February 14, 2006 (Washington, D.C.) -- First Star announced today that a Capitol Hill briefing will be held Friday, February 16, 2007, at 9:30AM in Room 318 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The briefing will focus on the common state practice of robbing disabled and orphaned foster children of Social Security and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits to which they are entitled. Congressman Pete Stark will introduce legislation which will enable the fair disbursement of such benefits to America's foster youth.

What:
This briefing will highlight some of the real world consequences that adversely affect the lives foster children. Congressman Pete Stark will introduce the Foster Children Self-Support Act that serves to ensure that foster children are able to use their social security and SSI benefits to address their needs and improve upon their lives. This briefing is co-sponsored by First Star, a 501(c) (3) public charity dedicated to improving life for child victims of abuse and neglect.

Where:
Rayburn House Office Building - Room B-318

When:
Friday, February 16, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.

Why:
Disabled foster children and those who have lost one or both of their parents are eligible for Social Security and/or SSI benefits. Unfortunately, instead of setting this money aside to be used in the best interest of the child, states are allowed to use this money as a funding stream by making themselves the Social Security payee for children in foster care and then keeping the money for themselves.

Who:
U.S. Representative Pete Stark (CA-13th)
Jeff Hild, Office of Congressman Pete Stark
Shawnita T., Former foster youth
Daniel Hatcher, Esq., University of Baltimore Law School
Montella Smith, University of Baltimore Law School
Lewis Pitts, Esq., Legal Aid of North Carolina, Advocates for Children's Services
Sherry Quirk, Esq.., Co-founder, First Star and Partner, Sullivan & Worcester LLP
Deborah Sams, CEO, First Star
Whytni Kernodle Frederick, Esq., Program Director, Legal Projects, First Star

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