Published Wednesday, April 30, 2008 10:50 AM
Updated Wednesday, April 30, 2008 10:50 AM

 

Tragedy sheds light on foster children

Dear Editor:

Recent events regarding the 419 children removed from the compound in Eldorado, Texas have raised questions about what happens to children who enter the foster care system. This tragic situation has helped raised national awareness of the problems that children face when they are removed from their families and thrust into overburdened court and child protection systems.

While the 419 children entering the foster care system in Texas has prompted nationwide media coverage, we should not forget the scope of the problem in our own backyard. As of June 30, 2007, there were 5,423 South Carolina children living in foster care. Like the children in Texas, these children have been removed from their families and now must rely on the Family Court to decide their fate.

While the Texas court system uses CASA volunteers to be the voice of the children, in South Carolina, child advocates are known as volunteer Guardians ad Litem. The South Carolina Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Program is a member of National CASA, and adheres to their high standards of child advocacy. Everyday people, like you and me, are trained to help children find safe, permanent homes where they can grow and thrive. We work one-on-one with the child, to learn what they want for their future, and then help to make that happen.

We follow their school progress, listen to their problems, and talk to them about their hopes and fears. We are there in Family Court hearings, speaking up and working towards solutions that are in the best interest of the children. We are the link between where they are, and where they want to be.

In Berkeley County, there were 220 children in foster care as of June 30, 2007. These children will experience many changes during their time in foster care. They may move to different foster homes and foster parents, go to new schools, change case workers, and often lose contact with their friends and extended family members. The volunteer Guardian ad Litem stays with the child throughout the case, and is often the only person who has remained a constant in the child’s life.

According to the South Carolina Guardian ad Litem office, 87 Berkeley County volunteers advocated for 461 abused children in 2007. Unfortunately, there are not enough volunteers to serve all the children within the system, and 88 children in 2007 were turned away from the program.

Individuals can and do make a difference in these children’s lives every day. While our hearts go out to the children in Texas, let us not forget the children in our own county who need a special person to be their voice.   Our next training begins on Mary 7, 2008.

Donna Carter

Berkeley County Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Program Coordinator