Published On: July 29, 2020
Normalcy policy and practices require foster care systems and caregivers to ensure youth in foster care have the age-appropriate experiences required for healthy development and well-being. So, what does normalcy look like during a time in our history when nothing is seemingly “normal”? Prohibiting or limiting access to advocacy opportunities and supportive communities is both inconsistent with the law, and has real consequences to the well-being, resiliency, and ability of youth in foster care to become a powerful adult. Shutting these youth out of racial justice advocacy also has societal consequences. Youth in foster care need the opportunity to elevate the issues and solutions related to structural racism in foster care. We believe the definition of prudent parenting includes both parenting for racial justice and an interpretation of normalcy that requires the facilitation of participation in activism as a developmental necessity for youth in foster care.