Abused kids' numbers soar as foster funding is slashed

Patty Machelor Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Sunday, May 1, 2011 12:00 am

The number of abused and neglected children in state care has nearly doubled in Pima County over the past decade - even as funding to help them has dropped precipitously and the number of foster homes declined.

Statewide and locally, it is becoming more difficult to place children removed from their homes with families where they can experience some normalcy. *

Caseworkers are trying harder to place children with relatives, but it's not a simple solution. Tracking down extended family who might help can be challenging, and resources are scant. Group homes and shelters, meant to offer a temporary reprieve, are becoming long-term housing for many older children, sibling groups and teens.

"They're staffed. That's not about making a family connection," which is what children desperately need, said Angela Martinez, who works locally to recruit foster families for Arizona's Child Protective Services.

"A child can't begin to heal unless they are with a stable family."*
FULL STORY

*  For example, a kid could grow up to be a Communist with a gob of personality disorders and be a pathological liar- Like Barack Obama.

It may be worth pointing out that "May is Foster Care Month", which couldn't possibly have anything to do with this fine piece of propaganda.