Vol. XII, Issue VII
>>2011 Foster Youth & Alumni Leadership Summit
>>Foster Care to 21 by Brandy Baxley, Region 1 South (Yakima)
>>Protecting Youth from Mental Abuse by Sam Martin, Region 2 South (Seattle)
>>Advocacy for Teen Parents in Foster Care by Rosalee Warren and Joseph Ollom, Region 3 South (Olympia)
>>Sibling Connections by Janell Braxton, Region 2 North (Everett)
>>Timely Responses from Social Workers by Kristina Thomason, Region 1 North (Spokane)
>>Overnight Stays by Kaitlin Williamson, Region 3 North (Tacoma)
>>Letter From the Editor by Jim Theofelis
>>The 6th Annual Foster Youth & Alumni Leadership Summit by Diamonique Walker
>>The Washington State Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care Leadership Summit
by David Buck
>>Treat Me with Equality by Stevie Atkins
>>Summit Survey Results
>>Creative Corner
>>Fight for Our Future by Ryan Cummings
>>Community Events
>>Quote of the Month
2011 Foster Youth & Alumni Leadership Summit
The 6th Annual Foster Youth & Alumni Leadership Summit was held June 27-29th at Seattle University. Sixty-four youth leaders from across the state came together for three days of individual development, empowerment and fun. The Summit culminated with the youth presentation to the Washington State Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care. Mockingbird Youth Network leaders representing every region of our state presented their proposals to the Commission. Their powerful ideas for reform are highlighted below.
Foster Care to 21 by Brandy Baxley, Region 1 – South (Yakima)
Our proposal for the Commission this year was to extend foster care as an option to all youth to age 21. At first our region wasn’t too sure about what to say to create change. But, after going through the system reform workshop, and getting feedback from the advisors, we felt much more confident in our content, which helped us successfully present our topic.
We proposed “Foster Care to 21″ so that all youth aging-out will have a better chance at having a successful life. Correen spoke about her positive experience in the Foster Care to 21 program and Stevie pointed out that 22 percent of youth in care experience homelessness. She also said that Washington could qualify for a 50 percent federal match for every dollar that the state spends if this policy were adopted. In 2011 our state opted-in to this federal match for youth earning their high school diploma or GED through HB 1128. But, we would like our state to take full advantage of this match by extending foster care to 21 for all youth.
The commission was very supportive of our proposal, and while finding adequate funding remains a challenge, many members expressed their continued support for its implementation.
Protecting Youth from Mental Abuse by Sam Martin, Region 2 South (Seattle)
We presented the topic of mental abuse to the Commission. Under Washington State law (RCW 74.34.020) mental abuse includes, but is not limited to, coercion, harassment, inappropriately isolating a vulnerable adult from family, friends, or regular activity, and verbal assault that includes ridiculing, intimidating, yelling, or swearing.
Currently this statute appears only to address adults who are being mentally abused. We found no statutes or policies pertaining to youth, leaving those exposed to mental abuse without adequate support to address its detrimental effect. As young people who have survived the foster care system, and who know what many of us have suffered, we felt the reality and the weight of this heavy topic. And, we believe it is up to the guardians of youth in care to ensure that children and youth are in a nurturing home that allows for growth and development.
Our solutions asked for a system-wide recognition of mental abuse and its effect on children and youth, including:
- The courts — to ensure that they fully understand mental abuse and consider it in child dependency hearings
- Social workers — so they can be properly trained to recognize mental abuse, and
- Mental health providers and institutions — to better evaluate and help provide treatment to affected youth.
Too many young people end up in not only a physically unsafe home, but also a mentally unsafe home. In my own experience, I can tell you that the effects of mental abuse are everlasting. We want young people to be built up, not torn down before they even have a chance in life.
