This show takes a look at issues within the foster care system in the U.S. from the high rate of teen pregnancy to the alarming use of psychiatric medications in California’s foster care system.

Special thanks to the Bay Area News Group.

Featuring:

Nicole Rocke, former foster youth; Kyle Lafferty, the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy: Linda Bryant, Clinical Professor at New York University’s School of Social Work; Benita Miller, Deputy Commissioner of Family Permanency Services at the Administration of Children’s Services; Lorraine Jacobs, caseworker; Yolanda Vasquez, former foster youth; Adriane Fugh-Berman, Pharmacology Professor at Georgetown University’s Medical Center; Bill Grimm,Attorney at National Center for Youth Law; Susan Bullard; David Arredondo, Child psychiatrist; Dr. Edmund Levin, at the Lincoln Child Center; Nancy Forster, Therapist at the Lincoln Child Center; April Rene Sanders, former foster youth and recipient of AB12; Kyle Sporleader, Statewide Legislative Coordinator for California Youth Connection (CYC)

Host: Jasmin Lopez

Producers: Andrew Stelzer, George Lavender, Laura Flynn, Jasmin Lopez

Contributing Producer: Leticia Miranda, Bay Area News Group

Community Storytelling Fellow: Al Sasser

Executive Director: Lisa Rudman

Web Editor: Kwan Booth

Music:

Quiet Orchestra, My Friend

Jahzzar, Siesta

Jahzzar, The Flowers Are Still Standing

Poor Alexei, The Long Goodbye

Cory Gray, Build a View

More information:

Drugging Our Kids – Full documentary:

http://webspecial.mercurynews.com/druggedkids/California Youth Connection

Chapin Hill at the University of Chicago:

Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth

Chapin Hill at the University of Chicago:

Findings from the California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study (CalYOUTH)

National Conference of State Legislatures:

Extending Foster Care Beyond 18

California Fostering Connections to Success: Resource page

California Department of Social Services:

California Fostering Connections to Success Act (AB12) Extending Foster Care Benefits Fact Sheet