Monday, June 30, 2014

Foster Kids: Saved from Prison and Homelessness




There are so many stories about terrible things that are happening to foster kids that you may wonder why even bother. Sometimes you may think, "Nothing will change. There will always be foster children who are abused and after they age out, need lots of support, mentally, emotionally and economically."


I agree with you, but a man much wiser than I could ever be said that there will always be the poor, needy and sick, but that those of us who are stronger have a moral obligation to help these people. So today is about giving hope and letting you see that good things do happen for foster youth while giving a few reasons why you should care.


When it comes to foster kids, counties are generally in charge of the foster care. Sometimes a county will contract with a non-profit that will take over part of the process, often including the work to find family members of a foster child. One such organization, Casa Pacifica in Ventura County, CA, came to us recently because they had a foster teen who had been a ward of the state.

Now I don't know the specifics (and because I'm talking about a child, there are some facts that I can't share), but I'm pretty sure that in this particular case, the foster teen had been in the system for a long time.


The challenge was that the only known family members who could be part of this teen's life were known to be living in Mexico. U.S. agencies are pretty adept at finding people living up here with up to an 85% success rate. However, sometimes there are no other family members or if there are, no one knows about them.


This means that a foster youth can spend much more than the average 2.7 years in foster care. Why should we as taxpayers care? There are many reasons (we'll overlook the negative impact on children such as prison or homelessness for now):



  • One foster child can cost between $35,000 and $60,000 per year they are in foster care.
  • The federal government paid out $4.2 billion in taxpayer dollars in 2012 to support the foster parents of these children.
  • 23,000 foster children aged out in 2013, and research shows that each one of those children will need up to $300,000 in social services over their lifetime.

In this case, Casa Pacifica knew that there was at least one adult relative still living in Mexico so they came to us at Find Families In Mexico. Sometimes when you hear about foster children, you may think that it will take months or more than a year before anything positive happens.

That's not the way we roll. In about 15 days, we had contact information on several possible relatives. One of those contacts was the home of this foster teen's great-grandmother. In short order, the staff was able to speak with the teen’s maternal grandmother and a great-uncle.

Now you may be one of many who when you hear "Mexico" and "foster kids" in the same sentence, immediately start thinking "undocumented" or "it's really a Mexico issue." The truth is that more and more, because the foster kids we help are second and third generation Americans (i.e. they are not undocumented, and they didn't just cross the border last week), these kids have family living in the U.S. In this case, the Mexican relatives shared that there are two aunts living in the U.S.


This foster teen is now connected to family members in both the U.S. and Mexico, and we understand that at least one relative has offered to give this teen a permanent home.

This is important because studies show that children who end up with a family member have fewer behavioral problems, a greater graduation rate and better employment rate than foster youth who either age out or end up with a non-relative placement.


Casa Pacifica was very pleased with the results of our finding this foster teen's family members. This teen goes from being a ward of the state and having a government agency raising him to having cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. We should care because it's the best outcome for this teen and a great outcome for us taxpayers. It's truly a win-win for everyone, and one less foster youth left to age out.

There's nothing like a story with a happy ending to finish out the week.

Do it for the children,

Richard Villasana
  Richard

Richard Villasana
Find Families In Mexico
760-690-3995

PS. Want to help a foster child? Get information about our upcoming crowdfunding campaign to raise money for new foster children cases.




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Friday, June 27, 2014

Foster Kids: Sex Trafficking Victims Revisited


Yesterday we wrote about the connection between foster children in general and those who run away and sex trafficking victims. Some wrote to express shock over the statistics while others felt that immediate action should be taken to resolve this crisis. 

"I'm glad you're sharing about this important topic. Nobody likes to admit this is happening, but we need to recognize that it is."
Judy Graybill

As Judy wrote, it is important to talk about sex trafficking since several studies and reports from law enforcement highlight that a high percentage of child and teenage sex trafficking victims are or were foster children. At the same time, our Facebook and blog post also generated some strong reactions because of the image we used. Some felt that having an image of a girl* in a provocative outfit was exploitive. We subsequently changed the image, but we wonder whether that was a mistake.

Perhaps the issue for those who were repulsed by the image was that they simply don't like knowing and seeing evidence that in the U.S. thousands of foster child end up being sold into prostitution. Maybe in trying to be sensitive or "PC," we actually became part of the problem - downplaying the severity of a crisis that is permanently maiming thousands of foster youth each year.


