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Shay Bilchik's Remarks at CWLA Annual Conference Press Briefing
3/4/2003
Thank you for coming to this important press briefing. Our nation is facing difficult times right now. We are living in an era we could never have imagined:
- After September 11, everyone's priorities have shifted.
- We are on the brink of a war.
- While we prepare to spend billions of dollars on the war, and more billions on Homeland Security, States nationwide face HUGE deficits the likes of which some have never seen.
Iraq and Homeland Security are critical issues, but we must not lose perspective. There is an equally critical issue confronting our nation's short term well-being and long term viability -- ensuring the safety and security of our children in homes and communities across this nation. There are decisions we are making now that will last our lifetimes.
We have the choice now, as we determine the shape of our new 21st century and the role of the United States in global economics and politics, to decide whether more children will die when we can prevent this from happening - whether we want the 3 million vulnerable children in our neighborhoods and homes in ten years to become healthy, contributing adults, or to become tax burdens, as we react with costly treatment, hospitalization, policing, and jails. As President Bush, Congress, Governors, and State legislators make policy and budget decisions, we must make sure the decisions are sound and sensible - for children today, and America tomorrow.
Today, I am here representing the largest and oldest national children's organization, and its 1100 members, who have come together in Washington, DC, with their research and experience, to provide solutions to America's child welfare crisis.
We are releasing to the public a critical State-by-State analysis of child welfare, which shows a dire situation: increases in child deaths as a result of abuse and neglect, millions of children being reported abused or neglected, hundreds of thousands running away from home, and tens of thousands in foster care waiting for a family. State level information documents 1,236 children in the year 2000 who died as the result of abuse or neglect. Please visualize what this means - it amounts to more than 40 classrooms of our children, an average size of 30 students each, murdered. 153 of these children had open cases in the child welfare system - that's one child dying, every other day, whose case was pending within the system.
In some states, tens of thousands of young people are abused or neglected every year. In Texas alone 45,800 children were abused and neglected in 2000 -- a stadium full of children living a life at best filled with sadness, and at worst, horror. Are our States making a perfect union? Is our federal government providing the safety net each of these children deserve?
- And where is our outrage?
- More importantly, what is our response?
Shocking events in New Jersey, Florida and Maine made national headlines for a moment, but as the information we are releasing today shows, the underlying problems are not unique to those two states. Virtually across the board, we are failing to make our systems work for kids. While many trends remain level, the State systems are overwhelmed. As the numbers of children coming into the child welfare system increase because of family dysfunction, substance abuse, poverty, joblessness and other social problems, our country is inadequately responding. For example, approximately 67% of the families entering the child welfare system have substance abuse problems, but only 31% of the agencies responsible for providing them treatment, have the capacity to do so. The result - more children who remain in out of home care while their parents await treatment. Similarly, only 1 of 7 children receive the child care assistance for which they are eligible. The rest are left to fend for themselves with parents who are struggling in a tough economy to make ends meet. Clearly, we must do more.
The first thing we must do is ensure that we respond effectively with trained case workers who are paid adequately, given reasonable case loads, and trained. This is primarily the responsibility of States. When a Florida, Maine or New Jersey type of incident happens, we can not immediately point fingers at case workers. These individuals work tirelessly in difficult conditions - many with inadequate salaries, preposterous caseloads, and often too little training and support:
- CWLA's Salary Study shows that the average starting salary for individuals responsible for our nation's vulnerable children is $29,412 (for those with a Masters degree in social work); and $26,453 for those with any undergraduate degree - this is less than that of the entry level salaries of nurses and teachers, who are also underpaid.
- Further, time and again when problems arise in a case, what surfaces, is that the case load for these individuals greatly exceeds recommended levels - with numbers exceeding 100 children per case worker in many communities. A completely unreasonable expectation.
No wonder the average direct service staff turnover rate is 20% in public agencies and 38% in private agencies - and those turnover rates were measured over only a six month period of time.
How can we expect all kids to be safe in State systems operating under these conditions?
CWLA advocates for appropriate salaries and training, and has issued standards for worker case loads that can be met if funding decisions are made wisely. But the federal government must help.
With the passage of the Adoption and Safe Families Act, we saw a concerted effort on the part of the Federal government to challenge State systems to improve. And the good news is that adoptions have increased as a result of this federal leadership and financial incentives - from 31,000 in 1997 to 50,000 in 2000.
Unfortunately, virtually every state has failed its Child and Family Services Review - designed to measure state performance in providing safety, permanence, and child well-being:
- 17 states reviewed in 2001
- 15 states reviewed in 2002
- 1 state reviewed so far in 2003
- 19 states to be reviewed in 2003 and 2004
This failure is not from lack of effort. This failure is primarily the result of poorly-determined budget priorities at both the State and the federal levels. The federal government must step forward to help states with the resources they need to do the job right.
I need to pause here to comment on the agencies - public and private - that carry out the work of the child welfare system. They are an army ready to wage their own war, but are not given the right ammunition, nor are they put in the right battle conditions, to win that war. They are good, caring people. They deserve better. Our children deserve better.
Today, CWLA is releasing its Legislative Platform that opposes any efforts to reduce federal commitments to programs for child welfare, Medicaid, HeadStart and foster care. From California to Texas to Maine, we are calling on Congress to increase resources to combat child abuse and neglect; provide substance abuse treatment, youth development opportunities, and childcare; and to support the Act to Leave No Child Behind. We are demanding that Congress enact legislation to ensure adequate funding for, and investment by States and localities.
As we ensure security in our homeland, we must also ensure that our homes and communities are safe from abuse and neglect. The "first responders" in the nation's battle to protect our children are working hard in the social service agencies in communities across this country - but this vital work requires funds. In this time of fiscal crises, the Federal Government must step forward to help states act in the best interests of our nation's children - and our future viability.
We know this investment works:
- Illinois example
- NYC example
Ultimately, everyone has a responsibility for our nation's children. This week, we are releasing CWLA's National Framework for Community Action that outlines what all of us can do to protect our children. The key is making children a national priority. Everyone -- parents, business people, faith leaders -- yes and even the press -- must set children as a priority - put kids on the first page - so we can prevent the damage we are reeking on children. We must establish a new way of caring for vulnerable children today, so that the children in headlines are not dead but alive and well, growing up as we all should in this wealthy, beautiful country, filled with laughter, and safe and sound. This is consistent our Framework, which elaborates on children's needs to have their basic needs met such as food, shelter, education and health care; to have nurturing relationship in their lives; to be protected from harm; healed if they are hurt either physically or emotionally; and to have the opportunities in their lives to develop fully.
Today marks the first day of an annual conference of individuals concerned with child well-being that formed in1920 - 83 years of people looking out for kids!!! And we have learned a lot during these years. Please look closely at the material we have given you in your press packets and help us get the word out about what we can do to make sure America's children are safe.
Thank you.
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