HBO documentary on foster care ‘reminds us why we do what we do’

Producer Deborah Oppenheimer speaks about her film, FOSTER, as Graham Knaus, Diane Iglesias and Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly look on. Photo by Hugh Clarke
Error message
In order to filter by the "in queue" property, you need to add the Entityqueue: Queue relationship.-
County NewsCounty officials have the power to change the story for children in foster care by advocating for them.HBO documentary on foster care ‘reminds us why we do what we do’
-
County News Article
HBO documentary on foster care ‘reminds us why we do what we do’
“You can’t always write the beginning of your story, but you can always write the end.” That’s a quote from a foster child featured in the HBO documentary FOSTER, which was previewed Saturday morning for members of NACo’s Human Services & Education Policy Steering Committee Joint Subcommittees meeting at NACo’s Annual Conference in Clark County, Nev.
County officials can help write those endings by advocating for children in trouble, several panelists noted. Arapahoe County, Colo. Commissioner Nancy Sharpe, who chairs the committee, kicked off the meeting, introducing speakers to a standing-room-only audience.
“Tools like this show you’re not alone,” said panelist Clark County, Nev. Commissioner Lawrence Weekly.
Learn More
Find community leader toolkits related to the HBO FOSTER film here.
Foster care needs families, champions
Weekly said everyone in the room has the power to help foster children in their communities. “It’s about us connecting dots, sharing resources,” he said. “It’s about collaboration and stepping out of our comfort zones. So many of us are operating with the way things used to be done. Kids need real people to step up and do the right thing.”
California State Association of Counties Executive Director Graham Knaus moderated the discussion about FOSTER, after NACo members saw a 20-minute preview of the film.
“There is no organized system to get people to volunteer [to become a foster parent],” said Deborah Oppenheimer, producer of the film. “There’s no standardization of the names [of the foster care programs].” Programs for protecting children “need to move to a preventative model,” she said.
The reasons she made the film include discovering her own mother was a foster child, who had been rescued as a child during the Holocaust. “We did it to create social impact and everyone in this room has the ability to help bring about change,” Oppenheimer noted.
Panelist Diane Iglesias, senior deputy director, Department of Children and Family Services, Los Angeles County, Office of Child Protection, noted that “the movie … put a face back on the kids. We tend to see data. As administrators, we don’t get to see their faces. It reinvigorates your dedication again. It reminds us why we do what we do.”
Partnerships and collaboration are two of the most important tools county officials can use to improve child welfare in their communities, according to William Bell, president and CEO of Casey Family Programs, which provided funding for the film project.
Bell likened the problem to the efforts to send someone to the moon in the 1960s. “If we really want to choose to do this, then we can,” he said.
County officials have the power to change the story for children in foster care by advocating for them.2019-07-12County News Article2023-04-11
“You can’t always write the beginning of your story, but you can always write the end.” That’s a quote from a foster child featured in the HBO documentary FOSTER, which was previewed Saturday morning for members of NACo’s Human Services & Education Policy Steering Committee Joint Subcommittees meeting at NACo’s Annual Conference in Clark County, Nev.
County officials can help write those endings by advocating for children in trouble, several panelists noted. Arapahoe County, Colo. Commissioner Nancy Sharpe, who chairs the committee, kicked off the meeting, introducing speakers to a standing-room-only audience.
“Tools like this show you’re not alone,” said panelist Clark County, Nev. Commissioner Lawrence Weekly.
Learn More
Find community leader toolkits related to the HBO FOSTER film here.
Weekly said everyone in the room has the power to help foster children in their communities. “It’s about us connecting dots, sharing resources,” he said. “It’s about collaboration and stepping out of our comfort zones. So many of us are operating with the way things used to be done. Kids need real people to step up and do the right thing.”
California State Association of Counties Executive Director Graham Knaus moderated the discussion about FOSTER, after NACo members saw a 20-minute preview of the film.
“There is no organized system to get people to volunteer [to become a foster parent],” said Deborah Oppenheimer, producer of the film. “There’s no standardization of the names [of the foster care programs].” Programs for protecting children “need to move to a preventative model,” she said.
The reasons she made the film include discovering her own mother was a foster child, who had been rescued as a child during the Holocaust. “We did it to create social impact and everyone in this room has the ability to help bring about change,” Oppenheimer noted.
