End of Casey Foundation program a loss for foster children

When your life is already in chaos, more chaos is likely to follow. But theAnnie E. Casey Foundationsays it won't let that happen to the children affected by its decision to close Casey Family Services this year ("Casey foundation ends foster care program," July 16). Given the foundation's outstanding record of serving the most vulnerable children over the last 36 years, I trust it will do everything possible to maintain stability for the kids in its program

Casey's decision to remain committed to increasing adoption through increased awareness, education and technical assistance is laudable. But for many children adoption is not necessarily the best outcome. For teen mothers and older children, for example, building a path to self-sufficiency is a more realistic goal.

What concerns me is that at a time when there are thousands of children in Maryland's foster care system, we are seeing established programs like Casey's disappear and resources for foster children are shrinking rather than expanding.

I hope that others, including Maryland's business community, will see the value in investing in the future of these children so that together we can work toward a goal that is right for each child, and so that every child can have the future they deserve.

Susan Burger, Baltimore

The writer is executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Baltimore.