When we grow up in care, we’re mandated to services. When we come back into the system as parents, it still feels like no one’s listening to what we think we need. Here, five foster care alum and parents—whose names have been changed because they have open cases—explain the approaches that have worked for them.
1. To support parents, listen to what we say we need.
Sienna: When you’re involved in the system, as a child or a parent, it seems like people are so ready to diagnosis you. They say you’re mentally unstable, even though sometimes you’re just in a lot of pain. When the system and the courts slap you with a diagnosis without even understanding the situation you’re in or listening to what you think you need, you feel stereotyped and discriminated against.
Mitchell: For a number of years after I left foster care, I struggled with my emotions. Finally I found a program called The Bridge New York. The Bridge offers lots of different services but they don’t tell you what services you need. They ask you how you want to move forward with your life. If you say you need support with housing or employment, they have that. If you say you need therapy, they have that too.
[For more go to http://www.risemagazine.org/20...-be-heard-not-fixed/]
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