My letter to the Office of Child Support Enforcement

May 13, 2012

Vicki Turetsky
Office of Child Support Enforcement Commissioner
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Office of Child Support Enforcement
Administration for Children and Families
370 L’Enfant Promenade, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20447

Dear Commissioner Vicki Turetsky,

As you may know, there are approximately 500,000 children in the foster care system in the United States. Recent studies have shown that foster youth who leave the system without a permanent family or home, face consistent negative life outcomes and suffer with psychological, social, and mental issues.

Children wait months to receive care due to social workers’ caseloads. The government is faced with an overwhelming demand for services and an inability of social workers to cope with demands. More than 20,000 children each year never leave the system until they “age out.” Putting “The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act” into effect would increase federal support – promoting adoption and relative guardianship resulting in permanent families; as well as focusing on improving education and health care for foster children.

Enclosed is a report outlining information on the negative effects that are occurring due to the inefficient foster care system, trends that are being seen within the children, statistics proving so, and possible alterations.  Above all, the implication of The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act is at hand and stressed.

With your 30 years of experience as a public administrator and advocate for low-income families, I seek for you help. Your expertise in family policy and influential acts in enhancing child support payments to families can make the difference between the Fostering Connections Act being successfully implemented and states failing to act in accordance with the law. Thus, your expertise and moral commitment is greatly needed to encourage state agencies and legislatures to take advantage of this law’s provisions and help emphasize the need for suitable implementations.

Please consider this proposal for the foster youth aging and engaging in our communities.

Sincerely,
Betsaida A. Garcia
California State University, Monterey Bay
Collaborate Health and Human Services Major
Concentration in Social Work
Restorative Justice Partners Inc. Mediator

Voices for Children – CASA

“Voices for Children” trains and supports community volunteers who support and guide children in the foster care system. CASA’s (Court Appointed Special Advocates) speak up for the children’s best interests and build relationships that help restore a child’s trust. CASA‘s also mentor youth over age 18 as they transition out of foster care into independent living.

This organization aims to make sure that children placed in foster care do receive the care and services they need to be safe and happy. They also pursue to find permanent homes for the children who are leaving their homes due to maltreatment or family issues. Their help is provided by community volunteers, who are trained as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA‘s), and they provide practical support and rights-based advocacy for foster children of all ages. “Voices for Children” follows California and local rules of the court, it complies with the standards set by the National CASA Association and has been certified as a partner agency of United Way Monterey County!

So this is how it works..

when Child Protective Services removes a child from his or her parents when the child’s safety and well being are in danger. The child’s case comes before the Juvenile Dependency Court, and then the child is moved to a safe place, such as a foster home, and services are provided. The team that manages the case includes social workers, attorneys, and caregivers. The judge can order that the child get a CASA—a Court Appointed Special Advocate—to provide an additional layer of support and guidance. In addition to getting to know the child, CASAs submit reports, make recommendations, and speak up for the child to the judge in court proceedings. In preparation, CASAs spend time with the child, review records, research information, and talk with professionals, caregivers, teachers, and therapists. CASAs develop a case plan, identifying the child’s priority issues, and participate in team meetings to monitor, support, and guide progress toward family reunification or other permanency plans.

Locally, no other agency serves in this capacity.

“Voices for Children” provides professional training and supervision for volunteers appointed by the judge to serve as Officers of the Court. CASA has the legal responsibility to advocate for the best interests and quality of life for Monterey County’s foster children.

Get involved and make a difference in at least one child’s life at http://voicesforchildrencasa.org/get_involved . I am currently in the process of becoming an advocate and I am more than excited for what I have lying ahead of me!!

Listen up folks..

Approximately 500,000 children are in the foster care system in the United States, more over the time frame a child needs to be in foster care is quite extensive. Persistent moves in and out of foster homes can be deeply unsettling for children. Most children who grow up in the foster care system suffer from psychological, social, and mental issues.

Children enter the foster care system when their parents or legal guardians are unable or unwilling to provide care. A child, who falls under the Welfare and Institutions Code Section 300 descriptions, is under authority of juvenile court, which may deem the child to be dependent on the court and turned over to Child Protective Services. A child protective agency then works together with a family court and makes legal decisions for the child to be taken care of by the foster care system.

