Last year, I signed up to be trained as a Visit Host, someone who can supervise family visits outside of foster care agency visit rooms. VisitHosting allows families the opportunity to do all the things that families usually do together, like eat out and go to activities in their communities.
I began hosting visits for a couple and their beautiful 2-year-old daughter. We started out with three-hour visits every Tuesday … Read More
On July 26, Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner John Mattingly announced that he was stepping down after seven years ofrunning the child welfare system in New York City. Queens judge Ronald Richter will become commissioner in September.
One group affected by the change is the Parent Advisory Workgroup (PAWG), a group of parent advocates citywide who bring parents’ perspectives and needs into focus at quarterly meetings with ACS’ commissioner and top staff. … Read More
Until recently, my 4-year-old and 1-year-old had no schedule. They’d eat when they were hungry and sleep when they were tired. I’d cookdinner, but if they didn’t want to eat at 6 p.m., then they could eat later. My 4-year-old, Xavier, loves McDonald’s or Chinese food. Almost daily, Dad would give in and get him what he wanted.
X-man and his little brother, Zachary, also went to bed very late. … Read More
In 2010, the Chicago Housing Authority tried to require residents to turn over their kids’ report cards as a condition of tenancy, sayingthey were doing it to assess for “potential need for services.” Then in 2011, the Chicago Housing Authority wanted to require that all residents, including thousands of seniors, undergo drug testing as a way to fight crime in public housing. If anyone in the household tested positive, the Housing Authority … Read More
Last April, my son was placed in foster care from his mother’s custody. Knowing how some foster parents can be, I worried that my son might be mistreated in the system. My son had been staying with me onweekends, so I asked the judge if I could take my son, but the system did not approve of my apartment. They said I couldn’t bring him home.
But they allowed my mother to … Read More
