Honestly being someone who works in social services, it makes me sad because on the surface, absolutely. But people running out of food stamps is a thing. Food stamps getting cut and that cut not being in line with change in income is a thing. Paperwork being “processed” for ages is a thing. It might not be any of those things. She may have done something irresponsible. But irresponsibility alone isn’t responsible for the growing economic divide in this country. Well-to-do people do irresponsible things all the time and never have to worry about putting food on the table.

One good development I’ve seen is that in some cases, if CPS is involved, they can provide vouchers for emergency support. I don’t love CPS involvement most of the time, but there’s resources they can tap into that other agencies can’t. Preventative workers can support with parenting skills, connecting to support with budgeting. The help is out there if we shift our focus from “remove the child” to “support and empower the family”. Because when it comes to positive outcomes for children, keeping families together is the way to go, whenever possible.