THPP

Alexis Barries’ story is a sadly familiar one to youth who have experienced foster care in California. At age 2, she entered the foster care system; at 8, she was told by her guardians that she’d end up in prison like her parents.

Earlier this week, in an op-ed published by The Imprint, FosterClub CEO Celeste Bodner described a letter endorsing the Family First Prevention Services Act that had been signed by hundreds of foster youth and alumni of foster care and shared with Senate leadership.

When I started the Family Care Network in 1987, there was certainly a different approach and philosophy driving the foster care system. Looking back, it seems like the Stone Age. The system has come a long way but it has been a tough, hard row to hoe.

Note: This story was updated on Oct. 30 Los Angeles County is looking to license more providers to receive referrals for Transitional Housing Program-Foster Care (THP-FC), an option created for 18- to 21-year-olds that choose to remain in the state’s newly expanded foster care system.