If there's one thing consistent about California's foster care system, it's that it is inconsistent -
and San Francisco is no exception.

Fostering instability

A scathing audit report by the city controller released on Thursday showed that the city -- which has more children in foster care per capita than anywhere else in the state -- is failing to comply with state and federal standards designed to ensure the safety of foster youth.

While this is no surprise, the report does underscore an ongoing structural problem -- not just in San Francisco, but throughout the state.

The controller's office looked at two compliance issues: certification of relative caregivers, and the number of face-to-face visits made by social workers with foster youth.

By law, the Family and Children's Services Division must perform the same safety checks on family caregivers as it does for other foster care providers, including home inspections and criminal background checks.

The report showed that only 47 percent of caregivers were assessed properly.

The controller's office also looked at the number of visits social workers made with foster youth, which is crucial, given that social workers serve as the eyes and ears for these vulnerable children. The city showed improvement in this area at 85 percent, but it falls short of the state's 90 percent requirement.

These are only two regulations, out of more than 50 at the state and federal levels. These findings barely scratch the surface about what is happening -- or not happening -- in these foster homes.

"It's not surprising to see the controller's findings on these two measures, as our review of overall performance shows San Francisco consistently performing poorly on measures," said Curtis L. Child, a senior attorney for Oakland-based National Center for Youth Law, whose organization has been working on a county-by-county comparison on foster care.

Just as alarming as the compliance failures is the report's description of a department that lacks leadership, direction, consistency and accountability, especially when it comes to data input and using time-saving technology, which the city has already spent thousands of dollars on.

When it comes to social worker visits, the report read: "In general, FCS does not have policies or consistent practices in this area, does not hold staff accountable for poor performance, and does not make efficient use of resources."

Its assessment of safety checks was no less critical: "Management communications do not emphasize the importance of consequences of noncompliance, and there is little urgency to correct identified deficiencies."

San Francisco is merely one of 58 counties, where inconsistency and lack of accountability is a theme.

The report states that the California Department of Social Services is "responsible for oversight and regulations, policies, and procedures necessary to implement the child welfare system and relevant laws."

Yet, the state initially declined to comment on the report, saying only that "the department provided technical assistance only and was not involved in the review". Later, it issued the following platitude in a prepared statement: "Child safety is our highest priority. We will continue working with counties to ensure the health and safety of children in foster care."

To his credit, San Francisco's Human Services Director, Trent Rhorer, called for the audit, recognizing there were major problems within the department.

"Some would fear an outside audit because they don't want the press, but you have to look at what you want to achieve in the department, and we want the best for these kids," said Rhorer.

Supervisor Fiona Ma says it's time for action.

"I'm outraged at what's in this report,'' Ma said. "These foster kids have faced enough challenges and trauma. We should ensure that any home we put them in is safe. This is an emergency situation."

Ma says she will request that public hearings on the report be brought to her committee as early as next week.

Already, there have been numerous reports -- from local, to state, to federal -- on the disgraceful state of foster care. Counties must comply with regulations, but the state must also provide them with the resources they need to do so.

For 2006, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed spending an additional $2.6 billion to add 83,000 beds for prisoners, but has only proposed an additional $23 million in spending for California's 86,000 foster kids.

And now, a bill that includes a provision to cut off federal foster care aid to thousands of low-income relative caregivers in California is awaiting President Bush's signature.

Behind this outrageous bill is Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Bakersfield, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which called for the foster-care cuts. Another key backer is Rep. David Dreier, R-San Dimas (Los Angeles County), chairman of the House Rules Committee.

Foster care is already grossly underfunded. Unless relative caregivers continue to get financial support, thousands of foster youth will be placed with strangers. Bush must veto this bill.

The audit report warns that as long as the city remains out of compliance, millions of dollars in grants may have to be reimbursed.

But as long as the state remains a deadbeat parent, it is the foster children -- those who have been taken from homes of neglect and abuse -- who ultimately pay the price.

5 February 2006

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/02/05/EDGU9GJ1R41.DTL

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