SHARE THIS SHOW:
RELATED CONVERSATIONS:
RECENTLY ON TOL:
TOL Our Town
- A tumblr site dedicated to the people and places that make up Oregon and Southwest Washington.
TAGS:
Finding Solutions: What Works and Why for Children and Families in Crisis
When Erica Quiding was growing up, she had no relationship with her biological mother. She was placed in the foster care system as an infant, and was adopted at age three. But then at ten-years-old, her adoptive parents decided they could not keep her, and she went back to foster care. She bounced around the system for years. By the time she was matched with volunteer Ann Harding as part of the Court Appointed Special Advocates program, Erica was a troubled 13-year-old. But she was also resilient. And with Ann Harding on her side, available day or night for phone calls and support, Erica made it out of the foster care system, graduated from high school and is by all accounts a success. She's 24 now, taking classes at Portland Community College. She says she can't imagine that she would be where she is today without Ann in her life.
Of course, not all children in crisis end up in foster care. And some child advocates say the direction to go is to provide help to families so kids can stay with their parents and avoid the separation that can be so devastating for children. Oregon has just passed a law to set up a system called Safe Families. It's worked well in Illinois, providing a way for parents to get temporary relief from the pressures of parenting without losing custody of their kids. In Chicago, the program boasts that it's helped reduce the number of kids in foster care from 50,000 to 15,000.
Have you ever needed help? What helped you? What could have helped you? What kind of a support network, if any, did you rely on?
Do you work with parents or children in crisis? What kind of help do you provide? What are the kinds of programs you think work for these families?
GUESTS:
- Ann Hardy: Volunteer with the Court Appointed Special Advocates program
- Erica Quiding: Participant in the CASA program
- Christine Stolebarger: Parent mentor with Morrison Child and Family Services
- Richard Wexler: Executive director of National Coalition for Child Protection Reform
- Tom Maluga: Director of Chicago Safe Families
Tagged as: child welfare · families · finding solutions
Photo credit: Ben Bawden / Creative Commons
-
I also called DHS on my 23 yr old daughter who was addicted to pills. My grandson was 2 at the time and they had always lived with me. The last straw was when she had an accident by hitting a tree across the street from my house. DHS was right there to help and it has been a 2 year ordeal. I have been my grandsons foster mom for 2 years and now am at the end and getting ready to sign the final adoption papers. DHS and the Courts have tried unsuccessfully to get my daughter rehab. She has been in 4 rehab centers. From her pawning my and others properties she is right now in jail but does have the chance to go to rehab this summer, thanks to DHS and the Courts. One more Try. My grandson is now 4 he misses and loves his mom very much. It has been a struggle at times but I wouldn't have it any other way. Our Foster Coordinator is wonderful and our 2nd DHS worker is Great, I have been fortunate. She is expecting another baby in June and DHS will be right there.
Thank You
Love your show
Patty
-
I believe that Mr. Wexler's comments are erronious. Michael Paraino, CEO, National CASA Association will be calling.
Please offer a balanced view of CASA.
thank you,
Michael Heaton
-
I question the studies that Mr. Wexler cites. It seems that the cases where the children remained in the home would necessarily be the least dangerous to the child and those where the children were removed would be the worst. Wouldn't that skew the results? I can't believe that studies were done in which children in imminent danger were left with their parents for the sake of the study.
-
Hello - I have been considering being a Foster Parent for a few years. I work at a non-profit and many of our people have lost their children to the foster care system - they are recovered right now and thoughtful sweet people, sad that they lost the opportunity to parent - this has been helpful to me because one of my concerns with becoming a foster mom is that I would become too protective of the child and not want to "give it back". What I want to know FROM ERIKA - is what makes a good foster parent. What makes a bad foster parent. I want to nurture and have no children of my own
-
I think it is great that the states are starting to wise up about child welfare. It's funny to me though to see the states starting to emulate the extended family structures that me and my family have been using for years without the institutionalization.