Advocacy for Teen Parents in Foster Care by Rosalee Warren and Joseph Ollom, Region 3 South (Olympia)
As Olympia chapter members we were super excited to be able to present our topic regarding pregnant and parenting foster youth to the Washington State Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care. This is an important issue because it affects a significant number of youth in care, and is an issue of respecting rights and supporting healthy families. According to a 2007 study conducted by the University of Chicago’s Chapin Hall, 48 percent of teenage girls in care experience pregnancy by the age of 19, and are over twice as likely to have a child while in care as their peers from intact families. We spoke to six parents who are or were pregnant or parenting while in foster care and they all said that they were not given adequate resources to make informed decisions. In addition, proper support was not provided in order to reach their full potential. We propose making a taskforce composed of pregnant and parenting youth and alumni of foster care and relevant stakeholders to create a plan for improving outcomes for pregnant and parenting youth in care, and to reduce pregnancies among foster youth.
The 2011 Foster Youth and Alumni Leadership Summit was an awesome experience. Chapter member Joe Ollom said the biggest thing he took from the Summit was: “Hearing how powerful personal stories can affect powerful leaders and others to make powerful change.” Members of the Commission said that they have already made plans to create a workgroup to address our Summit topic, which we are very excited about! We want to give a special “Thank You” to everyone that helped make the Summit possible.
Sibling Connections by Janell Braxton, Region 2 North (Everett)
H.E.Y.M.A.C. (Hearing Every Youth Make a Change) focused its presentation on the importance of maintaining sibling connections. Siblings are not always allowed to be placed together in a foster home or even in close proximity to one another. Children’s Administration is responsible for making reasonable efforts to keep siblings connected. The Child Welfare Information Gateway states “sibling relationships are emotionally powerful and critically important not only in childhood but over the course of a lifetime. Siblings form a child’s first peer group, and children learn social skills, particularly in managing conflict, from negotiating with brothers and sisters. Sibling relationships can provide a significant source of continuity throughout a child’s lifetime and are likely to be the longest relationships that most people experience.”
What we proposed is that Children’s Administration put more emphasis on keeping siblings connected when placing them together is not possible. Whether it’s a phone call or monthly visitations, some form of healthy sibling connection is critical for all children as they grow up, but especially for children entering foster care. Our group asked the Commission to really consider the importance of sibling bonds. We asked, “Why would you want to strip children in foster care from what is often their only remaining family connection? We recommended placing siblings in the same homes, or at least the same schools whenever possible. When children are placed separately, the connection can be maintained by facilitating monthly or weekly phone calls, creating connections via Facebook, e-mails, mail or just visitations. We recommended this because we feel that it is a necessary demand to keep that sacred bond between siblings when growing up and learning about relationships. And, stronger sibling connections would make living in the foster care system a little easier to live through.
Timely Responses from Social Workers by Kristina Thomason, Region 1 North (Spokane)
Submitting Letters
All incoming Letters to the Editor should be addressed to the Mockingbird Times and will be opened by editorial staff. All incoming correspondence to youth under 18 years of age will be opened first by Mockingbird Times Editorial Staff.
At the Summit, our proposal called for improving the response time between social workers and youth in care. The Children’s Administration policy is to respond to inquiries from youth in care within 24 hours. We surveyed 25 youth who attended the training. All reported that getting a timely response back from their social worker has been, and continues to be, an issue. Youth said they have missed out on multiple opportunities for both normal youth activities, as well as important events. We also heard from several youth who said they had not received any kind of response back at all from their social worker.
As a chapter, we felt this was unacceptable. The typical response time from our Region 1 North youth ranged anywhere from one week to three months to none at all. We chose this topic because we feel it is important not only because we should be getting responses back, but also because we want a functional relationship with our social workers.
We came together and researched our topic and it was great to see all of our different personalities come together to make an amazing presentation! I’m so proud of my chapter; without the help, commitment, flexibility, and willingness of our members we would not have had such a great presentation! The Summit was an unforgettable experience for all of us! We can’t wait for next year!!
Overnight Stays by Kaitlin Williamson, Region 3 North (Tacoma)
While at the Summit we raised the issue of the rules around overnight stays and how the current situation makes it hard to have a normal teenage experience. The current policy states that youth in foster care are allowed to stay the night at a friend’s house for ONE night. Anything beyond that requires a background check of the host. Some background checks take up to six months to complete, which makes planning any extended recreational, educational or extra-curricular activity extremely difficult. In our presentation to the Washington State Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care, we gave examples of athletes who could not participate in training camps, or youth who could not attend gatherings for important life moments due to the current extended lag time for background check approval. We proposed allowing youth to stay three nights while the background check is being processed. This would allow youth in care to participate in many “normal” activities. And, it has the bonus of providing more opportunities for respite for care providers.
