Afterwatching the video, what is your reaction to this film, what do youthink can be done to fix the problem of aging out? Support your answersand respond to two students.
Write about one to two paragraphs for the discussion.
Here is the two classmates posts that you have to write a one paragraph reply for them ;
1- Alondra Botello Raya : In this short film, I was shocked how the United States spends 8 billion dollars a year on foster care. How is the foster care system taking in so much money, but it is not benefiting these kids. The system is failing them, and the placements they are taken into are not helping them with their issues of abandonment. Unfortunately, once kids in the foster system are in their teen years, no family wants them, and makes it difficult for them to make family-like relationships in their placements. What I feel that can be done to fix the problem of aging out is that these kids should have support to know how to cook, clean, and know-how to survive. The foster care system should create a program to have kids aging out to have a job, making sure they finish high school and have a role to function in society. From what I have seen from the foster care system is that social workers have too many caseloads, and just want to fill an empty placement. There must be a different approach with these kids, they do not need to move around it is not helping them develop into young adults. Write your reply here,,,
2- Nora Geldin: My initial reaction was to be really angry that the system continues to fail so many kids. I know someone who ended up in juvenile detention and was released to a group home until they turned 18. They still struggle today, more than 10 years later, to let go of that trauma and resentment. As far as fixing the problem of aging out, I think that has to start long before a kid turns 18. There were a few mentions of contacting family members for potential placement before a kid is automatically dropped into the system, that seems like an easy and obvious place to start. I also wonder if a well-run, safe, and stable group home would be a better solution than multiple failed attempts at family placement? Giving kids in the system options and actually asking them what they want would also probably help, since it could give them some sense of control, which can be comforting amidst all the chaos.I think the most important work is done before a kid turns 18, but bridge services are also important. Maybe we provide an option for housing assistance and practical education like financial literacy, along with an apprenticeship or job placement? I know that kids who have been in the foster system in California have access to financial and support services when attending community college, but we should also be supportive of the fact that higher education may not be a practical fit for them immediately out of high school. Write reply….