The most in-depth report on the current status of children in orphanage foster care in Texs by the Texas State Comptroller, Carole Strayhorn. The most recent update on the status of the foster care system from the Comptroller's office is very disheartening.
We can put a man on the moon but we cannot seem to be able to take proper care of our children.
The state foster care should, at the least, be a safer place with less negligence, abuse, and poverty than when the children were in their own homes.
If it is not safer than their own homes, then leave the children at home.
July 2006, Carole Strayhorn, Texas State Comptroller, sent out a news release stating children in state foster care are FOUR TIMES more likely to be harmed in state foster care than in the general population.
News Report from the Austin Stateman:
Strayhorn said that the increase in foster child deaths outpaces the increase in children in the system. There were about 26,133 children in Texas foster care in 2003 and about 32,474 in 2005, an increase of 24 percent.
The comptroller's findings so far include data showing that in the 2004 budget year (which ended Aug. 31, 2004), 63 foster children received medical treatment for rape that occurred while in the foster care system, 142 children and teens gave birth while in the system, and about 100 received treatment for poisoning caused by medications they were given while in care.
"The state is supposed to be protecting our forgotten children, but in all too many cases these children are taken from one abusive situation and placed in another abusive situation," said Strayhorn"
We are trying to resolve problems for children and demand accountability for those who are responsible for the safety and well-being of children who have been removed from their homes in order to protect them. Regardless of the reason a child is in orphanage type foster care, they should be safe and well cared for. Privately owned, state licensed and regulated facilities MUST adhere to Minimum Standards of Care based on the child's Level Of Care.
First, people have to become aware of the issues these children face, including lack of supervision, abusive workers, untrained workers, and a general lack of concern for the overall well-being of children in orphanage type foster care.
As with any Social Illness, we must be aware of the specific issues facing children in residential foster care before change can occur.
Change will have to begin at the Top Level of Administration.
Any corporation that is not operating properly will change management first; the janitor is not the problem!
Knowing the Problems is the first step to finding solutions. Awareness is necessary before change can happen.
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Here’s how it works: Hire under-qualified applicants, don't train them, don't pay them, don't equip them, and then, when the citizens arrive angry, push the unfortunate blokes out front to take the heat.
