Do you think the foster care system can be changed?

Question

It's been weighing heavily on my heart for many years. Why can't the foster system be screened more thoroughly? Foster parents should NOT receive money...it should be based only on people who truly have the childrens' best interest at heart. I know that's tough and would reduce the number of care givers out there, but I just think PAYING people is the cause for the system corruption. I want so badly to get involved.

Any suggestions on where to start regarding reform in my own city?

Answer 1

I disagree.  Yes, recieving money can cause people to take foster kids for the wrong reasons, that's true.  But there are also many people who WANT to take in kids because they want to help, but wouldn't be able to because they don't have enough money.  Kids are EXPENSIVE.  They eat like there's no tomorrow and grow out of clothes like nobody's business.  Driving them around chews up untold dollars in gas, then there's doctor's visits, vitamins, medications if they need them, glasses, dentist visits, maybe braces.... the list goes on and on.

If you want to get rid of corruption, look at the groups responsible for making sure the kids are well cared for.  First off, a lot of kids are available for adoption, but adopting is a pain in the butt.  States actually make it harder for people to adopt than necessary.  Why?  Because the federal government gives states x amount of dollars for each kid in the foster system, but NONE for adoptees, so the incentive is to keep kids in the system!  More kids in the system = not enough families to take care of them all.  Also means resources are stretched beyond what they can handle.

Secondly, where is all that money going?  It's not going to the caseworkers who are supposed to keep track of the kids; CPS workers are the quintessential 'overworked, underpaid, no resources, no power to change anything' group.  Every year we hear about horrific stories of foster children being abused, even killed, and where was CPS?  Chasing after the other 40 kids on their caseload, probably!

Thirdly, states are so desperate for foster families, that even families that are accused of abuse or neglect can still get kids.  That's where you get the corruption you're complaining about.

So, how to reform the system?  Well, burning the whole thing down and starting from scratch comes to mind, but I don't think that'll go over so well....  How about demanding responsibility from the State government?  Demand they listen to the people on the front lines in terms of what is needed.  Find out WHO is ultimatly responsible for the direction of CPS and the foster system and get attention focused on them.  Get the legislature's attention and demand more resources for these programs (and less for private jets for legislators!).  Demand stricter laws and consequences when dealing with abusive or negligent foster parents.  Jail time would be appropriate.  Revoking their licence.  Garneshing wages to pay for the kid's therapy, maybe.

Now, the ultimate question: how to get started?  You can't do it alone, but it can be done.  Chances are that there's already a group in your city or state working to reform the system.  If there's not, start talking.  Talk to friends, neighbors, and co-workers and get their support.  Challenge them to do more than talk: hold a rally, start a letter-writing campaign, flood the local and state newspapers with letters to the editor, interview CPS workers to get their perspective, push TV stations to do a story (or series of stories) on the sad state of the foster system.

And when you feel like nothing is ever going to change, remember, "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world - indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead

Best of luck to you in your quest!