MIAMI, MAY 23, 2012 — In an effort to improve the lives of foster care youth in the United States, members of Congress recently traveled to Florida as part of a listening tour.
It’s vitally important that lawmakers, especially those serving on the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, leave Washington, DC to visit people and communities affected by the decisions they make regarding the foster care system, so that they can learn what works and what doesn’t. As Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) says, “I believe the best legislation is made when we actually talk to the people most affected by the system.”
With that in mind, Rep. Fredericka Wilson (D-FL) invited other members of Congress down to Florida, to meet with foster care youth and directors of those programs that serve them to hear firsthand accounts.
The following video was shot by Fostering Media Connections fosteringmdediaconnections.org, an organization that brings media awareness to the issues affecting foster care youth.
The cameras followed Congressional members as they traversed two counties in Florida, meeting with foster care youth, service providers and advocacy groups. There are some moving and motivating moments with foster care youth talking about their own interest in making an impact in Washington, DC and the rest of the country.
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