A publication dedicated to making foster care and adoption in North Carolina the best they can be
by Amy Huntsman • I have seen too many young people leave foster care without a trusted adult to help guide them. Sometimes they’ve spent years in group homes with no consistent caregiver. For some, the court and child welfare system has not allowed them to have an ongoing relationship with their family. For others, their trauma hinders them from
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Foster Care 18 to 21 should be offered to young adults who are 18, 19, or 20 years old and wish to enter or remain in the program. No one should be terminated or denied entry to North Carolina’s Foster Care 18 to 21 program as a result of the unique challenges from COVID-19. The Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law
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In 2017, North Carolina implemented an extended foster care program, Foster Care 18 to 21, for youth who exited foster care at age 18. National research shows that former foster youth are more likely to be unemployed, homeless, have no high school diploma, have a low income, and be incarcerated compared to the general population (National Youth in Transition Database,
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SaySo (Strong Able Youth Speaking Out), is a statewide, North Carolina-based association of youth aged 14 to 24 who are or have been in out-of-home care. This includes all types of substitute care, including foster care, group homes, and mental health placements. Every year on the first Saturday in March, SaySo holds a gathering where youth from all over North
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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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