Here are two other opposing opinions on the privatization of foster care in Georgia:
Wayne Drummond, executive director of the Georgia Professional Human Services Association
There is no independent research that indicates privatization improves outcomes for children. Research does indicate that privatized efforts cost taxpayers more. Data is available to assist in understanding foster care systems nationally. One indicator of good decision-making is a low percentage of children who left foster care and returned within 12 months. Georgia leads the nation in this indicator; Florida lags behind. Florida’s percentage of children reunified with their families is much higher than Georgia’s. This indicator coupled with higher rates of children returning to care raises the interpretation that poor decisions are being made more rapidly using their model.
SB 350 proposes a solution that is not tailored to Georgia’s problem, replacing Georgia’s existing public/private partnership with a system with poorer outcomes that will cost more. The bill could be greatly strengthened by maintaining and building on Georgia’s system of service that produces better outcomes more efficiently. Case management should remain in the public sector; private providers are competent and ethical, but having responsibility for providing residential care and moving children out of residential care is a clear conflict of interest. SB 350 proposes that DFCS contract with nonprofit lead agencies to deliver foster care services. This is duplicative and should be eliminated. Florida’s lead agency system has been highly criticized since its inception for paying salaries of $200,000 to $300,000 to CEOs of their lead agencies, prompting legislative investigation. Money should go to the front line of service. With these changes in the bill, we would have a very positive improvement in our public/private partnership.
Tarren Bragdon, president/CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability, and Benita M. Dodd, vice president of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation
The state of Georgia currently runs all aspects of child welfare, but government can’t do it alone. Although the state contracts with private agencies for a limited number of services, too often, local communities and private agencies are kept at arm’s distance – or shut out – exactly when children are most in need of help. Such bureaucracy holds back help for children. If someone finds an innovative opportunity to better serve children, funding and approval require a long journey of bureaucracy and red tape, delaying the positive impacts of a bold new idea.
That’s wrong, and Georgia’s endangered children deserve better. Worse, an immoral and impersonal federal funding approach means that if Georgia reduces the number of children languishing in foster care and increases adoptions, the state loses funding — which is what has happened in Georgia over the past several years. What system rewards discouraging a loving, forever family for a child?
This reform is vital. Georgia would be able to revise its funding arrangement with the federal government so the state has the freedom and flexibility to design a child welfare system that promotes better health, safety and opportunity for at-risk kids.
