Pain Into Purpose: S1, E4

In this episode Christina Sorenson, 2019 Sorors Justice Fellow at the Juvenile Law Center, shares how she has turned the pain from growing up in the foster care system into a passion for helping create space for youth caught up in the child welfare system. She acknowledges that her experience was traumatizing, yet it was contrary to what Black youth, especially Black girls experience. 

References made in this episode as well as follow up resources: 

• Pushout: by fellow Soros fellow – Monique Morris
• Fostering Change Network Alumni Coaching program - Ran by Shalita O’Neale, a foster care alum and change agent powerhouse for any current or former foster youth looking for mentorship. 
• No Place For Kids

• 1988: Iowa Admin. Code 441-101.9(218)

  "Any individual who believes the individual's rights have been violated by the Iowa juvenile home or who has a complaint concerning the individual's treatment at the Iowa juvenile home may file a grievance. The individual's parent, family, or legal representative may file a grievance on behalf of the individual by submitting the grievance in writing to the superintendent.” 

• ***CORRECTION***

  Juvenile Law Center, with co-counsel ACLU of Wisconsin and Quarles & Brady, LLP, filed a federal civil rights class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin against Wisconsin juvenile corrections officials and administrators of two correctional facilitates, the Lincoln Hills School for Boys and the Copper Lake School for Girls.

• Sibling Separation - “common practice” – based on what youth have shared about their experience, but yes it’s against federal law. See https://jlc.org/sites/default/files/attachments/2019-02/2018-YFCPermanencyToolkit-FINAL-DIGITAL.pdf 
• Youth Focus Group
• Making Reunification for older youth
• https://jlc.org/resources/broken-bridges-how-juvenile-placements-cut-youth-communities-and-successful-futures