(N.J.) Foster Children Jailed Beyond Terms for Petty Crimes (NPR)

[Up2Late]

(This story really should have a Forum all it's own, a "What the Hell is Wrong with you people in New Jersey?" forum! Didn't I just read a few weeks ago that N.J. has the highest average income, per Capita, or something like that? And yet their's no money to you Foster Children out of the Jails!?):wtf:

Foster Children Jailed Beyond Terms for Petty Crimes

Listen to this story (on-line at link above)

Morning Edition, July 21, 2005 · New Jersey is trying to reform
its foster care system. State officials have pledged to move foster children,
who were jailed for petty crimes, out of the state's juvenile jails. That goal has
not been achieved yet. Dozens of foster children are languishing in jail. (7:45)

<http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4763739>

(This is a story you must hear this to appreciate it, they actually play some of the recorded interviews with the 12 to 14 year old kids. Well, I guess it's an improvement from Under supervised Foster kids digging through dumpsters and starving to death.)

(Let me know if you have trouble with the Audio)

[jojo54]

1. We have had problems with foster care and DYFS for awhile now.

DYFS is Division of Youth & Family Services. Both have been under fire for many years, but especially for the past 3 - many instances of child abuse and death. In the defense of the groups, they are very overworked, each counsellor having 100 cases or more at any given time. Granted, some counsellors are lazy and just in it for the money, but some actually do care.

I've called NJ the armpit of the nation because a lot of times, it is. But as far as this subject goes, send thanks to former govenors Kean and Whitman for cutting funds to these two groups.

[Up2Late]

2. That's what I'm saying, with such a high average income in N.J....

...why the hell can't they add a Billion or two to the DYFS budget, so that they can hire more Foster Care Case Workers? :shrug:

I heard that in a good system, the case workers have 15-20 cases to supervise each. I hate to say it, but N.J. and Florida are running neck and neck for worst Foster Care system in the country.

[jojo54]

3. Don't feel bad about saying anything. You're absolutely right. n/t

[boredofeducation]

4. The state is bleeding money

The federal government has been robbing NJ blind. It's has the highest income in the country and the wealthiest economy. NJ only get 60 cents for every dollar sent to DC. DC than gives our money to the south in the form of welfare, mostly to the southern states. It costs a fortune to live here, we have the highest property taxes, average around 5K a year and highest car insurance. Our state governmnet is in a financial bind. We have the money, but DC is stealing it so they can keep themselves elected in the south.