Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – September 4, 2023
Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye:
Lawyers for children in long-term foster care in Texas are pressuring a federal judge to sanction the state for not adequately informing caregivers about youngsters’ histories of sexual abuse. They found that documents ensuring caregivers’ awareness of such histories were completed “just more than half” of the time. This omission is crucial, as victimized children in state custody can become sexual aggressors. The lawyers argue that timely transfer of this information is essential for therapy and preventing further harm. Texas officials claim to have achieved “substantial compliance” with the judge’s orders, but lawyers accuse the state of foot-dragging.
KSAT Investigates reported on Lonestar Social Services, a former child placement agency in Texas facing allegations of financial irregularities. Former employees claimed they were owed thousands in unpaid wages, with some checks being late or not paid at all since November the previous year. The Texas Health and Human Services had issued an intent to revoke Lonestar’s license in June, citing various violations. Despite the back-and-forth narratives, the agency’s owners, Dr. James Mercer and Dr. Jason Fulton, declined to comment on the allegations. Several former employees filed criminal complaints for wage theft, but no charges had been filed against the owners.
A class-action lawsuit filed against Los Angeles County alleges that the county has often failed to provide safe and stable placements for older foster youth, pushing many to live on the streets, in motels, or shelters. The suit, brought on behalf of six foster youth aged 17 to 20, claims that the system designed to protect and safeguard youth’s needs exacerbates their trauma. The suit alleges inadequate case planning, preparation for independent living, and little assistance in navigating mental health and housing services. Los Angeles County had around 2,400 young adults ages 18 to 21 in its extended foster care system as of April 2023.
The Texas Office of the Governor and the Office of the Attorney General of Texas have been granted federal grants totaling $150,266,780 to enhance crime victim services, as announced by U.S. Senator John Cornyn. This funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs and Office for Victims of Crime via Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) assistance funds. The grants will support shelters for victims of domestic violence, programming at rape crisis centers, and legal services at Child Advocacy Centers. Cornyn co-sponsored the VOCA Fix Act, expanding funding for VOCA grants to support victim services providers.
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