Did you know that you have younger brothers and sisters? It's true. If you were ever in foster care, and on some level, view the government as a member of your larger, albeit dysfunctional family, then you have a sibling group of about 12 million. On average, that number is growing by 54 young people every day, and they need our help.  

FCAA is currently working on a book for young people who are transitioning out of foster care and the editors are looking for stories from alumni. The book, tentatively titled "The Handbook for Life After Foster Care," isn't about how to get a job, find an apartment or cook a meal.  This book is about the emotional transition from foster care to adulthood, as understood and told through the expertise of alumni who have both survived and thrived in their lives.  

 

But here's the twist, FCAA understands that change is one of our constant companions in life, so we want to experience your stories through the lens of the William Bridge's Transition Framework.  At its most basic, this framework helps us understand that there is a difference between change and transition.  For example, a change is a single external event like turning eighteen.  Transition, on the other hand, is the emotional and psychological experience of change, which can take years to complete. 

 

For identification purposes, we prefer first name, last name, current age, state you lived while in foster care and years in foster care (Samatra Smith, 36, TX, 9). Feel free to submit your work under "name withheld" if it allows you to be more honest. We reserve the right to not publish an author's name, or will use only a first name and last initial.  While we don't question the truthfulness of the writing, we must be sensitive to considerations of libel or invasion of privacy. If you've already changed the names of the people involved, please say so. 

Because of space limitations, we're unable to print all the submissions we receive.  We will edit most pieces, but contributors will have the opportunity to review editorial changes prior to publication.  If you don't want to be contacted regarding the editing of your work, please let us know.

Please follow standard formatting and submission conventions (double-spaced, with 1" margins, and the name of the story on each page).  By submitting your work to FCAA, you're granting us permission to use your story, in its final, edited version in our Handbook for Life After Foster Care (working title), on our website or in any media form we choose to advertise and promote the Handbook.

To submit your writing or artwork, do one of the following:

• Email your submission through this link or to handbook@fostercarealumni.org
• Mail your submission to our office at: 

Foster Care Alumni of America  118 S Royal Street, 2nd Floor  Alexandria VA 22314

 

 

 

William Bridges Transition Framework 

 

Writing Tips 

 

Download a PDF Handbook Submissions flyer to distribute to others

 

Sample Submissions:  follow this link to see essays, lists, poetry, artwork, and stories submitted by our members for the Handbook.

Frequently Asked Questions about Foster Care Alumni of America 

 

 "Change resonates with each of us differently, depending on our past experiences. One reason people may resist transition is because it can stir painful memories. Even when the change is a “good” one, it may trigger old feelings and cause us to revert to behaviors that may get in the way of adapting to the present situation"