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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.

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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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.

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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