If you saw the image, did you feel it was exploitive? If so, how would you showcase this child abuse?

Did you feel that the image was offensive? Some wrote that they were not offended, but at the same time, they were also uncomfortable sharing the post with others for fear that people might just see the image and overlook the message.

Do you think we should have removed the image?


It may be easy for people to criticize a photo, but the harsh truth is that in the largest economy in the world, thousands of foster kids are being prostituted out while their foster parents continue to collect a monthly stipend and foster care agencies overlook those instances of runaway foster youth and fail to report them to the police.

How obscene does the situation have to get before action is taken to help these very vulnerable children!



"It doesn't matter how they are dressed or what they look like, they are still children and should be protected." Rick Allen, Packaging Specialists Inc. SW

Until yesterday, did you know sex trafficking was such a huge crisis? It also happens to be a $32 billion industry internationally and only second to the illegal drug industry.

Did you know that the average starting age for prostitution is now 13 years old according to Rachel Lloyd, executive director of Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (gems) in Harlem, New York?

Did you know how strong the connection is between foster teens and sex trafficking victims? The FBI just close a national case called Operation Cross Country, the bureau's eight such operation, where they arrested 281 pimps and saved 170 children, many who were foster children and most who were never reported missing by "parents, guardians and the entire child welfare system designed to protect them."




Again many commented that they would like a way to help these foster kids today rather than waiting for politicians and government agencies to put in solutions that may minimize instances of foster teens ending up as sex trafficking victims. In many cases, those foster kids who run away do so from a group home or shelter or from an abusive foster family environment.

One proven solution is to support efforts to reconnect children in foster care with their family members.


Studies show these children are generally happier and healthier plus as they grow older, they will have that family support that is so desperately missing for most children who end up as sex trafficking victims.
 
Foster youth need our support. As a society we have an obligation to protect these children. To do anything less, which includes avoiding sensitive and uncomfortable topics such as foster kids as sex trafficking victims, is to turn our backs on these children. As Edmund Burke wrote, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and women] to do nothing." We can certainly do more than nothing.

Do it for the children,

Richard Villasana
  Richard

Richard Villasana
Find Families In Mexico
760-690-3995

PS. Share your thoughts and ideas below and share this post with others.



*Note: If you felt offended by the original photo, the image we used is of a professional model and not an actual sex trafficking victim.
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Thursday, June 26, 2014

Foster Youth: Sex Trafficking Targets


Foster children are targeted by sex traffickers because of their need for love, affirmation, and protection. If this reality turns your stomach, it's gets much worse:
  • Connecticut: 98% of children who are identified as survivors of sex trafficking had previous involvement with child welfare services, and many were legally in the care and custody of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families while they were being prostituted by traffickers.
  • New York: At least 85% of all CSEC (Commercially Sexually Exploited Children) had been foster children.
  • California: 50% of children sold in California are foster children.
  • Florida: FBI Agent and leader of the Tampa Area Crimes Against Children task force Gregory Christopher said, "A lot of these kids are foster kids, runaway kids… I’d say about 70 percent or so are foster kids."
  • Nationwide: In 2013, 60 percent of the child sex trafficking victims recovered as part of a FBI nationwide raid from over 70 cities were foster children.
Then there is the case of Withelma “T” Ortiz Walker Pettigrew, now a college student, who testified at a congressional hearing this week about being a sex trafficking survivor. She told how she was a foster child until age 18 while from the age of 11 she spent the next seven years as a victim of sex trafficking.

Ortiz Walker Pettigrew
During the same hearing, Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash. reported that, "Research shows that most victims of child sex trafficking come straight from the foster care system."

So how do foster youth end up in the sex trade? Many run away from their foster home or group home. Some are escaping abuse by a foster parent or even a child of the foster parent. Sometimes, the biological children of foster parents are jealous or angry and take that resentment out on the foster child.

Other times, foster youth may feel completely unloved and unwanted. Ortiz Walker Pettigrew shared that she was told, "You’re not my child, I don’t care what’s going on with you, as long as you’re not dead, I’ll continue to get my paycheck.” Is it any wonder that a child would want to leave and be susceptible to the promise of love, stability and affection that sex traffickers offer!

What may be equally disturbing is that in 2012 the federal government paid out $4.2 billion (taxpayer dollars) to state agencies for the care of foster kids by foster parents. That same year, "state governments admitted they could not locate 4,973 foster children. Almost unbelievably, this is one of the numbers ("Status=Runaway") that states provide to secure federal funding."

