WASHINGTON

For nearly a decade, Jason Bragg has been an advocate for birth parents, especially fathers. Bringing his advocacy to all stakeholders — birth and foster parents, children and youth, social services and the judicial branch — he reminds them of the importance of including birth parents in conversations and decision-making. He is involved with various advisory groups, including the Department of Children, Youth and Families Citizens Review Panel, where he participates in the child and family services reviews process and court improvement committees. A single father, Jason experienced the child welfare system when he found himself battling a relapse with addiction, facing criminal charges and a CPS investigation. With the help of a parent ally, he navigated the dependency system and reunified with his son. In 2014, he began work for the Washington State Office of Public Defense, where he helps attorneys, parents and stakeholders break down barriers to reunifying families involved in child welfare. Jason gives parents the assurance they need to remain involved so that they get their children back.

Motivated by his experiences growing up in foster care, Rob Scheer eventually became a resource parent and adopted five children from foster care himself. In 2013 he founded Comfort Cases, active in all 50 states and the U.K., to help children entering care by providing a bag or backpack, pajamas, personal care items and a stuffed animal. Rob’s story has been featured in the national media, giving him the opportunity to advocate on behalf of adoptive parents, the LGBTQ+ community and children and youth in foster care. Organizations such as Hearts and Homes for Youth and Leadership Montgomery have asked him to serve as master of ceremonies at their events. He empowers children and youth to educate and advocate for each other, starting a program called #KidsHelpingKids for elementary school children and High School Clubs for teens. Rob has tangibly changed the lives of more than 150,000 children and youth who have received Comfort Cases, and he has positively impacted the agencies who rely on his partnership.

TEXAS

Mercedes Bristol is executive director of Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, a nonprofit providing services to grandparents throughout Texas. She brings her experience as a single grandparent raising five grandchildren to this role. When the children first were placed in foster care with non-relatives, Mercedes successfully advocated to have the children placed with her. Since her grandchildren needed supports to help them heal, she took an early retirement to care for them. She learned firsthand the difficulty grandparents face to receive the benefits and support that they need to raise their grandchildren. Now Mercedes meets regularly with state and federal legislators to share her story and advocate for more recognition and resources for kinship caregivers. Her work contributed to the successful passage of Texas House Bill 4, which expands financial support for kinship caregivers. She is also active with Generations United as an advocate for kinship families. Thanks to Mercedes’ love and care, her grandchildren are doing well and thriving personally and academically.

GEORGIA

Anthony Stover is the Youth Engagement Coordinator with Georgia EmpowerMEnt, an organization of people currently and formerly in foster care who advocate for change in the foster care system. He’s also an author (Adulting 101: My First Apartment), consultant, facilitator, trainer and advocate who speaks on behalf of youth in foster care. After entering care at age 11, Anthony was moved several times before finding stability through a social worker, Grady Jenkins; his mother figure and mentor, Angela Stover (now his adoptive mother); and the nonprofit Families First. Today Anthony is recognized for his work influencing key statewide policies and has been honored as a FosterClub All-Star. He has also served on the board for Foster Care Alumni of America and on the National Alumni and Foster Youth Policy Council, serves as a coremember of the Foster Youth in Action Network, was named to a few governor’s committees, and has been recognized by the Georgia Congress for his work with House Resolution 789.