Notes
America’s foster care population has swelled to 428,000 children — its largest size since 2008, according to the KIDS COUNT Data Center. More children in foster care means that more families are crossing paths with the country’s child welfare system.
It’s a system that Rafael López — the managing director of Accenture’s health and public services practice — knows extremely well. Prior to working at Accenture, López served as the commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which has primary responsibility for the nation’s foster care system.
In recognition of National Foster Care month, which occurs each May, Casey’s Lisa Hamilton talks with López about America’s child welfare system. Their conversation explores the system today, how it works and where it falls short. López also shares ideas — such as leveraging technology and embracing human centered design — aimed at transforming the system to better serve children and families in crisis.