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Meet Our FoundersAnika Robinson, Susan Woodruff and Angela Teachout (ASA)
These three seasoned foster and adoptive moms recognized a huge need in our community and decided to meet with Arizona Legislators. Instead of complaining about the issues, they brought real solutions to the table. Their countless hours of dedication lead to the signing of Jacob's Law on March 24, 2016. |
ASA NowASA Now brings awareness to Arizona’s foster care crisis and creates opportunities for our community to volunteer to impact the lives of our most vulnerable population: children who were abused, abandoned or neglected at the hands of the very people who were supposed to protect them.
To serve children, youth and families directly impacted by foster care, ASA Now created a “one-stop” healing space where immediate needs are met and tutoring for children who have fallen behind educationally are rendered. Extracurricular activities are provided to offer healing and joy. Birthdays and graduations are celebrated. Life skills and mentors are provided for youth close to aging out. |
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A Message from Our
Founders:
The need is what drove the 3 of us to bring about Jacob’s law. It is named after Susan's son, however it’s just as much for the 19,000 children still in foster care and the many more who have been adopted. The three of us have fostered and adopted children with very high needs due to the trauma and abuse that our children suffered, in other words, we’re “trauma mamas”. It can feel isolating at times to be raising children with reactive attachment disorder (RAD) or other mental illnesses that are a direct result of trauma. The behaviors are so severe. Children with RAD have very deep emotional wounds that cannot be fixed or healed without intensive specialized treatment. It really is an invisible special needs. We each sought support groups and found each other.
We have a total of 24 children. Out of those children we have some children who are flourishing and some who desperately need help for various special needs. A child who was born addicted to meth and is brain damaged as a result, will not get the same amount of help as a child who has an Autism diagnosis. It is heartbreaking to know how much a child in our home has suffered, and not be able to get them the help that they need. The three of us were desperate for change. Angela had a firm conviction that the principals laid out in our constitution gave us power. The government for the people, and by the people, allowed us to seek out change with legislation. She knew from the start that we could make a difference by speaking up! She researched who we needed to meet with and again and again got us in the door!
Anika and Susan stayed up late many nights reading federal mandates and statutes concerning children who were Medicaid eligible. We took diligent notes and created an executive summary that cited federal laws and studies that show why children with a trauma history need help. We went to our legislators, not to complain, but to present solutions.
When Anika wants something, she puts her whole heart into it! Her faith never waivers. Before every meeting we would say a prayer. We would ask God to touch the hearts of those we were meeting with. That they may feel compelled to help His children. God gave the three of us experiences in failures, and broken hearts and discouragement. We knew we could be a voice for the children coming in and out of the system who have been failed, who felt broken hearted, and hopeless. We truly saw God’s love for His children as more and more people came forward to support us. We want to thank each one of you for being part of our very loud voice that spoke up for foster and adopted children! Thank you to those who have opened your hearts and homes to these precious children. It’s out of love for these children that we felt driven to create change.
We have a total of 24 children. Out of those children we have some children who are flourishing and some who desperately need help for various special needs. A child who was born addicted to meth and is brain damaged as a result, will not get the same amount of help as a child who has an Autism diagnosis. It is heartbreaking to know how much a child in our home has suffered, and not be able to get them the help that they need. The three of us were desperate for change. Angela had a firm conviction that the principals laid out in our constitution gave us power. The government for the people, and by the people, allowed us to seek out change with legislation. She knew from the start that we could make a difference by speaking up! She researched who we needed to meet with and again and again got us in the door!
Anika and Susan stayed up late many nights reading federal mandates and statutes concerning children who were Medicaid eligible. We took diligent notes and created an executive summary that cited federal laws and studies that show why children with a trauma history need help. We went to our legislators, not to complain, but to present solutions.
When Anika wants something, she puts her whole heart into it! Her faith never waivers. Before every meeting we would say a prayer. We would ask God to touch the hearts of those we were meeting with. That they may feel compelled to help His children. God gave the three of us experiences in failures, and broken hearts and discouragement. We knew we could be a voice for the children coming in and out of the system who have been failed, who felt broken hearted, and hopeless. We truly saw God’s love for His children as more and more people came forward to support us. We want to thank each one of you for being part of our very loud voice that spoke up for foster and adopted children! Thank you to those who have opened your hearts and homes to these precious children. It’s out of love for these children that we felt driven to create change.
Committed to Help
"As a former foster child, now foster parent, I know there is a need for community support that will be of service to foster children and foster parents. The more support the better! I am so excited to be a part of such a great organization that focuses on being an advocate for foster families here in Arizona. This community center will create such a positive atmosphere and will create a sense of family we all desire to have, especially with the day to day struggles that come with being a part of the foster system. I am looking forward to building a bigger and better support system through ASA Now."
Lisa Wallace
"I have been a foster parent for 6 years and during that time, I have seen many positive and negative changes in Arizona's system. There is a great need for a community center in our area and it would be so beneficial to have some support for foster families. In addition to respite, my children would have an opportunity to participate in many programs that they would not otherwise get to participate in. I look forward to supports for foster parents and the opportunity to network with those that understand the system the best. I am so excited to be a part of this group of women that are helping to make a difference. Now more than ever, I feel the importance of supporting one another and working together to improve the foster care system here in Arizona."
Katie Driggs
Lisa Wallace
"I have been a foster parent for 6 years and during that time, I have seen many positive and negative changes in Arizona's system. There is a great need for a community center in our area and it would be so beneficial to have some support for foster families. In addition to respite, my children would have an opportunity to participate in many programs that they would not otherwise get to participate in. I look forward to supports for foster parents and the opportunity to network with those that understand the system the best. I am so excited to be a part of this group of women that are helping to make a difference. Now more than ever, I feel the importance of supporting one another and working together to improve the foster care system here in Arizona."
Katie Driggs