Young people + birth parents + relative caregivers

= working together to drive change in foster care.


We are the constituents of the child welfare system. Our campaign is dedicated to ensuring the voices of those with first-hand experience are heard. 

Join the movement!

If you believe the voices of youth, birth parents, and relative caregivers must inform child welfare policies, join us! You'll receive updates about Family Voices United, including regular opportunities to share your perspective.
image shows text that reads: transition supports for families during state reopening
Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver, Foster Parent, Adoptive Parent, Organization/Advocate

“As states move towards reopening, what supports would help you and your family make that transition most successful?”

As states move towards reopening, what supports would help you and your family make that transition most successful? Family Voices United asked current and former foster youth, parents, and kinship... (Read more)

Published Jul 9, 2020

Birth Parent, Foster Parent

New Resource for Birth and Foster Parents

New Practice and Policy Tools to Improve and Encourage Birth and Foster Parent Relationships! The Children's Trust Fund Alliance is introducing two resource tools: The Birth and Foster Parent Partnership:... (Read more)

Published Jul 2, 2020

Organization/Advocate

Family Voices United Constituent Voice Assessment Toolkit

Now more than ever it’s essential for organizations, and agencies to create a continuous opportunity for the voices of young people and families involved in/with the child welfare (and prevention)... (Read more)

Published Jul 2, 2020

Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver, Organization/Advocate

Podcast: Family Voices on Self-Care During a Crisis

Listen as Family Voices United members share self-care lessons and practices. Learn how constituents are taking surviving, prioritizing self-care, and supporting eachother during a crisis. Click here to listen!... (Read more)

Published Jun 15, 2020

image shows text that reads: As states move towards reopening, what supports would help you and your family
Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver, Foster Parent, Adoptive Parent, Organization/Advocate

Share Your Perspective: Supports for families during COVID-19 state reopening

Family Voices United wants to hear from YOU! If you are a current or former foster youth, parent or relative/kinship caregiver - share your voice - and you could... (Read more)

Published Jun 3, 2020

images shows text that reads: “When a youth leaves a foster care facility or institutional care (like a treatment center), what supports will be most helpful for them to integrate back into a family setting?
Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver, Foster Parent, Adoptive Parent, Organization/Advocate

“When a youth leaves a foster care facility or institutional care (like a treatment center), what supports will be most helpful for them to integrate back into a family setting?”

Family Voices United asked current and former foster youth, parents and kinship and relative caregivers: “ When a youth leaves a foster care facility or institutional care (like a... (Read more)

Published May 29, 2020

image shows text that reads: What are the EARLY warning signs that a family might be approaching a crisis?
Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver, Foster Parent, Adoptive Parent, Organization/Advocate

“What are the EARLY warning signs that a family might be approaching a crisis?"

Family Voices United asked current and former foster youth, parents and kinship and relative caregivers: “What are the EARLY warning signs that a family might be approaching a crisis? To... (Read more)

Published May 22, 2020

image shows text: COVID-19 Impact:Poll of transition age youth FosterClub logo
Youth/Alumni, Organization/Advocate

FosterClub Press Release: Young People from Foster Care Hit Hard by COVID-19, Lack Resources and Connections to Weather this Storm

(Washington D.C.) A second in a series of polls of young people from foster care has been conducted by FosterClub, the national network for young people from foster care, revealing... (Read more)

Published May 13, 2020

image shows text that reads: What are the EARLY warning signs that a family might be approaching a crisis?
Organization/Advocate

Share Your Perspective: Crisis support for families

Family Voices United wants to hear from YOU! If you are a current or former foster youth, parent or relative/kinship caregiver - share your voice - and you could... (Read more)

Published May 5, 2020

Birth Parent National Network Webinars
Birth Parent

Birth Parent National Network Webinars

SAVE THE DATE! CARING CONVERSATIONS Monday's 10 AM PT • 11 AM MT • 12 PM CT • 1 PM ET Children’s Trust Fund Alliance is building a better normal... (Read more)

