FOSTER CARE HEARING EXPLORES ALLEGHENY COUNTY’S SUCCESSFUL METHODS

            HARRISBURG, February 21 — State Sen. LeAnna Washington (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) said today’s hearing on Pennsylvania’s foster care system offered an informative look into one county’s achievements in improving child welfare.

The Senate Democratic Policy Committee held the hearing today at the Allegheny Court House in Pittsburgh. The senator requested the hearing to explore how Allegheny County became a national model in foster care.

“In just over a decade, Allegheny County has transformed its foster care system into a successful model that Pennsylvania — and the nation — can emulate,” Washington said. “Today’s hearing gave the policy committee an important opportunity to talk to the individuals who contribute to this successful model and to find new ways to improve foster care programs across the state.”

There are more than 22,000 children in foster care programs throughout Pennsylvania.

“Sadly, too many of these children fall through the cracks of the system. While many foster families lovingly accept children into their homes, there are also many cases where foster parents neglect and abuse these vulnerable children,” Washington said. “Those children need a voice, and we need to speak up for them.”

This was the second public hearing on Pennsylvania’s foster care system. A third hearing will take place soon in Philadelphia.

The committee welcomed guest speakers, including Marc Cherna, director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

“Over time and with unprecedented community support and willing partners, we have transformed our system into what advocates and notables in the field have called a ‘national model,’” Cherna said. “The same can be done for the commonwealth. I firmly believe that public and political will are ready to make it happen now.”

Cherna described four philosophical approaches to child welfare that has helped to turn the Allegheny system from a “national disgrace” to a “national model”: Seeing child protection as a community responsibility that is strengthened through community-based preventative resources; placing children only if absolutely necessary and, if necessary, to consider relatives first; implementing strong checks and balances coupled with genuine collaboration, starting with the court system; and responding to hard analysis and data with innovation.

As Democratic chairwoman of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, Washington has continuously sought ways to keep children safe. She sponsored two bills (SB 1245 and SB 1246) that would allow children to stay in foster care until they are 21, instead of age 18.