-
In talking about the foster care system, few people recognize the role played by the Oxford House system in keeping children out of foster care. The Recovery Association Project which partners with the Oxford House system to provide recovery housing to 1135 addicts statewide and over 200 children in 167 group houses. Houses are gender specific, are self-sufficient and democratically run. Usually there are 8 adults in a house. There are children in both men’s and women’s houses. Most of these children are DHS involved and would be in foster care if their parents weren’t in an Oxford house. DHS will reunite a parent on the basis that they are in an Oxford House. Many of the parents are coming out of the criminal justice system. This provides a safe Alcohol and Drug Free environment. Parenting classes are provided. The existence of 7 “aunts” or “uncles,” many with children, provides security for children. One case manager told me that she breathes a huge sigh of relief when a child goes into an Oxford House.
-
there is a successful program right here in Portland called the Letty Owings center, started by a woman who passionately believed children should be able to stay with their mothers during treatment for addicitons. Does anyone on your panel recognize this program?
-
Mr. Wexler's passion is commendable, however, it appears that his perspective does not give listeners an accurate nor a positive view of the wonderful men and women who give of their time and often finances to offer support and a voice in court to some of our nation's most fragile children.
As a director who also serves as a volunteer for a local CASA program in Oregon, I would like listeners and fellow bloggers to know that all CASA programs send in an annual report to national CASA. This is likely where Mr. Wexler got his data regarding children having a CASA spending more time in foster care.
He failed to mention the other statistical data which was likely contained in the same reports. Children in Foster Care with a CASA are less likely to be removed from their homes a second time. They also are less likely to be moved from foster home to foster home.
Other statistics reveal that children having a CASA do better in school and are less likely to feel that their situation is hopeless.
CASA volunteers receive an initial training of 30 hours. During training, the volunteer learns to differentiate between poverty and an environment which poses a safety threat to a child. Volunteers are also trained to be culturally sensitive.
I think we can all agree that too many children are needlessly removed from their homes and this is one reason why foster children need volunteers to thoroughly evaluate the case, make recommendations to the court, and to be a voice for the child.
Pamela
Director of CASA
Rural Oregon
-
Mentoring can be a great way to keep families together as it can give children a listening ear and wise friend and role model before the family falls apart. I work for 4Results Mentoring Program in Vancouver and our program specifically serves kids in mental health services. All of our kids are living in poverty and oftentimes, parents also have mental health issues. A mentor can give the one on one attention and emotional support that a parent may not be able to give and sometimes that can be the interruption in a cycle of misbehavior and frustration that a family needs to keep itself together. The main thing to remember if you decide to get involved in a mentoring program - whether as a mentor or a family looking for services - is that you find one that offers extensive training and has a good record of keeping mentors long-term as studies have shown that it would be better for a child to never have a mentor than to have a mentor that doesn't follow through with their commitment.
-
I am a Big Sister (the Big Brother, Big Sister program) to an 8 year old girl in the foster care system. In the 3 years I have been in her life, she has been in 5 homes and is currently in a temporary placement, facing another move. Her placements have been made on an emergency basis, and have not been appropriate placements for her needs, resulting in more emergency moves. I petitioned the Family Court Judge to appoint a CASA, was denied and she was returned to her biological mother despite outcries from most people involved in her case. She was returned her bio- mother and within several weeks seriously abused and once more removed on an emergency basis. Finally the Judge did appoint a fabulous CASA who has become a consistent person in this girls life. Consistent is the operative word here, has nothing has been consistent in here life since I have known her. Her therapist, caseworker, lawyer, schools, families, have all changed multiple times. Children need consistency and moving from one home, school, health and mental health workers compounds the problem. The CASA is the only person in this case that has remained constant. I am an interested person but legally I have no right to be a party to this case. It is a very flawed system and has been heart breaking to see what it does to a young girls life.
-
I agree with Mr. Wexler. Of course no child in danger of imminent harm should be left in a dangerous home. No judge would leave a child in a dangerous home if evidence of the danger is presented. No social worker would intentionally leave a child in a dangerous home. The natural tendency to want to err on the side of caution in favor of protecting the child will always result in the removal of children who could probably safely remain with the parents. Children are much better off staying in the home than being removed unless they are in imminent danger. If they must be removed, they are much better off going to a relative or close family friend.
