Elizabeth Fitzgerald posted:Shenandoah Chefalo posted:I'm not familiar with one specifically on ACE's, but recently Alia Innovations and Ecotone did a report on the Social Cost of Foster Care. I've attached it, and it's earth shattering in my opinion.
The info graphics in the report say everything as does the last quote: 'hemorrhaging money on a system producing abysmal results.'
I love that these info-graphics include social costs, linking unloved children to future crimes because often when people are reluctant to invest in prevention they'll talk about not wanting to be financially responsible for other people. In Frank McCourt's memoir he quotes an aunt or grandmother as saying "Why should we have to pay for Angela's mistakes?" That quote struck me because I was raised in part by relatives. It's no fun feeling like a burden.
We pay either way; financially, emotionally, biopsychosocially. Investing in compassion leads to prosperity for everyone.
Also, I vote yes for smaller caseloads for all public servants (classrooms, parolees, etc.)
Congrats on climbing Kilimanjaro! A great metaphor for this work, huh?
Elizabeth-I completely agree. I think we have to start taking budgets and the money cost if we want to get real movement anywhere. It seems people only respond, not with the damage being caused but rather with the money directly out of their pockets.
Yes Kilimanjaro was indeed the metaphor and one of the reasons I took on the challenge. It's also the backdrop to my next book Hiking for Stillness.