Today’s guest post was written by Kris LaFleur.
What to do with children reaching the age of majority has been an ageless problem since the inception of the foster care system. Many youth are considered difficult to place; older children, sibling groups, African American and American Indian children. These lost children are forced to leave, often ill-prepared and without a supportive network of family and friends, entirely on their own to face the realities of independent living. Singer and songwriter, Amanda Williams’ performance, Nobody’s Child, was written to create awareness of the plight of these children. Despite laws that mandate permanency, it is a sad truth that this is an unobtainable goal for many youth. They are abandoned by a system that failed to meet their most fundamental need; belonging to a family.
Reporter Sasha Aslanian writes about a proposed bill in her MPR News article, Family Reunification Act could restore parental rights in some lost custody cases. Her article discusses Bill S. F. 422, a proposed alternative to some Minnesota youth facing the fear and uncertainty of “aging out.” Published on February 26, 2013 the article reports that the Family Reunification Act could give some kids and their parents a second chance.
Dismissing the dual misconceptions that parent’s cannot recover and heal from the adversities that led to the loss of their children and that children who have been victims of abuse and neglect do not continue to yearn for the love of their parent, this proposed law allows some hope. Parents who are able to meet the specific criteria would be able to reunify with their children once they have proven their ability to provide a safe, permanent home. Retired Supreme Court Justice, Helen Meyer understands this most basic bond. She is quoted, “children — even those who have been through terrible things — want to return home.” Both parents and children would be given another chance to be a forever family.
Ms. Aslanian supports the intent of the proposal. By granting the opportunity of reunification, youth would be given the prospect of transitioning to adulthood with nurturing and support. Without the stress of attempting to meet their basic needs and the isolation of navigating unfamiliar territory alone, these youth are given a fighting chance to thrive rather than face the all too common destiny of homelessness, addiction, incarceration and other fates common to those that are unsupported. Eleven states currently offer a process for parents to restore their parental rights. Minnesota youth should have the same opportunity to have their family returned to them. While it is estimated that only about thirty-five Minnesota children would be affected, that is thirty-five that could be saved from becoming a statistic. Instead their right to the love and security only family can offer, would be returned.
What is missing form Sasha Aslanian’s article? The answer to the ever elusive question; what can we do for the remaining lost and soon forgotten children that are not given a second chance and must continue on alone?
View Nobody’s Child by Amanda Williams below.
