Special Series

Child Welfare Ideas from The Experts, 2023

The Imprint highlighted each of the policy recommendations made this summer by the participants of the Foster Youth Internship Program, a group of seven young people that experienced foster care and have completed congressional internships. The program is overseen each summer by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Each of the participants crafted a policy recommendation during their time in Washington, D.C.

Each year, the proposals by Foster Youth Internship Program participants suggest approaches to either rethink how the federal government supports the child welfare system, or how to fill unintended gaps in policy. Some of the issues addressed in this year’s proposals include increasing federal spending on transition-age youth, stronger housing protection for those aging out of the system, and better surveillance of youth mental health.

Photo of Jessica Herrera Twitchell, congressional intern advocating for expanded post-18 support for foster youth.

8/31/2023

Child Welfare Ideas From the Experts

The Imprint staff reports

Congressional intern Jessica Herrera Twitchell proposes that Congress amend two federal programs for older youth in foster care.

9/1/2023

Child Welfare Ideas From the Experts

The Imprint staff reports

Congressional intern Gianna Bottom proposes that Congress mandate and fund the Children’s Bureau to develop required standardized training.

9/5/2023

Child Welfare Ideas From the Experts

The Imprint staff reports

Congressional intern Kayleen makes three recommendations aimed at preventing the maltreatment of children while they are in foster care.

9/6/2023

Child Welfare Ideas From the Experts

The Imprint staff reports

Congressional intern Glenda Wright wants to include kinship care as a requirement for state funding, separate from foster care or adoption.

9/7/2023

Child Welfare Ideas From the Experts

The Imprint staff reports

Congressional intern Christian Sotomayor wants to expand eligibility for certain foster youth to transition under the Chafee program.

9/8/2023

Child Welfare Ideas From the Experts

The Imprint staff reports

Congressional intern Nyomi Davis says Congress should reintroduce the Trauma-Informed Care Act and require PTSD training for foster parents.

9/11/2023

Child Welfare Ideas From the Experts

The Imprint staff reports

Congressional intern Aoguzi Muhammet McDonald proposes a federal grant to pay tuition directly to colleges chosen by foster youth.

9/12/2023

Child Welfare Ideas From the Experts

The Imprint staff reports

Congressional intern Isabel Rodriguez offers three ideas for improving America’s commitment to keeping siblings connected in foster care.

9/13/2023

Child Welfare Ideas From the Experts

The Imprint staff reports

Congressional intern Jamarri Maurice Kane-White calls for a federal tax credit for kinship caregivers outside the child welfare system.

9/14/2023

Child Welfare Ideas From the Experts

The Imprint staff reports

Congressional intern Idelia Robinson-Confer seeks to amplify the voices of foster youth and seed stronger adult connections for those aging out. 

9/15/2023

Child Welfare Ideas From the Experts

The Imprint staff reports

Congressional intern Eunice Mejiadeu offers two solutions to improve support for foster youth at risk of being victims of trafficking

9/17/2023

Child Welfare Ideas From the Experts

The Imprint staff reports

Congressional intern Faith Sharp suggests expanding two federal programs to include more youth who experience foster care.