- Foster care bill would give kids more freedom, By Rochelle Koff, March 27, 2013, Tampa Bay Times: “Martin Gordon, 19, came to the Capitol to tell legislators his experiences in the foster care system hoping that his voice — and the voices of 26 other current and former foster care children — would make a difference. On Wednesday, they got their answer. The Florida Senate passed a bill 38-0 eliminating many of the restrictions that keep foster children from participating in normal activities, like a field trip, sleepover, sporting event, vacation or even a trip to the beach. The bill, SB 164, passed the House earlier this month and now heads to Gov. Rick Scott’ desk. Scott is expected to sign the measure…”
- New program to provide jobs for foster-care youths in Orlando, By Kate Santich, March 26, 2013, Orlando Sentinel: “For scores of Central Florida foster teens who turn 18 each year, aging out of the state’s custody means no place to live, no job, no drivers license and no transportation. Although teen unemployment is at historically high levels, for foster youths the rate has been reported as high as 85 percent, and many end up homeless, in jail or on public assistance. That’s why local nonprofit agencies are teaming with foster-care officials to get them the internships and job-mentoring programs that are typically a rite of passage for other kids…”
Poverty-related issues in the news, from the Institute for Research on Poverty