CASA advocates are a great addition to the equation for older children because no one else in the system can spend enough time with the child to get a clear picture of what the child really wants and needs. However, the CASA's opinion should not be given undue weight to the extent that stays in foster care are prolonged while the parents try to show they can provide a perfect home. Parents should be required to show that they can provide a safe home, of course.
The most important factor for the sucess of the family is trying to preserve the family intact if that is safe. If the children must be removed, every effort should be taken to place siblings together. If siblings cannot be placed together, the siblings should have the right to visitation with each other separate from parental visitation. If parental rights are terminated, the siblings should have the right to continued contact with each other. In the case of a failed adoption, the sibling group may be the only permanent connetion the child will ever have the chance to maintain.
The more help a family gets early on, the better the outcome will be for the childen, the family, and ultimately society. Children raised in foster care have high rates of homelessness. That won't change unless children in the system are given more opportunities to reunite with their biological parents and better life skills training if they remain in foster care.
-
Mr. Wexler's passion is commendable, however, it appears that his perspective does not give listeners an accurate nor a positive view of the wonderful men and women who give of their time and often finances to offer support and a voice in court to some of our nation's most fragile children.
As a director who also serves as a volunteer for a local CASA program in Oregon, I would like listeners and fellow bloggers to know that all CASA programs send in an annual report to national CASA. This is likely where Mr. Wexler got his data regarding children having a CASA spending more time in foster care.
He failed to mention the other statistical data which was likely contained in the same reports. Children in Foster Care with a CASA are less likely to be removed from their homes a second time. They also are less likely to be moved from foster home to foster home.
Other statistics reveal that children having a CASA do better in school and are less likely to feel that their situation is hopeless.
CASA volunteers receive an initial training of 30 hours. During training, the volunteer learns to differentiate between poverty and an environment which poses a safety threat to a child. Volunteers are also trained to be culturally sensitive.
I think we can all agree that too many children are needlessly removed from their homes and this is one reason why foster children need volunteers to thoroughly evaluate the case, make recommendations to the court, and to be a voice for the child.
Pamela
Director of CASA
Rural Oregon
Oregonoutback
-
I thought the show today was not a balanced look at Fostering. We are foster parents and I have to tell you Mr. Wexler and his agenda is based on the parents wanting to change. Not a single Parent of our 13 foster kids that have been in our house has changed. DHS has huge issues yes, but first parents are offered help and services. If they choose they can avoid the kids being taken away. Most prefer to keep smoking pot, taking meth,
drinking, neglecting their kids or abusing them. Our two kids were mentally and physically abused for at least two years before removal. Is it better to scar a child like our boy in order to rehab Mom. I think Kids should be taken quicker and parental rights ended sooner to stabalize the kids. Is it perfect ... no but counseling and love and patience with these kids workd
-
I had not heard of Mr. Wexler until this morning, but I don't agree that his agenda is based on parents wanting to change. His agenda is based on wanting better outcomes for children.
It is a shame that foster parents are not given more support. It is a shame that foster parents feel attacked by criticism of the system.
I don't mean this as an attack on you or any other foster parent, but the truth is that outcomes for children in foster care are dismal. It is better than the old "orphanage and reform school" system, but the current system is broken. Mr. Wexler is advocating for changes to the system that will result in better outcomes for children.
Today's topic was not about CASA or fostering, it was about what works for families and children in crisis.
-
I see that my remarks on the program have prompted a fair number of responses.
First, thank you OBP and Think Out Loud for sharing all perspectives, including a counterintuitive perspective like ours; I very much appreciated the opportunity to be a part of a very thoughtful discussion.
As I said, I realize a lot of what I said is counterintuitive, but putting children first means going where the research leads us. And that’s why my comments below have one common theme: Please see for yourselves.
