Most of us are aware of the maladies racking government entitlement programs like SNAP and Medicaid. But there’s another government run program whose implications are arguably the worst of all — foster care.
The statistics are horrifying. According to the Foundation for Government Accountability:
There are plenty of stats on the matter — none of them good. Thankfully, there is an extra-governmental alternative. SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN or SAFE FAMILIES provides temporary assistance through private charity. Unlike the foster care system, SAFE FAMILIES takes a holistic approach to assist all members of the family in need. SAFE FAMILIES has three main objectives:
SAFE FAMILIES relies upon early intervention to ensure the best outcome. Volunteer families go through extensive screening and work with parents to ensure their child’s needs are being met. Parents maintain full custody of their children while volunteer families have temporary power of attorney. Additionally, biological parents are still able to see and talk to their children and the results speak for themselves.
Economically speaking, SAFE FAMILIES is a significantly better social investment. In terms of the cost of care, taxpayers spend anywhere from $25k – 30k per child with mostly unfortunate results. SAFE FAMILIES on the other hand, requires about $1,500 per child and is privately funded.
In 2010, Katie Couric interviewed families who’d participated in the SAFE FAMILIES program. Their stories, while heartbreaking, are stories of hope and promise. WARNING: You’ll need the kleenex for this one:
I learned about SAFE FAMILIES last week from the good folks at the Foundation for Government Accountability. Conservatives spend much time imagining private charity solutions to government welfare. SAFE FAMILIES is one of the best, if not the best examples of private charity stepping in where government failed.
Follow Kemberlee Kaye on Twitter
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY
