Georgia's Foster Care System Improves

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – 10 years ago, the foster care system in Fulton and DeKalb Counties was so bad; it triggered a lawsuit from a national advocacy organization. Now, the same group, Children's Rights, says the system has substantially improved. The organization recently released its progress report.

If a child has been abused, he or she will likely end up in the state's foster care system. It was set up to keep those kids from further abuse. But Children's Rights attorney Laurence Borten says that was not happening in two of Metro Atlanta's main counties.

"The foster care system in Fulton and DeKalb counties were definitely failing child welfare systems," said Borten.

Borten says the rate of abuse within Georgia's system was twice as high as the national average. He says part of the problem was unsafe emergency shelters.

"Children were sleeping on floors," said Borten. "There was gang activity, sexual activity and there were young children there too."

So, Children's Rights sued the state in 2002. Both parties reached a settlement four years later. Borten says Georgia has upheld the agreement. For example, some case workers had to keep tabs on more than 35 foster children.

"The settlement stipulates that case workers have between 12 and 15 children in their case loads," said Borten. "They're meeting that with virtually all their case workers."

The state has beefed up its response to abuse cases in Fulton and DeKalb. Plus, Borten says the state closed the problematic shelters.

"But, there are also certain problems that are proving to be more stubborn," said Borten.

Borten says the state still needs to better screen kids once they enter and leave the foster care system. He also says some children stay in the system too long.

In a statement, the Georgia Department of Human Services says it will continue to work on finding permanent, safe and nurturing homes for foster children.