Ms. Murfitt: The study was done by examining more than 15,000 case records and comparing children left in their own homes to comparably-maltreated children placed in foster care. No child was left at home – or placed in foster care – as part of an experiment. You can see for yourself by following this link http://bit.ly/acX4gw to our analysis of the studies. That analysis, includes links to the full studies.
Pamela: The data I cited are from the most comprehensive independent study ever done of CASA; a study commissioned by National CASA itself. This study also found that children with a CASA are less likely to be reunited with their parents, and CASAs spend significantly less time with a child if a child is Black. Again, see your yourself. Our analysis of the study is here: http://bit.ly/5bFRnq and again, there is a link to the full study. As I said on the program, National CASA actually took this study off their own website. The independent trade journal Youth Today was pretty scathing about how CASA has tried to spin the study findings.
Cnjhogle: You say every foster child needed to be with you. But another foster parent, Mary Callahan, wrote a book, called Memoirs of a Babystealer, describing how nearly every foster child placed with her could have been safely in their own homes had they just gotten the same help she got as a foster parent. For every anecdote there is an opposite anecdote. The theme of today’s NCCPR Blog is what to do when anecdotes collide: www.nccpr.blogspot.com
Sincerely,
Richard Wexler
Executive Director
National Coalition for Child Protection Reform
www.nccpr.org
-
Good Evening,
My name is Erica Quiding, and I too was on "Think Out Loud" this morning. I need to start by thanking both OPB and "Think Out Loud" for having me today. And second Ann Hardy for stepping out and speaking with me about CASA.
I just hopped on for a moment to check out the reaction before I listen to the rebroadcast at nine. I wanted to respond to Mr. Richard Wexler's comment this morning.
Sir you said if all CASA's had to do was take pictures, they would be doing a great job. I just wanted to ask you when exactly you have sat down and really gotten to know a child and their CASA?
So to all out there in that big bad mean world, you wonder what CASA does for kids, let me count the ways. One Ann Hardy has been a constant in my life from the time I was 13 up to now. She made sure that I had adjusted well to each new home. Helped me pack up more than once. Ann also beleived in me when their was little faith to go around. Ann Hardy kept a photographic time line for me of my life, snapping pictures at every major mile stone, up untill today where we posed in there oh so mod green room. But it was always more than taking notes, or settling me into a new place. CASA is also about making sure kids are not alone, that they have a voice. CASA's are often the one person in a foster childs life that does not move on, up or to another state. So to Mr. Wexler, I ask you to show a little empathy, you have never been in the system, you have also never lost or fought for custody of a child who ended up in care. Data is great, it shows trends and areas in which we can improve ourselves and our organizations.
-
It does not on the other hand decribe to you that CASA's instill moral values, work ethic, and generousity. If we are going to yell at a system, let us not start with the group of volunteer workers, who simply donate their time and resources to do all they possible can to help children. Have you all forgotten that CASA volunteers are just that, volunteers?
I also wanted to share with everyone, the two things foster kids hate the most, one being called a foster child/kid, and two being generalized as a statistic. We like all other human beings have feelings. How about we do a MASS study on children in care who have aged out? Since it is these very children we are so very concerned about, why not ask them their opinion? Better yet, I was asked this morning what I would change about foster care.. here is my list
1.) Packing ones belongings in hefty bags is unacceptable, each child will be given either their own luggage, or at least NEW Uhaul boxes apon entering the FCS. All your belongings in a garbage bag tends to send the wrong image to children about self value.
2.) Case workers will be assigned a maximum of fifteen kids. This will ensure that there is daily contact with each child
3.) Foster parents will be respected, supported and offered the same respite and resources that a biological or adoptive parent would (should) be offered.
4.) Children in the system will never ever ever, have to fill out another family tree again.
5.) Case workers must give at least 24 hours notice to a child they intend to move. It is our life you are you are upending, packing up and moving off, give us the respect of closure and goodbyes.
