Georgia’s Foster Children Don't Have Access to Consistent Mental Health Care

Mental health care is the most crucial need for most children who have experienced trauma. Unfortunately, Georgia's foster children don't have access to the care that they need.  According to a recent op-ed by two Georgia child welfare experts, foster parents have difficulty accessing consistent care due to high turnover rates among providers. Even when they can find care, parents often have to travel long distances to reach a provider.

As a former foster parent, I can attest to everything that these authors say. The lack of stability in mental health care can hinder progress and healing for these vulnerable children. If we are to grapple successfully with the fact that more children with higher levels of trauma are entering the system (and overwhelming it), we have to find more consistent and local services for our foster children.