FOSTER CHILDREN FORCED TO SLEEP IN STATE OFFICES
A new report says dozens of children in foster care in Texas have been forced to sleep in state offices.
According to the Austin American Statesman, a shortage of foster homes in Texas meant more than two dozen children statewide spent at least two nights sleeping in state offices in April, the most recent month for which data is available. The month before that, 42 of them slept in a child welfare office.
State officials say there are not enough foster parents to take in all the children in state custody who need a home. They say compounding the problem is a rising number of children who have been removed from troubled homes.
Kate Murphy with Texans Care for Children says reducing caseloads would give caseworkers more time to find the best place for children.
When I attended an information session in Bryan I was told that I had to agree to 2-3 children. I did not want to take on 2-3 children as a new foster parent. So, I decided against fostering as did several other couples who were interested.
Texas citizens and politicians contribute huge efforts and dollars for their pro life / anti-abortion agenda, and elect government officials on that basis. Why can’t they put the same amount of their time and resources into helping these abused, neglected and unwanted children? Is it because it is so easy to write checks to whomever and talk the talk? Seems all they want to do is promote more unwanted children in this state, regardless of having children suffer lifetime effects from being unwanted from the beginning. Why don’t they foster children in their homes?