In the US, youth in foster care are nearly twice as likely as war veterans to suffer from PTSD. Placed in foster care at just 11 months old, 2023 Audacious Project grantee Sixto Cancel experienced the faults of the system firsthand. Now, he’s the founder of Think of Us, an organization working to reform child welfare by centering kinship care, or placing a child with an extended family member or a familiar adult. Learn more about his plan to help thousands of kids searching for a loving home with one simple, systemic switch.
This ambitious idea is a part of the Audacious Project, TED’s initiative to inspire and fund global change. Learn more at .
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#TED #TEDTalks #fostercare
Cxillianchaming
May 24, 2023 at 11:43 am
.
D-Pad Queen
May 24, 2023 at 11:48 am
This had me in tears.
I initially watched this video because I want to be a foster parent – and not the kind that has been described here, I want to know how best to support children in the welfare system.
This comes from a memory when I was a child, I was in a bereavement group after losing my mum. Two twin girls and their baby sister were in the group, they were separated from their baby sister and the foster parents weren’t looking after them, they were coming to us for breakfast and occasionally dinner too. I don’t know what happened to them, we mentioned what was going on to our social worker, they went to another foster family – and I never heard from them again. I have never forgotten them and always wonder how they are doing today.
In secondary school I had a friend who had been moved between families 6 times in two years – I always wonder why, she was such a sweet girl, never any trouble.
I want to prevent this from happening if I can.
Mara L
May 24, 2023 at 11:51 am
If we’re going to pay foster parents stipends to care for children, why can’t we pay that towards the child’s relatives/kin? It’s so frustrating.
bound2thefloor
May 24, 2023 at 12:46 pm
I know nothing of foster care or the system. Are you saying that if the kid does go to a family member. That the family member doesn’t get any kind of financial help, but if they go to a stranger, they get that extra financial help.
Latoya George
May 24, 2023 at 6:14 pm
Bound2thefloor, no they get the financial help as well but the social workers make the decision that the kids will “thrive” better in a “non-kin” family.
Kian Fallah
May 24, 2023 at 11:57 am
Rarely do I find something I completely agree with. This change in strategy will impact the foster care system in a positive way. Good job to this young man. Best wishes to all those looking for a new chance. A family. May you all be blessed.
Kym McGee
May 24, 2023 at 12:05 pm
Great content. Very powerful, so glad you met your family.
Michel
May 24, 2023 at 12:06 pm
Excellent!
thinkppl
May 24, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Fostercare systems are often social services rackets. Instead of making these kids the responsibility of a family member, they would much rather pay a social case worker, psychologist, supervisor and care home worker.
David Holaday
May 24, 2023 at 12:48 pm
The foster care system for dogs and pets is amazing, so why is the one for humans any different?
Trace MaGace
May 24, 2023 at 3:34 pm
Many are put down.
谷小沫
May 24, 2023 at 12:56 pm
I have parents, but due to China’s family planning, I was fostered in a relative’s home. My adoptive mother has mental problems and beats me at every turn. As a result, I am 35 years old, have difficulty communicating with people, and have a bad personality.
Eva Bog
May 24, 2023 at 1:39 pm
Me gustaría ayudar
PhoebeFay RuthLouise
May 24, 2023 at 1:47 pm
5:28 The simplicity of that question broke my heart! I would love to see our foster care system change in the ways this speaker advocates!
Lissanne
May 25, 2023 at 12:56 am
Me too. The foster care system has been lacking in the goal..to Take Care of the Children.
Vashti Perry
May 24, 2023 at 1:48 pm
❤❤
Vashti Perry
May 24, 2023 at 1:51 pm
8:10 wow ❤
Vashti Perry
May 24, 2023 at 1:53 pm
Let’s make kinship care normal.
Firdavs Shodiyev
May 24, 2023 at 2:39 pm
Good as always
A. Garvey
May 24, 2023 at 2:58 pm
This message is simple and powerful. Look for kin to be of assistance first. The family impact for all involved internally is immeasurable. Many blessings to this young man and the positive impact he is having on at risk youth.
Randy LeTourneau
May 24, 2023 at 3:16 pm
Kin is not the panacea that he makes it out to be. Kin are also more likely to allow the parents the kids were taken from to continue to be involved with these kids.
I am aware of a case that had 5 kids taken from mom and places in decent non-kin homes. The judge decided to remove all 5 and put them with great-grandmother. This was overwhelming for great-grandma so she let mom come and stay to help. When CPS learned of this, they sent the worker down to check on the kids. Mom grabbed all 5 kids, took them into her bedroom and stabbed all 5, killing the 3 oldest.
I wish this was an isolated case, and Kim can be a GREAT solution for some, and a TERRIBLE solution for others. What we need is competent child advocates that will visit kids in homes and remove them from a bad one and we need good, loving, and caring people to seek to be foster and adoptive parents.
Latoya George
May 24, 2023 at 6:06 pm
We all understand there will still be cases like this, sadly. But for the majority, this is best! Nothing is ever 100%! We will always have those that slip through the cracks!
