Republican lawmakers’ plans for foster care don’t address the roots of the problem with the system
Republican lawmakers’ plans for foster care don’t address the roots of the problem with the system
- January 16, 2026
- Kelley Fong, sociology, West Virginia Daily News, Jan. 16, 2026
-----
Families in poverty are more likely to have their children removed, as poverty is often misperceived as neglect, according to Kelley Fong, assistant professor of sociology at the University of California, Irvine. “I think anti-poverty policy is child protection policy,” she said. … Fong, who studies families and the state systems and policies that affect them, noted that lawmakers could be implementing prevention policies now. “What are the investments that can be made in the near term, so that families can get the help they need without having their children removed into foster care?” she said.
For the full story, please visit https://wvdn.com/185507/.
-----
Would you like to get more involved with the social sciences? Email us at communications@socsci.uci.edu to connect.
Related News Items
- Careet RightAwards and accolades for Anteater sociologists
- Careet RightSanta Clara County nearly tripled child removals. Is fear driving the decisions?
- Careet RightDCF says it learns from child deaths in CT. The public can't always see how
- Careet RightButtigieg hoax exposes a child welfare system too vulnerable to unverified tips
- Careet RightWest Virginia governor vetoes help for neglected and foster kids after approving tax cuts