I would like to hear this about all states.  So far Maryland is the top state in my book.  Please let me know how your state provides services for foster children.

 

From:    Unnamed source

 

Bill:
 
I keep reading in your posts that you believe foster kids are moved to save money.  I can't speak for other areas, but here in Maryland I don't agree. 

 

If a child is moved, it is because they are not a good fit with the family.  This could be that it is discovered the child had been sexually abused, and there are younger children at risk in the home, or a number of other valid reasons.   If anything, moving a child is more costly to the system, and is avoided if at all possible.
 
As for services not being provided, the Department of Social Services here has never withheld services from a child.  If I suggest a child might need something, they immediately make the arrangements.  If insurance doesn't cover it, Social Services pays for it directly.  I have seen them send a child to a preferred specialist that the insurance won't cover, and pay for it themselves, when there was a participating doctor in the insurance plan that they just weren't comfortable with.  The same holds true for psychology visits.  They will pay for a children's specialist, rather than send that child to the county mental health clinic.  To be perfectly honest with you, we are told to take the children to the pediatrician that we use for our own children, and if the insurance doesn't cover it, social services will pay for it.
 
The only area there is a problem with is braces for children.  There are absolutely NO doctors who accept the insurance (or most insurances)  for braces for the kids in our county.  We literally have to drive them an hour away to get services for them.  That is not a system problem, it's a we live in a small county and only have three orthodontists in the area.
 
Even when children are returned to the bios, the department makes a point of making sure the families have everything they need to be successful.  They will buy the families beds, baby items, new shoes for the children (we're talking stride-rite, not Walmart), clothes, dressers, or whatever is necessary.
 
Deb
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