The Good Stuff in Child Welfare

Volume XXX | July 19, 2023

Welcome to The Good Stuff in Child Welfare!

Our team at the Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice, & Research recognizes that between the all too frequent and grim child welfare stories that make us teary-eyed, clenched-fisted, and faint-hearted, there are inspiring accomplishments and heartening endeavors taking place all over this country at every level of practice. To elevate and promote these encouraging stories, we are pleased to bring you this monthly newsletter emphasizing news stories only about “The Good Stuff” from the broad field of child welfare. This month, we highlight basic needs and the creative ways they can be met. We hope this read gives you a few moments of hopefulness and a sense of possibility.

If there's something you'd like to see here, shoot us an email. Know someone who could use a little Good Stuff in Child Welfare? Send them a copy! We hope you love it as much as we do.

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A New Guaranteed Income Pilot Launches in DC

Mother Up is a community-funded cash assistance program managed by a Washington, DC nonprofit, Mother’s Outreach Network. In May of this year, they began a pilot of a guaranteed income program for Black mothers with children involved in the child welfare system. In the “soft launch,” five mothers are currently receiving $500 per month for three years, with additional cohorts to begin receiving funds later this year. “It’s intended to give families the support that they need to stay together to prevent their involvement in the system, but also to address the real needs that they have,” said Melody Webb, co-founder of Mother’s Outreach Network.

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‘Bananas Foster’ Program Hopes to Help Place Foster Children in Homes

Exhibition baseball team, the Savannah Bananas, recently launched a non-profit program to recruit foster parents. Bananas Foster raises awareness about foster care and recruits a waitlist of foster parents who could provide care to children in the Savannah, GA area. Team owners Jesse and Emily Cole are already foster parents and hope to expand the network of support for children and teens coming in to foster care.

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Former Foster Youth Eligible for Living Expense Grants

Last month, the BREATHE guaranteed income program in Los Angeles county expanded to include 200 slots for young adults in foster care. The randomly-selected qualifying participants will receive $1,000 per month for two years. “I’m proud that the expansion of Breathe: L.A. County’s Guaranteed Income Program, will intentionally include foster youth, who are one of our most vulnerable populations,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, 2nd District. “I trust that the findings from this pilot will sharpen our ability to disrupt the cycle of poverty by investing directly in our residents and communities that are disproportionately impacted.”

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Labadie Lofts Provide Housing for Adults Leaving Foster Care

Labadie Lofts, a new affordable apartment complex, opened for young adults aging out of foster care in Bay City, Michigan last month. The 10-unit complex will provide youth transitioning to adulthood with a chance to live independently while also providing support through counseling services. One unit is already occupied with an 18-year-old resident, with availability in the lofts for nine more residents. Tenants are required to pursue full-time education or vocational training.

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Duffels of Dignity Program Fills Need for Children

Hillsborough County Children’s Services in Tampa, Florida recently disseminated over 160 new donated duffel bags and hundreds of personal care items to the Children’s Home Network (CHN) through their Duffels of Dignity program. Started just 6 months ago, the program provides foster children currently living at CHN’s Kids Village the opportunity to "shop" for personal items and duffel bags to store their belongings. To date, the program has distributed 860 duffel bags, backpacks, and luggage, and 4,000 personal care items.

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The Field Center team would like to thank the staff who brought this newsletter together and their contributions in providing readers with this uplifting content. Many thanks to our Associate Director Sarah Wasch for editing and our Administrative Coordinator Felicia Saunders for handling design and distribution. Special thanks to our Managing Faculty Director, Dr. Johanna Greeson for her idea to curate the “good news stories” happening in child welfare!