letter that FoLetter FosterClub submitted to Senator Grassley.

MEMO TO:

Becky Shipp, Senate Finance Committee

FROM:

Celeste Bodner, Foster Club

DATE:

November 25, 2009

RE:

Establishing a Caucus or Working Group on Older Youth in Foster Care

On behalf of FosterClub, the nation’s leading organization supporting youth in and out of foster care, with more than 26,000 members, I want to thank you again for your tremendous leadership on the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. This landmark law has already begun transforming the systems that govern the lives of children and youth in foster care. FosterClub, particularly the young people who participated in Congressional meetings and advocacy activities over the past several years, continues working hard to promote implementation efforts to further its impact.

I’m writing today to request your consideration of establishing a Congressional Caucus or working group on Older Youth in Foster Care. Although much has been accomplished by the Fostering Connections law, monitoring its implementation will be critical. In addition, there are always emerging issues related to foster youth in and out of care that would benefit from ongoing attention. A Congressional Caucus could provide an important venue for identifying and discussing these issues and their policy implications.

For example, FosterClub would welcome the chance to work with a Congressional Caucus to host a briefing once a year to highlight a key topic, such as higher education or employment and service opportunities.

In addition, many leading organizations in the child welfare field are deeply committed to supporting older youth; these organizations regularly publish research and analysis that could be featured at briefings hosted by the Caucus or disseminated under Dear Colleague letters.

If you are interested in this idea, I would welcome the opportunity to further discuss ways that FosterClub can be of assistance. You could count on us to reach out and recruit Members of Congress to join the Caucus. We also would gladly work closely with you throughout the year to keep you apprised of new developments and key issues, and to share success stories. We would also look for opportunities to showcase the Caucus and acknowledge the leadership of the Caucus sponsors. In fact, one quickly approaching opportunity is a major event that will be held in Washington DC on December 17, in recognition of the ten year anniversary of the Chafee Independent Living Act. A group of national organizations and foundations, led by FosterClub, will hold a day-long convening to note the significant progress made by Chafee and the Fostering Connections laws and discuss what else may be needed. Attendees of the event will include child welfare directors, current and former foster youth, professionals who work with families in foster care, researchers and advocates. This event would be a terrific opportunity to announce the formation of a new Caucus. If this timeline is too quick, we’d be happy to explore ways to plan a kick-off event in the new year.

Again, thank you for all that you do to champion the needs of the most vulnerable young people in our society, and thanks for considering this idea. If you would like to discuss request in person, I am going to be in Washington the weeks of December 7th and December 14th.

Sincerely, Celeste Bodner Executive Director