On the anniversary of this great speech, many are asking, “What is
your dream?” At Hillsides we ask, “What is the dream for ourselves as an
organization and for the children, youth, and families we serve?”
Given the most recent article in the Los Angeles Times addressing
the crisis in foster care in the county, my dream is that every child will be
kept safe and every child along with their family will receive the support they
need to be successful. In a
previous blog, I introduced you to a young boy that was admitted to Hillsides
from one of the children’s holding centers mentioned in the article. I wonder
what his dreams are? What responsibility does the Department of Children and
Family Services (DCFS) have in putting him in the right path to achieve dreams?
How are we helping him fulfill them?
The article reported that DCFS has reached a crisis point because
of a severe lack of foster homes and other resources for children and youth in
their care. A combination of an increased number of vulnerable families, shortsighted
attempts to employ best practices, and a bottomline approach has led to this
crisis, which is a long time in coming. As a result, there is a severe shortage
of qualified foster homes. County social workers are stretched beyond a
reasonable capacity. Providers are forced to do more with far less resources
than is necessary. This is a disaster that puts children at risk and caregivers
alike.
Dreams are dashed in such an overwhelming environment. But just as
with the civil rights struggle, exposing the truth and insisting on improvement
are required. There is no magic bullet, but the solutions are known. More
resources are needed. Better assessments and measurable, achievable treatment
plans must be developed as part of the initial intervention with these
children. Early intervention that supports the role of family is essential to
long-term success and stability. Effective recruitment of qualified foster
homes is imperative. Perhaps if we can strive to improve in these areas, every
child’s dream is closer to being fulfilled as they traverse the foster care
system.
Increased funding is not the only solution; proven and effective
interventions are also necessary. However, the care of the most vulnerable
children should not be subject to the budget balancing exercises that often
seem to drive decisions regarding their care. It is unacceptable and the result
is a system that fails its mission to protect and improve the lives of those it
serves.
I have a dream that some day soon we will have created communities
that safeguard its children, supports its families, and assures the basic
rights of all, especially the most vulnerable. My dream for the young boy in our care is that we will be a resource
for him and his family. By doing so, he will dream of great things for himself
and be confident enough to pursue them.
Dreams are just fantasies if there is no reason to hope that they
will be realized. One hundred years ago this coming month, a courageous woman
acted on her dream to provide a safe and secure home for children whose
families no longer were able to provide for them. Each day we take up that
dream and commit anew to creating a lasting change for all we serve. Dream with us!
