On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer is joined by leaders and advocates working directly with young people transitioning out of foster care: Sarah Baumgartner of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Brian Robinson of Kids’ Voice of Indiana, and Princess Martinez Casanova, a foster youth leader and member of the Youth Impact Board at Kids’ Voice.
For Comfort Cases, partnerships have always been central to the mission. The organization’s first corporate Packing Parties began in Indiana with Elevance Health and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in 2008. Since then, Anthem has remained a longstanding partner, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to corporate responsibility and to supporting children and youth experiencing foster care.
Today, that commitment continues through collaboration with Kids’ Voice of Indiana, working together to raise the voice of youth transitioning out of foster care by creating resources, providing transition support, and expanding opportunities for education and career advancement.
As Foster Care Awareness Month approaches in May, this conversation highlights the importance of recognizing the needs of young people preparing to age out of the system — and the role partnerships play in helping them build strong, independent futures.
Episode Highlights
The importance of supporting youth as they transition out of foster care
How corporate partnerships can expand resources and opportunities for young people
The role of Kids’ Voice of Indiana in advocating for older youth and preparing them for independence
The impact of mentorship, advocacy, and youth voice in shaping better outcomes
Real-life success stories, including pathways to higher education and career development
About the Guests
Sarah Baumgartner is the Older Youth Case Manager on the Foster Care Team at Anthem Indiana Behavioral Health Services. She brings more than 20 years of experience in mental health, including residential treatment, school-based counseling, and private practice. Her work focuses on supporting older youth as they transition from foster care to adulthood.
Brian Robinson is the Director of Older Youth Initiatives for Kids’ Voice of Indiana. With more than 25 years of experience working with children and families, including serving as a Guardian ad Litem since the early 1990s, he centers his work on preparing older youth in foster care for independence.
Princess Martinez Casanova is a bilingual education advocate, foster youth leader, and member of the Youth Impact Board at Kids’ Voice of Indiana. After immigrating from Mexico as a teenager and entering foster care at fourteen, she is now attending DePauw University on a full scholarship, studying Education Studies and Spanish, and advocating for foster youth and immigrant communities.
About the Work
The collaboration between Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Kids’ Voice focuses on:
Transition support for youth aging out of foster care
Elevating youth voice and advocacy
Expanding access to education and career pathways
These efforts reflect a shared commitment to helping young people move from foster care into adulthood with the tools, support, and opportunities they need to succeed.
Connect & Learn More
Kids’ Voice of Indiana: https://kidsvoicein.org/
Facebook: @AnthemMedicaid
Instagram: @anthembcbs
X (Twitter): @AnthemBCBS
LinkedIn: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield – Medicaid Health Plans
","author_name":"Rob Scheer"}