Below is a news brief on a presentation to be given at the 2009 National Conference and Exhibition (NCE) of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP’s Pediatrics for the 21st Century Symposium Series titled “Fostering Healthy Futures: Optimizing Health and Well-Being for Children in Foster Care,” takes place at 11:30 a.m. (ET), Friday, Oct. 16, at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.

For Release: Friday, Oct. 16
11:30 a.m. (ET)

WASHINGTON, DC – More than 500,000 U.S. children are in foster care, and placements continue to increase each year. Many circumstances bring children into the foster care system, including abuse and neglect, parental illness, severe emotional problems and parental illnesses such as HIV/AIDS.

To improve the health outcomes of these at-risk children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) will present the Pediatrics for the 21st Century Symposium, “Fostering Healthy Futures: Optimizing Health and Well-Being for Children in Foster Care” at the National Conference and Exhibition (NCE) in Washington, DC, October 16.

Highlights include:

1. At 1 p.m., MaryLee Allen, MSW, director of child welfare and mental health for the Children’s Defense Fund, will give an overview of the needs of children in foster care in a presentation entitled “Enhancing Public Support to Foster Children’s Healthy Future.”
2. At 1:30 p.m., Mia and Sharon Behrens will talk about Mia’s life in the foster care system and the healing team that helped transform her into a stable, caring young woman.
3. At 4:15 p.m., Thomas Tonniges, MD, FAAP, director of Boys Town Pediatrics will discuss what pediatricians can do to meet the health care needs of children in foster care in his presentation, “Commitment to Change: Making a Difference.”
4. At 5:00 p.m., singer Janiva Magness, will end the symposium with a live vocal performance. Ms. Magness is National Foster Care Month Spokesperson and the winner of a WC Handy Award. Magness will talk about her life in the foster care system and how guidance and support of key caring adults helped her begin the long journey of healing.

Contact the AAP Department of Communications to arrange an interview with speakers.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.