Thread by @AlexMBateau

Homes for Black Children, a Black adoption agency in Detroit, is being closed by the state of Michigan. We only have 6 days to keep them open.

HBC was the first Black adoption agency in the U.S. They were the first agency in the state of MI to adopt + foster Black kids.

Homes for Black Children was founded in 1969 and is the first Black Child placing agency in the country.

Following the 1967 riots, we were founded to reduce the large number of black children who were languishing in foster care.

#KeepHomesForBlackChildrenOpen

Within 3 years Homes for Black Children had significantly reduced the number of black children who were not provided adoption opportunities. HBC accomplished this via the creation of innovative community based, culturally competent practices.

#KeepHomesForBlackChildrenOpen

Although best known for best practices in adoption, HBC has contributed similarly to the field program models in Family Preservation. They’ve implemented 5 Fed demonstration grants & currently have approval through the Federal Government to submit grant applications through SAM.

Some of you are quietly thinking that there must be some kind of gross negligence going on. But in fact, it’s quite simple. The larger funders throughout the state have been slowly receding their support from adoptions. They want to get out of the business of funding adoptions.

As a result, small agencies have been shutting their doors at a record pace.

Agencies like Catholic Social Services, the one time largest provider of adoption services closed their doors due to the lack of adoption funding while other agencies refuse to offer adoption services.

Because of underfunding over time HBC’s revenue has been reduced, creating a situation whereby our liabilities exceed our revenue. This is especially true for small agencies such as ours who have small community based boards and limited fundraising opportunities.

#KeepHBCopen

To keep HBC open & remain committed to serving their parents + kids they began to have serious cash flow problems in years 2016-2018, with delays in paying foster parents and staff. Their cash flow crisis was further exacerbated by delays in payment from the State.

Late payments were reported to the in 2019 by a foster parent which triggered a review by the Auditor General’s office. Findings were established regarding late payments & internal controls. The report criticized staff loans to assist cash flow & voluntary staff payless pay days.

The state of Michigan couldn’t understand why a Black staff of social workers, many who’ve worked at HBC since it’s opening, would volunteer to go w/o salary so that more vulnerable staff could be paid. My mother went without a salary for years.

Community members and staff members all donated to try and meet the shortfall from the absence of funding for adoption and foster care from the state of Michigan.

Unfortunately, it was not enough.

But, the story is not over! Because we believe in forgiveness, restitution and repair.

#KeepHBCopen

The report was finalized in April 2020 & HBC was allowed to submit a corrective action plan which included restructuring the organization & strengthening their internal controls.

#KeepHBCopen

The restructure began in April 2020, but with the COVID crisis of 2020, HBC continued to have a deficit at year end in 2020.

But by 2021 with a fully implemented restructured organization, HBC created a 100% turn around.

#KeepHBCopen

HBC’s external audited financial statement submitted to MDHHS on Sept 30, ‘22, substantiated a surplus of over $70,000. They are current on all expenses, payments + vendors & have been since mid ‘20 This was verified through an ongoing Special Licensing Evaluation.

HBC was told that the revocation will occur on Oct 28,’22, citing financial instability. The most recent Special Investigation was opened in January 2022. Their findings are based on calendar years 2016, 2017, 2018. The most recent audit (2021) was not considered.

HBC is VERY sensitive to the directions of MDHHS, and are not overlooking the seriousness of their concerns. HBC is only ask that their recent efforts, incredible work, are considered in their deliberations.

#KeepHomesForBlackChildrenOpen

What we need:

Please flood the governor of Michigan @gretchenwhitmer @MIGovernor + the lieutant gov @LtGovGilchrist @MILtGovernor . Tell them you care about Detroit institutions like Home for Black Children. Please ask your senator + everyone else to support HBC + keep it open!

You can also email the @MIGovernor @gretchenwhitmer & @LtGovGilchrist @MILtGovernor at [e-mail]

Also, please reach out to Demetrius Starling, the Director of Children’s Services at [e-mail]