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Friday, 21 March, 2008 12:48 PM
Is Foster Care Failing America’s
Most Helpless Children?
Tampa, Fla. –
May is National Foster Care Month and according to government
statistics, there are over half a million children in America’s
foster care system today. For perspective, that’s more than
the population of pre-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans. Beyond the
numbers, each child bears a personal story that starts with heartbreak
and almost always ends with it, too. Is the system failing America’s
foster children?
“Yes,” answers foster child advocate Margaret Iuculano,
whose tragic trip through the system is documented in the new book
“My God Box.” “Children are ripped from their
less than idyllic homes and shuffled around to foster parents who
don’t always have the child’s best interest in mind,”
she continues.
The now successful mother, wife and businesswoman found many of
the families that took her in during those horrifying childhood
years were using her and the system as an additional source of income.
“I’m not saying all foster parents are bad,” says
Iuculano. “That would be unfair to those who foster for the
right reasons. But there are many unscrupulous people who bring
emotionally fragile and physically wounded children into their homes
simply for the paycheck. And the more kids they bring into their
home, the more money the government pays them. The system needs
a major overhaul.”
Another issue of particular concern to Iuculano is when foster children
‘age out’ of the system once they turn 18-years-old
or complete high school. Are vulnerable youths who have bounced
from home to home and school to school able handle life on their
own?
According to Iuculano, despite having access to free college, many
‘aged out’ adults are not prepared for higher education
since they did not grow up in a stable learning environment. “Couple
that with the fact that only 38% of foster care kids are employed
12 to 18 months after their discharge from the system, and it’s
sadly obvious why there’s an upward trend of homelessness
among those who have aged out.”
As survivor of the system, Margaret has moved on to own two businesses
and serve as the President and CEO of a multi-million dollar Microsoft
consulting company. She is now focused on the mission of shedding
light on the secret lives of foster children and doing what she
can to help and motivate, “I was inspired by faith and overcame
the victim mentality so it’s my responsibility to help other
foster children triumph as well.”
Iuculano explains her long term goal is to open a group home for
‘aged out’ foster care kids, “I want it to serve
as a transition from a system life to a self-sufficient life. The
plan is to offer a happy environment that encourages bonding with
others, not treatment like a second class citizen.” In the
meantime, proceeds from her book, “My God Box,” will
go to many different not for profits dedicated to children.
For Iuculano, even the slightest failures in the foster care system
are unacceptable, “These children are already at risk. Leaving
them unprepared for adulthood is a travesty.” It’s not
realistic to have everyone write a book about their foster care
experience or open a group home for ‘aged out’ adults,
but Iuculano points out, “You can do something. Get involved
with a local charity. It’s up to all of us to try and change
the failures of the foster care system this month and beyond.”
About Margaret Iuculano
Margaret Iuculano’s personal account of how the foster care
system failed her and others and the subsequent triumph over her
childhood demons to become a successful wife, mother and CEO is
chronicled in her book, “My God Box.”
Once she accomplished professional success that included owning
two companies and serving as President and CEO of a multi-million
dollar Microsoft consulting company, Iuculano turned her focus to
children’s advocacy.
Iuculano was habitually beaten by an alcoholic step-father, who
labeled her an ‘incorrigible’ child and insisted she
be placed in foster care. She then was a firsthand witness to the
shattered foster care system, which was commonly used by foster
parents as source of added income, not a way to make a difference
in a vulnerable child’s life.
Iuculano, who currently lives in Tampa, FL with her family, hopes
her story will encourage activism on behalf of America’s forgotten
children and inspire others who have faced seemingly insurmountable
struggles. Iuculano’s website is www.Margaretlano.com.
Source: News and Experts
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