If the fact that Rhode Island’s child welfare system wastes lives isn’t enough to prompt real change, consider the staggering waste of money. New data show Rhode Island spending on child welfare is proportionately the highest rate in the nation — well over triple the national average.
The amount is equal to $11,244 for every impoverished child in the state. Rhode Island’s children would be far better off if the state could simply give every impoverished family $11,244 per child.
The amount itself isn’t even the problem. I’m a tax-and-spend liberal and proud of it. If Rhode Island had the best child welfare system in the country it might be worth it. But most of this money is wasted on all those needless removals of children and unnecessary foster care. …
