Press Releases
United Cerebral Palsy Outraged at Death of Foster Child (08/31/06)
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), the nation's largest provider of services to people with disabilities in the United States, today expressed its remorse and outrage over the death of Marcus Fiesel, a foster child with developmental disabilities.
"The death of Marcus Fiesel at the hands of his foster parents is a horrendous tragedy," said Stephen Bennett, President and CEO. "Sadly, abuse and neglect of children with disabilities in foster care is a frequent occurrence. Many foster parents lack the information to adequately identify and supply the needs of children with disabilities. As a result, the foster care system puts children with disabilities at risk. The need for reform in American foster care systems is most evident when yet another foster child's life is lost."
This May, United Cerebral Palsy and Children's Rights released a report that revealed that state foster care systems have largely failed to address the unique needs of children with disabilities and the families who care for them.
The report, titled Forgotten Children: A Case for Action for Children and Youth with Disabilities in Foster Care, also identifies several promising approaches for states to improve. Foster care systems should adopt health care standards, ensure timely and comprehensive evaluations, manage records more effectively, increase specialized services, improve training programs for parents and caseworkers, and collect and assess data regarding disability status, services and outcomes.
United Cerebral Palsy is committed to empowering children with disabilities to live without limits.
Click here to learn more and to read the full report.
About United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy is one of the nation’s leading organizations serving and advocating for the more than 54 million Americans with disabilities. Most UCP consumers are people with disabilities other than cerebral palsy. Through its nationwide network, United Cerebral Palsy offers services to individuals, families and communities such as job training and placement, physical therapy, individual and family support, early intervention, social and recreation programs, community living, state and local referrals, and instruction on how to use technology to perform everyday tasks. For more information, visit www.ucp.org or call (800) 872-5827.