Published Apr 24, 2020

Title Constituent Role Topic Location Published
“As states move towards reopening, what supports would help you and your family make that transition most successful?” Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver, Foster Parent, Adoptive Parent, Organization/Advocate Kinship, Older Youth, Prevention
National
Tribal
07/09/20
New Resource for Birth and Foster Parents Birth Parent, Foster Parent
National
Tribal
07/02/20
Family Voices United Constituent Voice Assessment Toolkit Organization/Advocate Prevention
National
Tribal
07/02/20
Podcast: Family Voices on Self-Care During a Crisis Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver, Organization/Advocate Prevention
National
Tribal
Florida
Iowa
Rhode Island
06/15/20
Share Your Perspective: Supports for families during COVID-19 state reopening Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver, Foster Parent, Adoptive Parent, Organization/Advocate Prevention
National
Tribal
06/03/20
“When a youth leaves a foster care facility or institutional care (like a treatment center), what supports will be most helpful for them to integrate back into a family setting?” Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver, Foster Parent, Adoptive Parent, Organization/Advocate Congregate Care, Prevention
National
Tribal
05/29/20
“What are the EARLY warning signs that a family might be approaching a crisis?" Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver, Foster Parent, Adoptive Parent, Organization/Advocate Kinship, Older Youth, Prevention
National
Tribal
05/22/20
FosterClub Press Release: Young People from Foster Care Hit Hard by COVID-19, Lack Resources and Connections to Weather this Storm Youth/Alumni, Organization/Advocate Older Youth
National
05/13/20
Share Your Perspective: Crisis support for families Organization/Advocate Kinship, Older Youth, Prevention
National
Tribal
05/05/20
Birth Parent National Network Webinars Birth Parent Mental Health
National
04/24/20
What are the ways that the COVID-19 crisis is impacting you and/or your family? Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver, Foster Parent, Adoptive Parent, Organization/Advocate
National
04/14/20
Podcast: Family Voices on COVID19 Crisis Impact & Resources Organization/Advocate Kinship, Older Youth
National
Tribal
04/06/20
FosterClub Press Release: Youth from Foster Care Thrown into Crisis During Pandemic Youth/Alumni, Organization/Advocate Older Youth
National
03/28/20
COVID-19 RESOURCES & GUIDANCE Organization/Advocate Kinship, Older Youth, Prevention
National
Tribal
03/27/20
Share your perspective: What are the ways that the COVID-19 crisis is impacting you and/or your family? Organization/Advocate Kinship, Older Youth, Prevention
National
Tribal
03/26/20
What do attorneys representing families in court proceedings need to know to keep families together? Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver
National
03/20/20
What's needed to help relative caregivers navigate supports and services for the children they are raising? Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver, Organization/Advocate Kinship
National
03/05/20
Share Your Perspective: Supporting young people and families involved in juvenile justice and child welfare Organization/Advocate Older Youth
National
Tribal
02/26/20
Share Your Perspective: Parent Partners Organization/Advocate
National
Tribal
02/06/20
Podcast: Family Voices on Constituent Engagement Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver
National
Tribal
Arizona
Texas
01/05/20
Podcast: Family Voices on Strengthening Families & Keeping Kids out of Foster Care Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver Kinship, Mental Health, Older Youth, Prevention
National
New York
Pennsylvania
01/03/20
Podcast: Family Voices on Legal Representation for Families Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver, Organization/Advocate Kinship, Older Youth, Prevention
National
11/11/19
Podcast: Family Voices on Supporting Kinship Families Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver Kinship
National
Tribal
10/30/19
Administration Issues Memo Regarding Constituent Voice Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver, Foster Parent, Adoptive Parent, Organization/Advocate
National
10/07/19
Share Your Perspective through the Family Voices United Campaign! Organization/Advocate Congregate Care
National
09/19/19
Ohio Grandparent Advocates for Fellow Grandparents Kinship Caregiver Kinship
Ohio
08/12/19
Share your perspective through the Family Voices United campaign! Organization/Advocate Prevention
