A number of states are looking at, or have gone to private foster care as one part to reform the foster care system. Some states have been going back and forth on what would be best. Some people view this as a way out for the state instead of fixing the problems they just pass the responsibility to someone else.

The foster care system has been placed into shambles by the state and now they are searching for a way out without fixing the problems. People are all over the board on what they think of foster care remaining public or going private.

The state would still be involved with the care of foster children but would not be placing children with foster families or overseeing the daily care of the foster children. They still would be responsible overall for the foster children in care. They would continue investigating possible child abuse and removing children when needed. The state would remain handling all legal matters and decisions concerning the foster children in care.

The private foster care agencies would be responsible for placing children, the daily events of foster children (arranging therapies, doctors, having them evaluated, treatment plans, etc.) The foster families would be working under a private agency of their choice. The private agencies would be dealing with any of the foster families needs or issues. The major thing that would fall on to the shoulders of the private agencies are the biological parents and their plans to get their children back, supervising visitation, setting up required counseling, parenting classes, etc. Handling the care and guidance of the biological parents is a major undertaking.

I personally work with a private foster care agency and I like the personal interaction I have with them instead of working with a faceless system. I like to know who I am talking to on the phone, and that they have some idea of what kind of foster home we have.

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More reading:

Is Parenting a Right or a Privilege?

How Many Children Need to Die?

Drugs and Foster Care