Mississippi Youth Voice

Join us in Hattiesburg!

If you have ever considered becoming a foster parent or want information on ways to support the foster care system, make sure to attend this event.

Sharing the great work of our youth in the national stage. I look forward to presenting along side these two powerful advocates for foster youth in Salt Lake City next month.

For all college-age foster youth, ages 18-25 years, learn about how you can apply for the FAITH Scholarship. Three easy steps...

Mississippi Youth Voice is a part of great things happening for Mississippi foster youth. Thank you to the MS Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services for your partnership, and for valuing youth voice.

The Power of Public-Private Partnership in Mississippi's Child Welfare - First Place For Youth Written by Samantha Kalahar and Kimberly Smith This year marks Mississippi’s ninth year as a Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative […]

First Place for Youth would like to thank Cadence Bank for their donation to our programs in Mississippi! Their generous gift of $50,000 allows us to continue to serve the current and former foster youth in the state with financial literacy and independent living skill programs. We cherish our partnership with Cadence Bank and hope to grow our relationship as we serve these youth.

Thank you for believing in the value of our programs and in the youth we serve!

Mississippi Youth Voice

https://imprintnews.org/top-stories/decriminalize-young-people-who-grew-up-in-foster-care/246740?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

A Push to 'Decriminalize' Those Who Grew up in Foster Care - The Imprint A youth-led advocacy group is calling on the child welfare system to decriminalize young people in foster care.

A new doc­u­men­tary enti­tled Absence/​Presence sheds light on young peo­ple in fos­ter care and their need for sup­port while in the child wel­fare sys­tem or tran­si­tion­ing out of it.
WATCH ABSENCE/​PRESENCE

Mis­try was inspired to cre­ate the films after vol­un­teer­ing as a Court Appoint­ed Spe­cial Advo­cate. In this role, she worked with chil­dren, fam­i­lies and the court sys­tem to help find young peo­ple per­ma­nent homes, edu­ca­tion­al oppor­tu­ni­ties and med­ical and social services.

“It’s a real­ly lone­ly way of grow­ing up because it’s not some­thing you talk about. It’s one of those walls up with your com­mu­ni­ty or fam­i­ly where you don’t say it,” Charleston says in the film. ​“When you are a fos­ter kid, it’s some­thing you don’t want to admit to. You don’t want to admit that you don’t have a per­ma­nent home, that you don’t have a per­ma­nent place to be.”

READ ABOUT THE IMPOR­TANCE OF PERMANENCE

In 2021, 203,770 chil­dren under age 18 entered the U.S. fos­ter care sys­tem for rea­sons such as neglect and abuse. Sys­tem involve­ment can dis­rupt healthy devel­op­ment and result in last­ing con­se­quences, accord­ing to research. Many sources of strength and sup­port — includ­ing the pur­suit of edu­ca­tion and the encour­age­ment of a car­ing adult — can affect how these youth per­ceive them­selves and their abil­i­ty to nav­i­gate their lives.

“I didn’t have to feel ashamed of my sto­ry,” explains Tec­sy. ​“It doesn’t change who I am, and it doesn’t define who I am.”

In hon­or of Nation­al Adop­tion Month (Novem­ber), the film is stream­ing online — for free — and air­ing on select local PBS sta­tions through­out the fall. It will then be avail­able to sub­scribers of PBS Thir­teen Pass­port through Octo­ber 2026.

Absence/Presence | PBS Celebrating the perseverance and lived experience of youth in the child welfare system

Black Children Are Overrepresented In The Foster Care System. Why Aren't We Adopting Them?

A WRITER ADOPTED BY A BLACK WOMAN DELVES INTO THE STRUGGLES OF BLACK CHILDREN IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND THE EFFORTS BEING MADE TO FIND THEM FOREVER HOMES.

https://www.essence.com/lifestyle/adoption-stories/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Our amazing board member, Essence shares her insight on the need for social connection for foster youth in today’s blog.

https://selflesslovefoundation.org/black-sheep-the-importance-of-connections-and-support/

Mississippi Youth Voice board members Hadrain Smith and Scentrellis Dixon, along with First Place for Youth staff Samantha Kalahar and Cotina Brown have been making the circuit across DC this week. The group has met with each member of Congress and the two Senators from Mississippi.

We have been discussing the need for post-secondary education support for foster youth and support for driving programs to assist foster youth with acquiring their license while in custody. Bills related to these topics were shared and we asked for their support on these initiatives.

Thank you to each of our federal delegation for making time for foster youth and hearing our voices.

MSYV board member, Keshuna, shares her thoughts on building lifelong connections while in foster care on the Selfless Love’s blog this week. Keshuna has been an advocate for foster youth for several years and we are proud to see her sharing her voice on the national level.

https://selflesslovefoundation.org/when-i-left-they-left

When I left, they left - Selfless Love Foundation KeShuna B. Wichita Falls, Texas If I’m writing from my heart, a permanent connection is something I’ve never experienced. To me, the connection leaves when you leave care. I aged out of foster care at 19. For me, that’s when […]

Why is it important to have a voice while in foster care? This question varies in answers. Also different perspectives also weigh differently. Current foster youth verses former foster youth opinions may differ on a broad spectrum.

