What is the Child Watch Visitation Program?

CHILDREN WITHOUT HOMESIN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAAN URGENT NEEDChildren need to grow up in homes and in families; not inshelters, or in hospitals, or in institutions.All children need to grow up in permanent, secure homes andcommunities which help foster a sense of belonging, confidenceand success. They need to be free of abuse and neglect.Children need to grow up with strong mental and emotionalhealth. Children with special physical, developmental oremotional needs require extra support.Whenever possible, children's needs should be met in theirown homes and by their own families. But all families needoutside help to support and protect their children adequately.When friends, relatives, churches or other communityinstitutions are not available, families must seek out pUblicagencies for help.WHOHAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR AT-RISK CHILDREN?In Washington, D.C., the Child and Family Services Divisionof the Commission on Social Services in the Department of HumanServices (DHS) is responsible for providing protective services,foster care, and adoptive services to more than 6,500 childrenand their families.The District of Columbia Prevention of Child Abuse andNeglect Act of 1977 requires that DHS provide a range of services tothe children and families in its care. These are to includecounseling, support, and referral to eliminate the need to removechildren from their homes, and case plans and periodic reviewsfor children in foster care, as well as services to reunify thefamily, or, if this is not possible, to ensure prompt adoption.WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM?The current system responds only to families in crisis withno capacity to provide family supports before crises arise orintensify and placement in out-of-home care becomes necessary.Preventive services can frequently be offered as a cost far belowthat required for out-of-home care. Even costs for intensivehome-based services only range from $2,600 to $4,000 per family,far below the per child costs of foster family homes at $5,000 to$9,500, group homes at $28,000 per year and residential treatmentprograms that can run as high as $60,000 annually. Once in outof-homecare, children are often placed inappropriately and37