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May 16, 2007Changes Needed in Federal Child Welfare Law to Better Protect Children and Ensure Them Nurturing Families |
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From Center for Law and Social Policy: Organizations representing public human services directors, public child welfare directors, private child and family service agencies, unions representing child welfare workers, and advocates for children, have joined together in partnership to call on the 110th Congress to join them in a renewed commitment to protect the Nation's children. Supporting the full range of services necessary to prevent child abuse and neglect; Ensuring that all children who have been abused and neglected, including those in foster care, have the services and supports they need to heal; and Guaranteeing the more than half a million children in foster care the help they need not just to survive, but to thrive and return to their families, or to live permanently with adoptive families or legal guardians (often grandparents or other relatives). It is time for the Congress to update outmoded financing strategies so the federal government can better help states prevent child abuse and neglect, protect and care for many more abused and neglected children, support a high quality child welfare workforce, and do more to increase accountability for outcomes for our most vulnerable children and their families. Innovations are underway in selected states and communities, but the federalstate partnership to help children and families in need must be renewed and strengthened if we are going to ensure progress for all children. Assessments of children and families' needs, development and refinement of permanency plans, recruitment, licensing and supervision of foster and pre-adoptive parents are at the heart of child welfare casework and these activities should be reimbursed as more than simple administrative expenditures. Catholic Charities agencies and institutions nationwide provide vital social services to people in need, regardless of their religious, social, or economic backgrounds.
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