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Transparency? Not so much

July 26, 2011 When 14-year-old Martin Lee Anderson died after a beating at a notorious Florida boot camp for wayward youth, the state’s public records law allowed release of the tape showing what happened — all in the public interest. The public outcry was such that state-sanctioned boot camps were shut down.

What can Floridians learn about their taxpayer-financed programs aimed at helping troubled juveniles straighten up? The case of Eric Perez, who died at a West Palm Beach lockup for juveniles, warrants that transparency. Why did Eric die? Why wasn’t a doctor or nurse alerted immediately when the painfully ill youth cried out for help?

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Alexia Nechayev

FYS Events & Meeting Chair
(Palm Beach)

Hello, My name is Alexia Nechayev. I am 25 years old and I am an alumna of Florida International University where I received my B.A. in Psychology. My future career goal is to be a Lawyer. I was in care for about one year from age 17 to 18. Prior to entering care, I only knew about the negative stigma regarding foster care and while in care that narrative was unfortunately my experience.

In school I felt like I was on display because my status in care was broadcast to other students and in my placement behavior was leveraged for “privileges” that should be a natural right of all children. Because I did not know my rights I did not know that what I was experiencing was wrong. Today this is exactly why I advocate, because I don’t want this to be the same for other youth who are experiencing foster care.

This is my second year on the FYS Statewide Board and I’m happy to be the Events and Meetings Chair this year because my main goal through advocacy is to reach as many people as possible. My favorite thing as a board member is to see how comfortable members become while working together. The community needs to know that youth in foster care are real people, going through some of the hardest moments of their life and youth need to know that their voice is powerful. I believe that we have to speak up and bring these issues to people’s attention so that they do not forget us. Advocacy, education and consistency is the only way.

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