There are "strict" procedures in place for when foster kids run away for most, if not all, Departments of Health Services, the agency in each state that oversees the foster care system. However, one story out of Oklahoma highlights a serious breakdown in procedures where staff at a foster care shelter admitted that if a foster kid walked out, "the shelter staff will not follow the child nor will the police be called."

Fortunately, sex trafficking and its connection with foster children has been highlighted. Lawmakers, such as Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash, are moving to put in new laws, the least of which would require agencies to report on all foster youth who run away.

However, these are actions that will take time to implement and even then without better oversight, foster care agencies can under-report the numbers while still securing federal dollars.

If you feel moved to help these children now, there are two actions you can take. Donate so that more family members of foster kids can be found leading to these children moving out of foster care and into a permanent home with loving, caring relatives. Then ask your family, friends and associates to do the same.

Maybe the government will take appropriate action or maybe in six months, you'll read about another foster child scandal. Or if you want do more than say, "What a shame," then do something today so that no matter what else happens this week, you'll know you helped ensure that one less child will end up as a sex trafficking victim.

Regards,

Richard Villasana
  Richard

Richard Villasana
Find Families In Mexico
760-690-3995

PS. Like and follow us on Facebook for more information about foster teens.
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Friday, June 20, 2014

Helping a Foster Child Is Easier Than You Think


Last week we asked people what they would be willing to do to help foster children. Janice Miller wrote back that we could "encourage people to reach out and give a child a home." We know of several caring couples such as Helene and Ted Illston who have taken in many foster kids over the years.

Yet not everyone is ready or able to make that kind of commitment while others may feel like Star Devi, who commented, "If I was younger I would consider it." So let's talk about other important, yet indirect ways you could help a foster child.

NOTE: Our organization specializes in working with U.S. foster children. County agencies around the country bring us those cases where a child is now in foster care and no relatives in the U.S. can be found. With these cases, it's known that at least one relative is still living in Mexico. Often when we have located these family members, we discover that there are more relatives in the U.S. that the agencies simply couldn't find. This all allows the Court and Social Services to start the process to move the child out of foster care to be with a relative or to be adopted. No matter the outcome, these children will at the least have a family connection to support them. [end]

All skills are needed by an organization.
  • Love to write? You can write blog posts or articles or write comments about blog posts about foster youth.
  • Are you a great accountability coach? We all know the value of staying on target with projects and the leadership in an organization need help staying focused.
  • Are you a PR guru? Being noticed is key for an organization to attract people with the ability to fund part of the work.
  • Are you an idea person? Let your creativity out and share new ideas on ways to better attract supporters.
  • Can you sell dirt to a farmer? Every organization needs people who can contact others for support and donations to continue to help foster youth.
Of course, there are many other ways your time can benefit an organization.

Now let's look at some ways that bring in much needed donations because there are simply some organizational costs that can only be met with money. Here are some easy ways you can help foster children:
  • Host a party and have guests give a donation. My friend, Sheri Long of Amigos At Work, did just that for her birthday. Instead of receiving gifts, she asked her friends to donate to help foster children.
  • Ask your company to support foster care efforts. Many companies will give to an organization either because it is in line with the value or mission of the company or because it's important to a valued employee. Again, an organization can give a letter so the company can get a tax deduction for their donation.
  • Give a presentation and ask attendees to donate. Many companies put on presentations and are open to letting their audience know they are supporting foster children. It can help differentiate a company from the competition.
  • Tell your friends and associates. Encourage them to donate.
Now some people get nervous when the idea of helping foster kids moves towards donations so here are some ideas to think about. If 1,000 people give $5 each month (we're talking the price of one Big Mac), that would raise $60,000 for the year. That would allow for at least 120 foster children to be reconnected with their family members and to move out of foster care. At the very least, these children would have a very important family connection to support them once these kids age out of foster care.


Keep in mind that just one child who ages out of foster care is estimated to need up to $300,000 in social services over their lifetime. If just one foster child is saved, it would make a world of difference to them and certainly help taxpayers.

Some people may feel that it's all give and no receive. Not true at all. Ever made a donation to Goodwill or you local library? Whenever you do, you get a receipt to fill out to get a tax benefit for your donation. You can give some of your time, get direct benefit (you can receive a letter to get your own tax deduction) AND this in no way takes away from the resources to help foster children. That's a win-win for everyone.

