THE ISSUE Foster care is intended to be a temporary intervention in the life of a child. Yet far too many children stay in foster care too long and move too often – exacerbating the trauma that led to the child being removed from their family in the first place. Likewise, too many youth age-out…

Authors | Michelle Chalmers, Mike Kenney and Kim Stevens Approved by Family Builders Network in October 2017 “My mother’s rights were terminated.  Not mine.” Foster youth quote The Issue Removal from family, out of home placement, and/or termination of parental rights are not neutral interventions in the life of a child.  Intervention itself impacts the…

The Issue Living in poverty is not a character flaw; nor does it cause abuse and neglect.  However, poverty is widely recognized as both a risk factor for, and a predictor of, abuse and neglect.  Children from families living in poverty are a disproportionately represented in out-of-home care. Parenting effectively in the context of scarcity…

Published in collaboration with Family Builders Network| Authors, Michelle Chalmers & Jill Jacobs The Issue Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children and gender non-conforming children are disproportionately represented in foster care. The ability of children to safely develop and express their sexual orientation and gender identity expression (SOGIE) has a significant impact on their safety,…

Published in collaboration with Family Builders Network Authors | Addie Ellis, Jill Jacobs and Kim Stevens The Issue Children identified as belonging to certain racial and ethnic groups including, Native American/American Indian/First Nation/Aboriginal, African American/Black, Latino/Hispanic, and New Americans/Immigrants are disproportionately represented in the child welfare system.[1] The disproportionality that occurs is linked to a…