Many young people think of graduation when the calendar reaches June. However, for a disturbing number of the nation’s foster youth, graduating from college can seem out of reach. UCLA’s Bruin Guardian Scholars Program is looking to change that by helping former foster youth overcome the obstacles they face. The UCLA Newsroomreports: While almost all […]

When 16-year-old Darlene Armstrong arrived at the emergency room, she weighed only 23 pounds. Unable to walk or talk and afflicted with cerebral palsy, the medical stuff was stunned by Darlene’s emaciated body. The Chicago Tribune reports: The doctors at Comer Children’s Hospital at the University of Chicago agreed the girl had been starved for […]

Lisa and Jorge Alvarez knew they wanted children, so when they found out they couldn’t conceive, they decided to adopt. In the years since, they’ve adopted two children and fostered many, many more. The Miami Herald reports: The Southwest Miami-Dade, Fla., couple has fostered [90] kids since they decided to take in a baby boy […]

The high rate of psychotropic drug prescriptions for children in foster care has long been a point of concern for Children’s Rights and other child welfare experts. A federal study by the United States Government Accountability Office shows that 35 percent of foster children are prescribed psychotropic drugs, compared to just 10 percent of other […]

The Children’s Rights blog previously covered California Judge Michael Nash’s decision to open Los Angeles County family court proceedings to the public. Since the change, Jim Newton of the Los Angeles Times has been following one child’s journey through the system and the hidden costs of court delays on her foster family. Newton chronicled his […]

Lerone Matthis was living life on the streets as another one of California’s homeless former foster youth. However, some unexpected opportunities and Matthis’ own courage have turned his life around.Care2 shares his story: Matthis grew up in Richmond and entered the foster care system when he was a teen. He was moved from group home […]

When parents can’t take care of their children, kinship care–the practice of placing kids with relatives–is an increasingly common solution. However, a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation is shedding light on the challenges these relatives face–especially grandparents, who often take on this responsibility. The Huffington Post reports: Adrian Charniak’s grandson was born […]

Patrick Smith was born with drugs in his body and, just 18 months later, died with drugs in his body. His mother, Donna Rose Smith, has been charged with murder and child abuse, but her history with Arizona’s Child Protective Services (CPS) shows that the state may have failed to protect Patrick as well. The […]

Michael Nash, chief presiding judge of Los Angeles County’s children’s court, ruled earlier this year that all children’s court hearings must be open to the public–a ruling that has proven to be divisive. Kelli Kennedy of the Associated Press reports: When a child is abused or neglected, there’s a family court hearing to discuss the […]

Los Angeles county officials are admitting that a “crisis” has developed in an office building used to house difficult-to-place foster children. The admission comes nearly a year after a social worker went public with concerns about unsafe conditions at the location. The Los Angeles Times reports: Supervisor Gloria Molina said the office near MacArthur Park, […]