voice of the foster care community
The research and community hub shaping child-first centered policy
In 2021, iFoster released the first Voice of the Foster Care Community Report in an effort to elevate the voices of those within the child welfare community and hear firsthand what is needed to make the system more effective.
Since then, over 15,000 members nationwide have shared their voices, and we have used this research and feedback to spearhead an unparalleled initiative aimed at transforming the foster care landscape into one that genuinely reflects the needs and aspirations of its community.
Our mission with this initiative is to amplify the voices of the foster care community to effect system change. We do this through several avenues:
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- Empowering Collective Voices: iFoster advocates for and amplifies thousands of individual experiences within the foster care system through multiple years of national surveys, all with sections inviting participants to share anything they want known.
- Bridging Voices to Policymakers: This strategy is centered around ensuring that the voices of the foster care community are heard loudly and clearly in the halls of power. By translating lived experiences and shared recommendations into actionable policy suggestions, we bridge the gap between the community we serve and the policymakers who can institute change.
- Child-First Advocacy: The recommendations distilled from the community’s input form the bedrock of iFoster’s advocacy for the Child First Model. This model underscores the importance of tailoring decisions and services to each child’s individual needs, emphasizing well-being, normalcy, and holistic support.
- Empowering Collective Voices: iFoster advocates for and amplifies thousands of individual experiences within the foster care system through multiple years of national surveys, all with sections inviting participants to share anything they want known.
Use the slider blow to learn more about the state of the current foster care system and how we’re making change.
A Child First Model
After three years of surveys and hearing from over 15,000 members of the foster care community, we have found that the most significant deficits in the current foster care system revolve around the child’s needs not being put first in decision-making. To see real improvement, the system must prioritize the holistic well-being of every child in foster care and be held accountable for meeting this standard. We have summarized 5 recommendations to improve the lives and outcomes of young people in foster care.
Recommendation 1:
Prioritize Child
Well-Being
Child welfare should target child well-being above all other outcomes, placing the child’s interests at the forefront of all activities and guiding the interventions and services provided to children and families.
Recommendation 2:
Encourage
Normalcy
Children in foster care deserve to have a childhood and adolescence filled with meaningful experiences, just like their peers who are not in care. It’s crucial to create an inclusive and supportive environment that encourages normalcy, rather than restricting and limiting activities due to liability and resource scarcity concerns.
Recommendation 3:
Assemble a
Supportive Team
The support every child receives should be broadened by basing all judicial, case management, child safety, educational, and health decisions on an interdisciplinary team approach. This approach ensures that the child’s perspective is at the center of the decision-making, and the team is empowered to ensure decisions are fulfilled. Collaboration and shared responsibility are key.
Recommendation 4:
Provide Comprehensive
Support for Family
Permanency
Child welfare includes more than just foster care, covering prevention as well as support for gradual exits out of care. The system currently lacks timely preventative measures and sufficient post-exit support for biological, kinship, and adoptive families, often leading to instability. A comprehensive approach, offering early intervention and ongoing support, could improve family stability and ensure children’s long-term well-being.
Recommendation 5:
Ensure Smooth
Progressions into
Adulthood
Youth should have access to services to promote their self-sufficiency and assist with their progresion into adulthood, regardless of their permanency plan. The youth’s choice should factor into the decision to exit care, including when the exit occurs and the services they need to achieve self-sufficiency before and after leaving.
Comparing the “As Is”
Model to the Child First
Model
Explore the evolution of thought and vision within the Child First Model by delving into this comparison chart. Here, you will find distinct viewpoints and approaches toward the child welfare system. This comparison provides a comprehensive overview of the shifts in perspectives, the emergence of new ideas, and the emphasis on prioritizing the well-being of children in foster care. Gain valuable insights into the shift from the current system to the proposed Child First Model, examining the key differences and recommendations outlined in these pivotal chapters.
