Know Better Do Better Pennsylvania

12/07/2025

https://ed.psu.edu/rising-scholars?fbclid=IwdGRzaAOi48VjbGNrA6LjvmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHlNQCsVnZM4oEQSXaBb-Mr6mR1SgD8o89FMO8MYnhpxWmARMjcabDtb9llsu_aem_SvPzNBBl-KOG4CJzgTSUnA&sfnsn=mo

11/15/2025

We have a new name—and a renewed mission.

S.E.S.A.M.E. is now the National Center to Stop Educator Sexual Misconduct (NCSESAME).

Our name reflects what we’ve always stood for:
✅ Protecting students from abuse and misconduct
✅ Supporting survivors and families
✅ Building accountability and prevention into every school

With a new website, a national podcast (Crossing the Line), refreshed social channels, and expanded resources, we’re growing stronger—together.

💛 Learn more → NCSESAME.org

11/04/2025

If you run into any problems or have questions when casting your vote today, call the Election Protection Hotline.

11/04/2025

Polls are open from 7 to 8, please vote. I have spoken to all five state level judges and they support our kids. Thus is especially true for Justice Dougherty

10/08/2025

More than a decade ago, the Emmy-nominated documentary "Poor Kids" explored poverty in the United States as it’s rarely seen: through the eyes of children. FRONTLINE's season premiere "Born Poor" tells the stories of the same children, now grown, chronicling their lives from childhood to the present day. FRONTLINE follows Kaylie, Johnny and Brittany across three chapters of their lives as they grow from kids to teenagers to adults, trying to pursue their dreams while dealing with an economy where they face more obstacles than opportunities — and trying to overcome the grinding poverty that shaped their childhoods. Tune in or stream "Born Poor" beginning Tue., Oct. 7 at 10/9c on PBS and YouTube, and at 7/6c on FRONTLINE's website and in the PBS App. Watch the trailer here: https://to.pbs.org/42nIpIw

09/16/2025

Yet another great resource to learn more about protecting kids in the foster system. National Coalition For Child Protection Reform | Working to help America's vulnerable children by changing public policy concerning child abuse, foster care, and family preservation

Working to help America's vulnerable children by changing public policy concerning child abuse, foster care, and family preservation

09/16/2025

09/14/2025

Do you want (or need) training on helping children? The University of Pittsburgh is a treasure trove of resources.

The Mission of the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center is to train and provide technical support to those working in the Child Welfare system and to support those working with us to help families and communities to safely parent children and youth.

09/09/2025

We need to work on generational solutions.

https://www.aecf.org/resources/developing-two-generation-approaches-in-communities

09/09/2025

09/09/2025

Right after I turned 12 I was separated from my 4 older siblings while we were in foster care. They were the only blood family I still had contact with at the time. The only people who actually knew me.

Over the years, I had a few visits with them, but we were never all together in the same room again. Living apart from each other was heartbreaking for me; but then eventually, I had to get used to it because everything stopped. No more visits. No more phone calls. No more updates.

Years went by & when I was a senior in high school, I was serving breakfast in the park to our local homeless community. I looked around & saw someone who looked so familiar I had to do a double take. It was my oldest brother who had aged out of foster care a few years earlier. While I was there serving, he was there to be served.

That was the day I finally got to see one of my siblings, Not because it was scheduled by CPS, but because by random chance, my foster family took me to volunteer at that specific park on that exact day. I looked at my foster mom & just started crying. It had been so many years since I’d seen him that I almost couldn’t believe it—but it was him

I walked over & said his name. He didn’t even recognize me at first. Tears were just streaming down my face & he quickly realized who I was. I was so happy but I was also devastated because of the reason he was there & being 17, there was nothing I could do to help him. I felt lost.

We sat & talked & cried & hugged each other until it was time to go. I was so worried about him that I didn’t want to leave. Where would he sleep? Who would help him? would he be ok? Would I ever see him again?

I didn’t know how much I needed to see him that day.

I know it’s not always possible for siblings to live together, but the system has got to do better about keeping them connected while they are in foster care. My brother & I should never have had to do a double take to recognize each other. Siblings are not optional. They’re family & they are everything to a child, especially when you’ve already lost so much.

& here’s another hard truth: the hard reality I’ve had to face is that 1 in 5 kids who age out of foster care will end up homeless. But kids like us deserve more than just survival. The system may have forgotten us, but you don’t have to. Speak up. Get involved. Push for change. Because foster youth aren’t numbers on a caseload, we’re real people & our futures are worth investing in.

~written by Amara, aged out foster youth~