WHEREAS:

Reports of abused and neglected children rose to 2.5 million in 1990, up 150 percent since 1979; and

WHEREAS:

The number of children in out-of-home care rose almost 50 percent between 1986 and 1990 to 407,000 children; and

WHEREAS:

The current trend is that more young people are reporting parents as substance abusers with the result that both the reporters and the perpetrators must be supervised, thereby contributing to increasing numbers of instances of abuse and neglect and escalating foster care caseloads; and

WHEREAS:

Far too many AFSCME members, who work in the child welfare system are adversely affected by stress, burnout, and an inability to provide services effectively because of unmanageable and unreasonable caseloads; and

WHEREAS:

Runaway caseloads make a mockery out of the delivery of services to which families are entitled, jeopardize the safety of thousands of young children, and cause chaos in the workplace by creating serious worker turnover and absenteeism, demoralized staff and disgruntled clients; and

WHEREAS:

The current recession is increasing economic hardship for many American families while also eroding the ability of state and local governments to help families under stress; and

WHEREAS:

Congress has not addressed the need to protect abused and neglected children in over ten years and has not even fully funded the existing child welfare services program for the last two years.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urges Congress to enact legislation which expands funding for foster care, child protective services, and family preservation services and which strengthens staffing and training. Such legislation should provide incentives to states to lower caseloads and increase staffing; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urges Congress to fully fund the existing child welfare program until new legislation is enacted; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That, AFSCME work at all levels of government to promote adequate funding and quality services to abused and neglected children and families at risk and strongly oppose any efforts to scapegoat workers for a system that is totally overwhelmed — including criminal or civil charges against caseworkers unable to prevent the death or abuse of children because of their excessive workload.

SUBMITTED BY:

Stephan Fantauzzo, Delegate
AFSCME Local 615

Carrol Kass, Delegate
AFSCME Local 3726

Diana Joslin, Delegate
AFSCME Local 3731

Lois Foley, Delegate
AFSCME Local 3732
Council 62
Indiana