The Brokenness of Child Protective Services

Berry makes the point through Janie’s story that despite the best efforts of Child Protective Services it is an inherently flawed system. Berry demonstrates the failure of child services through Hannah and Christopher’s reactions to possible foster parents for Janie as well as the assumptions of the police and caseworkers that Hannah and Christopher are abusive. Particularly telling about the brokenness of child services are Piper’s claims that she was never notified of Becky’s claims that she needed help with Janie.

Hannah and Christopher decide to adopt Janie because they are not happy with the foster parents Piper suggests to keep Janie. Piper has already addressed some of the problems with the foster care system when she notes that some parents view taking care of these children as a job. Piper tells Ron and Luke that Hannah...