Abuse And Neglect In Foster Care

The problem of abuse, drug use, and neglect in the foster care system should be addressed immediately and effectively. Community agencies, government agencies, private agencies, schools, Child Protective Services (CPS) and law enforcement need to come together as a team and work collaboratively to help prevent, track and monitor children being placed in any type of foster care or transitional care program. In order to address these issues of abuse, exposure to drugs, neglect, early pregnancy and other mental health issues like anxiety and depression; a plan needs to be in place to fully track all children or child being placed in a different home other than their primary home. This needs to be the primary responsibility of everyone involved

in that child’s care.
Action plan 1
The first process for any placement should be a thorough interview process with the prospective parent or parents of the new home. Parents should be evaluated for stability, income level, educational level, back ground check including any criminal history, and future plans. The parents should also be evaluated for any mental health issues including drugs and alcohol abuse. The child should also be a part of at least one of the interview process to ensure that it is the right fit for both parties. This should be a collaborative effort between the parents, the social worker or the agency representative and the child. The social worker should make at least two home visits to the new home, one schedule and one unscheduled prior to placing the child in that home.