible adults is no longer a matter of whether children hang up there pajamas or put dirty towels in the hamper, but whether they care about themselves and others"

How can we expect them to care about themselves or others if we toss them out at 18 and just say "Good Luck"?

Too Old for Foster Care, and Facing the Recession

That is the headline from an article in the New York Times......the link is below

Think about it.......Just turning 19 and no longer able to stay in foster care and facing today's economic times. I can't imagine being in that situation. It has got to be difficult enough during good times. Every time I think about how many times I called my parents for help after I moved out of the house, I can't imagine what it would have been like if I had no one to call. When I think about how often my children call me for advice, assistance, or a few dollars, I can't imagine what it would be like for them without family around to help. I just hope that (S) and all of her brothers are able to get adopted after parental rights are terminated. I worry more about the older boys then I do about (S) because we are aware of a few people that have already shown an interest in adopting her. When you look at that face on the last post, you can't help but know she will be ok. But all of her brothers is another question. As a society, we have to do a better job with our children.


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/nyregion/08foster.html

Deleware Senate Bill 108

There is a bill in the senate in Deleware that has been sitting around for a couple of years and going nowhere.....unfortunately. This bill is designed to help the kids who age out of the foster care system. Right now in most states at the age of 18 and after high school graduation, you are no longer eligible for the foster care system. Last year 102 children in Deleware alone aged out of the foster care sytem. Nationally the number is far more staggering.

According to an article in by Jennifer Price of the news journal and available at delewareonline.com, 10 percent of the youth that aged out of the Deleware system just last year were in prison and 7 percent were homeless.

This has to be unacceptable to us as a society. The most appaling thing about all this is that the reason Senate Bill 108 hasn't been going anywhere is because of the cost. The highest estimate is 2.1 million dollars. How much do these people think the prisoners are costing them?

There has to be some way to help the foster children that age out of the system. Do you remember what it was like when you went out on your own for the first time? Now imagine doing that without a family to call upon for support when your car breaks down, or you get laid off, or you just need a couple of bucks to pay the electric bill. Maybe your car was about to be repossesed and it would have been if it wasn't for that rich uncle who would always take care of you.

These children don't have that kind of support in most cases. If you live in Deleware call your state representative and urge passage of this law. If you live in one of the other states where there are a lot of children aging out of the system at age 18 without any support, it is time we all get to work trying to get some special assistance for these kids........

Now a quick update on (S). I spoke with mom tonight. Dad is in jail for a probation violation. Mom is home alone and is heartsick and doesn't know why she can't see her little girl or her sons. She says that there will be a court hearing and she is hopeful that everything is worked out quickly. More about this tomorrow. American Idol is on and I am hooked.