Changing the foster care narrative is a principal aim of the Re-Envisioning Foster Care in America (REFCA) movement. Since 2010, the REFCA movement began highlighting foster care innovation around the country, it has been our goal to recognize the valuable contributions of foster care alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, distinguished work and a deep commitment to improving child welfare.
These visionary leaders, known as Re-Envisioning Foster Care in America (REFCA) Champions, are transforming the way we care for our nation’s children and youth living in foster care. They are changemakers who are energizing, connecting and strengthening America; trailblazers who are creating stellar strategies that cultivate hope and sustainable solutions.
Currently, there are 45 REFCA Champions. This month, we are celebrating them all.
REFCA Champions hail from Alaska to Florida, California to New York, Colorado to Massachusetts, Washington to Connecticut. They are creating a culture of possibility
to ensure that all of our kids in America can thrive.
REFCA leaders are working diligently to improve a system that they experienced – one that
disproportionately impacts our nation’s children and youth who are Black and Indigenous.
Together they are changing the national conversation while creating a more just and equitable society.
They include non-profit leaders, legislators, authors, policy makers, film producers, a renowned gymnast, educators, business leaders, college administrators, researchers, foster parents, an actor, advocates, social workers and global entrepreneurs.
Honoring their leadership elevates the foster care narrative and demonstrates the power of each REFCA Champion’s individual contributions as well as their collective visions. It also provides the nearly half million children and youth currently living in foster care with role models who understand the challenges they face and are diligently working to give them hope, resources and a compelling new road map.
This National Foster Care Month, join us as we thank them for sharing their wisdom and expertise in an effort to move the nation forward.
Row 1: Jennifer Rodrigues, Lino Martinez, Simone Biles, Marquis Cabrera, Shalita O’Neale
Row 2: Earl Martin Phalen, Lupe Tovar, Anthony Barrows, Nicole Dobbins, Rodney Walker
Row 3: Sherry Lachman, Justin Pasquariello, Serita Cox, Jamole Callahan, Leykia Nulan
Row 4: D’Artagnan Caliman, Amanda Babine, Sixto Cancel, Amanda Metivier, Derrius Quarles
Row 5: Chris Patterson, Phoenix Santiago, Charles Lerner, Amnoni Myers, Angela Quijada-Banks
Row 6: David Ambroz, Lexie Gruber, Charity Chandler, Steve Pemberton, Grey Hilliard Kochinsky
Row 7: Senator T’wina Nobles, Jarel Melendez, Andrea Tucker, Lynn Price, Charity Bell
Row 8: Justin Black, Alexis Black, Victor Sims, Julia Segovia, Janay Eustace
Row 9: Tiffany Haddish, Nathan Ross, Christopher Scott, Robert Thornton, Lisa Dickson