Doing right by our families: Child-protection in the time of COVID-19
The COVID crisis has created a rapidly changing landscape when it comes to public policy. In response, we’re issuing a series of regular dispatches dedicated specifically to keeping you informed during this time. Do you have questions or issues you'd like to see addressed specifically? Let us know!
In a little over a month, COVID-19 has exposed extraordinary needs as well as inequities across almost every sector of society. The immediacy of these needs calls upon members of government at all levels to join forces in order to get things done as quickly as possible. In many ways, this crisis has revealed that government can act boldly and decisively when the urgency of the challenge is undeniable - an approach that should be maintained after the current public health threat subsides. But while acting with all due speed, we must also take the time to ask hard questions about unintended consequences that could be putting our most vulnerable at greater risk. Over the years, Vermont has acknowledged the importance of layers of support to augment family function. However, we have fallen short of our responsibility to meet families’ basic needs. With so much at stake, we can’t afford to get this wrong.
When it comes to the system of child protection, doing right by our families means acknowledging the challenges for all involved while centering the best interests of children and youth. During this time of isolation, we lean heavily on families and substitute caregivers to ensure the health and safety of our children. When schools, state offices, and routine medical check-ins are put on hold – it is the family unit that takes full responsibility for children and youth. This crisis makes clear that we must start with the core family unit and work outward when wrapping children with support.
The foster care system depends on an interconnected network of families and support professionals, with each connection carrying a risk of exposure. However, we cannot underestimate the social, emotional, and developmental toll of keeping children and families from having contact. Furthermore, we must acknowledge that for young children in particular, and families experiencing financial hardship, remote contact may not be an option. These are not simple problems to solve, but their resolution is essential to ensuring the safety of our families, providers, and children, and they must be approached with integrity, equanimity, and compassion.
We understand that there is pressure to act, but it is critical that the conditions created by the current crisis don’t lead to rushed changes to a system that should, by design, always put children’s needs first. We ask that policymakers move forward with the following considerations in mind:
Across the country, the panic of COVID -19 created immense pressure to return kids to their homes. There have been some discussions about increasing the authority of the Commissioner. We must continue to support efforts that maintain accountability and shared decision-making while centering the humanity and unique pressures placed on foster families and families of origin during this time.This includes staying true to the process we have established and maintaining the authority of the court.
We need to be aware of the timelines that we have set and our own biases. As Jerry Milner, Associate Commissioner of the U.S. Children’s Bureau stated, “We cannot allow our shortcomings to be held against families — to do so is the height of injustice and compromises the legitimacy of our system in our own eyes and those of the families we are privileged to serve.” When cases are in essence stalled due to this pandemic, parents should not be penalized for the time they lost in working towards their goals. The ripples from COVID-19 and the quarantine will be felt for years to come in court backlogs, and missed opportunities. While timelines for permanency are clear, DCF has the ability to request additional time for goals to be met and should take advantage of that option when it is in the best interest of a child.
We must pay attention to older youth. It is unacceptable for older youth to feel alone or unsupported simply because of their age. We encourage everyone to take the time to watch last month’s Youth Town Hall addressing the impact of COVID-19 on older foster youth and to listen in on the follow-upYouth Town Hall on April 16th.
We should be wary of the creation of blanket orders, such as those reducing or suspending family time, that will continue to shape practice long after this crisis has passed.
In this time of uncertainty, people are asking for advice. Advocates are armed with data, research, and stories, and are available to guide these discussions as well as systemic reform efforts moving forward. When this emergency passes, let us not lose our incentive to “get it right.” Above all, we must continue the drive to put the needs of the kids first.
You can always count on Voices to be a source of meaningful resources and unbiased information. If you are interested in learning more about the complexities of child protection, we invite you to watch the Youth Law Center’s Quality Parenting Initiative resource series here.
The COVID crisis has placed the shortcomings of our current support systems in stark relief. Food and housing insecurity, inequitable access to education, lack of mental health support- these are just a few of the issues our children, youth, and families wake up to each day. Now more than ever, our families rely on the existence of a strong, experienced voice fighting to ensure their prioritization in public policy. As we have for the past 37 years, Voices for Vermont’s Children will continue to lead the call for equitable, resilient systems that prioritize the welfare of our children, youth, and families. During these trying times, your support is essential to the continuation of our work. Please consider a donation today.
