Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – April 8, 2024
Here are some news items from last few weeks related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye:
Two years post-COVID-19 pandemic, the foster care youth population in the U.S. has decreased to 368,530 in 2022, marking a 6% drop from 2021 and 16% from 2018. This decline is attributed to fewer children entering the system, despite longer foster care stays and slower exits. The U.S. Children’s Bureau highlights efforts to support families, aiming to keep children at home safely and reduce foster care entries. Data from The Imprint suggests the downward trend continued into 2023. Notably, drug-related removals have significantly decreased, alongside a decline in children exiting foster care through reunification.
The article on ProPublica discusses the admission by an expert in foster care cases that her method lacks scientific validity. Dr. Connie Black-Pond, a psychologist, has testified in numerous child welfare cases, claiming to predict future child abuse based on her evaluations. However, during a deposition, she acknowledged that her method lacks scientific backing. Her evaluations have influenced decisions to remove children from their homes. This revelation raises concerns about the reliability of expert testimony in child welfare proceedings and the potential impact on families and children involved in such cases.
In Texas, new legislation mandates that reports of child abuse to Child Protective Services (CPS) must include the reporter’s identity, aiming to focus investigations on urgent cases. Carrie Wilcoxson, a former child abuse investigator, supports the move, stressing timely reporting to potentially save lives. Unlike federal law, Texas now requires all citizens to report abuse or face charges. The law aims to deter false accusations, requiring reporters to provide personal details and warning of criminal consequences for false reports. These changes reflect a shift towards accountability in child welfare, emphasizing community responsibility during National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.
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