Clinical practice and the social issues of foster care

Issues of values and commitment to children affect social provisions. A brief review of the historical background of the placement of children suggests that many of the current problems of staffing, funding and legal provisions are perpetuation of neglect of the basic needs of children. this neglect often results in a need for placement that might have been prevented by appropriate preventive supports. Lack of money is not considered the problem. Rather, political issues, values, and little commitment to children determine how the nation allocates its money.Editor of the Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal.