Recently, there was a newspaper article published about the emergency foster-care shelters here in Oklahoma being over used. The whole entire nature of this article amazed me. It did not put the real issue to any proper context.
The whole point of our foster-care system is to save the lives of neglected or abused children. There are not enough foster parents available to receive these children in an emergency. DHS has saved the lives of countless children. Yet they are harshly criticized as being overused.
If anything, DHS should be applauded for helping so many children in need. The courts have no choice sometimes but to send the kids to an emergency shelter. This is what we have. It does work. I agree that we need more foster homes or family members to step up and receive these kids.
Like it or not. Emergency foster-care is a much needed service.
