I recently applied for my Master's degree and along with the application, you have to submit an essay on why you chose the social work field. When I first studied to become a social worker, I told myself and others that I wanted to be the social worker I needed as a child. I wanted to be the caseworker that listened to a child and believed them. And a part of me still agrees with that. But there's another part of me that thinks maybe I chose social work as a platform for advocacy. And I say that because the more I work with children and families, the less I want to be the "state" or "caseworker" and the more I want to be their support and voice. Looking back at me, the 11 year old girl who just reported her own parent to the school nurse... I want to give children and families just like her a chance to tell their story - whatever that looks like.
Working within the child welfare system is complicated. And when meeting someone new everyone wants to know two things. 1. your name. 2. what experience you have. For the past 3 years, I have felt intimidated by that second question. I have shied away from giving my point of view, my thoughts, and my consideration because what experience do I have? I'm not a foster parent and I don't have the capacity to become a foster parent at this time. I didn't have my children removed from me. I was just a child.
What I realized was, although I am...
- 27 years old
- educated and licensed
- experienced in both the state and nonprofit side of child welfare
...I still didn't recognize my experience as a child was enough. I wanted to work with children and families and advocate for them - however, I couldn't advocate for myself. I never allowed myself to have a voice. I didn't place value in my own story.
When I was in high school, I gave a speech about not letting the things we experience hold us back from becoming who we deserve to be. I was so quick to share with other teens that even though there are tough truths about their lives, they are still worthy of and capable of a better future and that their value is not based on their childhood experiences. Here I am, 10 years later, finding myself rereading that same speech to motivate myself. To remind myself.
The experiences that I've had as a child have allowed me to advocate for
- the importance of prevention work and strengthening birth families
- the importance of youth (especially teens) having at least ONE stable adult in their life
- teens and young adults experiencing some of the same things I did
- the importance of supporting kinship caregivers
- recruitment of teen foster parents
- the importance of college support through DCFS and organizations for youth transitioning out of foster care
- more life skills and preparation for our teens BEFORE they turn 18