One last thing, I wanted to thank my family (adoptive, biological and foster) for being so fantasticly supportive. I admire all parents. It takes a lot to raise a child. We all make mistakes. I admire the mothers out their who realized they had a problem and asked for help. I admire mothers who fight for their rights. I admire parents of all incomes, just because someelse labels you as "low income" does not mean you are not the worlds best parent. And to be honest, shouldn't we be teaching them to pick up a book instead of a laptop anyway?
Thank you very much for listening today,
Erica Q
-
Sounds like Ann Hardy is a savior!!! Yes, I know she is!!!!!!!
-
I am very disturbed to hear this kind of talk about volunteers. I am currently a CASA volunteer, I went through my orientation and training fall of 2009. I am very impressed currently and have been with the training I have recieved through CASA. Not only, was their training very in depth beyond just cultural sensitivity but stressed that biases and cultural differences need to be looked at addressed and to make sure that we understand what the parents must be going through. Our training emphasized over and over that many of the parents do face some horrific barracades to completing services and to keep that in mind. And to check your judgements at the door.
As a mother it is a hard line to work with kids and their families and have to readjust my expectations to what is best for the child! The other strong message throughout the CASA training and supervision is that biological families and reutrn to parent is always where one must strive for. I think Mr. Wexler is not taking into account that CASA's are not there in the beginning unfortunetly to help the parents and children. The kids that are referred to CASA are already in the foster system and try and exhaust all possibilities to reunify to parents. Why attack volunteers it seems as though we are being blamed for taking children out of homes. I think before going on the air to disregard or belittle the work of CASA.
With all of the bad programs out there CASA is not one of them!
-
Since this wasn't necessarily a program just about Foster care parents or the CASA system, and since several people voiced a desire to help in some way, I wanted to point out a program organized by the DHS to aide foster parents and offer some benefit to their kids, as well.
While seeking information about becoming a foster parent I was told about DHS's 'Respite' program which provides to foster parents someone who will watch their children while they take care of important events in their lives to which the children's inclusion would not be appropriate. This could include classes, business trips, family emergencies, etc. It might also include a weekend off.
At first I, along with many people I talked with about this 'break' program for parents, thought the parents were 'getting out of their responsibilities.' But the reality is far different than an onlooker's perception. As a result, I'm proud to provide for a foster father and his kids when there's a need for him to be elsewhere. Taking several boys with him isn't always appropriate and it only happens on rare occasions. At other times though, I'm fortunate to provide some input in the way of an art session once a week when schedules permit. This time is a gift to the foster dad and appreciated by the boys, as well.
For me, it's a gift as well, to see the kids interact and respond positively to my small investment for them and their foster dad.
Please consider the Respite program if you have a desire to help.
-
I'm a CASA and am learning the role of a volunteer can be extremely powerful. I'm not paid to do a job and I can take the time to have conversations and offer support to the family. I have been told by the mother of my CASA child, "I can't tell you what this means that someone from the court would take the time to meet with me."
Everyone surrounding the family in crisis plays a role. Consider all of the (taxpayer funded) people involved once a family is in the court system - the judge, lawyers, caseworker, therapists, skills trainer, mental health county supervisor, drug treatment counselors, parent mentors. I've learned our society spends an incredible amount of resources to support these families. We don't need another organization or government program to add another layer of bureacracy (think of the paper trail) and take even more money away from directly helping the foster children have a more enriched life. Lets use the resources we have more effectively and find ways to engage the larger community in seeking solutions. CASA does this in very meaningful ways for the volunteer and the family.
For example, one of the ways I can make a difference is being a stand-in parent at school meetings. Foster children are too easily stigmatized by the systems that are suppose to help them - including teachers and mental health treatment workers. In addition, foster children deserve more opportunities for enrichment. I look for funding to provide a foster child with camp experiences, art classes or sports activities that most parents provide for their children.
I'm not solving the problem on a macro scale, but I can make a huge difference in the life of one child. It's a place to start.
-
I am also a CASA in Oregon. I've been with the program for seven years. I have a family and a job. My free time (such as it is) goes to CASA, because I have seen the difference a CASA can make to a child's quality of life.
