Three heroes of child welfare

National Foster Care Month in May gave us the opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of those who are making a difference in the lives of children and youth in care. Following this very successful celebration, we’d like to recognize three noteworthy individuals whose contributions deserve particular recognition.

Angela Crider, a volunteer court appointed special advocate, works nationally and locally to ensure that youth of color who enter the foster care system continue to receive support for their cultural and ethnic development.

Karen Jorgenson, the executive director of the National Foster Parent Association, continues to help foster families in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Betsey Rosenbaum receives special thanks from Casey Family Programs. Her recent retirement after 30 years of leadership in the child welfare community leaves behind a legacy reflected in federal law and foster care practices across the nation.

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Addressing disproportionality in the Texas child welfare system

In Texas, African-American children and youth make up a far greater percentage of the children in foster care than they do of the state’s child population as a whole.

Joyce James, who began working for Child Protective Services (CPS) as a caseworker in the late 1970s, knew for a long time that something was wrong with the system. Now James is the assistant commissioner of CPS. She’s finding causes, looking for solutions, and creating alliances by listening to what families and community leaders have to say.

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