Unfortunately, State budget cuts have affected California’s department of family and protective services, resulting in hundreds of foster children facing the possibility of moving into agency offices instead of foster homes due to insufficient availability of foster home placement. Children can even wait up to months to receive treatment or counseling due to social workers’ caseloads. The government is faced with an overwhelming demand for services and an inability of social workers to cope with demands.

More than 20,000 children each year never leave the system, they remain in foster care until they “age out.” Studies conducted on foster youth leaving the system without a permanent family or home, have shown steadily negative life outcomes.

Adolescents who grow up in the foster care system are far more likely to grow up with complications and misfortunes than children who have permanent homes. The nation’s foster care system is inefficient and rife with problems; it requires adjustments to improve the wellness of children and their future.

Federal, State, and local governments, communities, and individuals all have a role to play to make sure that foster children do obtain the resources and encouragement they need to reach their full potentials.  

It is important to provide support and hold provisions in budgets to assist states with the child welfare reform that includes foster care and adoption services. Putting “The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act” into effect can increase federal support – promoting adoption and relative guardianship resulting in permanent families; and focuses on improving education and health care for foster children.

Alterations need to be made, for the reason that these children will grow up to construct our communities. Living in healthy environments and receiving all the aid needed, assists foster children to be vigorous adults in our societies.                                    

Presidential Proclamation

As of May of last year, May is officially National Foster Care Month. I think this is an awesome way to bring awareness of how important the foster care system is in our communities. This month is dedicated to express the commitment for children and youth entering the foster care system, as well as to praise foster parents because of their heartwarming actions to care for children without homes. Added to that, everyone who contributes to make a child’s life better in health is applauded and recognized. Because of so, I feel that people will start to understand what issues are being presented, what is being done right now, and what must be done in the future. People just might step it up and lend a hand.

Check out President Obama’s proclamation below.

Presidential Proclamation — National Foster Care Month

NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH, 2012
– – – – – – –
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Childhood is a time for our young people to grow and learn, protected by their families and safe in their homes. But for almost half a million children who are unable to remain at home through no fault of their own, childhood can be a time of sadness, pain, and separation. These children need and deserve safe, loving, and permanent families who can help restore their sense of well-being and give them hope for the future.

During National Foster Care Month, we recognize the promise of America’s children and youth in foster care, and we commend the devotion and selflessness of the foster parents who step in to care for them. We also pay tribute to the professionals nationwide who work to improve the safety of our most vulnerable children and assist their families in addressing the issues that brought them into the child welfare system. In communities across America, dedicated men and women — in schools, faith-based and community organizations, parent and advocacy groups — volunteer their time as mentors, tutors, and advocates for children in foster care. We all have a role to play in ensuring our children and youth grow up with the rich opportunities and support they need to reach their full potential.

My Administration is committed to increasing positive outcomes for every infant and child in foster care, and to promoting a successful transition to adulthood for older youth. We are working to increase permanency through reunification, adoption, and guardianship; to prevent maltreatment; to reduce rates of re-entry into foster care; and to ensure all qualified caregivers have the opportunity to serve as foster parents. Through the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act, we are granting States more flexibility in supporting a range of services for children in foster care, including health care and treatment of emotional trauma. And through the Affordable Care Act, beginning in 2014, every State will be required to extend Medicaid coverage up to age 26 for former foster youth.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Children’s Bureau, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that carries forward a legacy of protecting our Nation’s children and strengthening families through programs like the Permanency Innovations Initiative. Over 5 years, this initiative is investing $100 million in new strategies to identify permanent homes for youth in long-term foster care, including more than 100,000 children awaiting adoption, and to reducing time spent in foster care placements.

National Foster Care Month is a time to reflect on the many ways government, social workers, foster families, religious institutions, and others are helping improve the lives of children in foster care, and it also serves as a reminder that we cannot rest until every child has a safe, loving, and permanent home. Together, we give thanks to those individuals from all walks of life who have opened their hearts and their homes to a child, and we rededicate ourselves to ensuring a bright and hopeful future for America’s foster youth.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2012 as National Foster Care Month. I encourage all Americans to observe this month by dedicating their time, love, and resources to helping youth in foster care, whether by taking time to mentor, lending a hand to a foster family, or taking an active role in their communities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

The Nation’s Only Monthly Magazine Devoted to Foster Care

I think having a magazine out about foster care is such a good recognition method. Slowly the distribution of “Foster Focus” can increase and bring awareness to more communities. A magazine talking about the issues presented, as well as advertising proposals and programs available is needed. 

