Faulty oversight put youth at risk

Jonathan D. Rockoff and John B. O'Donnell of The (Baltimore) Sun analyzed spending by 25 companies that run group homes for foster children, finding "a broad failure by the state to protect the interests of 2,700 youths who live in 330 privately run homes in Maryland. The state licenses and funds the facilities but does not routinely hold them accountable for the quality of care they provide - putting children at risk." In some cases, the paper found that deaths of children were not recorded in state files and "unqualified or unfit caregivers are hired because the state does not enforce training requirements and leaves screening to the operators." Also included is a section about how the series was done.