In the United States overall there are approximately 500,000 children in foster care. There are many serious issues surrounding foster care, not the least of which is there are not nearly enough potential foster care homes for the numbers of children who need this shelter and care.

Joining Dennis McCuistion to discuss the complexity of this issue is:

• E. Scott McCowan, JD: Executive Director of the Center for Public Policy Priorities
• Evy Kaye Ritzen: Program Director, TRAC
• Jan Tennyson: Founder, Dare to Dream Foundation

Jan Tennyson, who along with her three other sisters and brothers was in foster care for most of her childhood, talks about the issues of self-esteem, how not feeling wanted took most of her life to overcome, and led to her spending her adult life working with young people to help them with these same issues. She believes quality care and being encouraged by your foster parents to get an education, to finish high school and get a college education is critical.

Unfortunately, as the statistics show this is not always the case. In fact, studies cite that 40% of the homeless people in the United States were once in foster care and they comprise the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. Yet as Scott McCowan summarizes, it does not necessarily mean that if you are in foster care one becomes part of that statistic, but there are often serious attachment disorders as a child may be moved from home to home. He says, “sometimes there are too many children in one home. This is a vulnerable population and they need extra care.”

A Baltimore study Evy Kaye Ritzen discussed, tracked foster care children for 12-18 months after they aged out of foster care and found:

• 27% of the males and 10% of the females were incarcerated
• 33% required public assistance
• 37% had not finished high school.

Yet, foster care solves a problem and our society needs more volunteers and parents willing to take care of children in a loving, nurturing home. Join in for more information on what is needed and how an individual can be a part of the solution.

And as always, thanks for watching as we talk about things that matter with people who care.

Niki Nicastro McCuistion
Executive producer/ producer

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Given the fact of our present high unemployment and an unstable economy, according to some people, the increases in minimum wage will only increase unemployment. Conversely, others believe that those who work for minimum wage are past due from being given a raise- because of the increased costs of living.

Minimum wage came into existence just after World War II, then at 40 Cents an hour. Minimum wage is essentially a law that makes it illegal for firms over a certain revenue point/size to hire anyone at a wage level below the official minimum.

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Joining host, Dennis McCuistion, to discuss the pros and cons of proposed increases are:

• Liana Fox: Economic Analyst with Washington based, Economic Policy Institute
• John P. Greenan: Executive Director of the Central Dallas Community Development Corporation
• Robert Smith: Host of the Acorn Hour Radio Program on KNOW 89.3 FM (Association of the Community Organizations for Reform Now)
• Bob McTeer, PhD – Economist and distinguished Fellow with the National Center for Policy Analysis and former President of the Dallas Federal Reserve

Bob McTeer believes that raising the minimum wage may sound good in theory, but in fact some are not employed as a result of it, because firms may not be able to afford hiring them.

John Greenan believes that the minimum wage is low enough that increasing it will not decrease jobs. From his organization’s perspective,

“It’s a moral issue as well. It’s not right [for people] to work full time and not be able to support themselves.”

Join in for a lively discussion that hasn’t changed over the years as to the practicality and morality of minimum wage. Let us know what you think by posting a comment on our website or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/McCuistiontv.

As always thanks for joining us as we talk about things that matter with people who care.

Niki Nicastro McCuistion
Executive Producer/Producer

***

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