From untold story to global spotlight: transformed PBS SoCal’s foster care initiative into a powerful storytelling movement that inspired awareness, advocacy, and brighter futures for foster youth.

_______________

The Industry: Public Media & Education

The Rub: A great deal of work has been underway to improve the lives of foster youth across 6 counties in Southern California. For decades these youth have been living in undesirable, stifled situations without loving families, support, resources or future plans. What’s more, not enough people know about the challenges happening right in their city, neighborhood, and even backyard. 

The Mindset: Foster care is less of a national problem and more an individual parenting problem. Not in my backyard, so I don’t have to worry about it.

The Urgency: Every day that goes by, foster youth across Southern California continue living in bad conditions and eventually become displaced, homeless or incarcerated. Fostering, adoption and mentoring are critical needs to course correct the issue and gradually eliminate it. Harnessing the power of public media can help drive action.

The KPIs: Audience awareness & engagement. Positive reviews. Fostering and adoption rates. Mentoring rates. Public media viewership.