Vol. 3, No. 2 • Spring 1999

What Teens in Foster Care Want a Social Worker to Know
by Mindy M., age 17

Recently, Mindy M. (17) interviewed a number of her peers in care and former youth in care concerning their relationships with their social workers. Through their responses, the group raised several issues they felt should be addressed or, at least, acknowledged by the North Carolina Division of Social Services. Mindy�s questions and selected individual responses, both positive and negative, are captured below.

Do you think your social worker spends enough time or has enough contact with you? Earl, 16: No . . . I hardly ever talk to her. James, 17: Yes . . . more than the ones I had before.

Karen, 21: No. She was too busy for me, but she wasn�t too busy for the adults in my life. She wouldn�t call me back, but she would call the adults.
Kim, 19: For the most part.

In general, how do you feel about your social worker(s)?
Saundra, 17: She�s all right . . . when she comes around.
Keisha, 17: I think she�s a good person. She tries to help me out the best she can, whenever she can.
Kim: I felt like they didn�t pay attention to me, and their lack of care always reminded me that it was just work for them.
Eugene, 17: My first one just told what she thought I needed to know. My second one kept me informed, talked to me, and made sure I had visits.

Does she or he listen to your concerns?
Saundra: Sometimes.
Keisha: Yes. She does a good job of it.
Karen: No. She didn�t really respect me, nor did she respect what I had to say.
Kim: Most didn�t . . . a couple did.

What, if anything, does your social worker do well? James: She does what she�s supposed to do. She does her job very well. Kim: They were there whenever something bad happened. Eugene: My current one keeps me up to date with everything that goes on.

What are some of the things your social worker can improve?
Earl: Contact.
Saundra: Coming by the house more . . . and taking me places.
Kim: Making it so I felt comfortable by having one-on-one conversations and not having other people around.
Keisha: Having meetings (face-to-face) more regularly.
Eugene: Well, since I want to further my education, she could sit down with me one-on-one and show me the scholarships that are available.
Karen: She could have returned my phone calls and realized that she was supposed to be there for me and not for the adults in my life. She should have put me number one.

In addition to writing for Fostering Perspectives and Having Our Say, the official newsletter of SAYSO, Mindy serves as Treasurer on the SAYSO Board of Directors.

Copyright � 2000 Jordan Institute for Families