There are far fewer CASAs than there are children who need them. As a result, CASAs tend to inherit cases when they become contentious or when they appear to be headed toward termination/adoption. It is entirely possible that the reunification statistics Mr. Wexler quotes are more affected by the types of cases CASAs are assigned than the presence of a CASA.
I've had three cases. I hoped for reunification in two of them, but in each the parents did not complete services required by their service agreements. Is the outcome (relinquishment or termination), therefore, related to or caused by the presence of the CASA? Clearly not.
CASAs don't decide the outcomes of cases. We observe and report. We attend school and treatment meetings and stay in touch with providers. We track services and medical care, and do our best to make sure the children are safe. Our greatest impact on a case often occurs outside of court, in following all the pieces of a child's daily life. We help to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Thus, the impact of our work may not be immediately visible from the court records or statistics, as Ms. Quiding's comments illustrate.
In response to the earlier commenter who recommended respite as a means of helping kids -- thank you for what you're doing. There's definitely a need for quality respite care. Foster parents generally pay for respite out of their rates, so it isn't a case of anyone "getting out of their responsibilities" or getting a free ride. In order to preserve foster placements (thus reducing the number of times a child may be moved), the families sometimes need a break. If you can provide such a break, you'll be doing a child a great service.
-
I read through the article cited by Mr. Wexler, Evaluation of CASA Representation. He is correct when he states that the study concludes that:
"The well being of children who had a CASA volunteer was largely no different from those who did not have a CASA volunteer..."
However, either he has not read the article thoroughly or else he is being disingenuous to use this as an indictment of the CASA program. In the last two pages of the article, the authors discuss the difficulty of comparing the outcomes of children with and without CASA's since CASA's tend to be assigned to children who are considered at higher risk. To quote the article again:
"If an analysis does not "level the playing field" of those with CASA volunteers and those without at the outset of the case, the findings will reflect these vast differences in who gets a CASA volunteer and who does not, rather than the true impact of having a CASA volunteer."
The final conclusion of the authors was that they were, in fact, unsuccessful in "leveling the playing field" with regard to the child's situation prior to being assigned a CASA and therefore further studies are needed to fairly assess the impact of the CASA.
.
-
Part one of two: Assuming anyone is still here: At least Katedarling actually read the study, or part of it, unlike, it appears, all the other CASAs who simply refused to do even that. But katedarling neglects to discuss the long section in which the researchers describe the extensive steps they took to control for selection issues. That they did not do it perfectly does not invalidate the basic findings. In addition, just as we have learned to be suspicious about studies concerning a drug’s effectiveness when they are sponsored by drug companies, it’s important to remember who commissioned the study – giving the researchers a strong incentive to spin the findings in the way least unfavorable to CASA. Even the burden of proof is in the wrong place. Before we continue to blindly support a program that sends overwhelmingly white affluent volunteers to pass judgment upon the lives of overwhelmingly poor disproportionately minority families, shouldn’t CASA have to prove it *does* work rather than requiring the rest of us to prove that it doesn’t? Though I posted the link two days ago, I see nothing to indicate that any of the CASAs and their supporters who responded so defensively, except for katedarling, actually read the study. And consider what strictly neutral observers say about the study: Here’s what a columnist for the independent trade journal Youth Today said about the study: "The more rigorous evaluation … not only challenged the effectiveness of the court volunteers' services, but suggested that they spend little time on cases, particularly those of black children, and are associated with more removals from the home and fewer efforts to reunite children with parents or relatives." In a news story, Youth Today concluded that CASA’s efforts to spin these findings “can border on duplicity.” Yet rather than read the study, the CASAs respond hyper-defensively, saying it can’t possibly be so. Richard Wexler Executive Director National Coalition for Child Protection Reform www.nccpr.org
-
Part two of two: Similarly, the CASAs suggest they are somehow immune from the racial and class bias known to permeate the rest of child welfare – yet the study found that CASAs typically spend significantly less time on a case if the children are Black – something that has nothing whatsoever to do with any alleged selection bias. During the program itself, I drew a distinction between the out of court role of CASAs, which is, indeed, quite valuable, and their role in judging families. CASAs don’t just observe and report – they recommend what should happen to a child, and CASA brags about the fact that judges give enormous weight to those recommendations. If CASAs are as defensive as these posts indicate when it comes to their own program, how can we count on them to be objective about families? My comments about CASA were a relatively small part of the program. How sad that, if not for all the CASAs posting to complain, relatively few people would have responded to this program at all. And how sad that there was so much less interest in *real* solutions like Intensive Family Preservation Services. Richard Wexler Executive Director National Coalition for Child Protection Reform www.nccpr.org
-
I caught the final 5 minutes of the show on TUES - in the car on my way to work. I now listened - on line.
