I recently created a new campaign called “foster care’s silent warriors” to generate some attention to all things relating to foster care.  Part of the campaign’s plan includes a personal letter to Oprah’s producers that asks for help with regard to public exposure for foster care.  It is such a large issue in America that it deserves LARGER THAN LIFE ATTENTION which is where Oprah comes in.  A publicist recently shared with me that the best chance to reach Oprah with an idea is to speak to her producers so that is what I did.

Email Oprah Producers and tell them you want to see shows that highlight Foster Care issues.

You can help me get Oprah’s attention by copying my emailed letter (included below) and sending under your name. All you have to do is click on the “Email Oprah Producers” link, fill in your information and then copy and paste my letter ( included below).  You can also email her with your own words as well, every email will help get foster care children the attention they deserve. Please help pass along this message!

Email letter to Oprah Producers

Quick Facts About Foster Care

Children in Care

513,000 children were in the U.S. foster care system on September 30, 2005. Most children are placed temporarily in foster care due to parental abuse or neglect.

Age of Children in Foster Care

Average age: 10.0 years

Race/Ethnicity

As a percentage, there are more children of color in the foster care system than in the general U.S. population. However, child abuse and neglect occur at about the same rate in all racial/ethnic groups.

Read the report, Children of Color in the Child Welfare System, from CWLA’s National Data Analysis System.

Gender

Length of Stay

For the children in foster care on September 30, 2005, the average amount of time they had been in the system was 28.6 months. Half of those leaving care that year had been away from home for a year or longer. 54% of the young people leaving the system were reunified with their birth parents or primary caregivers.

Foster Homes

In 2004, there was a total of 153,000 licensed/certified/approved kinship and non-relative foster homes nationwide. In 2005, 24% of youth living foster care were residing with their relatives.

Adoptions

In 2005, 60% of adopted children were adopted by their foster parent(s). The “foster parent” category excludes anyone identified as a relative of the child. 25% of children adopted in FY 2005 were adopted by a relative. A “relative” includes a step-parent or other relative of the child.

Siblings and Extended Families

Over 2 million American children live with grandparents or other relatives because their parents cannot care for them. When relatives provide foster care (known as kinship care), siblings can often stay together. Kinship care also improves stability by keeping displaced children closer to their extended families, their neighborhoods, and their schools.

Youth in Transition

Each year, an estimated 20,000 young people “age out” of the U.S. foster care system. Many are only 18 years old and still need support and services. Several foster care alumni studies show that without a lifelong connection to a caring adult, these older youth are often left vulnerable to a host of adverse situations:

My mind has remained focussed on the act of forgiveness and the great strength demonstrated by people who have this capacity to truly “forgive” someone who has caused them harm and/or pain.  This woman is truly remarkable!

Obviously, I am going to keep her identity private but my hope is that many of you will offer words of encouragement for her to read here.  Let’s use this platform to show her support and love so she knows she is not alone and to show that she has an entire community of great people thinking of her and praying for her.  Please post well wishes, words of encouragement and prayers here for her to read.

Thanks to Edna  (an upcoming Face of a Foster Care Graduate) for sending to us.