Protecting vulnerable children

AS ONE WHO treats and writes about foster children and was a foster parent, I was touched by attorneys Josh Krumholz and Warren Tolman's impassioned plea for better representation for children like Mikaela op ed, Feb. 26). I have been privileged to know a few such attorneys in my 12 years of working with the child protective system across several states – but not many.

ADVERTISEMENT

In nearly every state, there is a current trend to "do something" about foster care at the level of child protective services, in the court, and in mental health.

Sadly, many of those efforts generate a great deal more heat than light because, as the authors point out, there isn't any money.

The recent report by the Pew Commission provided some terrific guidelines that parallel what Krumholz and Tolman say in their article. It is a must-read for those who care about kids. But once again, legislatures are loath to spend what it takes to get the job done. One can only hope, but not expect much to come of it over the long haul.

At least someone in Massachusetts gets it when it comes to the care and representation of lost kids. I hope these two gentlemen are not alone.

WES CRENSHAW
Lawrence, Kan.
The writer is the author of "Treating Families and Children in the Child Protective System."