NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A former foster care child in Tennessee is now pushing legislation she wrote to protect other children, growing up as children in state custody.
“Not being able to point out rights violations or advocate for yourself when something is going wrong- that can lead to a lot of damage for kids in the system,” said Ella Brinen, 19, who emancipated herself from the Tennessee foster care when she turned 18 years old.
Brinen is advocating for SB 1015/HB 1358, a foster youth bill of rights, that she penned in coordination with Senator Ferrell Haile, R- Gallatin, the Tennessee Bar Assocation, and the state Department of Children’s Services…