I actually read Richard Wexler's book WOUNDED INNOCENTS two years ago when the State of Oregon took my 3 grandsons. I bought 4 more copies to share with others.
My experience with CASA is nothing like that enjoyed by Erica. See: http://www.newportnewstimes.com/V2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=346&page=78
The CASA and the multiple DHS case workers have done everything in their power to limit family access. I have done nothing. But the CASA "did not like me" so - her report carried great weight. My visits were stoped in AUG 2008 - for no reason. I have now been banned for life from my grandsons.
The boys were removed from their mother - who I understand has been working very hard to accomodate the needs of the many DHS associates, therapists and so on.
Your story stated early on that the children's attorney works for what the children want. This is not true, at least in my experience. My grandsons didn't even know they HAD an atty - although he had collected his fee from the state -for two years. On a supervised visit in Jan 2008 - I let it slip that I was late because I had been at the children's atty's office - the boys expressed surprise - saying they didn't know they HAD an attorney -- and the state DHS employee rushed into the room and told me it was inappropriate talk -- so the conversation went on to other things - until we were again stopped -- when I encouraged the then 7 yr old to always tell the truth (he was relating something about an event at school).
This is referred to in my letter to the editor (link above).
Coos Bay socal worker Rich Rigney wrote a piece on OREGONLIVE (you can google and easily find it) where he states that DHS practices CYA (cover your agency) and that 75% of the children in "care" do not need to be there and could be returned to their families.
-
part II
My heart breaks for the children who are being kept from their extended families by being in "care" and raised by paid care providers. My grandsons have a cousin who misses them terribly - who they will never see again in life, as well as an uncle and other family members. The Agency does NOT work to reunite family... quite the contrary. My grandsons have been moved 3 times that I know of - always in the middle of the school year - They will never make long term friends, and this will severly impact their self esteen and confidence - which will affect them for life.
Thank you NPR and OPB for airing this show. I would also add - not one elected official will help -- it seems no one has oversight of this agency. Everyone claims they cannot help or do anything - that they have no power. This agency runs on its own written, self-administered policies... and for its own job security - as mentioned in Rigny's story.
My heart breaks for my grandsons and all the other children in the state "care." The children found in chicken wire cages in Gresham Foster home, the ones found dead in communities across this state.
That Oregon takes and places children at a rate 70% above the national average - speaks only to how well the government employees have mastered the methods to bring in federal funding ... on the backs of each taken and placed child.
The mattress companies who have "donate a coat to the poor foster children" drives -- allow middle class people to ease their conscience by tossing in a coat or two - to the barrell .... but No one will actually HELP these children.
America's shame. The social service industry replaced the prison industry - for making money off of the unfortunate poor.
"at risk" is scary sounding code - for "being poor." But it works. Say "at risk" and immediately any judge will follow your recommendation. There is no hope. Poor children caught in the Oregon system are doomed to live a life with strangers -- IF they survive... at all.
-
Comments are now closed.
I think the safe families program is a good idea. It shows that we as a society and government are trying to find solutions to some of our problems rather than exacerbate them. We need to find ways to help the people that have problems rather than punish them, which would make society only worse. Some may think punishment is the best way to teach people how to not make mistakes, but i disagree and think new programs are proving so.