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We were foster parents for a youth with complicated mental health needs and we were part of his extended family. Things were going really well for several months. ONe day he told his counselor he was afraid of us and this was reported. The caseworker let us know we would be investigated and eventually our foster son explained he did not like how we made him do  his chores, homework etc. and this was scarey cuz he was used to doing what he wanted. The youth was told it was good to tell someone if he did not feel safe. We had some more meetings and all of us, the youth, our family, the counselor and caseworker  agreed we would continue to try and make his placement with us work and it did. The case worker had done a great job of preparing us that being investigated  could be part of being a foster parent, tho it was very hard couple of days, we were told not to take it personal that this was normal and that it was check and balance to keep kids safe. Looking back the worker did a great job of balancing everyones needs and making sure the foster child was safe. I am very concerned that one of the budget cuts is 10% reduction in payment for foster care. It is a very hard job in many ways and there are many costs beyond basic food and shelter that the current stipend does not cover.

posted 2 years, 2 months ago
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The Scenic Act here in Klickitat Co. impacts how I paint my house, plant trees, put on a new roof much less build or change a structure. I don't have the dollars to buy an ammendment to the Act like the SDS. A federal ammendment to allow this corporate buy out sends a green light signal for more elitist development that benefits the wealthy, for the use of the wealthy. There are proposals to expand urban growth boundaries up and down our gorge, we don't need another town out here of condos. Drive through my little town in the winter and the big Mc Mansions are empty and dark, the little trailers and single wides are lit with the common folks that live here year round. We don't need more developments of second homes for wealthy people, who breeze in sprinkle some dollars around and let us serve them some fancy coffee. Sixty five jobs is nothing, what do you consider a living wage (12.00 an hour???, try buying a house on that). We are tired of being pushed around by big corporations out here.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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