Hello. My name is Cassaundra Eisner, and I am 23 years old.
I was placed in the foster care system in New Brunswick at the age of nine and found my forever family at the age of 11. I am a lived expert from the child welfare system.
Over the years, I have been a strong advocate for youth in care and for adoptive families through volunteer work with the New Brunswick Adoption Foundation, the New Brunswick Youth In Care Network and with PRIDE panels. If you're unfamiliar with PRIDE panels, they're training for future permanency families and supports. I am currently a director on the board of the Child and Youth Permanency Council of Canada.
As I already shared, I was 11 when I joined my adoptive family. Although I would argue that my adoptive family is my real family, that was not always the case. I moved in shortly after meeting them and after having meetings and sleepovers. Moving in with people who were recently strangers is intimidating and very scary. Time to attach is something that would have helped that 11-year-old little girl.
When it comes to joining a new family, there are lots of mixed emotions: fear, anxiety and excitement, just to name a few. This is a huge life change for anyone, especially someone who has experienced developmental trauma from factors that were out of their control.
It is important to know that these factors are not the fault of the child or youth. Due to these unfortunate circumstances and experiences, it can be very difficult to attach and to build a trusting relationship with new people, especially caregivers. The extra time given for attachment in these situations is important to be able to build stronger and healthier relationships, and to allow for more time to heal and to build trust in these new situations.
I am here today from New Brunswick to tell you that “Time to Attach” is a very important campaign, and it's something that would benefit many youth and children who are coming into or are already in the system and are in need of permanent support systems.
Thank you for your time and consideration on something that is very near and dear to my heart.