National
07/31/19
Family Voices United - A Podcast on Mental Health Supports Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver Mental Health
National
06/26/19
Family Voices on Mental Health Supports Birth Parent, Youth/Alumni, Kinship Caregiver Mental Health
National
06/26/19
Share your perspective through the Family Voices United campaign! Organization/Advocate Prevention
National
05/28/19
Join us for a Podcast Production on Mental Health Supports May 29th at 5pm (ET) Organization/Advocate Mental Health
National
05/24/19
From being served by the system to influencing it: Rynn Bell helps human services agencies reshape how they provide services Birth Parent Pregnant & Parenting Youth
Colorado
05/16/19
"...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 Kinship
Washington
05/07/19
"...Apply wrap-around care that coordinates efforts from one location for all available services and resources with attention given to specific needs and circumstances..." Birth Parent Kinship
South Carolina
04/30/19
"...Be willing to go above and beyond your duties to assist caregivers goes a long way - helping them fill out applications and connecting them directly to a resource rather than just handing them a pamphlet helps to make referrals successful..." Organization/Advocate Kinship
Utah
04/29/19
Family Voices United wants to hear from YOU! Organization/Advocate 04/15/19
"As a grandmother raising a baby, I wanted to connect with other relative caregivers in similar situations. There wasn't a resource, so I started the local Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group." Kinship Caregiver Kinship 04/12/19
"...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 Kinship 04/10/19
Family Voices United member, Tecoria Jones, spoke at South Carolina's Kinship Day at the Capitol Kinship Caregiver Kinship
South Carolina
04/10/19
"...A contact person for every family - to answer the caregivers' questions about how to navigate the system and be able to share what services are and aren't available..." Kinship Caregiver Kinship
Alaska
04/10/19
"I would like to see more opportunities for kinship and foster families (parents and kids) to connect. It's most helpful to learn about resources from peers that have been through it." Kinship Caregiver Kinship
Kansas
03/30/19
Colorado engages constituents in Family First Prevention Services Act planning! Organization/Advocate Kinship, Older Youth
Colorado
03/15/19
Family Voices United wants to hear from YOU! Organization/Advocate Kinship
National
03/08/19
"...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 Older Youth
Louisiana
02/25/19
Share your perspective through the Family Voices United campaign! Organization/Advocate Prevention
National
02/15/19
Kinship grandparent shares her experience with mental health supports and navigating the system Kinship Caregiver Kinship, Mental Health
Pennsylvania
02/15/19
"...I cannot help but think that if she had access to mental health treatment, she might not have relapsed and died at age 22 almost one year clean, leaving behind her 9-month-old daughter." Kinship Caregiver Mental Health
Pennsylvania
01/30/19
"...Growing up, I knew my mom had some challenges. I firmly believe mental health services would have helped my mom and helped me figure out how to support her..." Youth/Alumni Mental Health
Pennsylvania
01/29/19
"...I wish I would have felt supported to address *all* of the major barriers and needs to quality parenting during the life of my case. Instead, I reacted with fear and stigma..." Birth Parent Mental Health
Ohio
01/25/19
"As a parent who is a trauma survivor — knowing what's available could have led to receiving help for trauma and mental health issues. Understanding helps families heal." Birth Parent
Ohio
01/24/19

QUESTION OF THE MONTH:

Sometimes young people are involved in BOTH the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. How can those young people and their families be best supported?

*Submit by Mar 16 for a chance to win $50!

If you are a current or former foster youth, a birth parent, a kinship or relative caregiver, or a foster or adoptive parent, share your perspective with the Family Voices United... Your story could be featured on the Campaign!

Share your voice

Help Spread the Word!

Know a youth or alumni of foster care who would want to get involved? How about a birth parent or relative caregiver that is interested in advocacy? Download and share the Family Voices United recruitment flyer.

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