Watch Webinar: a special interview with Daniel Hatcher on foster children’s income

On Wednesday, May 25th 2022 we interviewed Daniel Hatcher on the practice of counties and states seizing foster children’s income to pay for their placements. Daniel helped pass a bill in Maryland to end this practice, and is currently providing technical assistance on a bill to do the same in Minnesota as well. He is a professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law. About 8% – 10% of Minnesota foster children have income from Social Security and other benefit programs, amounting to approximately $8 million statewide – funds which could help foster children with their transition out of foster care to adulthood. Daniel L. Hatcher is Professor of Law at the University of Baltimore, teaching the Civil Advocacy Clinic. Hatcher previously worked at the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau as assistant director of advocacy, and as staff attorney representing foster children and impoverished adults. He was also a senior staff attorney with the Children’s Defense Fund.  His book, “The Poverty Industry: The Exploitation of America’s Most Vulnerable Citizens” (NYU Press 2016) exposes how state agencies and companies are using vulnerable populations to maximize revenue rather than serving their best interests. The book builds on his past scholarship addressing a core conflict in human service agencies and other government institutions – agencies that exist to serve, also seek to exist. The webinar was free and everyone is invited to participate. This event was recorded on 5-25-2022.