On November 19, 2019, a grassroots non-profit organization that we are a part of, called Foster Parents Together, were given the opportunity to speak to the Oregon State Senate on Legislature Listening Days. The goal was to voice concerns, experiences, and recommendations to politicians who have the power and duty to improve the foster care system. Often, a missing voice in the conversations regarding fixing the foster care system is the voice of the foster families who live the struggle every day. This was our opportunity to speak.
Aaron, along with other foster parents and advocates from around the state gave over 20-minutes of statements to state senators, the head of DHS, and the director of child welfare, in hopes of working together to improve the system.
The following is the written statement Aaron prepared and the statement to the senate was based on*.
“Hello,
First, I would like to say “thank you” to all of you for giving us this opportunity to speak today on this very important topic. My hope is that we can work together to improve the state of child welfare in Oregon to benefit the children in care, the foster parents trying to help, and bio-families who need support. Continue reading “Foster Parents at the Senate”