AdvOCAcy : your child welfare update, 2019 January

Office of the
Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update

January 2019

Page 1

What does Super Bowl LIII have to do with children in foster care?

OCA's monthly platform for the unedited voices of young people who have been in care....
Youth Voice

Children in foster care and those at risk of entering foster care are generally at a higher risk of becoming victims of human trafficking. While human trafficking occurs every day, there is a concentrated influx of buyers and sellers for major events such as the Super Bowl.

By Casey Mangum
Hello my name is Casey Mangum, I was a child that was brought up in the system for 85% of my childhood. I experienced good and bad along the way, but one thing that I held on to was the amazing love and devotion of some of my foster parents.

In fact, 33 people were arrested in metro Atlanta for human trafficking mere days before this year's Super Bowl. (Read more details here.)

With January designated as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

and with the Super Bowl quickly approaching, it's important to be attuned

to the risks and red flags associated with trafficking, and particularly for chil-

dren in foster care and those that are otherwise at risk of becoming victims

of trafficking.

See Trafficking, page 4

Editorial: Children in Foster Care vs. Foster Children

Is there a difference? And By Rachel Davidson does it matter? Children in foster care OCA Interim Director are people not labels and not statis-
tics. When we refer to children in foster care as "foster children", it acts as a label. When using that label, it may inadvertently perpetuate the stigmas that often accompany that label and identifies them only by the circumstances that have happened to them, not by the attributes that make them unique.

Using the term "foster child" is considered identity-first language as opposed

to "child in foster care" being considered people-first language. Identity-first

vs. people-first language is a topic that has been discussed at great length

within the community of people with disabilities. While some people within

this or any other similarly situated community may have a preference for one

over the other, it should be their decision to choose. And until you know

their preference, people-first language is generally deemed to be more re-

spectful.

See Editorial, page 4

The most memorable moment was when I was 14, I lost my step dad tragically. My mom lost herself when he passed she wasn't able to provide or love us the way we needed her to, so DFCS stepped in and took us into care. I was placed with an amazing family, in the beginning I was so mad and hurt I was lost, I did not understand why this was happening. I remember my foster mother telling me one day "Casey, you have to remember who you are, not what you came from". That hit me so hard because everyone I came in contact with saw so much in me, and I never saw my worth because I was a broken child, I came from a broken family.
However, my last stay in the system taught me so much about who I was. When I left I was 16, instead of going down all the negative roads that were placed in front of me I fought every single day to be better than what I was given. I didn't have to fight alone I still stayed in contact with my foster parents who continued to help guide me who still loved me even though I was not in the home with them anymore, my child attorney stayed in contact with me, she helped me fight for who I wanted to be and they still do. I am 26 now, still in contact with all of them.
See Voice, page 2

Office of the
Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update

January 2019

Page 2

Voice cont'd...

I have a beautiful life now, I make

everyday a good day, and I have a beautiful fami-

ly now. I am not completely where I want to be

but in time I will be doing more than I could of

ever imagined and this is with the help of the

amazing people that have followed along with me

in this journey of life.

Something I say a lot now is "the best thing in life is the storm" I say that because if I never would of experienced the love and devotion from everyone that works or has a role in being with children in the system I would of never known my self worth. As a young child or teen you are not thinking of how this is going to affect your future your just thinking of the time you have to stay and what you can do to get away from the situation.

What the adults can do to help these children with this going on is love them do not give up on them, don't make them feel like they are just there because they have no other option let them know that they are somebody to you to this world. Teach them love discipline structure, show them that you care. Most importantly let yourself love those kids, even if they do go home, be proud, cheer them on, call them, stay in touch, write them a letter every now and again to remind them that you have faith in who they are and who they will be don't let them start to feel alone again. You will be surprised what a simple "how are See Voice, page 5

MAAC Day at
the Capitol
The Georgia Senate recognized January 17, 2019 as Multi-Agency Alliance for Children (MAAC) Day at the state capitol. MAAC is a collaborative of agencies serving youth and young adults across Georgia and also serves as the lead agency for Georgia EmpowerMEnt, a youth leadership and advocacy group for

young people who are currently or have experienced foster care. MAAC and their partners spent time in the South Lobby educating on the work they do. MAAC partners are: CHRIS 180, Creative Community Services, Deveraux, Elks Aidmore Inc., Georgia Baptist, Goshen Valley, Hillside, The Methodist Home for Children and Youth, Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services Inc., Youth Villages Georgia and affiliate member Child Kind. For more information on MAAC, please visit their website at www.maac4kids.org.

Upcoming Events:
Mental Health Day at the Capitol, February 8, 2019, Atlanta, GA. More info here.
CASA Day at the Capitol, February 14, 2019, Atlanta, GA. More info here. Deadline to submit a nomination for the Chief Justice Hines 2019 Awards for an
Attorney and a Case Manager of the Year, February 28, 2019. More info here. Deadline for children in grades K-3 to submit a story for the PBS Kids Writers
Contest, March 29, 2019. More info here.

