Rep. Ruth Kagi has been a champion for foster children since she entered the legislature 15 years ago. From her work with the League of Women voters, she learned that foster youth often have tumultuous lives and encounter struggles daily. As a state representative, she knew that the legislature must do everything in its power to make sure foster youth have safe, supportive and stable homes.
One of Rep. Kagi’s first achievements in the legislature was passing a bill to help foster children stay in the same school, even if they were transferred from home to home. This is important because when a child changes schools he or she, on average, loses four months of progress.
Since that great start, Rep. Kagi has worked tirelessly on behalf of foster children. Just this past legislative session she sponsored and helped pass bills to:
- Solve racial disparities in the foster care system.
- Remove restrictions on extended foster care so more youth can have the opportunity for support until age 21.
- Help foster children achieve more normalcy in their lives by allowing foster parents to make reasonable choices on their behalf, like whether or not to go on a school field trip.
- Provide foster children with attorneys so their rights and wishes may be represented.
- Ensure that foster children can visit with siblings more often.
Next month, Rep. Kagi will be honored for her efforts by the Foster Parents Association of Washington State. She will be presented with the Elected Official Award at their “Night of Shining Stars”. Congratulations on being a “shining star,” Rep. Kagi – keep up the good work!