There are more than 400,000 young people in foster care across the country. In Oklahoma alone, there are 7,519 children in the custody of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, with a need for 898 foster families. As an adoptive parent of three, I am committed to ensuring every child has a safe, supportive, and forever family.
In my role as Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, I have seen the importance of making sure foster youth who age out of the system have the resources they need to successfully transition into adulthood. We must do everything we can to set them up for success in the future.
The John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program assists with education, employment, financial management, housing, and emotional support. This program helps so many foster youths achieve self-sufficiency, and I will continue to fight for adequate funding. Additionally, Oklahoma is lucky to have several non-profits, like J 127 Ministry in Durant, that step up to fill that need for foster youth.
I joined my colleagues on the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth to introduce several pieces of legislation earlier this year aimed at investing in foster youth. The Foster Youth Mentoring Act would expand mentoring programs for foster youth and improve outcomes once they leave the system. Mentors provide advice and support and are the only person foster youth feel they can turn to in times of need. Too often, children who enter
Too often, children who enter the foster care system don’t have access to basic necessities like food and clothing, let alone the support systems they need. That’s why we introduced the Foster Care Stabilization Act, which will help make sure these children have the resources they need and set them up for success in the future.
Foster youth face many challenges, but they are resilient. These children are put in the system through no fault of their own and we must stand up for them. In Congress, I will continue to fight to make sure the system in place is effective and functions properly so foster youth can thrive for years to come.