Relative Placement: The Best Answer for Our Foster Care System

• Published date: 01 September 2018
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/jfcj.12116
• Author: Leonard Edwards
• Date: 01 September 2018

Relative Placement: The Best Answer for Our

Foster Care System

By Judge Leonard Edwards

ABSTRACT

This article briefly traces the history of the placement of children out of their

homes because of parental abuse or neglect. The preference for relative placement is a

recent occurrence. The advantages of relative placement instead of foster or group

care are summarized as well as the disadvantages. Relative placement rates across the

country are about 32%. Several jurisdictions have much higher placement rates

including Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Los Angeles, California, is experiment-

ing with social work practices that have produced over 80% relative placement rates

during the past year. How both of these jurisdictions accomplish high relative place-

ment rates is described in detail. Judges should persuade their own social service

agencies to adopt these practices.

Key words: Foster care, Relative Placement.

HISTORY

When the juvenile court removes a child from parental care because of abuse or

neglect, what type of placement best meets his or her needs? In the United States, the

answer to this question has evolved for more than a century.

Judge Leonard Edwards is a retired judge from the Santa Clara County, California, Superior Court

where he served for 26 years. Judge Edwards is now a mentor, teacher, and writer whose writings can be seen

on his website: judgeleonardedwards.com. He is a former president of the NCJFCJ and has made invited

presentations in 48 states and 13 foreign countries.

The author is thankful for the information gathered from the two Los Angeles pilot projects and the

cooperation from Regional Administrators Jennifer Lopez (Santa Fe Springs Office) and Aris S. Banico, M.A.

(Glendora Regional Office). The author acknowledges the advocacy efforts of Judge Michael Nash (ret.), now

the Director of the Office of Child Protection in Los Angeles for his long-standing support of relative place-

ment. The author is also grateful for the assistance provided by Corby Sturges from the Center for Families,

Children & the Courts, a division of the California Judicial Council, from Rob Waring, a Managing

Attorney representing children in Alameda County, and Sidney Hollar, Esq., a practicing attorney in San

Francisco.

Juvenile and Family Court Journal 69, No. 3

©2018 National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

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