Youth/Alumni | Family Voices United

"...While my mother was given services for substance abuse, housing, and employment, she did not receive any or adequate mental health services. I truly believe if she had mental health support/services I would have been reunified with her."

"Mental health services would have made a world of a difference for my family. My biological mother struggled with depression and other mental health issues. She was able to find... (Read more)

Mental Health

"...My parents didn't have support to access or understand how necessary mental health services were for them to keep their children..."

Youth/Alumni

"Absolutely, my parents had several mental health issues. Though child welfare workers suggested services, my parents weren't provided direct support in getting there. I believe intentional conversations explaining how necessary... (Read more)

Mental Health

"The services in place weren't addressing my issue specifically. Things I said in confidence were repeated in family therapy, which made things worse. I felt like I had no one."

Youth/Alumni

"The services in place weren't addressing my issues specifically. Things I said in confidence were repeated in family therapy, which made things worse. I felt like I had no one."... (Read more)

Mental Health

"Mental health services could have created stability, a safer living environment, and most importantly, I wouldn’t have ended in the foster system."

Youth/Alumni

"Mental health services could have created stability, a safer living environment, and most importantly, I wouldn't have ended in the foster system." Family Voices United member, Jaci, shares her thoughts... (Read more)

Mental Health

"Behavioral health services could have helped my mother... No one told her that her decision could impact our family for the rest of our lives... If someone had, I believe my family’s story would be different."

Youth/Alumni

"Behavioral health services could have helped my mother when she was told by the court that she couldn't go to our home during a 30-day reunification trial with our father... (Read more)

Mental Health

"I’ve gone through 15 years of abuse and actually talking to people that care to listen really helped me feel like I wasn’t alone. Everywhere I looked I saw everyone that supported me through my journey."

Youth/Alumni

"I've gone through 15 years of abuse and actually talking to people that care to listen really helped me feel like I wasn't alone. Everywhere I looked I saw everyone... (Read more)

Mental Health

"...The more support relative caregivers receive, the more likely relatives will step up to care for their family members. This will help to lower the number of foster homes needed and decrease the number of children in foster care..."

Youth/Alumni

"In order to help relative caregivers navigate supports and services for children they are raising they should receive monthly financial support, funds for higher education and opportunities to receive training... (Read more)

Kinship

"...I would have liked them to go through a training to understand their role for me and understand the trauma I was still experiencing, instead of them telling me I should be grateful to be with them instead of a "random family"..."

Youth/Alumni

"I think that relative caregivers and the youth they are housing should be able to access all of the same trainings and resources that other foster or adoptive parents have... (Read more)

Kinship

"...It just seemed to me that legislators might want to hear the voice of someone who’s impacted by a bill that’s on the table..."

Youth/Alumni

Youth and alumni from Louisiana's foster care system are asking legislators to extend foster care to the age of 21. One advocate, Spearman, shared why he believes foster care should... (Read more)

Older Youth