NPR: Impacts of Katrina on Foster Kids, 158 Still Unaccounted for

[JPZenger]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4928796

The above link is to the audio of a story on NPR this morning about the effects of the Gulf Hurricanes on foster kids. Some kids who were already in emotional crises were separated from their foster parents. Many were uprooted. Biological families have been separated by hundreds of miles from foster kids. Many have lost contact with each other.

Louisiana state officials say they have not been able to account for 158 foster kids. (The assumption is most are in shelters, and the foster parents have been too pre-occupied to contact state officials).

[whatever4]

1. What hogwash

"foster parents have been too pre-occupied to contact state officials"

After a month, they've been too preoccupied to look for their kids?

Oh what a sorry assumption! After a month they're too busy? Sorry, but no way. That isn't how it works. Maybe for a day or two, but a month? No, sorry. Either the foster parents are gone, cannot contact anybody, or weren't very good parents. Most parents try to be good parents though, especially in matters of life and death. That "too pre-occupied" is just an insanely ridiculous thing to assume, to say, to even consider. I'm surprised they got away with saying it.

I read the other day that 96 British visitors are still missing as well. I don't have the link, but could probably dig it up, it was with the story about the British man, his wife and son that were caught up in Katrina, and saw the women being told to flash their breasts. The tail end of the latest story on that mentioned that 96 Brits were still missing. After a month, how many could possibly be just still "out of touch"? Well, I'd say, those alive and talking would have contacted their homes, families, those who know they're still missing. After a month?? Come on! So they're likely either injured or dead. Those are just visitors, just the British visitors to New Orleans. Incredible, isn't it? If 96 British visitors are still missing, what does that say about how many are missing overall? It speaks badly, but we still don't have any idea.

But the death toll is low. Sure. Right. Reich. This is such a sad, sickening cover-up. I hope they fry for this TOO.

[ultraist]

2. OMG

I wondered what happened to foster kids who were in group homes or orphans in state institutions. Were they left behind to drown too?

Right after the hurricane, I searched group homes for NOLA and didn't come up with much although I did find the Methodist home for Children site. They evacuated their kids and staff the day or two before the hurricane. But state foster group homes are not as organized or well funded.

Some of those foster group home caretakers are not very reliable people.