We understand that safety is part of the thinking behind the initial rule, but perhaps policymakers did not understand the length of time it takes to gain approval. We are hoping to change the policy and make our experience in foster care just a little more like the life of any teenager growing up.
Letter From the Editor by Jim Theofelis
Dear Friends,
The 6th Annual Foster Youth & Alumni Leadership Summit was held on June 27th through 29th. The success of this year’s event further reinforces my belief in these amazing young leaders and the promise they each hold. The event demonstrates how a strengths-based approach to youth development generates empowered and skilled individuals. It also shows how powerful the voices of youth and alumni of foster care and homeless youth are in the decision-making process.
It is a privilege to witness youth sharing their personal stories and experiences, and using these stories as a catalyst for what could be tomorrow’s most significant system improvements.
I want to thank our distinguished group of sponsors for their steadfast support of the Summit: Casey Family Programs; the Washington State Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care; the Center for Children & Youth Justice; the Federal Court Improvement Program; and the Department of Social & Health Services
The Mockingbird Youth Network hosted 64 young people from every corner of the state. Each of the regional chapters brought forth an idea to the Summit, which is researched, tested and honed through two full days of leadership workshops. Safety in care and safe transitions for youth aging-out of care emerged as the top priorities. The specific proposals covered improved policies and practices such as better integration with the mental health system to enhance response times from social workers. This is in order to improve normalization for children and youth. Really, they just want to be kids.
This year we also dedicated part of the program to reflecting on our previous accomplishments toward building a world-class foster care system. It was clear that we are moving closer to the day when ALL youth can choose to remain in foster care to 21, without exception. This will ensure that they set off on the path to adulthood with stability and a safe home. Thank you to all our Legislative Champions and Advocates—who like our young people — joined us from across this state. We are deeply grateful for your dedication and ongoing support.
Thanks to each and everyone who supports The Mockingbird Society and helps us to remind the world that all children are OUR children. This year’s Summit truly works toward the promise of system change for that five year old child who doesn’t even know she will be entering it.
Register online for our 10th Anniversary Luncheon
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The 6th Annual Foster Youth & Alumni Leadership Summit by Diamonique Walker
This year The Mockingbird Network hosted the 6th Annual Foster Youth and Alumni Leadership Summit on June 27th through June 29th. At this event, 64 youth from our statewide network chapters united to make a change in the child welfare system. For this year’s Summit, we put a whole new spin on the event, holding it at Seattle University, where youth would get to see what it’s like to be on a college campus and sleep in dorms. “Coming to this year’s Summit, I was excited to meet people with similar situations to myself and understanding how they dealt with their own hardships,” said Janessa Thomas, Tacoma’s chapter leader. Brenda Gonzales, the chapter leader for Yakima had been to at least two summits previously. “I’m excited for new participants. My first Summit was more of a healing process. It makes me happy to see that people find out that there is a community of people that do care and finally accept them and they can use their voices,” she said.
Another major change to the event was that it was two days and two nights, instead of only one night. After check-in, the Summit welcome and dinner, youth got into groups and boarded buses to Acme Bowl in Tukwila. For the next few hours, the youth had the option to bowl, play pool, play Dance Central on XBOX Kinect and enjoy snacks and refreshments. It was a great way to start off the event and give our young leaders a chance to get to know each other and just have fun.
After all of the excitement on Monday, Summit participants were up early and prepared to take part in the leadership workshops that were facilitated on the next day. There were two workshops based on the Mockingbird Youth Network’s main objectives: individual development, community engagement and system reform. The individual development workshop, facilitated by Dr. Wanda Hackett, an internal organizational development expert, sought to help youth work better in their teams. The system reform workshop was helpful for youth to develop their message and reach out to community leaders, while receiving legitimate feedback on their policy proposals. In between the workshops the youth were given an opportunity to practice how they will deliver their message to the Washington State Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care on the following day. It was a long and focused day for our young leaders.
