HIGH POINT CHILD WELFARE INDICATORS IMPROVE THROUGH EFFORTS OF CHILDREN'S CABINET
HIGH POINT, NC—The High Point Children's Cabinet, chaired by City Councilwoman Bernita Sims, today marked its second anniversary by announcing improvements in child welfare and foster care due to focused efforts of the group.
Formed in April 2003, the High Point Children’s Cabinet has been addressing four problem indicators related specifically to the wellness of High Point children. Cabinet members include elected officials, governmental and nonprofit agency representatives as well as community leaders.
Since then the Cabinet is pleased to report many significant progress with these issues, as evident in the following statistics:
Original Problem Indicators for Children (as of April 2003)
and Results (as of April 2005)
1. The high rate of children placed away from their birth parents.
As of April 2003 there were 184 children from High Point in custody, or 37% of all children in custody in Guilford County. Fifty- six (56) children from High Point were legally free and waiting for adoption.
As of December 2004, there were 203 children from High Point in custody of DSS, or 37% of all children. There are 44 children from High Point currently free and waiting for adoption, a reduction of 21% since April 2003.
2. The high number of placement moves for children in care.
In April 2003 thirty percent (30%) of children entering custody from Guilford County in FY01 had changed foster home more than four times—NC average was 21%.
Fourteen percent (14%) of children entering custody from Guilford County in FY03 have changed foster home more than 4 times, a reduction of 53% since 2003. The NC average is currently 14%.
3. The low proportion of children placed in their own neighborhoods.
As of April 2003 there were only 13 DSS foster homes in High Point for about 68 new children from High Point taken into care every year. About 60% of our children were being fostered in Greensboro or elsewhere.
There are currently 38 DSS foster homes in High Point, an increase of 192% since April 2003. There were 97 children from High Point taken into custody last year (FY04).
4. Disparities associated with race/ethnicity, in each of these indicators.
As of April 2003, in High Point, 63% of children taken into care were from African American families although African Americans represented only 32% of total population. The rate in Guilford County was lower—only 55% of children taken into care were African American.
Fifty-one percent (51%) of children taken into custody from High Point last year were from African American families, compared to 63% in FY03. The rate in Guilford County was 59% in FY04--High Point’s rate was lower, for the first time.
Key Accomplishments since 2003
When the High Point Children’s Cabinet was formed, the group of community citizens also created list of seven priorities to direct the Cabinets efforts. The following provides an update on the accomplishments of the Cabinet on each of these priorities.
1. Recruitment, Training and Retention of Foster Parents
- DSS now has a designated position of foster parent recruiter for High Point
- Training for prospective and active foster parents is now being conducted regularly in Greensboro and High Point by UNCG trainers.
2. Awareness Campaign
- A foster parent recruitment brochure titled, “Give a Child a Chance--Become a Foster Parent in High Point,” has been designed and distributed throughout High Point by the Cabinet.
3. Invest in communities and neighborhood redevelopment
- Plans are underway to develop a Congress of Neighborhoods in High Point, which will coordinate and strengthen neighborhoods throughout the City.
4. Support early intervention and prevention services for vulnerable children and families
- Harmony House, a center for safe, supervised visitation and exchange of children, is currently actively seeking start-up funding. If successful, services could begin in July 2005.
5. Invest in local drug and alcohol treatment programs for women with children.
- Based on a HUD funded model in Greensboro, plans are underway to develop Mary’s Homes in High Point so that mothers can recover from drug and/or alcohol abuse without being separated from their children.
Calling the City of High Point “a good partner to the Children’s Cabinet”, Councilwoman and Cabinet Chair Bernita Sims reported that the City’s comprehensive development plan strengthens families by investing in targeted neighborhoods hit hardest by poverty and crime.
In the coming year, the High Point Children’s Cabinet will concentrate on recruiting 100 new foster parents in High Point, developing an incentive package to help recruit High Point foster parents, organizing the Congress of Neighborhoods, and partnering with Mary’s House to develop Mary’s Homes in High Point. 
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