Vol. 16, No. 1 • November 2011

Writing Contest

First Prize: $100

Second Prize: $50

Third Prize: $25

If you are under 18 and are or have been in foster care, please send us a letter or short essay in response to the following questions:

Who would you invite to a child and family team meeting?

Why would you invite this person/these people?

Important Background Child and family team meetings (CFTs) are meetings where DSS brings family members and their community supports together to create, implement, and update a plan with the child, youth, and family. CFTs seek to ensure child safety and build on the strengths of the child, youth, and family and address their needs, desires, and dreams. People invited to CFTs by the child or family can include family members (e.g., siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles), neighbors, friends, mentors, pastors, and others.

Younger children are welcome to submit artwork on this theme/topic as well.

Deadline: February 2, 2012

Anyone under 21 who is or has been in foster care or a group home can enter. E-mail your submission to [email protected] or send it via U.S. Mail your entry to:

John McMahon, Editor
Fostering Perspectives
Jordan Institute for Families
1459 Sand Hill Rd., No. 6 (NCDSS)
Candler, NC 28715

Include your name, age, address, social security number (used to process awards only, your confidentiality will be protected) and phone number. In addition to receiving the awards specified above, winners will have their work published in the next issue of Fostering Perspectives. Runners-up may also have their work published, for which they will also receive a cash award.

We’re Also Seeking Artwork and Other Writing from Children and Teens in Foster Care
Submissions can be on any theme. No deadline: submit your work at any time. If sent via U.S. Mail, artwork should be mailed flat (unfolded) on white, unlined paper.

Copyright � 2011 Jordan Institute for Families