Early childhood trauma: A call for foster care reform

Recent scientific research depicts the precarious nature of neurological development during the first three years of life. Negative neurological consequences of childhood trauma, particularly for infants and toddlers in foster care, are severe and can lead to long-term behavioral and social problems. Early mental health treatment for infants and toddlers in foster care is limited partially due to current service delivery practices, limited research and misguided policy. This vulnerable age group rarely receives a comprehensive mental examination by qualified professionals to assess mental health upon placement. Not only are they neglected by their biological parents, but they are then placed into a system that potentially violates their right to health. The result is infants and toddlers languishing in a system with unmet physical and mental health needs, making their health status worse than it is for homeless children.

This presentation addresses the cumulative neurological effects of trauma of infants and toddlers in foster care. The welfare of vulnerable children is incumbent upon all child advocates; including the government. It is critical to incorporate service delivery, research, and policy into a seamless system to protect a child's right to appropriate health care. One model program discussed in addition to others is the Philadelphia Compact; a multi-disciplinary approach seeking to improve the social justice of and the resilience and welfare of the city's children. Incorporating service delivery, research and policy; the mission is to guarantee the healthy development of all Philadelphian children, especially social justice for the city's 3,000 foster children.