on the cost of the profit motive in human services
The tension between profit for owners and quality of care is not a new one. Against the background described by these article, the COVID-19 pandemic draws attention to the two different priorities.
rick
louisiana: 30 years of kids count headlines
I have gathered a list – a collection of headlines – and I will update it because it provides a decades-long mirror into which we in Louisiana can gaze and see how our children have fared. The headlines are from news articles about Louisiana’s Kids Count ranking for child well-being. This may be obvious, but it is important to note: Nothing about this collection is new news. This is a 30-year news story that grows older, …
on louisiana’s rank on women’s rights, child well-being, poverty, and gender parity
These are important reports related to Louisiana’s rank among the states on women’s rights, child well-being, poverty, and gender parity among elected officials. In summary, Louisiana comes up short in all of these reports.
louisiana’s children and families require robust nonprofits
I have a few thoughts to share today as I muse on some work I am doing on an historical report of annual newspaper headlines which describe the poor conditions of Louisiana’s children. I may ramble as I go, but here goes. The well-being of Louisiana’s children has lagged the nation for 30 years. Well, “lagged” is not quite accurate. The situation for children in Louisiana is much worse than that. Since 1989, Louisiana has averaged …
Read morelouisiana’s children and families require robust nonprofits
on kinship care
Here are a few recent articles related to Kinship Care, a form of foster care in which a state agency places children into the care of relatives. 1. A Kentucky Grandparent and Relative Caregiver Handbook, released in September by the Kinship Families Coalition of Kentucky, is a comprehensive resource for relative caregivers in the Blue Grass State, and it provides great perspective for kinship families anywhere. I may be wrong, but this looks like an update …
on the impact of COVID-19 on child care providers in louisiana
Here are a few recent articles you may find interesting, related to the impact of COVID-19 on child care providers in Louisiana … 1. Child care providers and families face increased costs as state reopens, experts say “After 70% of Louisiana’s child care centers closed by the end of April due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many now are reopening as the businesses face higher costs due to necessary safety measures and reduced class sizes.” 2. The …
Read moreon the impact of COVID-19 on child care providers in louisiana
on foster care, faith, and florida
Child welfare readings for 10/30/2020
the good ol’ boys
I love this photograph. The lady on the left, Mrs. Prescilla Dean Fordham, was my great great great grandmother. Seated beside her is her son Dennis, my great great grandfather. Of course, his three brothers seated to the right of him were my great great uncles. What I enjoy about this picture is that it tells such a rich story of my own roots. The most fascinating tidbit I know about my great great grandfather Dennis …
the role of the church in child welfare and child well-being
A brief discourse presented to the Louisiana Interchurch Conference’s Fall Board of Directors Meeting, by Rick Wheat, President and Chief Executive Officer, Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services, on September 25, 2017, at St. Xavier Cathedral Catholic Church Complex, Alexandria, Louisiana. Good afternoon! You cannot imagine how excited I am to share a few words with all of you about my appreciation for the role of the Church in child welfare and child well-being. You …
Read morethe role of the church in child welfare and child well-being
lions are not personal
For 22 years I searched for something that does not exist. I quit looking last week while standing in front of an angry, hungry lion. I watched his angry behavior and I learned an important truth: Lions are not personal. Brody is a male lion who lives at Turpentine Creek, just outside of Eureka Springs. I was standing a few feet from Brody when one of his caretakers began shoving ten pounds of raw meat through …