Ryan O'Donnell, founder of GiveSunlight.org, brings forward powerful insights on the intersection of technology and social good, particularly in foster care. His deep experience in both the tech and nonprofit sectors, especially as a foster parent, enriches his approach to building systems that support vulnerable children. Ryan’s vision for Sunlight—improving America’s broken social safety net—accentuating his mission to modernize outdated structures and ensure that people can access the help they need more efficiently.

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The foster care segment is a cornerstone of this varied discussion with Show host Julia Patrick. Ryan poignantly highlights the flaws in the child welfare system, from archaic tools like paper notebooks and fax machines to the inefficiencies in helping families stay together. He shares his personal journey as a foster parent, emphasizing how the lack of communication and outdated systems left him unable to provide clear answers to his foster son about reunification with his biological family. His emotional connection drives his commitment to developing technology that puts children and families at the center of the solution.

Sunlight’s case plan tool aims to streamline communication among the many parties involved in foster care, such as social workers, attorneys, foster parents, and biological families. By introducing a digital platform, Sunlight is working to replace the fragmented and bureaucratic systems with an intuitive app that enables secure, real-time messaging, document uploads, and better collaboration. This innovation, Ryan believes, can help expedite the process of reuniting families and prevent children from languishing in the system.

Ryan’s approach is not just about leveraging technology for the sake of efficiency but about using it to foster empathy and better outcomes for children. His unique perspectives of personal experience and technological expertise positions him to create real, impactful change in a system that is crying out for innovation. This thoughtful intersection of mission and method holds great promise for transforming foster care in the U.S. and ensuring that more children find the stability and love they deserve.

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