Congressman Dan Goldman Fights to Protect the Rights of Foster Children in The United States
‘Foster Youth Bill of Rights’ Seeks to Highlight 10 Separate Rights that Should be Afforded to Foster Youth Nationwide
Combat Disparities and Strengthen America’s Foster Care System
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-5) and Don Bacon (NE-2) in introducing the first-of-its-kind Federal Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution to help ensure foster youth across the nation are informed of their rights while in foster care. While fifteen states and Puerto Rico have enacted their own Foster Youth Bill of Rights, foster youth rights vary across the country, with most states providing no guaranteed foster rights at all. The Federal Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution outlines 10 separate rights that should be afforded to all foster youth nationwide while raising awareness for their existing rights.
“Foster youth are some of the most vulnerable and at-risk children in the country and we have an obligation to protect them and ensure that their rights are respected nationwide,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “We must do more to strengthen our foster care system and invest in foster youth. I am proud to join the fight to do everything in my power to support and uplift these young people so that every one of them has the opportunity to build a safe, successful, and thriving life.”
Children in foster care are at an incredible disadvantage, with only 50 percent of foster youth graduating high school and 54 percent of insured foster youth receiving mental health care after experiencing depressive episodes.
This resolution would ensure an effort to raise awareness for the existing rights some states guarantee to foster youth, and highlighting individual rights that should be afforded to encourage foster youth nationwide.
To combat the disparities in the rights of foster youth and strengthen America’s foster care system, the Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution expresses Congress’s belief that every foster youth should have the:
- Right to receive an education and remain in their original school, if desired;
- Right to participate in extracurricular, cultural, and social activities;
- Right to receive needed health services, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, and mental health services;
- Right to freedom from abuse, neglect, or corporal punishment;
- Right to be represented by, and speak to, a guardian or attorney ad litem;
- Right to adequate and healthy food, adequate clothing, and a safe and comfortable living environment;
- Right to freedom from discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or disability;
- Right to have continued contact with siblings, if desired;
- Right to regular or at least reasonable contact with their assigned case worker or an employee of the agency responsible for their child welfare services; and the
- Right to be informed of their rights.
###