Didn't see an idea that fit you? Think you have another or better idea? Then you are exactly the person to help. It's so easy to get into a rut with ideas, and your background and special skills may be just what an organization needs to come up with new and creative ways to run the organization and raise donations and awareness.

You don't have to go far or make a major commitment to make a positive impact on the lives of foster youth. All they need are people who are willing to add their voices and give a little time and effort. The rewards you will get may not be so obvious, but believe me, you will be feeding your heart and soul. There are few things you could do that could be so worthwhile especially to these children.

Regards,

Richard Villasana
  Richard

Richard Villasana
Find Families In Mexico
760-690-3995


PS. What to help right now? Leave your comment below. Do it for the children.
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Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Foster Child Advocate Fights for Reform

Katherine Reddick, Assistant Principal at Ross Elementary School in Odessa, Texas, understands the pains of  foster care and the crippling effect it has on foster children. Her brother was beaten to death while in foster care. Katherine survived years of suffering bouncing back and forth between her abusive mother and the foster care system.

Of the negative impact on a foster child's life, Reddick comments,
When you have been in the system, it's like you have been in prison, you have no idea how to interact socially and function once you are out on your own. It's like taking your child and dropping (the child) into Japan. It [foster care] is a foreign culture where you don't speak the language.”
Reddick is one of the lucky ones. She beat the odds where less than 2% of all foster kids ever get a four-year degree and went on to get her doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology.

Now Reddick is working to organize various groups to find a better way of working with foster kids. One of those ways is to locate family members of foster children as soon as possible so that these children can move out of foster care and into a permanent home.

Foster children suffer during their stay in foster care and potentially for the rest of their lives once they age out. At least now they have one more advocate fighting to give them a chance at a better life. We hope Reddick scores a knock out.

Regards,

Richard Villasana
  Richard

Richard Villasana
Find Families In Mexico
760-690-3995


PS. Like and follow us on Facebook for more information about foster teens.
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Thursday, June 5, 2014

Foster Children Enjoying New Life with Family


It's Friday and the first weekend of June. Many families will be heading for the parks and beaches while others go to see the latest Hollywood blockbuster or simply spend time relaxing at home. And three foster kids, all sisters, will spend this weekend with caring relatives who were found because of our expertise.

Finding relatives is one of the most important events that can happen for a foster child. Several studies reveal that foster children who are placed with a family member who generally better off physically, emotionally and mentally compared to those children who are placed with non-relatives. However, no matter where a foster youth is placed, everyone agrees that any placement is a better option because foster care is no place for a child to grow up.
 
As you go about your weekend, if you happen to notice happy children with their families (maybe your own), give a thought to the thousands of foster kids who still don't have a parent or relative to take them out. Fortunately for these three sisters, their lives have been changed forever because they are now in a loving, permanent home.

Regards,

Richard Villasana
  Richard

Richard Villasana
Find Families In Mexico
760-690-3995


PS. Like and follow us on Facebook for more information about foster teens.
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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Foster Children's Relatives Still Shorted by California

Recently in our blog "California Foster Children Costly for Relatives", we talked about the disparity in the amount that family members or "relatives placement" get paid for caring for a foster kid versus that of non-relatives or "foster placement." California just had a budget debate to determine what to do with a $4.7 billion windfall.

Many foster youth organizations submitted proposals including increasing the amount that relative placement are paid. Unfortunately, this proposal along with others was not taken up.

Once again, no proposals were submitted by county agencies to increase funding for efforts to locate foster children's relatives still living in Mexico despite research by the California Permanency for Youth Project that showed significant saving by placing foster kids in a home.

The report concluded that: 
"Over $200,000 a month could be saved if only 37 youth were placed, resulting in millions in annual savings. The calculations provide solid cost justification for permanency programs, aside from the immeasurable benefits that come from providing youth with homes.”
So for now, caring family members such as Cecilia Escamilla-Greenwald, who took in two related foster youth, will have to continue to care for these kids with their $351 monthly allowance. Additionally, thousands of foster teens are at risk of aging out with no family support because a few hundred dollars were not invested to locate family members.

Maybe it's time California got a new accountant because somehow the numbers just don't add up, and foster children are left suffering.

Regards,

Richard Villasana
  Richard

Richard Villasana
Find Families In Mexico
760-690-3995


PS. Like and follow us on Facebook for more information about foster teens.
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