I feel it’s important to have a voice simply because no one wants to feel like they’re not in control of their own life. Being in foster care is already a disability to the “normal” world. To be put into custody with no say so and to not have a chance of voicing what you want while in custody leads you to be a introvert or even just a mediocre personality. You become crutched at the mind and dependent on others to figure life out for you. No one that has the life of a foster youth growing up want to be considered “unexceptional”.

To be heard and understood is what people want in general. Facing barriers while in foster care and not having a voice, can lead anyone to a deep depression. It’s eminent that we continue to push for our youth voice to be heard. Current and former foster youth yearn for more than just the sky. We search through galaxies, hoping and praying to always be apart of something more that what we were offered. Being a youth that wasn’t heard led me to homeless. I would hate for anyone to go the trauma I’ve experienced! Be that voice our youth needs and remember to remind them they have a voice!

Essence is a MS Youth Voice Board member and strong advocate for foster youth!

We all know that having a voice is important, but it's especially important for those in foster care. Having a voice in the foster care system can make a huge difference in the lives of those in the system, and it's important that we make sure that everyone's voice is heard. For those in the foster care system, having a voice is a way to be heard and to have a say in their own lives. It's a way to make sure that their needs and wants are taken into consideration, and that their opinions are respected. Without a voice, those in the foster care system can feel powerless and unheard, and this can lead to several negative outcomes. Having a voice in the foster care system also allows those in the system to advocate for themselves. It gives them the opportunity to speak up about their needs, and to make sure that their concerns are considered. It also gives them a chance to be part of the decision-making process, and to ensure that their best interests are taken into consideration.

Having a voice in foster care has made a huge impact on my life. During my time in the foster care system, I often felt powerless and unheard in some situations. But when I was given the chance to have a say in the decisions that were being made about my life, I felt empowered. Having a voice has allowed me to take ownership of my life. I can now make decisions that will help shape my future. It's given me the confidence to stand up for myself and to advocate for the things I believe in. Having a voice has also connected me to a community of people who have shared similar experiences. I've been able to learn from them and find strength in our collective stories. This has been invaluable in helping me to heal and grow.

Having a voice in foster care has been life changing for me. It has given me the power to take control of my own destiny and to find a supportive community. I'm so grateful for the chance to be heard and to be part of something bigger.

Thank you to Alana for sharing about the value of having a voice in foster care! Alana is a MS Youth Voice Board member and graduate of the JIm Casey Youth Initiative's Youth Leaders Institute.

What is something we all do everyday and often do not realize? We use our voices, but in fact we really just talk. Using your voice can mean so much more than just daily conversations, but using your voice is important. Those in foster care need to know how to use their voices so that they can get the things that they want. I remember all those times using my voice in foster care and it would not always work out in my favor but it was still empowering.

Foster care is not a perfect system and does need work. Having that voice is important so that we can get this system as close as possible to perfect. It is not right that certain situations may arise but it is important that they get addressed and fixed. It can be hard but it is important!

(Today's post is from Aundavion, MS Board member)

This week we were privileged to be a part of the National Think Tank on Permanent Connections in Denver, Colorado hosted by the Selfless Love Foundation. Mississippi Youth Voice board member Tabitha Rafferty and staff lead Samantha Kalahar convened with 27 other states to discussion practical strategies to help foster youth find personal connections that will outlive their time in the foster care system.

Samantha shared her thought on the importance of permanent connections in today’s Foster Youth Voice Month blog:

“Once the foster care system is done with many of our youth, they have no one left. Relationships with biological families, siblings, school friends, and supportive adults get broken when youth are in foster care…but this does not have to be the case. With intentional plans for keeping connections alive and building new ones, foster youth could have a network of lifelong supports. We in the child welfare system have to own that outcome and track it just like we track and focus on other outcomes like high school completion and independent living skills.

Once Youth leave foster care they need people who will invite them to holidays, answer the phone when they need advice, or walk through adult decision making with them. They need someone to feel connected in the world. This is the most basic of human rights and needs.”



Learn more about this great event in the local news story below:

https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/national-foster-care-think-tank-held-in-colorado

October is Foster Youth Voice Month. What does that mean? It means it is a time to highlight the importance of giving a voice to those who are in the foster care system...a voice for themselves and their lives, and a voice for others in the system.

Mississippi Youth Voice Board Member Rebecca shares why youth voice is so important:

Hello, My name is Rebecca and I am a previous foster youth. I was in the system at age 16 and was released from the system at 18. I believe that the reason it’s important for youth in the foster care system to have a voice is because they should be able to make choices and also speak about their feelings and their needs.

