Providing Stable, Permanent Families Needs to be a Priority
- FACT: The longer children are in the child welfare system, the worse their short- and long-term outcomes are compared to youth not involved in the system.
- FINDINGS: Greater efforts are needed to support biological parents prior to the removal of children and to help them regain their children as soon as possible. Once children are removed, caregivers and workers and advocates identify the need to prioritize the well-being of the child versus the needs of the parents.
- VOICE: “Remaining in limbo for so long is so emotionally damaging for these children.” – Foster Parent Caregiver, Washington