March 2024

Dear Susan,

Over the next few months, we will be sharing some pre- and post-COVID data relating to children in our community. We will be asking what information you want to know about services available to local kinship and foster youth post-pandemic. 

We are hearing great success stories, but overall the numbers are concerning. Many fewer kids are getting lead screenings in Milwaukee. The number of kids in foster care getting basic required services like dental care are down. Nationwide, two-thirds of children attend schools that currently experience chronic absenteeism. 25% of children attended schools with chronic absenteeism before the pandemic. Kids who are attending school regularly are now feeling the effects of absenteeism among their peers. 

Locally, KMI is examining child protection and local school policies that count students as attending school even when they do not attend classes. What does “attending school” mean when students stay with the guidance counselor or in a “special room” without instruction all day for most of a semester? 

One way we can all help kids get back on track is by helping them stay connected with summer camp options for kids, job opportunities for teens and providing healthy, safe, positive learning opportunities over the summer. Our camp guide highlights camps that have foster and kinship youth in mind.

We so appreciate all that you do for youth.  Reach out and let us know what has been working in your advocacy for children or what challenges you see. Send me a note at adam@kidsmatterinc.org with your questions and ideas. Together we can be the difference in children’s lives.

Sincerely,

Sue

Susan Conwell, JD

Executive Director

P.S. Scroll down to check out a new scholarship for youth experiencing disrupted adoptions.

Summer Camp & Job Registration Starts Now!

2024 Summer Camp Opportunities - Register Now!

Many opportunities exist for kids in foster and kinship care to attend summer camps with structured outdoor programs, supervised social activities, and more.

Click the link below to download the guide, including how to apply for scholarships through the "Camps for Kids" program. We've done our best to provide timely information, but please contact camps directly to finalize your plans.

Many camps have registration deadlines in the next few weeks. Don't delay and miss a chance to have your kids create lasting memories of sunny days filled with fun.

Camp Spotlights

"I attended this program when I was younger and in foster care, it gave me a chance to see my biological brothers and spend time with them. It was the most special moment in my life, to this day I still think about the time I had there." - A former CTB camper

Summer Employment Options for Foster and Kinship Teens

Teens and young adults have a number of unique opportunities for summer and career entry through a wide range of local programs. Use our 2024 guide to find the person and number to get you to the front line in filling roles around the city that will bring the satisfaction of a well-earned paycheck.

Programs include:

• Milwaukee Earn & Learn
• MPD Ambassador Program
• Transform Milwaukee Jobs
• and more!

Summer Safety Tips

We wouldn’t be KIDS MATTER without the reminder that some summer programs are experiencing staffing shortages. It is vitally important to ask every program how they vet and train their staff, what their policies are around preventing child sexual abuse, how the program addresses phones/social media, and what kind of mental health first aid is available for both campers and counselors. The US is experiencing a devastating mental health crisis among adolescents, who may be either campers or counselors. (see a NYT article about the problem here)

Ask. “What are the policies around bathroom and shower usage? Do older children ever supervise younger children? If so, what are the policies about adult supervision?” As our friends at Darkness to Light emphasize, 40% of children who are sexually abused are abused by older or more powerful children. Good programs have policies to prevent this!

Let’s make this a summer of positive growth for kids. 

Click on one of these happy camper photos to download a helpful Checklist for Safer Camp Experiences produced by our friends at Darkness to Light who advise "When making a choice, it’s important to not only make sure the camp is following the CDC and local government guidelines for health and safety during a pandemic, but also to check-in on their child protection policy and see what changes may be in effect due to any new regulations."

Thank You to Our Wonderful Partners!

Our friends at La Macchia Group stopped by to drop off Fostering Hope backpacks for our kids!

Thank you so much to the La Macchia team for keeping our kids in your hearts this season!

Steve and Tabi from Tuatara Consulting Inc. brought in laptops and four HUGE boxes of stuffed animals for our youth!

Thank you to Tuatara Consulting Inc. and their partners at Kohler Co. for helping our kids and their families stay connected this year!

Thank you so much to our partners at Kids Impact Community who put together 104 Birthday Buddy bags for foster and kinship youth!

We are so grateful to Kids Impact Community youth and families for helping our kids feel special on their birthdays this year!

Our friends at Ticket to Dream Foundation partnered with The Humble Co. USA to give our youth eco-friendly toothbrushes, floss, and other personal care products!

Thank you so much for providing these essential items for our foster and kinship youth!