Michele F
May 24, 2023 at 3:23 pm
Love this ❤. Our foster care system has been broken for far too long, and what you said simple yet huge. We need to do everything we can to keep kids out of the foster system and just asking a child who they think they should live with shouldn’t be a mind-boggling question.
chas in lakewood
May 24, 2023 at 4:22 pm
Astonishingly simple. How has this not already been implemented…
Isaac Kotlicky
May 24, 2023 at 5:09 pm
I feel like this illustrates that the foster system wasn’t created to fulfill the needs of the children, but to remove them from “disadvantaged” (eg poor and minority) communities.
Cindy Halpern
May 24, 2023 at 5:40 pm
You do understand that the dysfunctional family created the situation where a child is placed.
A girl molested by her father and pregnant by him, can not have her father take that baby.
Of course, those functional members should take the child.
But what if the child has no one?
So, this is one idea.
But it isn’t universal.
Susan Harris
May 24, 2023 at 6:17 pm
Kinship care doesn’t always work either. It should be the first option,yes. But not all relatives can handle it.
Krista
May 24, 2023 at 6:23 pm
I wish I was standing in front of this man right now. I want to give him a tight hug. For being this person who is working to change the system, so that the children are truly cared for. And also, kinda of comfort and acknowledgement of what he went through, in his time in care. This man is a beautiful person
Scarlet Bolanos
May 24, 2023 at 6:35 pm
NEXT: ISAIAH RASHAD
Aurora Australis
May 24, 2023 at 8:40 pm
Thank you 💞🙏
Rosemary Overman
May 24, 2023 at 10:20 pm
I was a foster parent long ago in my 20’s. The first baby placed with me 8 months old I fell in love, as did my husband. I had patience with her tiny slow eating. I talked and played , looking into her eyes get each spoonful as she was ready. One day a social called. They were placed her in an adoption home. Pain ( emotional) ripped my heart. We had been told if she was ever free my her family we could.
I went to a national convention. Learned of languages of Native Americans we not allowed- moved to white families.
These a short of long stories.
Money given doesn’t pay for all they need. I did emergency care- got a few teens. I set rules , homework and listened to them. Grades all went up. I learned about PTSD then 1973-.
I so love this young man’s talk! Thank you. I love my kids so much it hurts about the homelessness due to lack of life skills.
I hope you stay strong change is long overdue. ❤😊❤
Black Fighter Jet
May 24, 2023 at 10:48 pm
Pakistan will be victorious in Ghazwah-e-Hind, and against powers like USA and Russia in the WW3. This will not happen until we rid the country of Shirk and all its forms and invoke Allah’s help. Imam Mahdi Muhammad Qasim’s Dream from Jan 2019.
Austin Denotter
May 24, 2023 at 11:34 pm
It’s taking you liberals this long to figure out that family is actually okay to do foster care?
Mohd Kaif
May 25, 2023 at 3:51 am
IAS KI PREPARATION KITNE LOG KAR RHAI HAI.
Christopher Farris
May 25, 2023 at 10:52 am
😮!!!!!!!
paul The Gnostic
May 26, 2023 at 11:10 pm
No the solution to this failure of unwanted kids, is to teach young girls how to understand their reproductive system/the cycle, Most girls can not understand how their cycle works.. They need to be educted on the dangers and consequences of getting pregnant. These teens think its all fun and games. EDU of all teen girls will eliminate the horrors of having a unwanted pregnancy, bringing a kid in a world where there is no love. Lets start there 1st. The Sytem has completely failed these young girls. Teen girls that get pregnant should be severely disciplined. The home they live in should have all, 100% all Government support, no SNAP, No section 8 housing,,, stripped from the residence, as a warning to others who might be stupid enough to have a unwanted pregnancy. You got to take the old bull by the horns.
Paul The Gnostic
Mimi
May 27, 2023 at 7:50 pm
So glad these issues are being spoken out on! Thank you for sharing your story!!
Gmork
May 28, 2023 at 7:42 am
Fantastic lecture. Keep up the good work!
Naveen 9
May 28, 2023 at 11:36 am
Awe-inspiring talk! It is about adult’s basic attention and care towards their child as real or foster parents! Lion is inspirational movie based on same.
Elijah
May 28, 2023 at 6:24 pm
Does anyone know if there are ways to support his plan and the federal bill he discussed?
The Mix-upz
May 29, 2023 at 1:46 pm
This video touches the heart and sheds light on the importance of creating a foster care system where every child has a loving home. It showcases the incredible work being done to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children in need. The stories of foster families and their dedication to offering love, stability, and support are truly inspiring. It’s a reminder of the profound impact that a caring and compassionate home can have on a child’s life. The video also highlights the need for more resources, support systems, and awareness to ensure that every child in foster care finds a loving and permanent home. Kudos to all the individuals and organizations involved in making a positive difference in the lives of these children. Let’s continue to advocate for a foster care system that prioritizes the well-being and happiness of every child. Amazing video!