Office of the Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children
January 2019

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update
Page 3

Reading is fun. And healthy!
During Get Georgia Reading's January Cabinet meeting, Dr. Angela Hernandez, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology at Emory & Children's Institute presented about a unique program designed to assist infants and their families within the NICU. This program provides parents with books to read to their infants while in the NICU and connects them with resources once they "graduate" from the NICU. These efforts to promote early reading help combat the potential negative effects associated with preterm births that can lead to lifelong developmental and intellectual disabilities. One program participant acknowledged that sometimes a parent can run out of things to say to their baby or just not know how to engage them while in the NICU. Reading to babies--whether in the NICU or not--helps with bonding and promotes language nutrition.

Office of the Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children
January 2019

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update
Page 4

Being in foster care does not define some-
Editorial continued... one. Yes, it is a part of their situation. But
the child did not choose to be in foster care. And the child is more than a "foster child" whether they embody the typical stereotypes or not. Using people first language can help everyone involved in the child's life be more sensitive to and aware of everything else that is part of the child's make up, including their strengths and interests and serve as a reminder of that child's needs, hopes and goals.

In Scotland, the term for children in foster care is "looked after children". Advocacy

efforts by "looked after children" led to changing that terminology to "care experi-

enced". Additionally, many youth involved with EmpowerMEnt (a youth advocacy

organization in Georgia for youth involved in the foster care system) refer to having

lived experience, or simply as a "young person".

See Editorial, page 5

This sign is posted in OCA's office as a reminder to see children as more than their situation.

Trafficking cont'd... Earlier this month, Governor Brian Kemp said, "We encourage all Georgians to learn the warning signs for human trafficking and the appropriate ways to report suspicious activity to law enforcement."

Georgia's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) developed the flyer to the left that shares some of the signs associated with trafficking and efforts you can take if you see something suspicious.

During this awareness month, the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services hosted an anti-trafficking summit for over 250 providers. Additionally, DFCS has a protocol in place for cases involving the commercial sexual exploitation of children. That protocol can be found here.

Georgia's Attorney General, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and many organizations, including Delta Airlines, have increased their prevention and intervention efforts as well. In conjunction with the "Stop Traffick" event at the beginning of January, Attorney General Chris Carr said, "By Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3, all buyers and traffickers will know that Georgia does not tolerate those who seek to exploit our state's children."

To learn more about ongoing efforts and resources, visit the Georgia Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force page on CJCC's website here.

Office of the
Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update

January 2019

Page 5

Voice, cont'd...

you, I've been thinking of you" would do for a child.

When a child comes in to your home don't let them go a day without telling them the worth they have in themselves. Don't let these kids fight alone, don't let them lose a smile that could light the whole world up, stay boosting these children up, because without you guys we are nothing.

If we don't have a strong team we have no team, its not easy feeling like your not wanted by anyone, so your jobs are to not only protect and provide but make sure that these children know who they are know what they can do know that they are somebody, stand up for them and make a change. The benefit you all get from being foster parents is that you get to instill these things in these children and watch them become wonderful adults, and parents themselves.

We depend on you all to help change the way we think and the way we live in our present and future! To all of you thank you for what you do, and to all who feel alone and broken, you are not alone you are loved and you will succeed. Remember no day is a bad day unless you make it a bad day, get up every morning and tell yourself I can do this I can be better than what I was yesterday that isn't just for the children this is for all of you who struggle being a foster parent this is a new day!

Editor's note: While this is aimed towards foster parents, the sentiments are the same for everyone else working to support a child.

Editorial, continued...

While it should ultimately be up to

the child to choose if they have a preference, I would argue that

those of us working in this field can come across more respectfully

towards children and help others see a child in foster care as more

than a label when we don't automatically resort to using the term

"foster child".

Indeed, this distinction may be of little to no interest for some children in foster care. But for those that do care, they would likely prefer to be considered a child in foster care. A recent conversation with a youth who had spent some time in foster care gave credence to this assumption. While he was not bothered either way, he did understand the distinction, and believed that if a child did care, they would lean towards being seen as more than a label.

While it can take some time to train your brain to using the term "child in foster care" if you are otherwise accustomed to using the term "foster child", I believe it ultimately is a sign of respect to children that subtly lets a child know that they are seen as more than a label or the circumstances that led them to being placed in foster care. "Foster child" hides all the other things that a child is or can be kind, smart, capable, a student, an athlete, a pilot, a veterinarian, a friend, loving AND loveable and any other aspects them make them that unique child.

I challenge you to ask children how they would like to be referred to, retrain yourself to refer to the children you work with as children in foster care or in some other way that does not lend itself to be a label, and continue to see those same children for their whole selves.

Georgia Office of the Child Advocate for the Protection of Children
Rachel Davidson, Interim Director https://oca.georgia.gov 7 MLK Jr. Blvd, Ste 347 Atlanta, GA 30334
For general inquiries, assistance, or to file a complaint: Phone: (404) 656-4200 Internet: https://oca.georgia.gov/webform/request-oca-
assistance-or-investigation To submit an article for the newsletter: rdavidson@oca.ga.gov

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