Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on The Plight Of Children In Foster Care In Florida. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 15 page paper. The primary focus of this paper is the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), and more specifically, the foster care system. The subtopic is mental health issues facing children in foster care. The essay reports data regarding the incidence of mental health and behavioral disorders among children and youth, in general, and among children in the foster care system, in particular. A great deal of data regarding children in Florida's foster care system are included. Numerous cases of Florida's mishandling of foster care children in included, including the "loss" of over 500 youngsters. The writer illustrates through examples how the Florida DCF has failed children. These issues are discussed. Bibliography lists 10 sources.
Page Count:
15 pages (~225 words per page)
File: MM12_PGdcf.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
to DCF (Winters, 2002). * Since 2000, there have been more than 60 children who died while in the care of DCF (Winters, 2002). * 17-month- old Latiana Hamilton dies
in foster care. Foster mother accused of first-degree murder (Cooper, 2001). * In West Palm Beach, Florida, a 2-year old died after numerous complaints had been filed with DCF
about abuse. The boy had been taken away from his father when the father lost his job. The boy was returned to his mother whose boyfriend beat him to death.
The mother told DCF the violent boyfriend has left and DCF believed her (Hathaway, 2002). * In 2000, DCF, individuals, groups and other agencies were sued for $501 million for
abuse of children in its care. This was a civil rights class action suit. These are but a few of the numerous cases that reveal how ineffective the Florida Department
of Children and Families (DCF) is. In fact, it is more than ineffective, it is dangerous to children. It perpetuates abuse. It may be among the worst operated child protective
service agencies in the country. Of course, California would run a close second, at least. Hathaway commented that "some call [the Florida DCF] the worst child-welfare system in the nation"
(Hathaway, 2002, p. 1E). The state child protective agency, regardless of its formal title in any state, is intended to protect children, to keep the nourished, nurtured and safe. They
all too often do the opposite. Children entering the foster care system already have any number of psychological, emotional, mental and physical problems. These problems and conditions are the result
of abuse, molestation and neglect. The change to a living with strangers, being frightened and anxious, simply adds to the problems they already have. The move into foster care will
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