Fostering social work

Tallahassee, Florida -- It's another day at the office for Derrick Riggins: processing paperwork and crunching numbers.

He started working with Florida's Department of Children and Families nearly four months ago but he's already had nearly a lifetime of experience.

"I've been in foster care since I was a little child," said Riggins. Riggins said he's had between seven and nine foster parents, including relatives.

"That was the hardest part... not knowing if tomorrow that this was going to be the place that you could call home," said Riggins.

Riggins said he talks to his biological parents but admitted he struggles with that relationship. He strives on friendship.

"These are some of the people that helped me make it through the hardest times, this is my best friend Heather," said Riggins as he showed us pictures online.

Heather encouraged him to pursue social work. He graduated from FAMU and is actively working on a Masters in Administrative Social Work at FSU.

Riggins is one of nearly 150 former foster care children statewide to work in the industry. 20 are in the Jacksonville area. 16 are in the Tampa area.

Friend, coworker and former foster child Alexandre Johnson said she's learned a lot from Riggins so far.

"It inspires you to do better you know to look to the future and not digress on the past…he's a very good motivator," said Johnson.

Riggins hopes his education and experience will help him help others.

"Being able to provide these services to them gives me a great opportunity to give back in a small way," said Riggins.