Life in Foster Care | Xander Varos | TEDxYouth@CherryCreek

TEDx Talks
16 May 202210:47
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this emotional speech, a former foster child recounts their experience of being removed from an abusive home and the challenges they faced in the foster care system. They highlight the difficulties in education due to frequent school changes and the stark disparity in SAT scores between foster and non-foster youth. The speaker addresses the inadequate funding for foster care, the lack of legal protections, and the impact on the daily lives of foster children. They conclude by urging improvements in education, legislation, and child services to better support foster youth and ensure their success.

Takeaways
  • 🏫 The speaker was removed from school by a stranger and taken to the Hamilton House where they were questioned about abuse in their household.
  • 👨‍👧‍👦 The speaker and their three younger siblings were all placed into the foster care system, highlighting the impact on multiple family members.
  • 📚 The foster care system presents significant challenges to education, including frequent school changes and restrictions that affect learning continuity.
  • 🎓 A stark statistic is mentioned: foster youth are more likely to graduate homeless than as part of the foster system, emphasizing the lack of support.
  • 📉 There is a significant gap in SAT scores between foster youth and non-foster youth, with foster youth scoring an average of 200 points lower.
  • 💼 The McKinney-Vento Act provides funding for homeless students but not the same level of support for foster youth, indicating a disparity in resources.
  • 💰 The minimum payment for foster care providers in Colorado is criticized as being insufficient to raise a child adequately.
  • 👶 The need for better funding for foster care providers is linked to the potential for more foster homes and better opportunities for children.
  • 👩‍🏫 There is a call for increased training for foster parents to ensure they are genuinely there to support the child's success.
  • 🔄 The instability of the foster care system is illustrated through personal stories of individuals who have been moved from home to home, impacting their education.
  • 🤝 The speaker suggests that school boards, legislators, and child services departments all have roles to play in improving the situation for foster youth.
Q & A

  • What was the initial experience of the speaker when they were taken to the Hamilton House?

    -The speaker was met by a stranger wearing a black suit, an off-white shirt, and a pink and blue bow tie. They were taken from school to the Hamilton House to answer questions about their household, revealing the presence of sexual, mental, and physical abuse.

  • How did the speaker's siblings react when they were asked about their home situation?

    -The speaker's three younger siblings were also asked about their home situation at the Hamilton House, and they likely shared similar experiences of abuse as the speaker.

  • What is the main challenge the speaker faced in the education system as a foster youth?

    -The main challenge was the frequent changes in schools, which made it difficult to maintain a stable education and caused disruptions in their learning process.

  • What statistic did the speaker find shocking regarding foster youth and graduation rates?

    -The speaker found it shocking that foster youth are more likely to graduate homeless than as part of the foster care system.

  • How does the speaker describe the SAT score gap between foster youth and non-foster youth in Colorado?

    -The speaker noted a 200-point gap, with foster youth scoring around 800 compared to non-foster youth scoring around 1000 on the SAT.

  • What is the McKinney-Vento Act, and how does it relate to the speaker's discussion on funding?

    -The McKinney-Vento Act provides funding for clothing, transportation, and other necessities for homeless individuals to attend school. The speaker points out that foster youth do not have the same laws to support them financially.

  • What is the minimum payment for foster care providers in Colorado, according to the speaker?

    -The speaker mentions that the minimum payment for foster care providers in Colorado is $500, which they argue is not enough to raise a child in the state.

  • What are the speaker's suggestions for improving the foster care system?

    -The speaker suggests increasing professional development for teachers, legislating to increase funding for foster care providers and education, and ensuring the Department of Child and Family Services places children in supportive and loving environments.

  • Why does the speaker believe increasing funding for foster care could lead to more foster homes?

    -The speaker believes that with better funding, more people would be willing to become foster parents, leading to more opportunities for children in the system.

  • What is the speaker's concern about increasing funding without proper oversight?

    -The speaker is concerned that increased funding might attract people who are more interested in the money than in genuinely helping the children, which could be detrimental to the foster care system.

  • How does the speaker describe the impact of frequent transfers on a foster child's education?

    -The speaker uses the example of 'Susie' to illustrate how frequent transfers can disrupt a child's education and lead to acting out due to the trauma experienced.

  • What is an example of a negative outcome for a foster child mentioned in the script?

    -The speaker mentions 'Bob', who was sent to live with relatives in Florida but ended up on the streets when they couldn't care for him, highlighting the instability and potential neglect some foster children face.

Outlines
00:00
🏠 Foster Care System Challenges

The speaker recounts their experience being taken into the foster care system after revealing abuse at home. They discuss the difficulties faced by foster children in education, including frequent school changes and lower graduation rates, as well as the disparity in SAT scores between foster and non-foster youth. The speaker also highlights the lack of funding for foster care, comparing the minimum provider payment to the high costs of raising a child in Colorado, and emphasizes the need for better support and laws to ensure the well-being and success of foster youth.

05:02
💼 Addressing Foster Care Inequities

This paragraph delves into the financial struggles of foster care, pointing out the insufficient funding provided to foster care providers and the lack of legal protections for foster youth compared to homeless individuals. The speaker argues for increased funding to attract more foster homes and improve opportunities for children. They also stress the importance of training for foster parents to ensure their commitment to the child's success. The paragraph includes personal anecdotes illustrating the negative impacts of frequent home and school changes on children's education and well-being.

