Former foster family questions Alberta's commitment to helping ...

Former foster family questions Alberta’scommitment to helping childrenBy Jodie Sinnema, edmontonjournal.com June 3, 2011Cathy Evarts and her biological children,who live in Whitecourt, Alberta.Photograph by: Supplied, edmontonjournal.comEDMONTON — A former foster family says a systemic lack of support, training and resourcesput their two foster babies and their biological children at risk.Cathy and Wade Evarts wrote an impassioned letter to Children and Youth Services MinisterYvonne Fritz in February, pleading for the government to improve what they view as an unstablefoster system.

When taking the children for visits became too much to handle, Cathy reluctantly sent them withdrivers they did not know, some of whom didn’t have car seats. Upon return, both children wettheir beds, despite being potty-trained, and had night terrors, Cathy said.She asked for respite care, then discovered no caregivers were available.She also asked for the children’s case files, but didn’t receive them until 10 months after thetoddlers arrived. Only then did the Evarts learn the kids had been exposed to possible sexualinterference, which was later confirmed.The Evarts resigned as foster parents when the two children were sent to live at their aunt’shouse. Cathy rescinded the resignation when the aunt’s care broke down within seven days. Shebelieved her home would be the best solution for the children, whom she loves.They were denied.“We think it is clear that the foster-care system has continually failed to protect and improve thelives of our most vulnerable citizens,” Cathy said in her letter to Fritz, noting she knows otherfamilies who have also quit. “The time for the foster-care system to change is now.”Fritz responded with a letter March 17.“I appreciate you sharing your concerns with me so that we may learn and continue to improveprograms and supports that are available to foster parents,” the minister wrote. She thanked theEvarts for helping establish a comprehensive reporting process for foster parents and standardsfor drivers.John Tuckwell, spokesman for the children’s services department, said Friday the budget forfoster parenting increased to $171 million this year, up $2.6 million from last year. That showsthe government is committed to making the foster system the best it can be, he said. That moneyis used for respite care, compensation for parents and support workers.About 4,700 children are in foster care in Alberta.http://www.edmontonjournal.com/health/Former+foster+family+questions+Alberta+commitment+helping+children/4891790/story.html