There are so many reasons a foster youth should have a voice. They should be included in what their plan is for the future. Foster youth should be heard emotionally. No child ever wants to feel depressed or sad but sometimes it happen especially in the foster system and some times it tends to get brushed off. Youth should be able to discuss thoughts and emotions with their worker, courts, and even foster homes and group homes.

I started at MSYV because I want to voice the concerns that came to my attention when I was in care and I want to change the way the system works. Having a voice is a huge impact, and it is the reason change gets started. If there’s no voice there’s no change. Foster youth should be able to speak out about concerns and issues that they are facing in the system. I will continue to work and continue to help make a change in the system so no child has to ever feel left behind or unheard.

There is momentum in Mississippi to drastically enhance our state’s foster care and adoptions systems. Leaders are working to find solutions to a variety of issues across the system and we are grateful that the voice of foster youth is at the table. Thank you to Chairmen Cockerham and Wiggins for leading this effort.

Task force looking at potential changes to Mississippi’s foster care and adoption systems

Task force looking at potential changes to Mississippi’s foster care and adoption systems Mississippi is looking for new ways to improve the foster care and adoption systems. It’s an extension of the conversations that started after Roe v. Wade was overturned last year. Now, a new task force is tackling more specifics.

Foster youth who turn 18 in state custody are eligible for Medicaid until they are 26 years of age. Unfortunately, due to glitches in the Medicaid system, many young adults have inappropriately lost their Medicaid in the past several years. MS Youth Voice has advocated to get this process fixed so young adults are not longer falling throught the cracks.

The Department of Child Protective Services and the Division of Medicaid have worked to remedy the situation and have provided guidance for eligible young adults. See the flyer attached for details on how to keep your Medicaid in place or to re-enstate your Medicaid up to your 26th birthday.

This is an important step in helping young adults leavign the foster care system to find stability and support as they head to independence. Thank you to all involved in this important work.

Over the last 25 years, we’ve seen the transformative power of data in enhancing programs for foster youth– and we have leveraged the full power of our data to better deliver housing, education, employment, and healthy living programs to these young adults. Using the right tools and evidence-based programming, we can make a lasting positive impact on the lives of these young individuals.

Read more about our programs across the country:
https://firstplaceforyouth.org/how-first-place-is-leveraging-data-for-lasting-impact/

Share your insight on how racial/ethnic identity changes in the foster care experience.

The Jim Casey Youth Initiative and Child Trends are studying how racial identity is impacted my coarser care and what supports can be put into place to help foster youth in developing their identity.

Details are provided below.

Andranella is an OG with our MS Youth Voice member...she has been here since the beginning! She brings so much experience and mentorship to our board. She has completed the Jim Casey Youth Initiative Fellowship program and has served on national workgroups to move forward foster youth advocacy and programming.

Andranella is at Jackson State University working toward her Bachelors in Integrated Communications and Broadcasting degree. She is going to be taking her voice to the next level.

This fall she will be working to develop social media content for our board and will focus on sharing the policy recommendations from the youth board with decision makers, foster youth advocates, and the public in general.

Let's shout out to Toby today! Toby is a first year member of MS Youth Voice and has been working hard toward his future and helping to build a future for other foster youth. He is a great asset to our team and brings great insight to the needs of foster youth working to find independence as a young adult.

Toby graduated in May from the University of Southern Mississippi and has moved to Starkville to attend Mississippi State University to get his masters!

Happy Rosh Hashanah for all our friends, family and supporters of the Jewish faith.

media.tenor.com

Today's Success September shout out goes to Essence!

Essence is a new board member who has jumped right in! She has presented on her lived experience this year on both the state and national levels. She is a great addition to our team!

Essence started a new job last month working in a hospital laboratory using her biomedical engineering degree. She is loving it!

Friday's Success September shout out goes to Elena!

Elena is a second year member of MS Youth Voice. She graduated with her BSW in 2022 and is working with foster youth in a therapeutic program in Memphis. She gained her US Citizenship in May of this year and is working on her Masters. Elena is a fellow with the Jim Casey Youth Initiative and works both nationally and locally on advocating for foster youth.

Elena has achieved so much but has big plans ahead of her still.

A new set of data on youth transitioning out of foster care gives advocates and policy makers more insignt into the needs of this population, positive and negative trends, and even programs that may be making a difference.

Report Provides Data on Older Youth in Foster Care—September 2023 | Vol. 24, No. 7 Older youth and young adults in foster care have unique needs and require specialized services. A recent resource from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Fostering Youth Transitions 2023: State and National

Our next Success September shout out goes to Adelaide!

Adelaide is our newest member of MS Youth Voice. She is passionate about advocating for youth and has recently returned to college to get her social work degree! She is juggling life as a student, wife, mother of two, and advocate. She has created a happy, thriving family with her husband and wants all the great things for her beautiful children.

Today we celebrate Adelaide!