You can join Casey Family Programs in advocating for child welfare practices that improve the lives of vulnerable children and families. These include:

• Finding adoptive parents for older youth
• Helping families stay together while keeping children safe
• Finding the relatives of a child in foster care
• Increasing support for grandparents and other relative caregivers
• Improving support for young people who age out of foster care
• Providing children in foster care and alumni of foster care equal access to education, employment and mental health services

The issues facing child welfare systems differ from state to state. You can become a more effective advocate by tracking your local news for reports about the challenges and successes of the child welfare systems operating in your jurisdiction.

Resources
These sites provide information to help you become an informed advocate for children and families.

Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care
The Pew Commission has published a series of research reports and background papers about child welfare. They describe financing and legislation, and outline how children enter and exit the foster care system. If you are new to child welfare advocacy and are trying to learn more about how the system works, begin with the Pew's background paper A Child's Journey Through the Child Welfare System.

Child Welfare League of America
CWLA advocates for the safety and well-being of children and families. Visit CWLA's advocacy center for legislative agendas and action alerts.