Richard Wexler is Working to Change Foster Care and Save Children

This is a Jaws of Justice Radio interview originally broadcast April 29, 2010. Elisa Brietenback interviews Richard Wexler, Executive Director of the National Coalition for Child Protection and Reform as well as author of the book ,Wounded Innocence.

Richard talks about the history of the foster care system and its roots in racism.  He addresses the financial incentives that trap children in the system and alternatives to present practices.  Below is an excerpt from the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform website.  http://nccpr.info/about/

For decades, America has engaged in a public monologue about child abuse. One group of think-alike self-proclaimed “experts” has sought and received enormous public attention. They have painted a distorted picture of child maltreatment and encouraged us to create the failed system we have today.  Below is an excerpt from the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform website.  http://nccpr.info/about/

These “experts,” whose 19th Century counterparts proudly called themselves “child savers” tell us that we have a choice: Engage in massive destruction of families or accept the deaths of innocent children. In fact, the system they have created has given us both.

The professional community has been divided about how to deal with child abuse from the outset. We know that a system can be created which disrupts far fewer families, keeps far more children out of our destructive system of foster care, and protects more children from harm at the hands of their parents.

 If you are embroiled in the foster care system you may want to have your pen and paper ready because Elisa and Richard give some excellent national and local resources at the end of the interview. 


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