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| Kevin Brown, Cherie Olivis, Kayla Vankyke Taffy Compain, Josh Grubb, Sixto Cancel Heather Nicole |
I recently took part in a groundbreaking
conference. I am highly honored and appreciative to have been a part of it. I
believe it is the beginning of a movement toward improving the educational outcomes of all foster children and foster youth.
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| Josh Grubb, Cherie Olivis, Sectary Sebelius, Kayla Vankyke, Sixto Cancel |
Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius took the stage last
Thursday morning to open up the Child Welfare, Education and the Courts: A
Collaboration to Strengthen Successes of Children and Youth in Foster Care.
This historic gathering of administrators from Child Welfare, Department of
Education, as well as, various judges and other administrators came together to
improve educational outcome and promote educational stability for children in
foster care. This conference is one of, if not, the most significant conference
I have ever attended. Every state in the United States and Puerto Rico were represented. All participants left with an action plan, which consisted of both
short and long term goals. I was inspired by everyone’s genuine effort to try to
meet the challenge of improving educational outcomes.
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| Heather Nicole , Cherie Olivis, Commissioner Bryan Samuels, Sixto Cancel |
Upon the opening of the plenary, I found the attendees to be extremely eager
and enthusiastic in discussion. In fact, facilitators had to ask us to clear
the room at lunch time, after workshops concluded. Needless to say, despite
hunger everyone wished to continue discussions. Surprisingly, as the day neared
its end, administrators continued the discussions in any available location.
Some even continued their conversations on the steps of the building, the
lobby, local restaurants and other unusual locations. No matter where I went, I
was surrounded by other people conversing about the Fostering Connection Act.
It was moving. The gathering ended with a powerful presentation from two former
foster youths that utterly blew me away. It evoked emotion in every heart in
the room.
Although every department had their own set of priorities, I was glad to see
the issue of education for foster youth at the forefront of discussion.
Honestly, I cannot express my gratitude for having been included in such a
historical event. Unfortunately, I cannot name all in attendance, but officials
such as, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Commissioner Bryan Samuels, NFL Player
Myron Rolle, Secretary Sheldon, Taffy Compain, Annie Blackledge, Lupa were
among those I was honored to have met. I consider anyone who works to improve foster care to be a hero. So many times we wait for a miracle to fix the system. I am relieved that finally, we have realized we are the heroes that will tackle these issues. I thank all who attended, as well as everyone who developed action plans. I also thank you all in advance for completing your action plans, which will in turn afford our children and youth in foster care an opportunity to receive a quality education.
Thank you.
P.S – Please feel free to comment or questions!
Sixto
M. Cancel
Writer : Sixto M. Cancel
Editor: Brooke Drumgole
