KING TELEVISION SPECIAL: LOST IN THE SYSTEM / STREETWISE {TAPE 1 OF 2} (TV)
Summary
Tape one of two. This King Television Special, hosted and reported on by Jim Compton, sounds an alarm about deprived youngsters in the state of Washington. First, the program shows "Lost in the System," a documentary about three victims of state foster care. The program follows "Steve," an eighteen-year-old with no job who is considering prostitution or petty robbery to make ends meet; thirty-eight-year-old Ron, who went from foster care to a lengthy stint in prison, where he still resides; and Janice, a professional social worker formerly employed by Washington state for three years until the pressure drove her to resign. Janice talks about the horrors of her social work job. Steve talks about getting thrust into foster care. Ron talks about the ethos of foster children. Next, the program looks at a Department of Social and Health Services (D.S.H.S.) office in Seattle where children first begin dealing with social workers. Judge Terrence Carroll of the King County Superior Court talks about having to order neglected children into state care. Next, a "Monopoly"-esque graphic shows the many different routes a child can take through the system of state agencies. Ron talks about being pulled from his mother's arms before being forced into the system. Janice talks about the pressures in trying to do things for families and children. Next, the program visits the Ryther Center in Seattle, a recently closed foster facility, discussing how much care for children is subsidized by the state. D.S.H.S. Secretary Karen Rahm details why she believes the state's family reconciliation program has been a rousing success. Ron further discusses the anger, hurt, and frustration he felt as a foster child. Steve talks about being "shuffled" around between homes and facilities. Ron talks about foster children acquiring numerous social and psychological problems.
Then, in the spring, in Olympia, the state Legislature met to discuss "protection of the young" -- and, ultimately, an additional twenty million dollar allotment was earmarked for a package of children's measures. Janice wonders if the system can't provide better care for children. Steve talks about having to solely rely on himself, feeling that eventually everyone will hurt him. Next, the program visits the Northwest Adoption Exchange, where one can look through catalogs listing youngsters in America seeking permanent homes -- many of them considered less-than-desirable children. Then, the program looks at kids fortunate enough to be adopted, focusing on Robert and his brother Marcus, adopted by Penny Vederoff. A graphic shows the countless foster homes the formerly troubled Robert was in before being adopted by Vederoff. Robert talks about trying to find trust in his new home. Next, the program visits downtown Seattle, examining the most unstable of foster children, those that eventually end up as eighteen-year-old street children. Some of these children anonymously discuss their situations, behaviors, and future plans. Ron talks about how every foster child is "scarred" in one way or another. Next, the program looks at a foster home in rural Pierce County, where "lucky" children live. Ron talks about what can be done to save a child like Steve -- simply giving him a hug. Afterward, Compton introduces "Streetwise," the Oscar-nominated film about Seattle street children, based on Cheryl McCall's Life magazine article, "Streets of the Lost." The program opens by showing a pastiche of street people. The program shows an abandoned hotel where several street children such as "Rat" live. After detailing his average day of begging, robbing, and taking drugs, Rat shows how his older buddy Jack taught him to stow away on a train. Another street child, Erin aka "Tiny," visits a clinic, believing that her work as a prostitute may have led to her acquiring a new STD. She talks about having sex with older men, her pricing scheme, wonders about pregnancy, and details why she thinks abortion is murder. Several street children, such as Rat, prostitute Kim, and hustler DeWayne talk about their relationships to their parents, and how they ended up alone on the streets. Other children discuss the rough lives they lead on the streets, full of drugs and fights. Meanwhile, Kim goes looking for a "date" for the evening. Later, during an impromptu street concert, a brawl breaks out.
Next, Rat refers to Jack as his true friend before the two go "dumpster diving." Another street child, a lesbian, talks about how she tries to help other street children while facing her own problems. Then, the program shows Erin's mother, a diner waitress and alcoholic, who details her relationship with her daughter. Then, Erin shows her current living situation. Erin's mother also talks about her daughter being a street person. Next, Rat does his laundry as he talks about coming to Seattle due to a family rift between his parents. Then, Pentecostal preacher Tom Robinson tries to raise money for a new shelter, before a "streetwise" kid starts arguing with him. Next, Rat details several scams such as the "eat-and-run," dumpster diving, and ordering pizzas but not paying for them. He further talks about the practice of street kids getting fake IDs in order to sell blood. Later, Kim talks about how people are "after her ass" since she quit working the street. Then, the program looks at fourteen-year-old Shellie, who talks about making "many mistakes" in her life to her friend "Shadow." Shellie visits her mother, and talks about being abused by her stepfather. She then goes to live with Shadow -- who already lives with street couple Patti and "Munchkin." Later, self-described "playboy" Shadow attempts to dye his own hair, detailing how he must depend on his many girlfriends to support him. Then, Erin and Shellie talk about why they don't live with their parents any more. DeWayne goes to visit his father in jail, detailing how he may need to have his tonsils out and discussing his drug habits before his father castigates him and warns him of what his future may hold. Next, Patrice talks with his mother, discussing the junk food he eats out on the street. Later, Shadow gets a new tattoo. Next, social worker Jerry goes out to speak with Patti and Munchkin in their room, concerned about them. Later, Shellie tells Erin that Munchkin is pimping her out. Ultimately, Shellie recognizes that Shadow got her into her situation in the first place. Then, Rat talks about his feelings toward Erin, before he goes diving into the ocean. Later, Jerry speaks with DeWayne, recently imprisoned for selling marijuana, as his friends attempt to bail him out. Tape ends abruptly. Continues on T:38289. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: KING-TV (Seattle, WA)
- DATE: June 17, 1985
- RUNNING TIME: 1:58:28
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:38287
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Dorothy Stimson Bullitt)
- SERIES RUN: KING-TV (Seattle, WA) - TV, 1985
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Fenster, Barbara Du Val … Producer
- Mark Warner … Director
- Jim Compton … Host
- for "Lost in the System"
- Barbara DuVal Fenster … Producer
- Jim Compton … Writer
- Jim Compton … Reporter
- Terrence Carroll
- Karen Rahm
- Penny Vederoff
- for "Streetwise"
- Angelika T. Saleh … Executive Producer
- Connie Nelson … Executive Producer
- Willie Nelson … Executive Producer
- Martin Bell … Director
- Cheryl McCall … Producer, Writer, Based on the Life magazine article by
- Mary Ellen Mark … Based on the Life magazine photography by
- Tom Waits … Music by
- Bratton Kennedy … Music by
- Tom Robinson