Foster Care System Fails To Remove Child From Abusive Home

Case Overview

The boy did not report negative experiences at either of his first 2 homes. After 6 months of placement into his most recent foster home, the boy reported to his caseworker that his foster father was abusing him. In spite of this report, the boy was not removed from the home for another 6 months. It was alleged that sufficient action was not taken to ensure the safety of the boy. An expert in social work with experience managing foster care placement was sought to discuss the procedures in place designed to prevent this type of incident from occurring.

Questions to the Social Worker expert and their responses

Please describe your experience in foster care or similar systems.

I have 15+ years of experience in social work as a case manager, therapist, and supervisor. I served as the director of the residential and community-based programs division of a non-profit family services organization for 4+ years. During my tenure, I oversaw several programs, including intervention and residence services for children in foster care. In a previous role at another non-profit family services organization, I supervised caseworkers placing at-risk children in foster homes. I have experience in managing foster care audits.

What type of regular checks should be in place to look out for these types of incidents?

The standards in this area are straightforward. Foster care agencies must adhere to state requirements, and it sounds like that did not happen in this instance.

About the expert

This expert earned her B.A. in Social Work from the University of St. Thomas and her M.S.W. from Columbia University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York and California, and she has been involved in case management, supervision, and psychotherapy for over 15 years. The Expert began her career with case planning and project responsibilities at East Harlem Council for Community Improvement in New York City. She then worked as a Preventive Services Supervisor for The Lower East Side Family Union, where she managed case workers. The expert moved to California and held a similar for five years when she returned to New York City and became the Division Director of Residential and Community Based Programs for Good Shepherd Services, a position she held from 2009 until 2013. Most recently, the expert was the Director of Community Based Programs at Saint Dominic's Home and then the Vice President of Clinical and Adult Day Health Care Services at Harlem United before opening a therapy and consulting business in New York City.