WASHINGTON – Casey Family Programs awards House Majority Leader Tom DeLay with a leadership award for his longstanding and impassioned commitment to bettering the lives and educational opportunities for children in foster care.
"Youth in foster care have a great champion in Tom DeLay. We appreciate and applaud the Majority Leader's personal and legislative assistance to children who must meet the many challenges within the foster care system," said Ruth Massinga, president and CEO of Casey Family Programs.
There are currently more than half a million children in the U.S. foster care system. Each year more than 20,000 teens turn 18 and must leave the system, often without the resources and support to pursue their goals, especially the opportunity to go to college. A recent study showed that a high percentage-70 percent-have a desire to attend college.
As DeLay has pointed out, "Too many teenagers are emancipated from foster care with no high school diploma, no job skills, and no future. Too often, these kids end up in homeless shelters, prison or worse. In short, the system is broken, and the lives of hundreds of thousands of children rely on our willingness and courage to fix it."
The DeLays became involved in children's issues when his wife, Christine, became a trained Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). The DeLays have been foster parents to three children and are committed to improving the lives of abused children.
“Rep. DeLay’s commitment to foster care and leadership on these issues is critical as we all work together to improve outcomes for youth in foster care,” said Massinga.
The award presentation took place today in the United States Capitol building, room HC-6 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.