The Family First Act was passed, in large part, due to lived experience leaders speaking out about their expriences with the child welfare system. These lived experience leaders consisted of youth, young adults, birth parents, kinship caregivers, and others impacted by the child welfare system. In this blog, we highlight some of the words that young people, with experience in foster care, have shared about the importance of prevention services. 

Why do prevention services matter? Check out our blog to find out!

 

What they said:

I fully believe that there needs to be an in-between service that helps directs families once CPS is ready to be involved...that goes to family and questions their needs and concerns, then provides the right tools to the family. If those needs are met by the family, CPS doesn't step in.

--Young person in/from care, ID

If most parents just had more money or assets like a home, job, car, food, etc, they woudn't have their kids taken...

--Young person in/from care, AZ

My father receiving uplifting support would have helped. This includes funding, transportation, and housing. 

--Youth in/from care, KS

If many families who live in poverty were helped more they wouldn't be labeled neglectful and have their children taken from them, many caretakers are wonderful parents but just don't have the right tools, resources and supports in the community. If we were to advocate for families who live in poverty (they just need an extra push and resources) less youth and children would enter the foster care system.

--Youth in/from care, MN

My mother's was many things. She was a loving mother, a single parent, a domestic violence survivor, and an illiterate immigrant. She did not know and understand the United States' expectation on discipline. She spanked us, CPS got involved, my siblings and I were removed and placed in separate foster homes. My CPS worker was not culturally informed and because of that, my whole family was torn apart and unnecessarily traumatized. 

--Madison, foster alumni from Nevada



Sources:

Share Your Perspective: Prevention Strengthening Families and Averting Crises

Preventing Unnecessary Removal of Children from their Families

Want to learn more about what lived experience leaders were saying? Check out these resources: