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I totally support the 6 months in care and if there is no progress by parents then the kids are placed permanantly elsewhere. However, I think that in those six months that EXTENSIVE and REAL services must be offered to the parents (like real drug rehab not just "get clean for 28 days then right back out to the streets") and 40 hours a week of parenting classes and mental health services and job training. I think if you offered parents intensive, extensive services for 3 months and there is no sign of any positive change (they refuse services, they can't stay in rehab, they won't attend classes - even if they don't have anything else to do) then I think a judge should be able to move those kids to permanant homes. If at the 3 month mark there is signs of progress, give them another 3 months. By 6 months I think you'd have a fair idea of who would succeed and who would fail.
Sadly, this all requires money for these services but I think in the long run society would benefit.
Thank you to all the good social workers out there who everyday face a thankless job and have to work with very difficult people.
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