Equipping foster care professionals with the knowledge, tools and strategies to create lasting, positive change for foster youth.
Here's the Thing...
Nearly 250,000 children enter foster care each year, often due to neglect, parental substance abuse, or unsafe living conditions.
Approximately 50% of foster children experience mental health issues, including PTSD, which is twice the rate of U.S. war veterans. They often face barriers to receiving adequate mental health services
Black children are overrepresented in foster care, accounting for 23% of foster youth compared to 14% of the U.S. child population. Additionally, LGBTQ+ youth in foster care are disproportionately represented and face unique risks, including higher rates of abuse and homelessness.
Although intended as a place of safety, over 30% of foster children report abuse while in care, and many experience multiple placements, adding to emotional distress and instability.
The foster care system is stretched thin, with professionals facing the challenge of supporting foster youth who carry significant trauma. Too often, these youth don’t receive the trauma-informed, compassionate care they need, leading to cycles of instability and missed potential.
We aim to inspire and equip foster care professionals through powerful speaking engagements that bring critical issues to the forefront. Led by child advocate and foster care expert Crystal McClain, our keynotes, panels, guest appearances, training and presentations deliver actionable insights and compassionate strategies for transforming foster care. With her deep experience in trauma-informed care and youth advocacy, Crystal offers a unique perspective that empowers audiences to create lasting change for foster youth.
OUR SERVICES
Ways We Can Partner
Crystal McClain Consulting exists to bridge gaps in foster care through strategic, trauma-informed training and advocacy. Crystal’s story, passion, and expertise make her a powerful advocate, ready to guide professionals and organizations toward meaningful transformation.
AUTHOR | SPEAKER | CHILD WELFARE ADVOCATE
Meet Crystal A. McClain
Crystal McClain is a dedicated child advocate, foster care expert, and speaker with over 20 years of experience transforming the foster care landscape. As the founder of Revive Youth & Family Services and Crystal McClain Consulting, she’s committed to empowering foster care professionals with trauma-informed tools and compassionate strategies to create lasting, positive change for foster youth.
Crystal’s mission is to equip those who support foster children with the knowledge and confidence to meet their unique needs, building brighter futures one life at a time. Whether through speaking, training, or consulting, Crystal is a powerful ally in advocating for foster youth.
Key Benefits of Partnering with Crystal
Expert-Led Trauma-Informed Training
Customized Program Development
Credibility and Proven Impact
Advocacy and Leadership in Foster Care
Insightful Thought Leadership
Holistic Approach to Empowering Youth
The Invisible Backpack is a compelling fictional story written by Crystal McClain that sheds light on the unseen emotional burdens carried by foster youth.
Through the journey of 15-year-old James Archer, the book explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the impact of supportive environments, offering valuable insights for foster parents, professionals, and anyone invested in empowering foster children.
The Invisible Backpack
Great read for foster parents, caregivers, social workers and all foster care professionals