 

Anyone can subscribe to it, 12 magazines for $25. 

 

This is the “about page” on their web site.

Judges, lawyers, caseworkers, advocates, foster parents, adoptive parents, foster care alumni, guidance counselors, teachers, principles and current foster youth all read Foster Focus. The go-to source of foster care news and information for anyone involved in anyway with the foster care industry.

 

Foster Focus is a monthly magazine dealing exclusively and entirely with the Foster Care Industry.  The core of the magazine are seven monthly featured sections, Anonymous Faces, Ask a Pro, Editor’s Notes, Family Adventures, Guest Speaker, What Do They DO? A nonprofit profile and Lawmakers.  These sections coupled with cover stories and coverage of events focused on foster care will, in fact make for the most in depth view of the Foster Care Industry ever published.  Accomplished doctors, attorneys and psychiatrists and New York Times bestselling authors make up the writing staff for Foster Focus they add credibility and project a sense of understanding to our readers. A range of stories and subjects are covered, highlights include; interviews with Country star Jimmy Wayne and From the NFL’s New Orleans Saints Jimmy Graham, exclusive stories by Dr.John DeGarmo, Rhonda Sciortino, FCAA CEO Adam Robe and Casey Family Planning CEO William Bell.

 

Another service offered by Foster Focus is the website, which can be viewed at http://www.FosterFocusMag.com, It has excerpts of the magazines authors and highlights of the monthly sections and allows non-subscribers the opportunity to subscribe via the internet.

Placement Settings

The foster-home shortage has left a growing number of children in crisis shelters, group homes and treatment facilities, rather than in family homes. Older youth in the foster care system are more likely to be placed in a group home or institution setting than younger children. They are even less likely to be taken into a pre-adoptive or family foster home, including with relatives or in guardianship. In 2009 nearly 54,000 youth aged 13 to 21 lived in a group or institutional setting.

Shown in the chart below, only 4 percent of the children under the age of 12 lived in group or institutional settings, because 84 percent of the children under the age of 12 were placed in foster homes with foster parents or relatives. So the likelihood of being in a family felt, foster home setting decreases when a child hits the age of 13.

 

Placement Settings for Youth in Foster Care (2009)

 

Older foster youth’s goals are significantly different from younger children, in the foster care system. Youth 13 and older are less likely to think that they will exit the foster care system through reunification with their parents or adoption. These children are more likely to have the goals of emancipation or long-term foster care. Furthermore that leads to having the older youth have longer stays in foster care. On average, kids between the ages of 19 and 21, have spent at least 7.5 years under the care of the foster care system.

 

The fact that children are staying in offices, crisis shelters, group homes and treatment facilities for no reason other than, the foster care system not having homes for them is ridiculous. It is wondered why foster children grow up with such negative aspects in their life, but it’s not that hard to see that it is their placement settings that drives that. Children need healthy homes in order to grow up with minor difficulties.

Overcrowded Foster Care System

The issue is that…

Approximately 500,000 children are in the foster care system in the United States (McCuistion, 2009). On average, children stay in the foster care system for almost three years before either being reunited with their families or adopted. (ABC News, 2006). Thus as time progresses, we come to face not having nearly enough possible foster care homes for the amount of children needing a shelter and care.

Rhetorical Timing

40% of the homeless people living in the United States were once in foster care and consist of the fastest growing portion of the homeless population (McCuistion, 2009). However Scott McCowan, the executive director of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, states that it does not automatically mean that if an individual is in foster care, he or she will become part of that statistic. Yet there are often serious attachment disorders as a child may be moved from home to home. He says, “Sometimes there are too many children in one home. This is a vulnerable population and they need extra care” (McCuistion, 2009).

A Baltimore study completed by the McCuistion Program tracked foster care children for 12-18 months after they aged out of foster care and found: (McCuistion, 2009).

• 27% of the males and 10% of the females were incarcerated.
• 33% required public assistance.
• 37% had not finished high school.
  
  These statistics encouraged for the “Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act” to be signed into law by President Bush on 2008. This act made a significant amount of changes in the Child Welfare System in order to improve foster care and adoption assistance (Children’s Defense Fund, 2012). Without a doubt, by putting this act in effect, numbers of such negative impact on individuals in the foster care system would decline.