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The Chronicle of Social Change
To Protect New York’s Foster Youth, Child Welfare Workers Need Accountability
Daniesha Brown is a 26-year-old former foster care youth. As a minor, Brown was involved in the juvenile justice system. Through various supports, Brown has made positive life changes and now aspires to be a paralegal. While continuing her education, she is also involved in a youth advisory board council to build on her passion to be the voice of the next generation in the child welfare system. Her goal is to implement change and advocate for children’s rights.
New York Attorneys and Human Service Workers Get Pay Increase in $229 Billion Budget
Adilia Watson is the New York State Youth Justice reporter. Madison Hunt is a New York-based reporter for The Imprint covering child welfare and the youth justice system. She can be reached at [email protected]. Michael Fitzgerald. Michael Fitzgerald is a senior reporter for The Imprint.
Congress Considers Increased Funding for Tribal Child Welfare and Court Systems
Nancy Marie Spears is currently based in Colorado covering Indigenous children and families with a focus on the Indian Child Welfare Act. She is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation.
Individualism
Bella Rodriguez is from Santa Ana, California, but the foster system has taken her all over Orange County. As an art student, Rodriguez’s main goal is to become a self-sustaining, well-paid and established animator at a major studio/franchise. Rodriguez will be attending Orange Coast College to acquire an accredited art degree and create a breathtaking portfolio. She plans on working part time while attending school. During her time as an individual in extended foster care, Rodriguez will grow as a strong independent woman who can manage time, money, and happiness.
A Former Life
Shannon Mickle is a 23-year-old woman who experienced homelessness, abuse/neglect, foster care, and the juvenile justice system in Lee County, Florida from ages 15-18. Mickle received a master’s degree in social work from Florida Gulf Coast University. Mickle also has a 3-year-old son who is her world. Mickle currently works full time as a medical social worker for the Department of Veteran Affairs.
All I Wanted was One Right…
Gilbert Velazquez-Macedo is a former foster youth from Los Angeles, CA. He entered foster care at 10, entered the juvenile system at 15, house arrest at 16, served two camp programs, and at 18, he was released from central juvie. Velazquez-Macedo writes poetry because it helps him heal the wounds that the foster care system and juvenile system have given him.
Stockholm Syndrome
Tierra Lamore is a honors student in college, studying to be a family court judge. Lamore was in foster care from ages 6-15. She was then adopted at 15 by abusive parents who then abandoned her on her 18th birthday, leaving her homeless. She is a foster youth advocate with Florida Youth Shine, an organization that fights for foster youth rights in Florida. She loves to sing, act, dance, write, laugh and have fun.
Victor, Not Victim, of Circumstances
Deshawn Rankins is a Los Angeles native. Born to a teen mom and a incarcerated father, he found himself in the foster system at a young age. After aging out of the foster system, Rankins lived in an independent living program for a short period of time before ending up in prison serving a 10-year sentence. During that time, he completely transformed his life, finding footing in music and spirituality. Upon his release in 2014, Rankins has given countless hours to the community he grew up in by becoming a herbalist, a spiritual adviser, a musician, a foster youth advocate, and a father of two beautiful daughters. These days, he spends a lot of time working on his musical talents and devoting time as an Officer of the Board for Foster Justice Empowerment Council.
Family Foster Care: National Workforce Standards Needed Now
Dr. Eileen Mayers Pasztor has served as a public agency caseworker and supervisor, curriculum developer and trainer working nationally and internationally, and as a professor in graduate schools of social work. Irene Clements. Irene Clements is the former executive director of the National Foster Parent Association, who with her husband...
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Launched in 2013, The Chronicle of Social Change is an independent, nonpartisan daily news publication dedicated to covering the child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health and educational issues faced by vulnerable children and families.
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