On June 29th we had an even earlier start We held our annual Legislative Celebration to honor all of the state legislators who have championed The Mockingbird Society’s priorities. Our honorees included Rep. Roger Goodman, Rep. Ross Hunter, Rep. Ruth Kagi, Rep. Phyllis Kenney, Sen. Adam Kline, Sen. Ed Murray, Rep. Mary Helen Roberts, and Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles. Each was presented with a certificate to thank and honor them for their relentless efforts and dedication to helping improve the child welfare system. We were also honored to have Congressman Jim McDermott (WA-7), our champion in Washington, D.C., in attendance.
Following our celebration, we immediately started the “report out” to the Commission where the youth finally presented the topics that they developed within their chapters and be heard by people who really make a difference in the child welfare system. “I think they were very receptive to what we said. They liked our idea and wanted us to be concise and organized because they want it to get pushed through [as] legislation,” said Garrett Nadeau after presenting to the Commission.
Overall, this year’s Summit was a huge success. Youth were able to have a good time, as well as develop skills that they can use in life. Stevie Atkins, a chapter participant from Yakima said a skill that she would take from the Summit is, “Communicating better and not being afraid to speak up. Also knowing that I have a voice too and using it to tell people in the foster care community that they have many opportunities and they need to use their voice as well.”
The Washington State Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care by David Buck
The impact of the 6th Annual Foster Youth and Alumni Leadership Summit can never be understated. In itself, the Summit embodies the hard work and the vision of The Mockingbird Society. When the entire Mockingbird Youth Network comes together, it’s guaranteed to be something special. After two days of hard work and inspired discussion, the Mockingbird youth presented their topics to the Washington State Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care (“the Commission”). While the youth-led presentations to the Commission are but one part of the Leadership Summit, they represent the culmination of months of planning and practice.
The vision of the Commission is to ensure that all children have safe, permanent families that love, nurture, protect and guide them. It is co-chaired by Denise Revels Robinson, Assistant Secretary for Children’s Administration, and former State Supreme Court Justice Bobbe Bridge; Founder and CEO of The Center for Children & Youth Justice. These two leaders have shown their expertise and commitment to the child welfare system during their time on the Commission. Other members of the Commission include the Mockingbird Youth Network’s very own Ryan Cummings and legislative champions that have worked with Mockingbird in the past, including Senator Jim Hargrove, Representative Ruth Kagi, and Representative Mary Helen Roberts. The Commission also consists of a wide range of experts and advocates that work closely with the child welfare system, such as Beth and Mike Canfield from the Foster Parents Association of Washington State.
The Commission monitors and reports on how well child welfare agencies and courts respond to the needs of children and youth in their joint care. Then recommendations are made for the improvement of the foster care system. An annual report is also published by the Commission to help their vision become a reality.
After talking with a few members of the Commission, it becomes clear how seriously they take the topics presented at the Leadership Summit. They see youth who have been impacted by the child welfare system as the experts on what needs to be changed. So when they hear the presentations from the Youth Network Chapter members, they are listening very carefully. This does not mean the Commission will move forward with every topic, but each topic is important whether or not the Commission uses them because they speak volumes about the difficulties faced by youth impacted the system. And, it raises awareness of the challenges faced by children and youth.
The relationship between the youth and the Commission is brief, but strong. Youth are given a chance to voice their ideas on how to change the foster care system to those who have a strong responsibility to ensure that the foster care system becomes the “world-class” system that the Mockingbird Society seeks and the youth in care all over the world need.
Thank You!
Youth Net AmeriCorps Staff, Alex Tarasar, Community Youth Services, Dae Shogren, Brian Hosford, Ryanne Simonson, Alex Okerman, Seattle YMCA, Laura Miller, Heather Riley, Brenda Ortega, Casey Family Foundation, The Center for Child & Youth Justice, The Washington State Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care, and the Federal Court Improvement Program.
