In the wake of two fatalities in early ’14, the de Blasio administration called for better reporting of abuse and neglect. But there is substantial doubt that child welfare investigations can root out real threats to kids’ safety.
“Our approach to improving child welfare and juvenile justice services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning children, young people, and adults featured in the piece deserves a closer look.”
New York City is working to build a foster-care system that welcomes gay and trans youth. New training has made gains against still-common cultural and religious hangups among caseworkers and foster parents.
Poor parents are no more likely to hurt or neglect their kids, the author argues. They’re just more likely to be punished for failings both real and imagined.
New ACS Commissioner Gladys Carri
The Close to Home initiative was supposed to move detained kids to less restrictive settings and improve their ability to complete their education. That hasn’t happened.
Burnout among child welfare workers hurts kids in foster care. In 2011, an effort was launched to give New York City caseworkers the support they need to stay on the job.
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