Note: This article originally appeared on Medium.
Just take a moment to imagine the unthinkable horrors that a child endures at the hands of those who are supposed to love and care for them. Try to envision living in a country where the atrocities and risks are so unbearable that you are compelled to risk your life, leave behind everything you know and have, all in search of a better life, free of the daily terrors that consume you.
Even when children who face adversity represent the fortunate few who escape such horrors, what must they be thinking and feeling as they are shuttled through the bureaucratic maze of government processes, sometimes even across state lines, each with its own set of laws and regulations? Frankly, it’s impossible to truly answer this question unless you’ve experienced it firsthand. We can only imagine the sheer terror, the overwhelming loneliness, the profound sense of abandonment, and even anger. But that’s exactly what everyone involved in the child wellbeing sector should be doing — putting themselves in the shoes of children. How often do we consider their experiences when developing and deploying child wellbeing programs? Unfortunately, the sad reality is that we don’t do it nearly enough, if at all.
Adopting a Different, Disruptive Mindset to Child Wellbeing
For the past seven years of its more than 135 years, Upbring has been dedicated to reexamining and innovating how we can honor, care for and support at-risk children across Texas. We have relentlessly pursued solutions with a comprehensive vision in mind, striving to break the cycle of child abuse in the communities we serve.
Of course, this is easier said than done, but every sea change must start somewhere. And for us at Upbring, it all started by questioning every established model, premise, assumption, solution, and process that child welfare stakeholders and constituents have traditionally relied upon.
During this journey, we conducted thorough analyses of how Upbring serves children by understanding their experiences at every step of our current programs, through the eyes of children. We meticulously mapped out and evaluated each detailed process we administer and implement. By truly comprehending how every step can impact children, we discovered how to better steer our child wellbeing efforts in the right direction, with genuine care, compassion and humanity as our guiding principles.
Although existing laws and regulations for child welfare in the United States aim to ensure the safety and protection of children, they often fall short of addressing their actual needs. While the legal responsibility is primarily placed on parents, the fundamental principles of these laws translate into a set of rights granted to children. These rights encompass a safe living environment free from abuse — access to proper nutrition, healthcare, and education. The intention behind these fundamental rights is to facilitate the healthy development and successful transition of children into productive adulthood. Furthermore, children in the United States are constitutionally entitled to equal protection under the law, regardless of race, gender, disability, or religion. However, the heartbreaking truth is that many children are still subject to a myriad of misconduct and traumas, further challenged by the inconsistent legal protections offered from state to state.
Our child protection laws often fall short of addressing the genuine needs of the children themselves. Whether a child requires assistance with healthcare, education, conservatorship or immigration when a guardian is absent, or when a child is considered at-risk due to socio-economic factors, our laws frequently fall short in achieving their intended objectives. In short, governmental child welfare programs are far from the panaceas they were intended to be.
Informed Child Wellbeing Solutions — Rooted in Research & Analysis
Our thorough analyses have revealed commonalities in the experiences of children at different stages of child welfare programs. These findings shed light on the system’s focus on logistical efficiency, often leaving a child’s overall wellbeing overshadowed during the construction of solutions.
At Upbring, every child we serve across our range of programs has endured some form of serious trauma, removal from their homes, or heart-wrenching abandonment by their families. They have faced numerous challenges and impacts throughout their experience in the system, coupled with various types of program discharges. What is significant among these commonalities is the potential frequency with which a child changes custody, sometimes within a short period of time. This constant shuffling amplifies the instability and uncertainty these children face as they progress through the system.
While logistical efficiency is undeniably necessary, these process shortcomings can inadvertently cause additional trauma, fuel anxiety, and ignite anger, thereby counteracting positive intentions and efforts. It is arguable that the root cause lies not solely within the system’s weaknesses but in society’s failure to consistently prioritize the best interests of children at every stage and age, both within and outside the existing framework of the system.
Placing the child first should always be our primary concern. As a society, we must constantly evaluate and enhance our efforts from a child’s perspective, striving to minimize further harm or adversity. While there may be numerous proposed solutions, trials, and occasional setbacks, our unwavering determination and drive to explore possibilities beyond the status quo is paramount in improving conditions for at-risk children, ultimately paving the way for a more hopeful and fruitful future.
To learn more about Upbring and how to join us in our mission, please visit Upbring.org. Additionally, you can stay up to date with the latest news and updates by following Upbring on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.