Steps already completed are checked:
_x_Take away children at a rate far higher than the national average, creating an artificial “shortage” of foster homes.
_x_Due to “shortage,” use group homes and institutions, the worst form of “care,” at a rate that’s also well above the national average, creating conditions for rampant abuse of children in group homes.
_x_Newspaper does an excellent job exposing rampant abuse of children in group homes but does not mention the high rate of removal.
_x_People most responsible for, over decades, creating the climate of fear and demonization of families leading to the state’s high rate of removal, are quoted extensively condemning the abuse, while taking no responsibility for creating those conditions.
__Lawmakers express shock and outrage and promise sweeping reforms and/or hearings (all duly noted in the traditional follow-up story).
__Reforms consist entirely of increasing inspections, and screening and training, the same promises made the last time this sort of abuse was exposed, and the time before, and the time before that. This time, they might throw in closing the “age of consent” loophole.
__Attention fades, and the state continues to take away children at a rate well above the national average. The new training, screening and inspections change nothing.
__The entire cycle repeats.
That’s the
Massachusetts version. Something remarkably similar is
playing out in Alaska.
