News & Events

News

News and articles on the Kids Matter website:

Child welfare is an important topic here in Milwaukee. We are challenged to improve by local tragedies – we are inspired by local success. Kids Matter is providing links to recent media stories so that whether you are newly interested in child welfare issues or a local expert, you can find quick access to current issues. News stories are separated from opinions and editorials.

Please note that Kids Matter is not endorsing any of the viewpoints expressed in any story, article or editorial. We believe that healthy community dialogue about how our kids are doing is an important step in ensuring that children that our children are safe and well.

Highlights

Taking Care of Kids: Thoughts on King Day
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday is a perfect time to remember the everyday heroes who help our abused and neglected children: relatives, foster parents and CASA volunteers.
By Lance Jones. January 17, 2010.

Too little disclosure and review
Why is the number of child deaths in foster care a guessing game in Milwaukee? According to a recent Journal Sentinel investigative report, 63 children may have died while their safety was being investigated by the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare. Or is it 58 if we exclude deaths of children with congenital birth defects or health issues? Or is it 22 child deaths if we limit the count to children who died of abuse and neglect while receiving services?
By Susan Conwell. Oct. 31, 2009

Securing a future for kids
When Susan Conwell and her husband wanted to become foster parents, they were surprised by the challenges they faced. Navigating the system and obtaining basic services for kids wasn't easy, and a lot of needs for foster children and families weren't being met.
By Caroline Goyette of Milwaukee Magazine

Advocates are Voice for Foster Kids
Court appointed volunteers serve children's best interest. Felicia Miller, a new court appointed special advocate for children in the foster care system tells about her experiences being a new CASA.
By Felicia Thomas-Lynn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. May 24, 2008

Love Late in Life
A rising percentage of children are being raised by grandparents. Why is it happening and what‘s the impact on families?
Milwaukee Magazine July 1, 2006 By Mary Van de Kamp Nohl

Recent News Stories

Audit finds progress at Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare
Following public outrage ignited by the murder of a small boy two years ago, officials vowed to revamp Milwaukee's child welfare system. While significant challenges remain, many of the promises made then have been kept.
By Crocker Stephenson. March 13, 2011

For children with behavior issues, getting help early is key
For young children with severe behavioral issues, getting help early on is considered essential to success in school and life as an adult.
By Becky Lang. March 8, 2011

Report finds room for improvement in licensing kinship foster parents
A new state law has increased licensing, training and payments for kinship foster parents, but the changes have not gone far enough, potentially leaving some children at risk, according to a report released Monday.
By Gina Barton. March 07, 2011

Struggle to reunite families can hurt children
Thousands of Milwaukee County children live in temporary homes. Removed from their families because of abuse or neglect, they attend temporary schools with temporary friends, rely on temporary adults for temporary care. One mission of child welfare is to keep these children safe. Another is to find them permanent homes. This is the story of how the system handles two of those cases, affecting three children.
By Crocker Stephenson. September 19, 2010.

Milwaukee child welfare bureau to add 10 nurses
Ten nurses will be added this summer to the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare workers who evaluate allegations of child abuse and neglect and who monitor the well-being of small children in foster care, Reggie Bicha, secretary of the state Department of Children and Families, announced Wednesday.
By Crocker Stephenson of the Journal Sentinel. April 28, 2010

One child's tragic fate
On Oct. 26, 2007, Arkisha Johnson swallowed 20 tablets of her anti-psychotic medication, looped a blue curtain tie around her neck and tied it tight. She started feeling dizzy, then collapsed behind a loveseat. In the bathroom, the body of her 5-month-old son, Will, was floating face down in the tub.
By Gina Barton and crocker Stephenson of the Milwaukee Journals Sentinel, Posted: Oct. 11, 2009

Deadly mistakes doom children
In 2004, 18-month-old Jatavius McKillion's mother starved him to death.At autopsy, he weighed just a pound more than the average newborn.The home where Jatavius died was infested with cockroaches and flies, public records show. Empty beer cans, trash and partially eaten food littered the floor. The cupboards were virtually bare. But for empty milk jugs and spoiled meat, so was the refrigerator. The toilet was backed up.
By Gina Barton and Crocker Stephenson of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Posted: Oct. 4, 2009

Editorials

Child welfare in an important topic here in Milwaukee. We are challenged to improve by local tragedies – we are inspired by local success. Kids Matter is providing links to recent editorials and opinions so the community can have quick access to current issues. Kids Matter does not endorse the viewpoints expressed in any story, article or editorial. We believe that healthy community dialogue about how our kids are doing is an important step in ensuring that children that our children are safe and well.

Nurses are a good move
The Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare is moving in the right direction to keep children safe. A long-term solution is finding additional safe homes.
Editorial Posted: April 28, 2010

Keeping Children Safe has to be the Priority
Keeping children safe has to be the priority Now that the budget has passed, it's time for the state Department of Children and Families to put programs in place to keep children safe and help parents make better decisions.
Editorial Posted: July 24, 2009

Time for action
Time for action Christopher Thomas' death sparked much-needed debate on ways to improve foster care. Now it's time for the proposals to take shape to save the lives of others.
Editorial Posted: July 16, 2009

Seeking Transparency
A bill that state Sen. Alberta Darling said she will introduce would require more information be made public on children killed or seriously injured in foster care. The state Legislature should approve it or other similar measures so that public confidence shaken by the brutal death recently of 13-month-old Christopher Thomas Jr. while in foster care can be restored.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. OPINIONS January 5, 2009. No author listed

Fatal Care: Fostering Reform in Child Welfare

The state-run Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare is responsible for the care and protection of thousands of abused and neglected children living in our community. Outrage over the Nov. 11, 2008 beating death of 13-month-old Christopher Thomas and the months of torture endured by his 2-year-old sister has become a catalyst for change. These are the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel stories of children and families who depend on the bureau for protection and of that bureau’s historic transformation. Click here for a link to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Series.