Ward of the Crown Documentary... bit of a rant

I watched the last half a documentary on CBC NewsWorld this morning... It was called
"Ward of the Crown"

I only saw the tail end of it, but since I've worked in the social service system, group homes etc., having dealt with kids just like the ones in the film... It struck up some old frustrations and feelings. There are SO many flaws and imperfections in the social service system.. known to many as CAS (Children's Aid Society). I've worked for both the regular CAS in Ontario, and the CCAS (Catholice CAS). It's like running in a hampster wheel and getting nowhwere. You feel like you're simply warehousing these kids until they are no longer the legal responsibility of the government. Then the kids simply become part of the judicial system... Pass the buck...

I agree the system sucks. It really sucks. But the reality is, there are SO MANY kids in care that it's extremely difficult to provide a nurturing environment for them... One that they should have, and don't. One of the kids in the doc said that "love is inappropriate in a group home", when commenting on lack of hugs/affection that she received.... I totally see where she's going, but as a CYW (Child & Youth Worker), we are constantly told to cover our asses. A simple hug for a youth in care, could mean an investigation of sexual harrassment or inappropriateness, which could promptly end your career forever. Plus, some of those kids are there for sexual issues. I found myself feeling very defensive of group homes- or at least group home staff. We are working in a house, which is supposed to model somewhat of a family environment. However, there are people switching shifts every 8-12 hrs, staff and residents changeover constantly... Not to mention up to 10 kids living in one house. Of course, some sort of institution-like routine has to take place to manage this dynamic. Kids don't get the 1:1 they need. Staff aren't just there for the kids, but we are responsible for laundry, cooking, cleaning, paperwork... It's not ideal, but it's a reality. I believe there are lots of great youth workers in group homes... doing the best they can in the system they work in. There are also lots of really strung out ones, that have lost their passion and faith in kids. I was one of those by the time I finished working as a CYW. It took me a long time to be able to admit that openly. I felt like I had failed in my chosen field, and as a person. This job has a burnout rate of 4 yrs! With good reason, too. It's a poor paying job, with minimal rewards. I don't plan to return to working group homes. I have a family, and being away for up to 14 hrs a day, is too much. Why should my kids suffer? Who am I helping?

What really angered me about the documentary, was that barely ANY ownership for all these social problems, was put upon the parents who have failed their own children. One of the girls signed herself out of care at 16, with her bio. mother's encouragement. My pessimistic outlook on the situation, immediately told me this wasn't going to work... This girl wouldn't go to school as she stated, and mum wasn't going to be a good support for her. Her mother was doing crack, the girl was taking off for days at a time... and even got pregnant. She miscarried, but was excited at the prospect of having this baby to "love her". A common misconception of teenage girls. She also saw it as a way to get services from the system again!

All too often, the choice to give up your kids and wash your hands of them, is granted. Why aren't these parents held accountable for abandoning their kids??? The system is left to clean up a HUGE mess, and takes the fall for the all the bad things that happen to these kids throughout their lives. Yes, many social workers make poor placement and treatment decisions. I don't know what the solution is. In an ideal world, I'd like to lock up these parents who abuse and neglect their children.

Foster parents get a bad rap too. The kids complain about being moved around. Which truly is unfair. They need stability in their lives... I completely agree!! However, these are people who are opening up their homes and lives to help kids who have been failed by their own parents (in most cases). I hold foster parents in high regard. I could never do the job. Many of these kids who come into foster homes have severe issues. It's hard to have that around your family and home 24-7... regardless of how unfortunate it is for the kids. Imagine having a teenage girl in your home, who cuts her wrists/legs or whatever... using shards from cds, combs, hairpins... And, having your own kids seeing this- how hard would that be? I don't deny the girl is in desperate need of help, attention and nurturing. There are bad foster homes out there, just like bad bio. homes. However, without these people, MANY kids would have no choice but to live an institutional life in a group home... or worse, be left in the abusive environment where they came from.

That's my rant on this issue. I flip back and forth on this coin. It's a difficult problem, with few available solutions. The government doesn't spend enough time or money on prevention. Each of these kids in a group home, is costing the CAS approx. $250-350/day!!! EACH KID! That's a lot of money. It needs to be better spent, so that the group home step doesn't need to be taken....