It's a common problem in every state; foster care kids who age out of the system without being adopted. Last week, an adoption coalition met in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to try and find solutions.

"A recent study by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families found that over the past five years, nearly 1,000 children in foster care aged out without ever having been adopted... Aged out foster kids often don't complete high school and face increased risks of becoming young parents, being homeless and criminal activities."

The best solution, of course, is adoption. Though most states provide some assistance for kids who age out of foster care, the assistance typically ends with the person turns 21. Source: KAIT Television, Jonesboro, Arkansas

Programs for troubled teens, like the one offered at Turn-About Ranch, can help teenagers and their families get past old hurts and move toward successful and healthy relationships.

Labels: advocacy, foster_care, homelessness

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Jeanne Reyer is the Executive Director of Captain Hope's Kids, a Texas-based charity that seeks to meet the needs of children living in homeless shelters, group homes and domestic-abuse safe houses. Reyer often asks herself why the majority of couples choose international adoption when there are so many kids in the US who are in need of stable, loving homes.

"'Why is everyone going to Russia and China? There are 114,000 children in this country waiting for permanent families,' Jeanne said."

Ray and Brandy Harris first considered international adoption, thinking it would be easier and faster. But health issues disqualified them with several international agencies so they began to look domestically. Now, after having adopted two brothers, the Harris high-energy house has become home to Martin and Zachary.

Mount Bachelor Academy is a private high school that offers a specific curriculum for adopted teens. Learn more at mtba.com.

Labels: safe_houses, homelessness, domestic_adoptions

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments