Arkansas Fares Better on Adoption Than Foster Care
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Updated: July 31, 2012
Arkansas routes more kids into the foster care system than the national average, according to federal ranking, but when it comes to getting kids adopted in a more timely manner, the state is doing better than the national average.
That was part of the report the state's Division of Children and Family Services had for state lawmakers Tuesday afternoon.
Director Cecile Blucker says just over five in 1,000 Arkansas children end up in foster care. The national average is 3.3.
To reduce those numbers, Blucker said the department is rolling new training for social workers to better analyze when it's best to remove children from their parents or leave them in their home.
Regarding adoption, federal rankings put the Natural State ahead of other states.
Blucker said she believes this is because 68 percent of children adopted in Arkansas are adopted by their foster parents.
That was part of the report the state's Division of Children and Family Services had for state lawmakers Tuesday afternoon.
Director Cecile Blucker says just over five in 1,000 Arkansas children end up in foster care. The national average is 3.3.
To reduce those numbers, Blucker said the department is rolling new training for social workers to better analyze when it's best to remove children from their parents or leave them in their home.
Regarding adoption, federal rankings put the Natural State ahead of other states.
Blucker said she believes this is because 68 percent of children adopted in Arkansas are adopted by their foster parents.
Comments
Permanency is always the goal, so this is great to see that Arkansas is making strides in this area. Find out more about adoption: http://www.kidspeace.org/Fostercare_Services_Locations.aspx?ekmensel=77931891_50_52_1326_2
Elyse E.
August 3, 2012 at 9:17 am
