Young Adult Formerly in Foster Care Testifies before Senate Judiciary Subcommittee; Praises CASA

On October 25, the bipartisan Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law held a hearing on The Human Rights of Foster Care. One of four witnesses to testify was Mon’a Houston, a young adult who aged out of foster care in Georgia.

Ms. Houston’s moving testimony recounted her experiences living in 18 different placements over 5 years, and about her CASA volunteer, who is still part of her life.

Ms. Houston shared, “I was 17 when I was finally assigned a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Ms. Page was the first adult who listened to me. She would regularly fight with DFCS to get me what I needed.” Later in the hearing, Ms. Houston commented, “I just want to thank Ms. Page. And she’s still here in my life. She’s texting my phone, cheering me on right now. I thank her a lot.”

Following Ms. Houston’s testimony, when the subcommittee learned that her 19th birthday was the following day, the entire chamber joined in to sing “Happy Birthday” to the former foster youth (at video timestamp 48:30).

Watch the hearing (Ms. Houston’s testimony begins at 43:20)