Finding hope on Capitol Hill

By JO HARLAN
Guest Columnist

This summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., as part of the Congressional Leadership Academy, a program that brings together young people with lived experience in foster care from around the country. Out of more than 150 applicants, I was honored to be one of the 42 people selected to attend.

While in D.C., I shadowed Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-California), attended advocacy workshops, sat in on a congressional subcommittee hearing, and connected with other peer advocates working to improve outcomes for teens and young adults in foster care. But the most important thing I brought home wasn’t a business card or a photo from Capitol Hill – it was hope.

One of the most meaningful parts of this experience was seeing how many people are committed to improving outcomes for young people in foster care. Throughout the week, I met leaders, advocates, and policymakers who took the time to listen, ask thoughtful questions, and engage with the issues that matter to those of us with lived experience. I discovered that we all have a shared commitment to finding solutions and creating opportunities for young people to succeed.

As someone who spent time in foster care and later aged out of the system, I know how important policy can be. The right support can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. It certainly changed mine. I graduated from IU Indianapolis with a nursing degree in May, and I recently began my career in nursing in the bone marrow transplant unit at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis. Along the way, programs like Indiana Education and Training Vouchers (ETV) helped make my journey possible.

Today, one issue I hope lawmakers continue to address is healthcare access for young adults who age out of foster care. Under current law, many former foster youth are eligible for health coverage until age 26. On paper, that sounds like a tremendous resource. However, when young people move across state lines – for college, employment, or simply a fresh start – that coverage often does not follow them. As a result, young adults can lose access to medical care, mental health services, and other support during some of the most critical years of their lives.

As a nursing school graduate, I understand how important consistent healthcare is. As a former foster youth, I understand how difficult transitions can be without it. No young person should have to choose between pursuing an opportunity in another state and maintaining access to healthcare. We can do better. Whether the solution comes through federal legislation, state action, or a combination of both, I believe there is a path forward.

My experience in Washington, D.C., reinforced something I first learned through Foster Success and our Day at the Statehouse: advocacy matters. Change happens when people share their stories, build relationships, and continue showing up. Foster Success gave me the confidence and skills to speak with policymakers, and now I hope to continue using my voice to advocate for young people.

The week I spent in D.C. was life-changing, but not because it gave me all the answers. It was life-changing because it reminded me that change is possible. There are people listening. There are people who care. And when young people with lived experience have a seat at the table, better solutions become possible for everyone.

Jo Harlan is a Central Indiana resident and an advocate for Foster Success, a national organization solely focused on supporting teens and young adults as they age out of foster care.