Child Protection Must Remain the North Star

The North Star, Polaris, marks the way due north. The reason the North Star is so important is because the axis of Earth is pointed almost directly at it. During the course of night, the North Star does not rise or set, but remains in very nearly the same spot above the northern horizon year-round while the other stars circle around it. This makes the North Star incredibly important for navigation. 

I was recently asked what my biggest struggle was this year, and the answer was most definitely trying to help a young person who only just turned 15 years old successfully advocate to be removed from an abusive kinship care placement.

The process took way too long and was impeded by multiple barriers. Far too many avenues that he turned to for help were ineffective and/or incredibly difficult to access - and this continues to make me deeply worry about other young people in his situation who don’t have outside help. 

I firmly agree with the remarks of Governor Mike DeWine during his recent press conference when he stated that child protection needs to be the North Star.   

There can be a pendulum swing of extreme opinions when it comes to politics and fields of study. I would love to see this North Star perspective be accepted and embraced by others who are in positions in which they have the power to create positive change.

Politics are real, and we cannot abandon the North Star.

Meaning that #Child Protection needs to take precedence before putting #Family First.   

Children and teens do not choose the family into which they are born. If additional services can help the family stay together safely, that is wonderful. But I don’t think that is all that is at stake here, or that it reflects the true narrative about what is going on. 

Positively transforming the foster care system here in Ohio needs to be more than a cost-saving, time-saving measure. It needs to actually reflect the voices of the many Ohio foster care youth and alumni who shared insights during the forums about how to help current and former foster youth succeed.