If "dad is in jail or has disappeared and mom is on crack", these kids ARE orphans.
My same thought - it’s basically a state-run orphanage. Not necessarily a new concept, and it is needed for SOME few children; but the idea of the state as “foster parent” is chilling on so many levels...
My greatest fear would be that parents simply abandon their children on the doorstep of the school - or that other families may have their children unwillingly forced into these 24-7 institutions by the state.
It would be far better for abandoned children to be in loving families, rather than warehoused in orphanages. But there are so few families who are fostering nowadays, thanks to red tape and regulations. How very sad that this is even being considered... and how frightening for those who fear losing even more parental rights!