My name is Kristin Song. On January 31, 2018, my son Ethan was shot in the head in his best friend's house. The father/gun owner stored 3 handguns and ammunition in a shoebox. Ethan's friend had been accessing the guns for over 6 months. At the hospital, the ER doctor slid

Mesmerizing.

Five years later, this should still be a rule!

Preserving survivor benefits for the benefit of a child in foster care should be the rule, not the exception. Applauding the states that have enacted laws to protect the child’s benefits. childtrends.org/blog/savings-a…

Youth Services Insider breaks down how a bipartisan bill would change the federal policy for extended #fostercare bit.ly/3Uum8FC

For more context on the items in this bill, check out The Imprint's 2020 series "Fostering Adults" about extended #fostercare in California imprintnews.org/special-series…

More than a dozen states will consider legislation this year to protect federal benefits for youth in #fostercare. Check out our bill summary, which we will update throughout the legislative season bit.ly/3uqHgCe

USA: "Reps. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and Erin Houchin (R-Ind.) have introduced a bill they hope will incentivize more states to expand foster care from age 18 to 21. Or more precisely, expand foster care with federal support." imprintnews.org/youth-services…

Every day, tens of thousands of #fostercare children are being robbed of millions in financial entitlements by the state - with many unaware that they even qualified for financial entitlements to begin with. #fostercon You can find the report here >>> sandiego.edu/cai/fostercare…

"In a new report by the Children's Advocacy Institute (CAI)... researchers found that states continue to siphon financial benefits intended for foster children, leaving many foster youths impoverished when they enter adulthood." Read here: newsweek.com/california-kid… #fostercon

Former Foster Kid Slams Social Security Withholding Benefits newsweek.com/foster-kid-run… Gavin Newsom Jennifer Siebel Newsom Buffy Wicks Speaker Robert Rivas Mike McGuire Anna M. Caballero Asm. Jesse Gabriel

"Our foster care agencies and SSA are violating their legal and moral duty to do right by these most vulnerable children and center the child’s best interests at all times." -Amy Harfeld Children's Advocacy Inst. imprintnews.org/top-stories/ar…

After years of promised reforms, advocates complain the city unfairly keeps monthly payments from the Social Security Administration. imprintnews.org/top-stories/ar…

We are failing our state’s most vulnerable youth-orphaned and disabled children in our foster care system. Their Social Security benefits belong to them and THEY need them.

Counties across California are stealing the survivor benefits of children in foster care who have lost their parents. It’s legal, but it’s wrong. We have a bill to finally end this practice.

It is time for New Jersey to stop this horrid practice. Pass BillS3153. It is unjustifiable to take benefits meant to be used in a foster child’s best interests to pay back the state for maintenance costs. It’s the child’s money, they don’t owe it to the state and THEY need it.

#NJOPD was thrilled to attend NCJFCJ’s 87th Annual Conference earlier this week. During the event, Traci Telemaque and Alexis Pollock partnered with the Honorable David B. Katz to present a #childwelfare session titled “A Social Insecurity: Children Paying For Foster Care.”

Thrilled to see this bill making its way through the NJ Legislature. Foster youth should never have to pay for their own care. There is no gray area on this topic. This practice is plain wrong! Thank you to the sponsoring legislators pushing this bill. patch.com/new-jersey/new…

Children in foster care have it hard enough without the state taking their money. It costs the state nearly nothing to stop and would be a game changer for youth in care. New Jersey is so close to passing a great law that will protect many children!

S3153/A4543 protects foster youth from having their own federal benefits used to pay for their foster care. Their benefits should benefit them. #VOTEPASS Thank You! Sen Teresa Ruiz Joe Cryan Shama Haider District37 Assemblywoman Shanique Speight Shavonda E. Sumter Speaker Craig J. Coughlin