Providing direct services to vulnerable families is the first part of Casey Family Services’ mission and is a critical driving force for the agency. Equally important is the second part: to effect better public policy for children and youth in the child welfare system. On May 2, 2005, 18 former and current Casey youths climbed the steps of the venerable Legislative Building in Hartford,Connecticut, to share their message of change with lawmakers.

As part of Casey’s Youth Advocacy Day, young people talked about maintaining family connections, especially among siblings,who often are separated when children are placed in state custody. Attending the discussion, led by state Representative Lydia Martinez of Bridgeport, was a group of legislators that included House Majority Leader Christopher Donovan, key state representatives, senators, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families Darlene Dunbar,Connecticut’s Child Advocate Jeanne Milstein, child welfare professionals and state officials.

“If we’re going to advocate for change and improve the lives of youth in care, we need to hear from the young people who are directly affected by the system,” says Sania Metzger, director of policy for Casey Family Services. Six young people – three from Bridgeport and three from Hartford –were selected to give two-minute presentations during the event, and a “support team” of 12 additional teens took part in a discussion with legislators. The youths were trained on how to craft their messages, listen attentively and respond to questions.

Youth speakers touched upon issues such as knowledge about their rights, postsecondary education, child care and the effect of multiple placements. But the focus of the day was clear: the need to stay in contact with family – particularly brothers and sisters – who often are the only link a youth in care has to his or her birth family.

One teen, Jessica, explained that although she was placed initially with her siblings, the placement disrupted, and they were separated. Since then, the relationships were severed when adoptive parents of two siblings refused to allow contact with her. “That’s been really hard because it’s my own family,” she said.

Sixteen-year-old Dahanne told about meeting his siblings for the first time at a brother’s funeral and the second time at his mother’s funeral. “Not just for me but for all kids in foster care, we should be able to see our biological families so we can find out about our background,” Dahanne said. “Why does somebody have to die in my family for me to see my brothers and sisters?” he asked.

Summarizing what was heard by all, Casey Family Services’ Executive Director Raymond L. Torres noted the importance of family connections: “You can do the best work you are able to do at your agency with life skills, but if the youngsters don’t have a family they can rely on once they leave the foster care system, then you really haven’t done a good job.”

At the end of an open forum between the audience and the youth, one state senator – who had admitted to limited knowledge of foster care issues at the beginning of the event – expressed openly that she had heard an important message that day. She learned that kids in care only want what all kids want: a family to turn to when the going gets tough. She promised to “put these issues front and center” when it comes time to draft legislation.