Panelist Diane Iglesias, senior deputy director, Department of Children and Family Services, Los Angeles County, Office of Child Protection, noted that “the movie … put a face back on the kids. We tend to see data. As administrators, we don’t get to see their faces. It reinvigorates your dedication again. It reminds us why we do what we do.”
Partnerships and collaboration are two of the most important tools county officials can use to improve child welfare in their communities, according to William Bell, president and CEO of Casey Family Programs, which provided funding for the film project.
Bell likened the problem to the efforts to send someone to the moon in the 1960s. “If we really want to choose to do this, then we can,” he said.

About Mary Ann Barton (Full Bio)
County News Editor & Senior Writer
Mary Ann is the County News editor and senior staff writer and is returning to NACo after previously working at the association. She comes to NACo after covering local news for Patch.com in Northern Virginia.More from Mary Ann Barton
-
Blog
Changes enacted to federal immigration policies as Title 42 expires
On May 11, “Title 42”, a pandemic-era policy that allowed for the rapid expulsion of asylum seekers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ended. In anticipation of the end of Title 42, several changes to federal immigration processes have been made, which impact county governments. -
Press Release
National Association of Counties Releases Data on Mental Health Crisis
Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing Advocates for Policy Solutions at White House, on Capitol Hill -
Webinar
Familiar Faces Initiative: Model Jurisdictions for Improving Outcomes through Coordinated Health and Justice Systems
May. 11, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:30 pmIn 2022, NACo relaunched the Familiar Faces Initiative during Mental Health Awareness Month to support counties and cities in better meeting the needs of their familiar faces—individuals with complex health and behavioral health conditions who frequently cycle through jails, homeless shelters, emergency departments and other crisis service -
Blog
How counties can extend the reach of drug disposal programs with at-home drug deactivation and disposal
This blog post is sponsored by NACo partner Deterra. Empower Your Community: Enhance Drug Disposal Programs with At-Home Deactivation & Disposal Solutions -
County News
Counties are boosting, normalizing mental health support services for their employees
Counties like Santa Clara County, Calif. have expanded their mental health services offerings for employees. -
County News
County program offers opportunities for developmentally disabled residents
Prince George’s County, Md.’s Project HIRE finds good fits for residents with special needs, enriching county departments and participants’ work experiences.
-
Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: How the Social Determinants of Health Impact Families and Children
June 13, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmEnsuring that parents and caregivers have access to what they need to raise healthy babies helps build a strong foundation for all future learning and development.06132:00 pm<p>Ensuring that parents and caregivers have access to what they need to raise healthy babies helps build a strong foundation for all future learning and development.
-
Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: How the Social Determinants of Health Impact Families and Children
June 15, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmEnsuring that parents and caregivers have access to what they need to raise healthy babies helps build a strong foundation for all future learning and development.06152:00 pm<p>Ensuring that parents and caregivers have access to what they need to raise healthy babies helps build a strong foundation for all future learning and development.
-
Basic page
Human Services & Education Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary,
Contact
-
County News Editor & Senior Writer(202) 942-4223
Related Resources
-
Blog
Changes enacted to federal immigration policies as Title 42 expires
On May 11, “Title 42”, a pandemic-era policy that allowed for the rapid expulsion of asylum seekers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ended. In anticipation of the end of Title 42, several changes to federal immigration processes have been made, which impact county governments. -
Blog
How counties can extend the reach of drug disposal programs with at-home drug deactivation and disposal
This blog post is sponsored by NACo partner Deterra. Empower Your Community: Enhance Drug Disposal Programs with At-Home Deactivation & Disposal Solutions -
County News
County program offers opportunities for developmentally disabled residents
Prince George’s County, Md.’s Project HIRE finds good fits for residents with special needs, enriching county departments and participants’ work experiences.
-
Press Release
National Association of Counties Releases Data on Mental Health Crisis
Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing Advocates for Policy Solutions at White House, on Capitol Hill -
Reports & Toolkits
Mental Health Awareness Month: County Participation Toolkit
This May, we invite the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs to participate in Mental Health Awareness month. -
Reports & Toolkits
The County Role In Long-Term Care
County governments play an essential role in ensuring the health and safety of older Americans and individuals with disabilities as key administrators of safety net programs and services.
Related Events
-
13Jun2023Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: How the Social Determinants of Health Impact Families and Children
Jun. 13, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
15Jun2023Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: How the Social Determinants of Health Impact Families and Children
Jun. 15, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
More From
-
Mental Health Awareness Month: County Participation Toolkit
This May, we invite the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs to participate in Mental Health Awareness month.
Learn More