More Information
As an adult or someone who is no longer in foster care, it is important to be able to identify oneself other than "foster child". Many are calling themselves Alumni of Foster Care. To learn more foster care related terminology, please read
Foster Care Related Terminology
Articles and Publications
Many youth in foster care experience feelings of confusion, loss, fear and stress. If these feelings are left untreated, they can lead to poor child development, as well as to poor health, and educational outcomes that ultimately affect the quality of adulthood. To learn more about this, please read
Foster care children: A vulnerable population at risk.
[Disclaimer:
This is an electronic version
of an article published in Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric
Nursing: complete citation information for the final version of the
paper, as published in the print edition of Journal of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, is available on the Blackwell Synergy
online delivery service, accessible via the journal's website at
http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/jcap or
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com.]
Studies show that there is a relationship between childhood experiences and adult health. One study, the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study explains that “traumatic childhood experiences” such as stress, neglect and abuse can lead to problems with, for example, relationships, emotions, and addictions. To learn more about this study, please visit www.acestudy.org or www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/ace/.
Understanding the experiences and perceptions of youth and alumni of foster care is critical and necessary when developing effective improvement plans for the child welfare system. The Northwest Foster Care Alumni Study is one of the few studies done that includes the perceptions and experiences of those in and from the foster care system. To learn more about it, please visit www.casey.org/Resources/Publications/NorthwestAlumniStudy.htm
In January and February of 2007, the Pacific Northwest Alumni of Foster Care (formally PNWAS) testified for Senate and House Bills represented by Delilah Bruskas. Three bills were passed that help improve the quality of life for youth making the difficult transition to adulthood. Senate Bill 5305 and House Bill 1201 extend Medicaid (medical insurance) fro age 18 to age 21. House Bill 1922 promises to offer housing assistance to youth transitioning out of foster care. To read Delilah Bruskas' testimony posted on Senator Rosa D. Franklin's website visit: http://sdc.leg.wa.gov/2007/releases/Franklin/fostercare.htm
