In the previous post, I addressed the difficulty state and federal governments have in getting the juvenile justice systems and the child welfare systems to play well together and make what is in the best interest of the child their first (collective) priority. Continuing my discussion of the article written by a Children’s Rights advocate, the author (Leslee Morris) cited Children’s Rights research that suggested four areas of concern.


A youth’s involvement in the child welfare system may contribute to delinquent behavior.


The first paragraph under this heading discusses the frequent moves experienced by youth in the foster care system, and how they were separated from their biological families. The article states the children “did not feel connected” and had an attitude that they were not accountable for their actions. They were not “beholden’ to anyone and didn’t care what anyone in their lives felt about their behavior. Where have we seen or heard that before?


The environment in many group homes was described as “abusive” where the group home parents “talked down” to the kids, and where no one cared if children completed schoolwork or accomplished much of anything. I know Tommy was in several group homes and I’d like to think there was some positive feedback given. I know in at least one of the homes they worked very hard to help him make good choices. But perhaps the majority of them are not so good?


The study also addressed the problem of mixing tougher kids with initially less-disturbed kids … but eventually the populations merge. One group home resident described his placement as “the West Point of crime.”


Lastly, the study stated group home staff was more likely to call the police for infractions that would not involve the police in “normal” families dealing with adolescents. Here’s a surprise … group home staff was more likely to call the cops than call the placing agency. Gee, why do you suppose that happens? Could it have anything to do with the difficulties so many group homes and foster homes have in getting any support from their placing agencies at all?


The second area of concern will be discussed in my next post, and I have to say, it doesn’t seem applicable to most of the folks I have met on this journey … stay tuned …


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