How Foster Care Fails Too Many Kids

On Chatting with Betsy, host Betsy Wurzel speaks with journalist and author Claudia Rowe about how foster care fails too many children in America. Claudia’s book, WARDS OF THE STATE: The Long Shadow of American Foster Care, uncovers the deep flaws in a system that often leaves children more likely to enter prison than college.

Claudia brings over 30 years of reporting experience, including Pulitzer-nominated work and a major role in reforming school discipline laws in Washington State. Her work has consistently explored how foster care fails children by pushing them through cycles of trauma, instability, and mistrust.

In this compelling conversation, Claudia describes how frequent placement changes and lack of emotional support disrupt childhood development. These repeated traumas can lead to long-term behavioral and neurological effects, making it harder for these children to thrive.

We also explored how society as a whole is impacted, and how foster care fails to prepare youth for adulthood. Claudia and Betsy emphasize the need for reform, including better training and resources for foster parents and more consistent emotional support for youth in care.

🎵 Listen to the interview with Betsy and Claudia on foster care could fail so many children: Click here to listen…

Yet there is hope. Claudia also highlights success stories—those who, despite the odds, go on to build meaningful lives. The conversation makes it clear: change is possible, but awareness must come first.

Betsy couldn’t stop reading WARDS OF THE STATE and believes it will open your eyes and heart. She highly recommends it to anyone who wants to better understand the system—and help make it better.

🔗 Resources & Links:
📘 Buy the Book: WARDS OF THE STATE on Amazon
🌐 Claudia’s Website: claudiarowejournalist.com
📱 Claudia Rowe on X (Twitter) and Facebook

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