With high caseloads, foster family shortfalls, and flat funding, it’s no surprise that Philadelphia’s child-welfare agency seems strained (“DHS tells Council: We’re dealing with more cases,” April 30). But an outdated federal funding formula doesn’t help.
Federal funding covers less than half of foster children. Worse, it shortchanges prevention efforts that help parents manage mental health, substance abuse, and other risk factors.
Reform legislation in Congress would ensure that federal funds cover all foster children for a limited time, creating an incentive to find kids permanent homes…