Speaking up and out about children in care

by David Sharp, NFPA Public Policy Chair

If you have witnessed the day to day challenges of our nation's child welfare system within the context of foster care and want to know how you can help, read on...

The National Foster Parent Association's public policy committee works with its member associations, state and Congressional leaders, and the Administration to monitor public and private sector policies and promote action that will benefit vulnerable children and youths, their families, and their communities.

Consumers, advocates, and legislators must all become informed and take action on pending national and state changes to virtually all public assistance programs for poor children and their families, including income assistance, Medicaid, and housing support.

The following are suggested strategies that you and your local foster and adoptive parent association may want to use on a short-, or long-term basis. Choose strategies that you can do and believe will send the most effective message. Most importantly, keep plugging away! 

Your voice can make a difference.

Mobilize State and Community Contacts

1. Send (mail, fax, & e-mail) an alert to spread your message far and wide. Urge recipients of the alert to send it to their networks, boards, staff, coalitions, volunteers, and media contacts. Briefly and clearly state what action you want.
2. Set up and activate telephone trees to get the message out.
3. Get on the agenda for community group meetings and statewide conferences (neighborhood associations; civic groups -- Kiwanis, Junior League, etc.; professional meetings of social workers, medical and legal professionals).
4. Work with other interested individuals and your NFPA Public Policy Committee to raise the volume of concern.  Contact David Sharp, NFPA Public Policy Chair, for more information on how you can help advocate for our nations dependent children at dsld1@aol.com.

View and share the pdf version of this call to action here.