Congressman Cartwright Teams Up With a Pennsylvania Foster Youth for Third Annual Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day

Washington, DC – As part of National Foster Care Month, Congressman Matt Cartwright today paired up with a Pennsylvania foster youth for Foster Youth Shadow Day on Capitol Hill.

Michelle Nauman, who entered foster care at the age of 2, shadowed Congressman Cartwright today at various events.  Currently a mother of 2 children, she works for Family Design Resources as a Youth Advocate speaking to youth about law changes and opportunities for those who stay in care.  She works closely with caseworkers and other foster care-related practitioners in order to improve the system.  Michelle is also an avid advocate for foster youth issues at the state level as a participant of the Youth Advisory Board in Harrisburg, PA. 

“Shadow Day allows for foster youth like Michelle to share their experiences in foster care directly with their elected officials to help better inform and improve our policies in Pennsylvania and around the nation.  It is important their voices are heard.” Congressman Cartwright said.  “Every child deserves a safe, supportive and permanent family, and, as a nation, we need to develop approaches to ensure that our foster youth are provided with the opportunities and support necessary to succeed.”

Congressman Cartwright is a member of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, which unites over 130 Members of Congress to examine the challenges facing all foster youth and develop bipartisan policy initiatives.

During her day on Capitol Hill, Michelle attended a legislative meeting with the Humane Society, joined the Congressman for a discussion in the Capitol, and observed a Natural Resources Committee meeting.

There are nearly 400,000 youth in the foster care system in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.