Shift of Children Out of Group Homes Reported

Los Angeles County has moved 859 foster children out of group homes in the last two years, in a shift that child welfare officials hope will get neglected and abused youths better care in more familial settings.

The group care homes have been under critical review since last year, when the county grand jury reported that many of the facilities cared for children poorly, sometimes treating them with too many drugs.

The reduction from 3,576 to 2,717 children in the homes signals a significant movement away from “the days of orphanages and large shift-care facilities,” said Peter Digre, the director of the county Department of Children and Family Services.

One department official agreed that the drop in group home placements has been significant, but cautioned that some of the reduction might be linked to computer reporting problems.

Nonetheless, other observers welcomed the news and said more reforms are needed.

Child welfare experts agree that, whenever possible, foster children should live in homes with families. Group homes typically are run by shifts of low-wage employees, making it more difficult for children to form emotional bonds.

Since the start of 1996, the Los Angeles County children’s agency has closed 77 homes, mostly smaller facilities that cared for six children. Only four new homes have opened during that time.

“They have closed some problem group homes, which is positive, and I give them credit,” said Patricia Curry, chairwoman of the county Commission for Children and Families.

Curry and others said they are hopeful that new contracts signed with the homes last spring will help force them to provide better services. The contracts allow homes to be fined if, for instance, they fail to properly clothe children or teach them how to live on their own once they leave foster care at 18.