Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – September 25, 2023
Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye:
Texas has implemented a community-based care approach to reform its foster care system, transferring child placement and oversight responsibilities from the state to nonprofit organizations. This shift began in 2017 in response to issues and a lawsuit regarding the state’s foster care system. Under the new system, regional nonprofits work as intermediaries to find placements for children in their communities. While this approach aims to keep children closer to their homes and connected to their families, critics argue it lacks transparency and accountability. Some believe privatization is problematic and that problems persist without adequate oversight.
The Mother Jones article explores the challenges and dilemmas faced by Child Protective Services (CPS) social workers, shedding light on the difficulties of navigating a deeply flawed system. Social workers, despite their good intentions, often struggle with a lack of resources, high caseloads, and a focus on family reunification even in unsafe situations. The article discusses how some social workers advocate for systemic change, including reimagining CPS and reallocating resources. While some believe in reforming the system, others call for its abolition. The article highlights the complexity of the child welfare system and the ongoing debate surrounding its future.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is gradually implementing its Community-Based Care (CBC) plan, privatizing child placement and case management. In the first phase, DFPS transitioned nine counties in North Texas to CBC, contracting with a non-profit organization called EMPOWER to manage placements and services for foster children. This approach aims to improve outcomes by involving local communities and keeping children closer to home. Critics argue that privatization may lack transparency and state job benefits. The transition, mandated by lawmakers, aims to address deficiencies in the foster care system and is being implemented region by region.
Fort Behavioral Health, a residential treatment center for high-needs children in Fort Worth, Texas, began encountering significant problems, especially after it started admitting foster children through Our Community Our Kids (OCOK) in August 2021. The facility faced a temporary shutdown in January due to an undisclosed immediate threat to children in care. Investigations have now revealed numerous violations, including sexual abuse, improper restraints, medication mishandling, and chronic understaffing. Former employees suggest a profit-oriented culture, emphasizing filling beds for revenue. Parents, unaware of the extent of the issues, express shock and disappointment at the facility’s treatment.
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