Congressman Dan Kildee Hosts Michigan Foster Youth for Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day

As part of National Foster Care Month, Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) today hosted a Michigan foster youth, Whitney Snow, from Saginaw, for Foster Youth Shadow Day on Capitol Hill.

Launched in 2011, Foster Youth Shadow Day provides Members of Congress the opportunity to meet foster youth in order to discuss and develop policy recommendations to strengthen the child welfare system and improve the overall well-being of youth and families throughout the America. The day also provides an opportunity for foster youth to learn the fundamentals of the U.S. Congress and experience a day in the life of a Member of Congress.

A courtesy photo of Congressman Kildee and Whitney can be viewed here.

“Every child deserves a safe home and a chance to succeed. That’s why it is so important that foster youth get the support they need while in the system and during their transition to life as an adult,” Congressman Kildee said. “Spending time with Whitney allows me to learn first-hand about the experience of foster youth and how Congress can take steps to improve the foster youth system. I look forward to working with my colleagues and Whitney to expand opportunity for foster youth.”

Whitney spent 11 years in the foster care and today is an advocate for youth in the state’s foster care system. She studied sociology at Central Michigan University, and after graduation began working with the state of Michigan as a children’s services specialist. After working in children’s protective services for two years, she now works with youth aging out of the foster youth system.

During their day on Capitol Hill, Whitney attended a meeting with Congressman Kildee and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-12). Whitney also attended a Senior Whip meeting with Congressman Kildee and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD-05) and a lunch with other foster youths visiting Washington, D.C.

Congressman Dan Kildee is a member of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, which unites over 130 Members of Congress to examine the challenges facing all foster youth and develop bipartisan policy initiatives.

There are nearly 400,000 youth in the foster care system in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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