A new report from the California Department of Social Services indicates reforms in the foster care system have improved outcomes for children. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.
The report says California children are exiting the foster care system more quickly than before. Between 2001 and 2004, the percentage of children who returned home within a year increased by 14 percent.
Teresa Stivers directs San Diego's Child Abuse Prevention Foundation. She says despite improvements, too many kids spend their entire lives in foster care.
Stivers: "We need to look at some more long-term planning. Once the kids are removed from the home, what are we gonna do to work to either get their parents to reunify with them, or have some kinship care, or something of that nature so that the kids don't end up being in foster care for a long time."
Stivers also believe foster parents need more training and support.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
