Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – October 30, 2023
Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye:
Turning 18 marks adulthood, but for foster youth, it often means homelessness and hardship. The authors of this op-ed argue that Texas must improve support for those aging out of foster care. Extended foster care programs for 18 to 21-year-olds can provide crucial assistance, but they contendTexas lags behind other states in enrollment. To make a difference, Texas should focus on education about available options, underscore the long-term benefits of staying in care, expand program capacity, offer personalized services, teach essential life skills, and nurture meaningful adult relationships. With these investments and innovations, they believe extended foster care can empower youth for a brighter future.
The article investigates the alarming trend of foster children being sent to psychiatric hospitals owned by Universal Health Services (UHS) in Alaska. It reveals concerns about the quality of care, overmedication, and inadequate oversight, suggesting that children who need help end up in facilities that may do more harm than good. The Alaska Child Protective Services (CPS) is criticized for routinely placing foster kids in UHS-owned hospitals, where they face inappropriate diagnoses and lengthy stays. The story highlights the need for better regulation and improved alternatives to ensure the well-being of vulnerable foster children in the state.
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