DFCS problems in Georgia (revisited)

Last month I posted about a $4.3 million federal fine for Georgia DFCS. This is probably related to a large lawsuit against Fulton and Dekalb counties (these are the two urban Atlanta counties). I've read about this Kenny A vs. Perdue lawsuit before. The successful lawsuit has had the good effect of drawing attention to serious problems and forcing better solutions, but there are some negative aspects as well.

Lisa at Sunshine Girl on a Rainy Day gives a very thoughtful analysis of the $11.3 million lawsuit, including a breakdown of all the areas where the state is at fault. She stresses that the state, by stalling the case for three years, spent a lot of money fighting reforms that would have been cheaper to implement without stalling. I noticed that one of her sources that she uses for this article is Jim Wooten, AJC editorialist, who in my opinion is a raving nincompoop*. But her piece simply incorporates a second-party quote from his editorial, and nothing of his incoherent social services reform philosophy.

I've always wondered when I read about these lawsuits... who gets the money? Does it go towards foster parent recruitment? Lessening the casework for social workers? Client family support and therapy? Services for foster kids? Nope, it goes to lawyers and more lawsuits.

The lawsuit was originally filed 'on behalf of' nine foster children who had received physical and/or psychological harm. How much of that money was given to them?

None, that I can see. I read the Consent Decree on childrensrights.org and it looks like all they're planning to do for those children is monitor their future placements.

I agree with Lisa that this is quite a depressing fact.


*here's a wonderfully phrased Wooten reaction:

Griftdrift (Southern Politics Blog)

One day, I will tell you all my thoughts on Jim Wooten. Like many things in the south, they are filled with darkness and loathing but will probably be proceeded by the phrase "bless his heart".