NYT: U.S. Finds Fault in All 50 States' Child Welfare Programs

[DeepModem Mom]

U.S. Finds Fault in All 50 States' Child Welfare Programs
By ROBERT PEAR

Published: April 26, 2004


WASHINGTON, April 25 — Federal investigators have found widespread problems in child welfare programs intended to protect children from abuse and neglect, and no state has received passing grades from the Bush administration in reviews conducted over the last three years.

As a result, states face tens of millions of dollars in penalties. State officials said the penalties could make it more difficult for them to pay for the needed improvements.

About 900,000 children were victims of abuse or neglect in 2002, and 1,400 of them died, according to the most recent state data, compiled and reported this month by the Department of Health and Human Services.

No state fully complies with standards established by the federal government to assess performance in protecting children and finding safe, permanent homes for those who have suffered abuse or neglect.

Some states, including New Jersey and Florida, have received national attention because of scandals in their child welfare programs. But the federal report suggests that most states have similar problems....


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/26/politics/26CHIL.html

[Democat]

1. Is this an attempt to defend Jeb Bush from the Florida scandals?

Is this like "blaming everyone" for 9/11? It can't be Bush's fault, so it's everyone's fault.

Now Jeb Bush's brother decides that Jeb isn't really at fault for the child welfare problems, because it's everyone fault.

Don't put anything past these criminals.

[wolfgirl]

2. It's worse than that

Instead of finding ways to FIX the problems, thie will be the GOPs excuse to dismantle and/or privatize the work - assuring that every child is completely left behind!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

3. So, the NeoCon Junta cut the funding to each state by $1 billion....

...and the states, in turn, cut funding for all in-state programs, to include child welfare.

Now, the Junta is BLAMING the state for failing to maintain standards.

Catch-22.

[izzie]

4. I think it has always been a messy business.

I am not sure if the child is better off than they were in the same place as say 100 or 50 years ago or not. More people so more people in this place now than before. This family has had to step in and help because of death and sickness. 100 years ago it was done like this but now this kid does have SS to help her with medical and living where as I recall my family telling about their grandfather at 75 coming out of retirement to take in his grandchildren. So some things have helped, SS for one.I know some very good people who take in these children and Have known them my whole life. But I would say it is sounding more a mess all the time. It may be that it has to be done better than it was and that is a problem. A simple thing like this. My father tells of all his brothers sleeping in one room in grampa's house but you could not take in 3 boys and do that now. Lack of bed rooms would keep good families from taking kids in.