Columnist Sandy Thompson: Duo aims high to care for foster children

Sandy Thompson

Friday, June 21, 2002 | 3:07 a.m.

THE HUSBANDS of Stephanie Holland and Gloria Bernal tired of hearing them complain about their frustration with the state's foster care system. They told their wives to stop talking and do something.

The women did. They formed Child Focus, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring siblings are kept together and that they only have one placement while in the system.

Their ultimate goal is to treat siblings in foster care as one family unit so the children have the same opportunities as other children. They're not just talking about treatment services, but health care, music lessons, sports participation and recreation activities.

"We don't want to house children, we want it to be like a home," says Holland, a clinical psychologist who works with children and families in foster care.

Bernal, who has a background in social work, adds: "We want to raise the standard in foster care and give the children at least what (opportunities) you would afford your own children."

They also want to improve overall medical care for the children, many of whom are in need of dental work. Holland and Bernal's long-range goal is to have a comprehensive medical and mental health facility with doctors working in all disciplines to serve foster children.

Bernal, who is director of a group home for Catholic Charities, estimates that more than 75 percent of children in foster care are siblings. While the system may try to place the children together and try not to move them around too often while in care (Bernal has worked with children who have had 40 to 50 different placements), there is no guarantee or hard-and-fast policy. Holland and Bernal want to change that.

The goals are lofty; the intentions noble; the need is real. The stumbling block is money. Holland, Bernal and a board of directors of Child Focus are volunteers. They are in the process of interviewing prospective foster parents to live at a home that they hope will be donated or that they can raise enough money to buy.

The problem is that the state does not pay enough for each child's care to support such a facility. That's why they need to raise funds. The teens in Bernal's group home receive $22 a month for personal items, plus a $116 clothing allowance four times a year. That does not include what foster parents are paid to help them pay for the costs of caring for the children.

Child Focus has received a small state grant for a home that would accommodate any age and treatment level. Holland says other group homes are approved only for certain ages or certain levels of care.

It's interesting to note that there is a definite need for such services as Child Focus proposes. The state Legislature, based on bad information and lack of thought, closed the Boulder City Children's Home several years ago to save a few bucks. That only put foster children further behind.

Instead of relying solely on state funding, Child Focus is seeking private donors and contributions. As soon as the group can secure funding for a home, it can begin taking siblings.

Holland and Bernal admit their plans are grandiose. But the children they hope to serve deserve no less. Their home would go a long way toward giving them stability and a better chance to become successful, productive adults.

Shouldn't that be the goal of all adults for all children?