Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – March 25, 2024
Here are some news items from last few weeks related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye:
In “Broken: Transforming Child Protective Services,” Jessica Pryce, a former child protective services caseworker, reflects on her experiences and the systemic issues within CPS. Through vivid dreams and personal anecdotes, Pryce exposes the trauma and moral distress endured by professionals within the system. She highlights the need for systemic reform to address the inequities, trauma, and harm perpetuated by CPS policies and practices. Pryce’s book aims to shed light on the complexities of child protective work and advocate for change to better serve vulnerable children and families.
State agencies in Washington and Oregon demand foster parents adhere to new gender and sexuality norms, rejecting those who refuse due to religious beliefs. The DeGrosses, denied for not supporting a child’s “sexual orientation and gender identity,” filed a lawsuit. Washington’s system, serving 8,000 children, faces shortages, resulting in kids sleeping in hotels. Oregon enforces similar rules, rejecting applicants like Jessica Bates, who wouldn’t agree to take a child to hormone appointments. Critics argue officials prioritize ideology over children’s welfare, limiting available homes and families.
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