Foster Care

Anyone who's ever been to a wedding knows not everybody can stand up in front of a roomful of people and just talk. Anthony Pico discovered by accident, at 15, that he has a gift for doing that. He's 18 now, and he's become so well known… more

Victor slouches into a bustling courtroom at Los Angeles County Children's Court. He would be tall, if he stood up straight, and broad, if his shoulders didn't follow his eyes to the floor. He doesn't look sullen or defiant. He just looks like a big kid, humble and out of place in this room full of busy grown-ups. When the judge glances up from her papers and smiles at him, he smiles back, just a bit.

At 19,… more

What prevents the U.S. child welfare system from doing all it can to protect children and support families? Complex social problems? Insufficient funding? Staff turnover? The truth is, the inability to address these barriers is rooted in a much larger problem--a chronic lack of public will. Despite its best efforts, child welfare faces daunting challenges in making policymakers and the public understand and commit to fixing the system.

Child welfare agencies and service providers rarely have the time, expertise, or… more

For Cora Featherson , a 54-year-old Memphis woman who is raising her granddaughter and six nieces, nephews and cousins, taking care of family is more than a responsibility.

"If you can find room in your house and your heart, you have to help," says Featherson. "I've come this far, and I can't let these kids down."

Since she took in her first child almost 20 years ago, Featherson has worked hard to keep her family out of foster care, relying on her… more

Anne Yates has been caring for her 16-year-old grandson, Ramon, since her daughter began struggling with a heroine addiction three years ago. When she first got the call from Child Protective Services asking her to look after the troubled teen, she didn't hesitate for a minute. Over the years, it's become clear that her daughter isn't getting better. Mrs. Yates is committed to take care of her grandson as long as he needs her. Ramon wants… more