What’s in a suitcase? Dignity for Maryland’s foster children | STAFF COMMENTARY

It’s difficult being a child in foster care. Many have suffered abuse, neglect or abandonment from their parents or guardians who themselves might be facing challenges such as addiction, mental illness, incarceration or crushing debt. Youngsters often feel alone, fearful, anxious and traumatized. In a typical year, Maryland Department of Human Services supervises about 3,800 such individuals, many of whom go in and out of foster care or have to switch providers multiple times. Given all that, shouldn’t they at least be provided with a decent suitcase so that their few worldly belongings don’t have to be stuffed in a trash bag, as if they were worthless?