Foster mom arrested in death of boy headed for adoption
A foster mother has been arrested in the death of a 17-month-old boy who suffered apparent head injuries just weeks before he was likely to
A foster mother has been arrested in the death of a 17-month-old boy who suffered apparent head injuries just weeks before he was likely to
Patricia Hunter has opened her home to children for more than 20 years. As a foster mom, she’s dealt with bed wetters and fussy eaters,
Florida child welfare workers too often remove children from their families without first providing counseling that could have kept them in the home, a recent
TAMPA — A federal agency has given the Florida Department of Children and Families 90 days to come up with a plan to improve its
As journalists, we are taught to be objective. Our instincts tell us not to cross that line between our professional and personal lives. Fair and
How kids wind up in the foster care system is pretty much the same across Florida. Investigators look into allegations of parents who are angry,
When Angela Dufrene and her twin brother were born on April 25, 2014, their mother’s troubled history was no secret to the state. Marjorie Dufrene
The U.S. Department of Education today released a new toolkit to inspire and support current and former foster youth pursuing college and career opportunities. The
It’s not the worst story we’ve heard about how abused or neglected children taken from their homes are treated once they’re in the system. Sadly,
A 7-month-old baby girl in the care of the state died this week after she slept next to a 10-year-old child on a couch. Her
FYS Events & Meeting Chair
(Palm Beach)
Hello, My name is Alexia Nechayev. I am 25 years old and I am an alumna of Florida International University where I received my B.A. in Psychology. My future career goal is to be a Lawyer. I was in care for about one year from age 17 to 18. Prior to entering care, I only knew about the negative stigma regarding foster care and while in care that narrative was unfortunately my experience.
In school I felt like I was on display because my status in care was broadcast to other students and in my placement behavior was leveraged for “privileges” that should be a natural right of all children. Because I did not know my rights I did not know that what I was experiencing was wrong. Today this is exactly why I advocate, because I don’t want this to be the same for other youth who are experiencing foster care.
This is my second year on the FYS Statewide Board and I’m happy to be the Events and Meetings Chair this year because my main goal through advocacy is to reach as many people as possible. My favorite thing as a board member is to see how comfortable members become while working together. The community needs to know that youth in foster care are real people, going through some of the hardest moments of their life and youth need to know that their voice is powerful. I believe that we have to speak up and bring these issues to people’s attention so that they do not forget us. Advocacy, education and consistency is the only way.