More should and could be done for foster children
Re: “Alone in the world,” May 13 package of stories.
I’m writing in response to your series about foster care. My husband and I have been licensed foster parents in Colorado for four years. Our license will soon expire. We adopted our former foster son at age 19 and won’t continue to be part of a system that dehumanizes young people (referring to them as “placements”) and fails them in many ways.
The federal Strengthening Families Act was signed into law in 2014, introducing important new provisions for older youth to help them achieve the documented advantages of a permanent family. It requires the system to pursue “intensive” and “ongoing” efforts to achieve permanency. In our experience, these requirements are virtually ignored.
More youth advocates should be aware that adult adoption of young people over age 18 is legal in Colorado; it’s different in several ways from child adoption. It’s never too late to give a young person a family. Amy Van Vranken, Denver
Almost one child a day walks out the foster care door to ... ? Imagine watching your 17- to 21-year-old step into the world with no lifeline, no safety net. Just their wits. We don’t own our children. We owe our children. And we owe them much more than they’re getting right now. Volunteer. Contribute to nonprofits. David Stevenson, Denver
The article on Colorado foster kids “aging out” of the system was great. However, (reporter Jennifer) Brown did not give readers any idea how the general public could help these young adults.
The Colorado Department of Human Services has a program through The Adoption Exchange called CHOICE. This program is for volunteer mentors (not foster parents) to give these young adults friendship, support and guidance as they prepare for life on their own. My spouse and I are empty-nesters and we have found this volunteer opportunity extremely helpful and gratifying. We hope this program becomes more popular to volunteers so stories like Sarah’s become less mainstream for foster kids not yet knowing how to “fly.” Kristen Saito, Erie
Re: “Kelly claims immigrants wouldn’t integrate well,” May 12 news story and “Alone in the world,” May 13 package of stories.
The story on White House Chief of Staff John Kelly quotes an interview of Kelly on NPR’S “Morning Edition.” In that interview, Kelly referred to the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy of separating undocumented children from parents, adding children “do well” in foster homes.
In “Alone in the world,” a young woman who spent six years in foster homes was profiled. During this time, she attended eight middle and high schools. Foster care children “age out” of the system at 17, without a family, support or a home. “Emancipation” or “aging out” is typical of the Child and Family Services, from a review of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The story points out “there is no lifeline to adulthood, after years as wards of the state.” Child welfare caseworkers are required to create an independent living plan. The remaining parts of this series will hopefully come up with some answers. Our system should try to not separate families.
I wonder if John Kelly ever read Emma Lazarus’ poem at the base of the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor.” I bet he skipped English class that day, prior to becoming an expert on foster care. Essie Perlmutter, Denver
EDITOR’S NOTE: The second installment of the four-part series “Alone in the World” is in the A section of today’s paper and includes information on where to donate and how to help the children in need.