Over the course of one year there are approximately 750,000-800,000 children in our public foster care system. Throughout their childhood, foster kids are shuffled in and out of foster homes and often set up with many different foster parents, some good and some bad. This past week in San Diego, foster parents received letters informing them that the state may withhold foster care funding until the state budget crunch is sorted out. Without state funds, foster parents on a tight budget may have to send these children back into the care of the state. I’m happy to say that foster families are fighting back. Reported by NBC San Diego, a lawsuit will be filed on Friday on behalf of San Diego and 29 other counties forcing the state to continue making foster care and welfare payments.

State budget cuts are also affecting foster care in Washington. In most states, foster children “age out” of foster care, or in other words, are cut off from government funding at the age of 18. They are sent off to fend for themselves, find a job, pay for housing and pay for college. This system doesn’t give children much hope for a brighter future. Interviewed by The Olympian, former foster child Kandace Jones said her five-year stay in foster care ended abruptly when she turned 18. “I actually got kicked out on my birthday. … I called home from school, and they said, “Actually, you can’t come home.” “So I didn’t have anywhere I could go.”  Two years ago, a program called Foster to 21 was put in place in Washington to help kids like Kandace.   Foster to 21 helps subsidize housing for foster children who are furthering their education.  This program is in danger of being cut from the budget. I’m happy to say that 300 foster kids marched on the capitol this past Friday to protest.

The lack of funding and support for foster children is infuriating and if you are like me and not in the position to foster children, the situation can feel hopeless. The good news is there are ways we can help. Organizations dedicated to helping foster children have a brighter future exist all over the country. You can help by researching organizations in your community that you would like to donate to or foster homes that have volunteer tutoring programs.  Two great organizations in Los Angeles are School on Wheels and United Friends of the Children. Another way to get involved is to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers stay with each case until it is closed, and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. Regardless of how you choose to help, these kids need us now more than ever.