Treat Me with Equality by Stevie Atkins
As a student at Yakima Valley Community College (YVCC) I have grown to a greater level of maturity and recently was told about the Summit. I had the opportunity to attend this year’s Advocacy Day and was just blown away about how many young foster youth are so involved with understanding their rights. I also would like to have the opportunity to tell anyone who will listen to my point of view on how to make the foster care system better for our future generations. And, also work for a better life for youth in foster care who grow out of the home and are expected to live independently. It’s important to know what kind of resources are out there to help former foster youth and I am willing to help in any way that I can.
I’m getting to the age where I’m too old to receive any benefits because I wasn’t involved with certain programs that are provided by the state. I didn’t know anything about these programs (Independent Youth Housing or Foster Care to 21) until I was 20 years old.
I regret not going back to school sooner. Maybe this was because I was in a tribal foster care system. I never saw my social worker. I’m not sure why this was the case, but I would have liked to have seen her more often. I would’ve liked her to have told me about the program options that were available to me when I left my foster parents as a young adult.
I would like to see the state laws and tribal laws come together, so tribal youth can be treated with equality in the foster care system. I also would like to see the age limits increased for certain scholarships for former foster youth. Because at the age of 23, I still feel like I need these benefits, as I’m still growing into being an adult.
Leadership means to stand up for what you believe in and what you think is right. You don’t have to be ahead of everyone, but standing with other people that feel the same way you feel. Trying to make life better for foster youth is one big step to leadership because I know when I was in high school I was too ashamed to step-up. Now that I’m in college I wish I would have been more open about my identity. I’m no longer ashamed and will tell anyone that I was a former foster youth and it has made me who I am today.
I would love the opportunity to attend this year’s Summit because it will give me a chance to bring my thoughts to life. I would be very grateful for this chance and promise not to let any foster child down. I have my younger siblings in foster care and would like nothing more than to give them a better life.
Summit Survey Results
Sixty-four youth and alumni of foster care from across the state of Washington attended the 2011 Youth Leadership Summit. Of those in attendance, 51 surveys were completed — a response rate of approximately 80%.
92% of youth/alumni respondents reported an increased sense of connection with the foster youth community.
90% of youth/alumni respondents reported feeling comfortable sharing their story to positively transform the foster care system.
96% of youth/alumni respondents reported feeling comfortable seeking support from community leaders when advocating for a specific issue.
96% of youth/alumni respondents reported that they place great value in giving back to their communities.
88% of youth/alumni respondents reported they felt they acted as a leader at the Summit.
Creative Corner
Stability by Mykal Alonzo
It’s true,
As I sit here,
Pleading for something to change,
And yet,
Still,
Still be at fault,
For all this wrong,
I want my voice to exist,
When I am not around,
When we are all gone.
You must know,
Before we are no more,
As you leave me in hell,
The stroll here,
Was so comfortable,
You held my hand,
Then let go,
Did you think I would not notice?
Notice you my love,
Gone?
But,
I thought,
I thought I found forever…
Djelem by Mat Harris
I have travelled, a traveler I am,
Though circumstances conspire to restrain this man.
My vision of the road and the green grassland
The wind, the rain, in the sun shine I stand.
Some of the people, huge hearts they’ve owned
Entrancing my mind and my soul, brought me home
The only life I could ever have known,
Sad to be parted from my way, my path, my dream
Falsifying Comfort by Taylor Springs
A stretchy, shaky, silver lining
doesn’t really count.
If it’s unsure,
perhaps unreal.
It can’t be a place to look up,
in times of sadness.
If it’s only a delicate, pretending, lie.
A gloomy glimpse of gentleness,
is hardly self control.
Hand it to me straight up,
if it’s not going to get better.
So we can erase the silver lining,
and continue with the weather
We Welcome Your Work!
We welcome submissions of articles, poetry, artwork, and photography from our young readers who have experience in the foster care system and/or with homelessness. If you want to be published in the Mockingbird Times, visit our site and select Mockingbird Times under The Mockingbird Network or contact us at 206-323-5437 or via email. Note: If you have submitted something before that hasn’t been published, we need your submission agreement in order to print it. Please submit again via the web location listed above. Because of space constraints, shorter poems have a higher chance of being published.
Fight for Our Future: Foster Youth and Alumni Leadership Summit
Essay Contest Runner-up by Ryan Cummings
Why do you think that you should go to the leadership summit?
