Nearly 640,000 young people depend on caseworkers to keep them safe in U.S. foster care each year. But with little training, unmanageable caseloads and long hours on small salaries, adequately protecting kids can be difficult. And, as we see in the cover story of Notes From the Field, the effects can be devastating.
When no foster homes were available, Sean was placed in an institution “akin to being inside a prison.” Guards dictated when to wake, clean and eat, and he couldn’t leave without staff. In this issue, Sean’s story, and those of others who’ve lived in foster care institutions – is brought to life.
A review of Children’s Rights’ work in 2012-2013, including significant developments in our foster care reform campaigns, financial information and a list of the individuals and organizations that generously supported Children’s Rights during the period.
Twenty seven bloggers share personal, and at times gut-wrenching, accounts of life in state care in this print edition of Children’s Rights’ inaugural Fostering the Future project. Foreword by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels.
Imagine entering foster care with a brother or sister, your only comfort in a world of uncertainty. Then you’re split up and have no idea, if, or when, you’ll see each other again. This issue delves into the impacts of sibling separation, and shares the stories of those who’ve been through it.
Thousands of foster children are prescribed powerful psychotropic medications, and the side effects – like drowsiness, suicidal thoughts and hallucinations – can be serious. This issue deals with overmedication, a lack of oversight and the startling impact psychotropics have on kids.
A review of Children’s Rights’ work in 2011-2012, including significant developments in our foster care reform campaigns, financial information and a list of the individuals and organizations that generously supported Children’s Rights during the period.
Spurred by a child welfare reform campaign initially filed in 2000 by Children’s Rights, the state of Tennessee has employed a number of strategies over the years to dramatically reduce its reliance on institutions — and now placesthe vast majority of youth in foster care with relatives and foster families. This report not only explores […]
The state of Wisconsin recently launched a new effort to license and train relatives following a legislative change in 2009 requiring relatives caring for foster youth to apply for a foster home license. This report evaluates the implementation of this new policy shift in Wisconsin, and offers specific recommendations that would help ensure that foster […]
An in-depth report on the New York City child welfare system detailing problems that delay the progress of children in New York City foster care toward reunification with their parents, adoption, or permanency through legal guardianship — and making concrete recommendations about how these problems can be solved.
