CASA of McLennan County’s Post

Did you know? The numbers are staggering, and it's time to raise awareness! In the United States, one in three children will experience interactions with the foster care system by adulthood. Shockingly, for Black children, it's one in two. These statistics highlight the urgent need for support and change in our communities. At Snohomish County CASA, we are committed to making a difference in the lives of these children. Our dedicated advocates work tirelessly to provide a voice for those who need it most. Let's come together, raise awareness, and be the change these statistics desperately need. Share this post, spread awareness, and let's build a future where every child has the love and stability they deserve. #FosterCareAwareness #Blackhistorymonth #BeTheChange #RaiseAwareness #MakeADifference #EveryChildMatters #SnohomishcountyCASA #CASA #Snohomishcounty

Community support can make a world of difference. Black dads, how has your community supported you and your child? Let’s share resources and build stronger connections. #AutisminBlack #CommunitySupport

Why should you care about kinship care? Studies have shown that children who receive kinship navigator services are significantly more likely to achieve permanent legal custodianship than those who don't.   But even the ones that don’t reunify end up with more racially equitable outcomes! Kinship care can help children maintain familial and community bonds, increase placement stability and maintain a sense of identity, culture and belonging during times of crisis.   #KinshipCare #KinshipCareMonth

We are thrilled to partner with SFF to advance the human, social, health and economic rights of widows in Kenya. Access and ownership of property, especially land, is one of the most violated economic rights of widows. As we start 2024, Nyanam widows will be - critically analyzing their experiences with land since widowhood - increasing their awareness on their land rights and process for land ownership - designing and implementing social action projects to improve their land ownership At societal level, much needs to change to advance women’s land rights. The practice that women have no voice on land matters should stop The practice that land is registered only in the names of male family members should stop The practice of denying childless widows land should stop

I watched a Lemn Sissay talk recently where he asked a room of people: ‘How many of you are adopted? How many were fostered?’ One or two hands went up. Then he asked: ‘How many of you know someone who’s adopted? Or who fosters? Or who’s just taking care of someone in their family who’s not their birth child?’ Only one or two hands stayed down. Off the top of my own head I know one person who’s adopted, three families who have adopted, four families who foster, and now I’ve started talking about it there’s my mum’s friend whose niece is living with her just now, and my pal Su’s friend who’s taken on her grandkids, and my one of closest friends who was considering how she would juggle her teaching career with looking after a baby and a toddler as well as her own boys when her wider family’s situation got a little complicated. Fostering and adoption is everywhere! Kinship carers are everywhere too. So why are they still not properly supported financially and emotionally? It costs an estimated £200k to raise a child today. Where does that money come from when kinship carers are having to give up work and battle to be recognised in the eyes of the law? If you know someone who is a kinship carer get them to fill in Family Rights Group’s survey. 15 minutes of their time means that campaigns can be backed up with stats and stories that could redefine the future for them and the children they care for. #KinshipCarer #FamilyRights https://lnkd.in/ey-uVe-U

Have you ‘stepped into the breach’ to provide a home to children in your family? Did you get any financial, practical or emotional support when you offered to help to look after the children - to take on school runs and sandwiches and lack of sleep? To navigate a complex legal system? We know there are thousands of relatives and friends stepping up for children in times of need. You shouldn’t have to do this alone. Support services like our free advice line are available. But there are policies we need national and local government to change and introduce too. We at Family Rights Group want to know what you need and there are just two days left to contribute your experiences to our Kinship Carers Survey. For those who wear the mantle of kinship care – numbers, stories and your insights will help us to support you by pressing government for this recognition. Help us build a better system that values and supports kinship families. Take our survey or share with families in your networks https://lnkd.in/etqMjvct #Children #KinshipCare #Policy #Campaign #Advocacy #Families

How to prevent Black kids from becoming stuck in foster care On average, Black children spend longer in foster care than white children. Black youth are also more likely than white youth to age out of foster care without a family. Despite caring social workers and extended families trying their best to help, these youth often grow up in a system that cannot meet their needs. And their needs are considerable: Kids from low-income neighborhoods, especially Black kids, experience higher levels of trauma and the effects of systemic racism. A systemic response can address that. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e38cxfKA #childwelfare #yatom #fostercare #helpchildren #Juneteenth

As Kidsave celebrates Black History Month, we are also reminded that equity still requires our advocacy. All Americans deserve equal access to opportunity, and the disproportionate number of Black youth in foster care are no exception.   Our EMBRACE Project study of Americans’ perceptions of the foster care system, in collaboration with Gallup, revealed that only 35% of American adults agree that the foster care system supports children in need of care equally, regardless of their racial or ethnic background.  By educating Americans of the child welfare system and providing cultural competency training for adults interested in fostering, mentoring and adopting, we can begin to address the systemic inequalities of the child welfare system that create extreme barriers for Black foster youth and the families interested in providing foster care. Visit embrace.kidsave.org to learn more about what Kidsave is doing to cultivate more meaningful, long-lasting connections for foster youth and families, and how you can get involved!  #BlackHistoryMonth #Kidsave #EMBRACE #FosterCare #Adoption 

Preventing removals is always the main focus, however when that cannot happen and children are sheltered, then Reunification becomes the main focus! #supportparentsinreunification #alwaysreunification #camelotcommunitycareseminolecounty #enhanceprotectivefactors #familiesfirst

We celebrate parents! Does that surprise you? Reunification is the most common, and, most desired permanency goal for children in foster care. Keeping families together is better for the children, whenever safely possible. It is the first and best option. Learn more about our focus on families at https://lnkd.in/euQDdEau