More foster homes needed, say officials
There are never enough to go around.
Clay Allen, AREA V Assessment Superintendent for the Division of Children and Family Services, says the one thing that would make his job easier is more foster parents. Currently, Baxter County has only four foster homes.
"There can only be three children in each home — five with a waiver," Allen said. "If a foster family already has two children of their own, they are only allowed to have one foster child."
Area V covers Baxter, Boone, Marion, Newton, Searcy and Van Buren counties.
There are 25 children in Baxter County in DCFS custody. Allen said that number is down from last year, but it can change at a moment's notice.
One of the reasons that number is lower than usual is a new law which allows for provisional foster care. The law allows family members to care for children that might have otherwise been removed from the family environment.
"By keeping guardianship within the family, the kids can still participate in all their activities," Allen said. "Having them with a relative eases the transition."
Keeping foster children in a familiar environment is important, according to Allen.
"I have kids as far away as El Dorado," he said. "They are taken out of their home, away from their friends, extended family and school. How are they supposed to have scheduled visits with their family over the phone?"
Another reason DCFS' numbers are lower, Allen said, is a decrease in methamphetamine cases.
"I was at a meeting where they said there has been a 37 percent drop in cases since Arkansas and its surrounding states put cold medicine behind the counter," he said. "I don't have the figures, but I think our numbers would be comparable."
While cases involving meth, alcohol and drugs are prevalent, Allen said most children are removed from their homes because of chronic neglect.
"I wish we knew the reasons why parents neglect their children," he said. "If we can get to the root cause, we have a chance at remediating the situation."
Working with parents to try to get children home is the goal of DCFS. Allen said the vast majority of foster children return home; he admits they do occasionally get repeat customers.
"We have so many people that are just one paycheck or illness away from disaster," he said. "Some people just need a little help."
DCFS isn't authorized to step in without a request from parents or a credible call to the child abuse hotline. They do have several programs to help parents who are struggling, but parents must request the help.
"I'm sure there are people who need help but are scared to come in," he said. "We would love to do more of that."
All calls to the Child Abuse Hotline are answered by the Arkansas State Police. Once a call is found to be credible, DCFS in that county has 72 hours to physically see the child, interview outside the contact of the offender and make an assessment.
Allen said DCFS also is continually understaffed. He currently has three caseworkers, an investigator and two aides.
"It seems like we are always in crisis mode around here," he said. "It reduces our effectiveness."
While he wishes he had more staff, Allen said he couldn't wish for a better community.
"People don't believe me when I tell them about the Christian Clinic and all the volunteers we have doing things for us," he said. "This community just keeps on giving.
"If you don't think you can open your home, there are so many other ways you can help. We can always find a use for someone who wants to help."
...a decrease in methamphetamine cases......"I was at a meeting where they said there has been a 37 percent drop in cases since Arkansas and its surrounding states put cold medicine behind the counter," he said. "I don't have the figures, but I think our numbers would be comparable."
That seems odd....putting cold medicines behind the counter? Is he indicating there's a connection between reduced access to cold medicine and lowered meth cases? It seems to me that if there was a decrease in meth cases, that would more likely reduce DSS cases than because of reduced access to cold medicines. I didn't realize your office only had three caseworkers (to be honest, I don't know how many we have in our county....I bet there's several more, though). No wonder you're over-worked...3 for an entire county seems to be a "trifle" understaffed (no kidding, you say).
Morning, Libby,
Looks like you got your work cut out for you. Hang in there.
There are some truly brilliant Chemists and Chemical Engineers in the drug culture. Within six months there will be a new process for making speed from other household ingredients and all the hassle and cost will have been for nothing.
Besides, why should some losers inability to control their habit be allowed to limit what I want in any way?
But what about the childrun?
They likely have the same genetic predispositions towards addictive behavior as their parents.
Thousands of years of drunks and their families dying faster is the reason those of european origin are now less succeptable to alcoholism than those of asian origin.
Think of it as evolution in action.
Smooch
Snort
So9