Ep. 15 - Social Workers Speak Out: HB 1227's Impact on Children, Part 2 (feat. Jeanette Obelcz)

Jeanette Oblecz, a supervisor, social worker, and union rep in Washington state, joins us for Part 2 on the podcast today! In this episode, Jeanette shares with us how HB 1227 has fulfilled its duty, but not in the way we think. With the bill’s main objective being putting children back together with parents, regardless of that parent's sobriety status, previous intake history, displays of neglect, or other indicators of an unsafe environment, HB 1227 has fulfilled its duty by completely overwhelming its social workers and the child welfare system, so much so, that the “best thing to do” is put these children back with their families. These conditions have also led to severe social worker shortages, an increase in “revolving-door” cases, and, most tragically, an increase in child fatalities and near-fatalities, which Jeanette shares with us, she does not expect will go down soon if things do not change. Thank you, Jeanette, for joining us on the episode today and for not giving up the fight. Our children deserve care and safety, our parents need real support and resources, and our state needs to make a change if we want to see a better future for all of us. Thank you again for all you do!! If there was a moment in this episode that stood out to you, drop a comment below- we’d love to hear your thoughts! …………………………….. Want to know more about Fostering Change WA? Visit our website and learn more about our history, our mission, or make a donation to sponsor an episode: https://fosteringchangewa.org/ Our mission is to make a real change in Washington state for those most vulnerable. Through this channel, we aim to give a voice to the voiceless, share the stories of those who often go unseen, and inspire people to make a difference. We want views and comments to become action that will save lives. To follow us and the work we are doing, check out our social media channels: Instagram: @fosteringchangewa TikTok: @fosteringchangewa Facebook: Fostering Change WA Want to catch up on the story? All our 'Change The Story' episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts, and on our YouTube channel. #fostercare #socialworker #fostercarecrisis