REMARKS
Council member's concluding remarks and expressions of gratitude
2:32:19
ยท
3 min
Council Member Stevens concludes the session with words of appreciation for the foster parents and advocates, emphasizing the importance of their efforts in fighting for children in the system. She also addresses the issue of closing foster homes for LGBTQ parents.
- Expresses gratitude to foster parents and advocates for their dedication to children in the system
- Highlights the disconnect between the vision at the top and the reality on the ground in the foster care system
- Raises concerns about the closure of LGBTQ foster homes despite the need for more diverse foster parents
Althea Stevens
2:32:19
But yeah.
2:32:19
I think and that's what it is.
2:32:21
Right?
2:32:21
I think especially when you have a loving people.
2:32:23
So, one, I just wanna again say thank you guys for fighting for these for these young people.
2:32:27
It is it's extremely important and also rare.
2:32:29
Right?
2:32:30
We have a grandma fighting for her grandson, and and we have folks who are fighting for their foster children.
2:32:35
And and and please understand that it does matter.
2:32:39
Whether you believe it or not, those kids will remember that you fought for them when no one else did.
2:32:43
They'll remember that their grandmother stood for them and is fighting to see them.
2:32:47
And even in this hearing today, because so many young people feel like they don't have a voice, and so I really appreciate the fight.
2:32:53
Like, and and and thank you because I think also just highlighting some of the things that I was trying to even say in the hearing that what is happening on the ground is not necessarily what the vision is, and then how do we clean this up.
2:33:06
Because let's be clear.
2:33:07
This is years and decades of things being one way and now folks not being used to having people who are gonna fight for their grandkids or foster parents who are gonna stand up and say, we want our kids, and we want them to be put in the right situation.
2:33:22
So I just wanna say thank you guys for the work that you're doing.
Lynette Lometred
2:33:25
I wanna say one and you're welcome, but thank you for listening.
2:33:29
But, also, that is why I stay a member of the parent council of Children's Village.
2:33:36
I stay in my because I almost left.
2:33:39
I almost left a few years ago, but if I wanna help make change, I have to stay where I'm at.
2:33:47
So that is why I stay being a voice to parents so that I can help make change within.
2:33:54
And also to thank the staff that has helped pour into these families because I wanna help make change.
Althea Stevens
2:34:03
And and mister Lenton and and Castro, are you guys still allowed to be foster parents?
2:34:10
Because when I was last spoke, I I was told that you guys are no longer allowed to be in a is it with that provider or just in general?
Everson Ladson
2:34:16
We have our license until the March 22.
2:34:21
The agency that licensed us notified us shortly, you know, as all of this was going on that they were closing our home because the specific reason is type of home not
Althea Stevens
2:34:32
needed.
2:34:33
I'm sorry.
2:34:34
Excuse me?
Everson Ladson
2:34:34
The specific reason that our home is being closed is because type of home not needed.
Althea Stevens
2:34:39
Okay.
2:34:40
Well, that sounds interesting because as we heard today, we're we need and we're trying to do more recruitment for parents and specifically LGBTQ parents because we had a hearing and is gonna be up here next.
2:34:54
So they'll also talk about how we need more of these homes open because we have such a great need in in our community.
2:35:01
So that actually really pinged me off.
2:35:04
So I'm gonna start asking questions here, and I will definitely follow-up.
2:35:07
But thank you guys.
2:35:08
Continue to fight.
2:35:08
Do not stop fighting for these young people.
2:35:10
Do not.
2:35:11
I appreciate it.
2:35:12
And whatever I can do to be supportive, my staff is around somewhere, so please connect with them as well.
2:35:18
Thank thank you to this panel.
2:35:20
I will be asking the next panel to come up.
2:35:22
Galloway Who's this?
2:35:25
Coughlin.
2:35:26
Kearney Coughlin, Charles Budwick, and Sharon Brown.
2:35:45
Hey, girl.
2:35:46
How you doing?
2:35:47
I
Galloway
2:35:48
missed doing care if you would be this last weekend.
Althea Stevens
2:35:51
Oh, up in caucus?
2:35:53
Yeah.
2:35:53
Oh, I didn't even know they were doing that.
2:35:55
I was hiding.
Jess Dannhauser
2:35:56
Saying?
Althea Stevens
2:36:00
Whoever can start.
2:36:01
Thank you.