I am an adoptive parent who adopted my daughter through the foster care system when she was 18 months old. She is 30 years old now and enjoying a rewarding career in the field of veterinary medicine as a veterinary nurse/technician. Thankfully, my daughter was spared the challenges of growing up in the foster care system. However, there are thousands of children who are not as fortunate.

I applaud CWLA’s historic dedication to raising awareness about the plight of thousands of children in America’s child welfare system, its advocacy efforts and its nationally recognized standards of practice. It would make a world of difference if more leaders and policymakers would lend their voice and support to CWLA’s efforts to champion major changes in child welfare policies and practices nationwide.

Despite the economic challenges, which are not only impacting CWLA, but also countless other organizations nationwide, CWLA is still a major and much needed voice calling for advocacy and actions to make the imperative needs of vulnerable children and their families a national priority!

Beverly Jackson