Poll- Open to all.. All frequent members of this forum please answerer?

Samone

th entire system of adoption & foster care needs to be stripped to nothing and completly rebuilt. As it is now it does nothing but harm to the defenseless members of our society

jdw

Yes it needs help. The only thing I know about the foster system is this:

Many people in my area are taking in foster children as a means of income only. They have no parenting skills and don't give a damn about the children.

Small rural towns in my state are hurting, schools are closing and there isn't a future at all. Foster kids are being used as a means to keep rural schools open. If the numbers are there, they remain open. Again, this is misuse of the system and a terrible injustice for the kids.

Gaia Raain

Yes, foster care needs changes. A LOT of them.

Yes, adoption needs changes. A LOT of them.

Haven't had enough coffee yet to be able to expound, but you did say it's just a poll, so I felt awake enough to answer. LOL

LaurieDB

It is not okay as is. There are major problems.

Bob Chill

Yes.. it does need reform.
Cause playing russian roulette with peoples lives as Biz says is wrong.

Foster care and adoption should not just help the "lucky" ones.

MyBabyEmma

I think the system should definately be revamped. There are way too many people going to other countries to adopt when there are so many children in the US that need a good home.

rachael

happy story here, great life due to adoption, couldnt have asked for anything more.

but as you see that is not always the case. it needs refromed, drastically

they are right, it shouldnt work out well for a select few 'lucky' ones like me. it should work out for all of them. there will be the few bad ones, there always are, but it should never have gotten to the point where it is. never.

Freckle Face

Yes, I do feel that major changes need to be made in foster care and adoption.

Sunny B

I think that the adoption/foster system DOES need some changes.

Cali C.

I'm not fully informed about the system but from my understanding, everything in the world needs changes or improvements for the better.

wynn

Yes, the both the foster and adoption system need changes.

spydermomma

Oh yes, there are definitely LOTS of changes needed to both the Foster care and Adoption systems.

Part of the problem (for sure not all) is that neither one of these actually are systems. In a few places, foster care works pretty well. In some places it is absolutely horrible. In some places everyone is well meaning, but horribly overworked. The current system does not serve many first families well, and it does not serve many foster and potential adoptive families well. And most importantly it doesn't serve children well. BIG, systematic reforms are needed.
See also my answer here:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ani7y_wEqTVtHynsxTUh0G_ty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080130211447AAoBT0C&show=7#profile-info-1Xwzf09gaa

And the adoption "system" needs to have all profit taken out of it -- immediately! And Adoptees deserve access to their records--OBC plus! That is just for starters, but since this is just a poll...

ntrbtrbn08

Of course there are major problems as with any government run agency.

MikeyG

Yes, I agree that dramatic changes are needed.
The changes that I would most like to see are the ones that involve granting full access to important information, especially medical histories and birth certificates. I think those changes, in particular, are urgent.
The corrupt practices in both systems may take a bit longer to reform than simply opening up the adopteesâ€™ information, and I definitely would like to see everything overhauled soon - but granting access to important documents and opening up records could be done almost immediately, and serve as a springboard for future reforms.

Penza

yes, most definetly

Gershom

YES THE ENTIRE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM NEEDS MASSIVE RENOVATION.

Samone has lived in the foster care system for YEARS, she knows it better than ANYONE who hasn't been in it. Have you lived in it tofu?

untbunny

As an adoptee and potential adoptive parent....YES, YES, YES! Adoption placement through foster care is far too subjective in selection. Approved parents wait years for a placement because they are not marketed enough by their case worker or (as in my case) a personality clash with regional supervisors. Direct care social workers are great and try very hard to provide children with the best possible solution. Management (in my state) is too concerned about employment security.

cagney

quote "Who here thinks that the adoption/foster system needs no changes.. Who thinks it's fine and dandy.. that there AREN"T major problems."

simple enough question, i'll give a simple enough answer.

i think it is NOT fine the way it is and needs changes from the inside out.

lol as a side note, can you ask any question on here that doesn't get heated?

Sophie

"Who here thinks that the adoption/foster system needs no changes.." NOT ME

"Who thinks it's fine and dandy.. that there AREN"T major problems. ." NOT ME

EXPLANATION:
I think we need to overhaul the whole system. Analyze the issues, find some best solutions, and fix it as much as possible. Whether we like it or not, there will always be children who need foster homes or forever homes not with their birth parents.

ADDITION:
We as a country should put our children *our future leaders* FIRST.

Bizzi

My answer is obvious. No need to repeat myself.

corcoranfaire

Yes, they both need to have changes - all with the focus on the child where it is supposed to be.

Yes, I think the foster and adoption systems as they are currently run in the US needs major changes.

red&sassy

Yes, the system need to change, in a BIG way.

Adoption is A-OK!

No, the system is not perfect as it is -- there need to be some changes to fix the allegations in the rants. The system is not infallible and, as many have said on here before, we have no way of telling just who will snap in a heated moment or who will abuse. Obviously, the system does do what it can with the background checks, etc but it's not perfect -- what are the solutions?

however, i need to hear solutions and not just rants and problems.

~Jenny~

changes do need to be made..1. more in depth background checks should be performed on potential foster parents..it has been known that even some foster kids have been abused while in the system and to only find out that the foster parents had previous reports that were simply overlooked or a cheek was turned...social workers are way over worked and have to many case loads...and it becomes hard to get the job done right on their part...I can go on and on..however it only pisses me off that the states and government are not doing enough to protect the kids...lets not mention...the foster system is not fast on reuniting families in a timely manner and often stipulate plans etc..but don't really give the help that's required for a successful ending...

pooh42378

Yes the system needs major changes...

emnari

I think the adoption/foster care system needs work .. there are too many kids in foster care awaiting adoption ... the process is harsh on the kids and potential parents are not screened very thoroughly .. I mean seriously these are kids ... and they are watched over by overworked counselors and / or caseworkers who have a lot to deal with .. they really need to look it over and make some changes.

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