Mississippi is trying to avoid becoming the first state to have its child welfare system ran by an outside group. In July, Mississippi publicly admitted to failing to project their own children.Officials also reported that in 2011, overwhelmed Social Workers destroyed evidence of abuse by shredding photographed documentation so they wouldn't have to deal a heavier caseload. Several experts said the dysfunction reflected not just problems with foster care, but broader problems within the state. Mississippi has among the highest rates of poverty, teenage pregnancy, and incarceration in the country.
Children are in danger because the system is not working. A youth judge stepped down from his position because he was afraid a child would die on his watch! Human Rights are being ignored for children in Mississippi. They are being subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment by foster parents-- a foster mother threw a toddler to a pair of snarling dogs! The system has been failing for years, this is a social injustice happening right under our noses.
Children are in danger because the system is not working. A youth judge stepped down from his position because he was afraid a child would die on his watch! Human Rights are being ignored for children in Mississippi. They are being subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment by foster parents-- a foster mother threw a toddler to a pair of snarling dogs! The system has been failing for years, this is a social injustice happening right under our noses.
This was a lengthy article but the things that I read in it were jaw dropping. I don't even know where to start - thank you for posting this, it brings to light huge problems that I'm sure every state has to deal with in some way. It was interesting that they almost put social workers down for having these huge caseloads with nowhere to put the children and unreliable foster parents. They mention the low pay and the simple fact that these workers and legislatures don't want to be responsible for children dying "under their watch," but if they aren't there, who will be? There definitely needs to be a larger intervention to stop these injustices that are happening to already abused and traumatized youth.
ReplyDeleteWow this is horrible. To think that social workers could do this to children is horrible. I understand it may be a lot for them to handle but then they can just find a easy job because being a social worker isn't supposed to be easy. I wonder what other places are doing the same things though. Once people hit a certain point they just relax and "let things slide". That should never be the case. We are there to protect youth but some people are just there to pay bills.
ReplyDeleteThis is awful. Case workers are over-worked and underpaid, but this is unacceptable. They need more resources and support so that the well-being of children is not sacrificed.
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ReplyDeleteRisk factors: lack of funding, unethical practice, burnout, no legal backing, untrained staff
ReplyDeleteProtective factors: seeking more funding, attempting to find further trained staff.
Underlying implications: Possible privatization of the child welfare system
Why was this interesting: Shines light that Mississippi needs further funding, training, and a child welfare revamp.
Risk Factors: lack of funding, lack of self-care, stress, lack of training, unresolved trauma
ReplyDeleteProtective Factors: realization that this is a problem, community organization involvement
Underlying Implications: better funding and training are required for child welfare workers
Why this was interesting: it is shocking and the consequences are very serious