Today’s Foster Kids Will Be Parents

I have been more heartened by the editorial series about the critical needs of L.A. County’s Department of Children and Family Services than almost anything else I have read recently (“L.A.’s Parent of Last Resort,” Dec. 22-24). The series was thoughtful, particular and concrete in its critique and suggestions. I commend you for treating the issue seriously, and for not letting the blame fall solely on the social workers, who I feel often are required, as in a fairy tale, to knit gold out of straw.

I have deep concern for the children in our county who are vulnerable and powerless in dealing with the forces that shape their destinies. I pray that the Board of Supervisors and people with resources in the county community will be provoked to respond to your clear call for action.

Elizabeth Nordquist

Los Angeles

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As a former child welfare social worker and a former foster parent, I identified keenly with the frustrations you described in “Fixing Failed Families: Job for Heroes or Fools?” (Dec. 23). I have long had in mind an alternative plan, designed to intervene before the breakup of the family unit: a cadre of residential role models. These would be women who have received training and raised their own families and are willing to move in with a family and be a role model for the parent(s) and children. No doubt everyone would be on their best behavior for a few days, but ingrained behavior patterns would surface and the role model would handle incidents as they arose, modeling appropriate support for children’s schoolwork and alternative ways to discipline and resolve conflicts, for example.

Would we have to pay a lot for these role models’ services? You bet. Would they be cheaper than foster care? Not at first, because we’d be paying for both. However, they would teach these children how to be better parents than their own parents. Are there people foolish enough to become professional role models, to fix failed families? You bet. Many of us make our life’s work trying to make this world a better place.

Wendy Miller

Culver City

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Because of a concern for how the county treats teens who are parenting, I recently had the privilege of seeing firsthand the daily proceedings at Edelman Children’s Court. “Forging Strong Adults from Hard-Knock Kids” (Dec. 24) illuminates the sad picture I encountered.

You offer good solutions and are correct to note that things have improved for teens needing transitional housing. However, your readers should be aware that L.A. County has about six, but no more than 12, transitional spaces for parenting teens. While the county is unable to document the number of teens in its charge who are parents, there is reason to believe that there are several hundred. Another good step toward improving the system would be to keep tabs on the number of teen parents and assist them with their housing needs.

Marjorie R. Sims

Executive Director

Calif. Women’s Law Center

Los Angeles