10:03
👨‍👧‍👦 Enhancing Support for Foster Youth

The final paragraph focuses on the role of various societal sectors in improving the lives of foster youth. The speaker suggests that educators can benefit from professional development to better understand and support the unique needs of foster children. They also call for legislative action to increase funding for foster care and establish meaningful laws. The paragraph concludes with a call to the Department of Child and Family Services to ensure that children are placed in supportive and loving environments where they can thrive, advocating for a system that truly serves the best interests of foster youth.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Foster Care System
The foster care system is a government-mandated program designed to provide temporary care for children who cannot live with their biological or adoptive families. In the video, the speaker describes their personal experience entering the system due to abuse at home. The system's challenges, such as frequent school changes and lack of stability, are highlighted as significant barriers to the children's education and well-being.
💡Abuse
Abuse refers to the mistreatment or harmful actions towards an individual, which can be physical, sexual, or mental. The script mentions the speaker's experience of abuse within their household, which led to their removal and placement in the foster care system. Abuse is a critical issue that necessitates intervention and support for the victims, as it can have long-lasting effects on their mental health and development.
💡Educational Challenges
Educational challenges in the context of the video relate to the difficulties foster children face in maintaining consistent education due to frequent relocations and the lack of tailored support within the schooling system. The speaker points out the disparity in SAT scores between foster youth and non-foster youth, emphasizing the need for better educational opportunities and recognition of the unique struggles faced by children in foster care.
💡Homelessness
Homelessness is a state of lacking a stable and permanent place of residence. The script refers to a startling statistic that suggests foster youth are more likely to end up homeless than to graduate from high school. This underscores the systemic issues that contribute to the cycle of poverty and instability faced by many in the foster care system.
💡McKinney-Vento Act
The McKinney-Vento Act is a U.S. federal law that ensures students experiencing homelessness have equal access to education. The speaker contrasts the provisions of this act, which supports homeless students with clothing and transportation, with the lack of similar support for foster youth, highlighting the need for more comprehensive policies that address the specific needs of children in foster care.
💡Foster Care Providers
Foster care providers are individuals or agencies responsible for the care and well-being of children placed in the foster care system. The script discusses the financial support provided to these providers, criticizing the insufficient amount as a barrier to attracting more foster homes and ensuring the quality of care for children.
💡SAT Scores
SAT scores are standardized test results used for college admissions in the United States. The video script points out the significant gap in SAT scores between foster youth and non-foster youth, with the former scoring significantly lower. This disparity illustrates the educational disadvantages faced by children in the foster care system.
💡Stigma
Stigma refers to a mark of disgrace or discredit associated with a person or thing. In the context of the video, the speaker mentions the stigma associated with legislators, suggesting that there is a negative perception of the political process and its ability to effect change for foster youth. However, the speaker also notes recent legislative efforts to improve support for foster children.
💡Interstate Compact
An interstate compact is an agreement between states to cooperate on specific policy matters. The script uses the example of a child named Bob, who was moved to live with relatives in another state through an interstate compact. However, when the arrangement failed, Bob was left without support, illustrating the potential pitfalls of such agreements when they do not result in stable care.
💡Child and Family Services
Child and Family Services is a government department responsible for the welfare of children, including those in foster care. The speaker calls for improvements within this department to ensure that children are placed in supportive and loving environments where they can thrive, rather than being subjected to a series of unstable placements.
💡Success
Success, in the context of the video, is used to describe the desired outcome for children in the foster care system: a stable, nurturing environment that allows them to grow and achieve their potential. The speaker argues that the current system often falls short of this goal, and calls for systemic changes to better support the success of foster youth.
Highlights

The speaker was unexpectedly taken from school to the Hamilton House for questioning about their household.

The Hamilton House interview revealed the existence of severe sexual, mental, and physical abuse within the speaker's home.

The speaker's siblings were also interviewed, leading to the realization of the abuse they all faced.

The speaker has been in the foster care system for nearly three years, facing significant educational challenges.

There are restrictions and difficulties for foster children in the education system, especially with frequent school changes.

A startling statistic shows that foster youth are more likely to graduate homeless than as part of the foster system.

Foster youth SAT scores in Colorado are significantly lower than those of non-foster youth, indicating a large educational gap.

The speaker argues that foster youth deserve better educational opportunities and resources.

The McKinney-Vento Act provides funding for homeless students but not the same level of support for foster youth.

Foster care providers in Colorado start with a minimum funding amount that is insufficient to raise a child.

The speaker suggests that increased funding for foster care could lead to more foster homes and better opportunities for children.

There is a concern that increased funding might attract people who are only interested in the money.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of training for foster parents to ensure they are genuinely there for the child's well-being.

The daily life of foster youth involves instability, with many transferring from home to home and school to school.

Personal stories illustrate the negative impacts of the foster care system on education and stability.

The speaker calls for action in three areas: education, legislation, and the department of child and family services.

Legislators can improve the system by providing trackers for foster youth and increasing funding for support.

The department of child and family services must ensure that children are placed in environments where they will be loved and successful.

The speaker concludes with a passionate plea for a better system that acknowledges the worth of foster children.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Foster CareEducation GapYouth AdvocacySystemic IssuesChild WelfareAbuse AwarenessPolicy ReformYouth ResilienceSocial JusticeSupport Systems