PHILADELPHIA (WJAC) — Nearly half of Pennsylvania’s teenagers in foster care age out of the system each year.
That means they’re sent out in the real world without being reunited with their biological family, or connected with a new permanent one.
We recently traveled to Philadelphia to sit down with two of those individuals at the Juvenile Law Center.
During our conversation, they shared intimate and sometimes painful stories of their foster care experiences.
But one point was very clear: they want the Children and Youth leaders in our state to stop and do just one thing:
"Listen to the youth. Because they have so much to say, but they're given a chance to say so little,” former foster child Anthony Simpson said.
Simpson and Aiyana Gomez are part of a group called Youth Fostering Change.
They’re asking those in charge of Pennsylvania's foster children to hear them.
"If you do talk to us, you'll find out so much of us have a lot to say. So much of us have been through a lot and we're not mad at y'all. We just want you to listen,” Gomez said.
Both come from different backgrounds and different experiences in foster care.
But they say like so many of their peers in similar situations, they feel silenced by the system.
So, they're taking matters in their own hands with "Tools for Success".
It's a first of its kind toolkit for child welfare professionals.
They believe, if implemented, it will help increase the number of kids finding permanent homes before they age out of the system.
"Tools for Success seeks to have that child welfare professional be able to approach that topic of permanency, and options for transitioning out of care, and having a permanent and stable time in care, by being considerate of the youth's needs,” Simpson said.
Over the past year, the group worked with lawyers at the center to brainstorm and develop seven tools.
They range from discussing permanency options with youth, engaging them in planning meetings and dependency court hearings; ultimately connecting them to meaningful relationships, and forming a transition plan with valuable resources.
Gomez says these tools are important because, in her experience, she didn't have a voice in the courtroom as judges, lawyers, and case workers decided her fate.
"When does it have a chance for you to talk? When you're sitting in front of everyone talking about your life and what you need to do, and for what they want you to do. But you can't even decide what you want to do, you can't even say what you want to do,” Gomez said.
Experts at the J.L.C. say this isn't just happening to Aiyana and Anthony.
Welfare professionals are supposed to talk with foster children about their hopes and goals for permanent placement, whether it's being reunified with their biological family, or becoming part of a new one.
But they say that's not always happening, and it can be detrimental to kids development.
"You start acting out in school, acting out in the house, you know what I mean? Start neglecting things about yourself that before you normally would do,” Gomez said.
According to the J.L.C., 49% of the more than eight thousand Pennsylvania teens who age out of the system each year don't find a permanent home.
By age 21, at least 37% experience homelessness or unstable housing.
Aiyana and Anthony are defying those odds.
"My life is my life, you know? I don't want anyone playing with my life. I don't want anyone deciding my life. I want to be there to discuss my life, to share my life, to see my life, and know what's going to be my permanent plan as a child,” Gomez said.
Now that the toolkit's ready for release, the group plans to travel to share their work with judges, social workers, and other child welfare professionals.
But they're not stopping there.
Along the way, they'll stop to share their experiences and ideas about permanent solutions with anyone who will listen.
"You just want to stay informed and understand that it can be a privilege for most to remain in the house that they were born in,” Simpson said.
If you’d like to view the permanency toolkit, you can do so by clicking here.
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