Melania Trump is speaking out what she feels is one of the biggest issues during the coronavirus pandemic: the foster care system. The First Lady penned an op-ed on Friday to address the subject.
“America’s kids need us now more than ever,” she begins the article. “The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have had a serious impact on America’s children and those who care for them, from parents and teachers to child welfare workers and foster families.”
Melania continues by plugging her Be Best campaign. The initiative aims address children’s issues and encourage them to be the best in their individual paths. “As part of my Be Best campaign, I have made foster care a top priority,” she writes. “It remains our generation’s responsibility to help our children overcome the many issues they face today, which may include their social, emotional and physical well-being.”
The mother of one also shared staggering statistics on the number of children currently in need. “Right now, there are over 400,000 children and youth in the foster care system and 124,000 of them are awaiting permanent placement with a forever family,” she writes. “It is our time to be the voice for these thousands of children waiting for a forever family — and it is our time to decide on how we proceed so we can do the most for children in need.”
Melania Trump Wants Help from Both Government and Youth
Melania requests that governors and state leaders extend the foster care age from 18 to 21. She also asks that lawmakers “host roundtables with partners and foster youth…and identify laws or barriers that stand in the way of helping our children.”
In addition to help from the Administration for Children and Families, Melania hopes to work alongside youth. “We need the engagement of our youth who have experienced the best and the worst of the child welfare system,” she writes. Furthermore, Melania writes, “We need these strong voices to bring awareness to circumstances, issues and policies that can be changed. We also need everyone’s involvement — from families to governors to churches and nonprofits.”
Melania also used a quote from her husband to sum up her thoughts on foster care. “The best foster care system is one that is not needed in the first place,” President Trump says. Melania concluded by adding that lawmakers should address our child welfare system with the lens of ‘primary prevention.’”
In conclusion, Melania writes, “This is a team effort to help America’s children.”
Read the full op-ed Melania Trump wrote on Fox News here.
[H/T Fox News]
