A publication dedicated to making foster care and adoption in North Carolina the best they can be
SaySo welcomes Cherie Watlington as the new SaySo Program Coordinator. Cherie grew up in North Carolina. After graduating from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (A&T) with a Bachelor in Social Work, she attended North Carolina State University and earned a Masters in Social Work. She is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Cherie’s work experience includes facilitating batterer
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If you are or were enrolled in North Carolina’s Foster Care 18 to 21 program, please send us a response to the following questions: How have you benefited from participating in Foster Care 18 to 21? What advice do you have for someone considering this program? (Responses should be 200 or less words.) Deadline: Feb. 2, 2021 E-mail submissions to
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SaySo is excited to be one of the main stakeholders in North Carolina partnering with the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative. SaySo has a dedicated alumni staff co-chairing the project’s design team and at least five other alumni participating in strategic think tank sessions. On April 29, 2019, North Carolina partners joined the Jim Casey Initiative
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The NC Reach program provides college funding and support services to young people adopted from North Carolina DSS foster care after the age of 12, exited from foster care to a permanent home through the Guardianship Assistance Program, and those who age out of the system at 18. Benefits include: Funding. Provides last dollar funding after all federal, state, and
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This program allows youth to stay in foster care until age 21. Services and benefits include Medicaid coverage and educational grants/scholarships for attending a NC public community college or university. Other program benefits include: Placement in a home approved by the county child welfare agency. The only ineligible living situations are being incarcerated or living with the person DSS removed
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Bradleigh (age 9) Bradleigh is spunky and full of energy! This adorable little girl would make the perfect addition to the right forever family. Bradleigh is described by those who know her best as caring, helpful, creative, and artistic. She loves to draw and read books. Bradleigh enjoys figuring puzzles out and making them whole. She enjoys being active, especially
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It can be hard for foster parents and staff to balance ensuring that a baby is well cared for without taking over the parenting role and sidelining the young parent. Here, Martha Edwards, the director of the Ackerman Institute’s Center for the Developing Child and Family in New York, explains how foster parents and staff can help young parents gain
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by Jennifer Nehlsen • What does shared parenting look like for older teens in foster care? To answer this question, let’s consider the stories of Anna, Cora, and Delilah. Although their names are fictional, the stories below are based on the actual experiences of foster care alumni in North Carolina. Ultimately, resource families for older teens need to be open
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by Jonathan Rockoff • When Tyson Robertson was growing up, he and his mother spent time in a homeless shelter while she struggled with substance use disorder. Soon after he was out on his own, it became clear his mother was heading down the same path. Only this time, it would be his siblings, Tyshawn and Tyanna, who’d be staying
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Alexis (age 14) There is something that attracts others to be around this beautiful young lady. It may be her engaging personality or that stunning smile. Alexis is a pleasure to be around and she never meets a stranger. Alexis dreams of joining a family she will be able to connect with, that will love her unconditionally, and provide her
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