Part 3: In their own words: Alexei Ruiz

"Fixing our foster care crisis” was made possible through major funding from the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona and additional support from the University of Southern California Annenberg Center's Fund for Journalism on Child Well-being. 

Other stories in Part 3 of this series include:

In California, a data-driven 'life boat' for those transitioning out of foster care

How states can help children return to repaired families

Out of the system, young adults find themselves 'flooded with freedom'

Hard work of reunification often entails rehab, intensive home services

In their own words: Aracely Valencia

In their own words: Donald Jayne

“I felt unwanted:” Tucson kids talk about hardships of foster care