I know that I should go to the 2011 Mockingbird Society Leadership Summit. Last year I attended with Region Six Youth Network Chapter members and had the honor of speaking in front of the Washington State Supreme Court Commission on Foster Care, along with my fellow brothers and sisters of care.
I honestly have to say that the leadership experience I gained was beneficial for me in every way. While at the Summit I realized that the foster care system was not a lost cause and that there were people who cared and were fighting to make it better. With that knowledge in mind I realized I wanted, no needed, to do more. The inspirational effect of sitting in front of so many accepting peers, who all wanted the same thing, was life changing. What I gained from the Summit I would not give up for anything.
I realized that it was not enough to be a part of The Mockingbird Society or Passion to Action— I needed to get involved in — participate in — advocating for change in the foster care system.
What would you tell a state policy maker about how to make the foster care system better?
I would tell them to fight for the future of our country. I would tell them to stop cutting all the money out of the programs and budget that pay for foster care, healthcare, GAU (General Assistance Program) and the real stuff that actually supports citizens.
Our government is failing, miserably. We have two options left right now, or our country is going to fall apart. We either need to start cutting defense spending or we need to raise taxes on the rich. Maybe we need to do both, but one thing is sure. If we don’t do something, and soon, all hell is going to break loose. As long as we stand divided (the Republicans controlling the House and the Democrats controlling the Senate) we are doomed. We need to literally put aside our differences and figure out how we are going to keep this country from failing. The last United States government shutdown was back in 1995 and 1996 and it cost the country nearly $4 billion. Our economy could not handle another shut down, nor could its citizens or the families of the men and women away at war. I know and understand that there are a lot of political aspects that need to be taken into consideration, but that just needs to be brushed aside for now until we come up with a plan.
Leadership Essay Contest
2011 marks the second year of our Leadership Essay Contest. The winner will spend a day with Assistant Secretary Denise Revels Robinson of Children’s Administration.
What does leadership mean to you and how do you see yourself as a leader?
Leadership means a lot to me. It means being able to stand up even against the odds and fighting for what you believe in. It means that you value your success not by what you own, but by what you have achieved. I see myself as a leader because I believe in and am willing to fight for positive change. Whether the issue at hand is the foster care system or our right to freedom of speech. It is time for the common man and woman to rise up from out of the shadows and use the gift that was given to almost all of us at birth. Our voice. As Elie Wiesel once said, “We must whisper, we must shout, we must not be silent.”
“While at the Summit I realized that the foster care system was not a lost cause and that there were people who cared and were fighting to make it better.” – Ryan Cummings
Community Events
Region 1 North (Spokane)
July 1st – August 5th: First Friday at the MAC, Cheney Farmers’ Market. 10 am – 4 pm. Face painting, games, music and food
Region 2 North (Everett)
July 23th: Join us for a Mario Kart Tournament at Arlington Library: 135 N Washington Ave, Arlington 98223. 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm. For more information call: (360) 435-3033
July 30th: Outdoor Movies at the Park —The Goonies at Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema (the Village Green at the corner of 10th St. and Mill Avenue in Bellingham). 7:30 – 9:30 pm. Live music starts at 8 pm followed by the movie at dusk. Questions: Doug Borneman: doug@epicevents.us or call 360-733-2682
Region 2 South (Seattle)
July 6th – August 10th: Coulon Family Concert Series Wednesdays at 7 pm. Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd, Renton. Cost: Free For more information: www.seattle-fun.com/seattle-events-calendar-july-2011.html
Region 3 North (Tacoma)
July 30th: Ethnic Fest,Tacoma,WA. Pierce County’s best attended celebration of ethnic diversity shared through music, dance, food, and art. Join us in Wright Park for a family friendly non-alcohol event—60,000 attendees expected.
Region 3 South (Olympia)
July 21st: Region Chapter Meeting Thursday, 4 – 6 pm, Community Youth Services. For information call: 360-943-0780 x169
August 2nd: Independent Living Skills Workshop, 5 – 7:30 pm. For more information call Community Youth Services: 360-943-0780
Quote of the Month
“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”