Tagged: foster care

BOSTON (AP) — Testimony has begun in a class-action lawsuit alleging that thousands of Massachusetts children in foster care have been abused and neglected.

The first witness Tuesday was a young woman who spent years in multiple foster homes.

Lauren James said she often did not get enough to eat, was forced to scrub floors and prescribed up to five psychiatric drugs at a time.

Being a foster parent can be among the most joyful, but challenging experiences. Taking in a troubled, abused child has many rewards for those who take the step and today we will learn more about foster parenting from Brian Perrotto director of foster care for Saint Catherine’s Center for Children in Albany, Pat Gagnon, a foster parent , and Karen Hill, an expert in child welfare education. Brian Perrotto begins the discussion with more about Saint Catherine’s. They spoke with WAMC’s Brian Shields.