Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – November 13, 2023
Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye:
In the U.S., there has been a significant shift away from orphanages and residential care for vulnerable children towards foster care, adoption, and family reunification. This transition was driven by the understanding that children thrive when they are part of a family. However, internationally, there is still significant support for residential care models. Many children in such care settings have living parents or family members who are willing to care for them with the right support. The article argues that it’s time to shift support away from orphanages and towards organizations that work to keep families together, promoting family-centered care on a global scale.
Texas’ foster care system is under scrutiny as a report from the Department of Family and Protective Services watchdogs reveals alarming conditions. Vulnerable foster children, including teens and even some as young as 10, are reportedly running away, falling prey to sexual predators, consuming drugs, and threatening caseworkers with violence. The report details chaotic, dirty, and dangerous living environments in rental homes for these children, causing serious concerns for their safety and well-being. The situation highlights significant issues within the state’s foster care system, with ongoing legal battles and calls for reforms to ensure the protection of these vulnerable children.
In celebration of National Adoption Month, 14 families gathered at an Odessa church to finalize the adoption of 17 children. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services acknowledged the 4,607 Texas children legally available for adoption from DFPS care as of September, including 188 in the Permian Basin. The event marked one of three adoption ceremonies in the Permian Basin, contributing to the state’s annual adoption figures. The Rollwitz family was among those adopting, formalizing their adoption of siblings Jamison and Isabelle, adding to their growing family, which now includes three adopted children and one on the way.
A legal battle over the state of Texas’ foster care system is intensifying as a federal judge considers whether to hold Governor Greg Abbott and state agencies in contempt of court. Lawyers representing about 9,000 children in long-term foster care have asked the judge to impose monetary penalties and place parts of the state’s program in receivership, which would involve a judge’s appointee directly managing the organization. The lawsuit alleges that children in Texas’ foster care system face unsafe conditions and suffer abuse and neglect. The judge will consider fines and a receivership at a hearing scheduled for December 4.
California and Texas, two states with the largest child welfare systems, have passed laws that require anonymous child abuse hotline callers to identify themselves. These states are shifting to a “confidential reporting” system, where callers must provide information like their name and phone number, but their identity remains confidential. This change aims to reduce false reports and the strain they put on the child welfare system. While proponents argue it will help focus on legitimate cases, some worry it may discourage reporting of genuine concerns and disproportionately affect low-income people of color and survivors of domestic violence.
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