PA’s child advocate resigned over lack of power to probe abuse

Toothless 'child advocate' position should be replaced by empowered abuse watchdog, former officeholder says

Former Gov. Tom Wolf created a child advocate role in 2019 to prevent abuse in state facilities, but its lack of legal authority has led to turnover.

PA’s child advocate resigned over lack of power to probe abuse

Pennsylvania’s foster care and juvenile justice systems leave a lot of kids with scars, said Bree Hood. Hood was abused by a worker at a facility where she lived as a teen, but didn’t report it. She now advocates for youth with the Philadelphia-based Juvenile Law Center, and said that too many vulnerable kids are getting hurt and staying silent out of fear. "You can't really trust none of the staff in the system, because all the staff talk to ea…

'Child Advocate' Position Should Be Replaced By Abuse Watchdog, Former Officeholder Says

Former Gov. Tom Wolf created a child advocate role in 2019 to prevent abuse in state facilities, but its lack of legal authority has led to turnover. The post ‘Child Advocate’ Position Should Be Replaced By Abuse Watchdog, Former Officeholder Says appeared first on NewtownPANow.com.

Toothless ‘Child Advocate’ Position Should Be Replaced by Empowered Abuse Watchdog, Former Officeholder Says

Pennsylvania’s foster care and juvenile justice systems leave a lot of kids with scars, said Bree Hood. Article by Sarah Boden for Spotlight PA Hood was abused by a worker at a facility where she lived as a teen, but didn’t report it. She now advocates for youth with the Philadelphia-based Juvenile Law Center, and said that too many vulnerable kids are getting hurt and staying silent out of fear. “You can’t really trust none of the staff in the…

Toothless 'Child Advocate' Position Should be Replaced by Empowered Abuse Watchdog, Former Officeholder Says

Former Gov. Tom Wolf created a child advocate role in 2019 to prevent abuse in state facilities, but its lack of legal authority has led to turnover. By Sarah Boden, Spotlight PA Photo courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services This story first appeared in How We Care, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PA featuring original reporting and perspectives on how we care for one another at all stages of life. Sign up for free here. Pennsylvania’s foster c…

Toothless 'Child Advocate' Position Should Be Replaced by Empowered Abuse Watchdog, Former Officeholder Says

This story first appeared in How We Care, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PA featuring original reporting and perspectives on how we care for one another at all stages of life. Sign up for free here. Pennsylvania’s foster care and juvenile justice systems leave a lot of kids with scars, said Bree Hood. Hood was abused by a worker at a facility where she lived as a teen, but didn’t report it. She now advocates for youth with the Philadelphia-bas…