The fact that such a transformation is difficult to fathom does not mean that it is but a mere dream or unreal. It means that the road ahead is difficult but doable. And if it turns out that it is not doable, that is no reflection on the idea itself but rather on the doers--or the lack of. There may be other ways that can also lead to the kind of change the present child welfare system screams out for, but they too will entail much difficulty. And, after so many decades of dancing in place, its high time to start moving and to do so in totally new directions.
The action required to transform child welfare work into a prestigious profession that smart and dedicated people will aspire to be part of gets to the heart of what does not work in the current system and also to exactly what is necessary for real and substantial change.