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dgmaldridge1's comments:
on Sealing the Cracks in Foster Care
One of the many confusing things about DHS is that the level of proof is "reasonable cause to believe" whereas, in the criminal justice world it is "beyond a reasonable doubt." Also, DHS doesn't always travel the same path as law enforcement and may choose to pursue removal even though law enforcement does not charge or prosecute. I know this sounds frustrating, but DHS is about more about child protection and less about criminal prosecution.
Another element that is unique to Oregon is "threat of harm." If there is a significant threat of harm posed by an adult, or older child in the home, a child can be removed, even if that particular child has not been abused.
An example would be a sex offender living in a home with children. The child living in the home may not have experienced any abuse, but because of the sex offender's history, the sex offeder poses a risk, or "threat of harm" to the child. In that scenario, a child may be removed, or, preferrably, the sex offender would move out and the parent would behave in an appropriate fashion to keep the child safe. DHS might offer the sex offender a "risk assessment" to help determine the level of risk the offeder actually poses to children.
I believe the 60 day home study dead line is part of the ICPC which is a federal law.
Another situation in which DHS may seek removal of children despite lack of criminal charges is if the child is non verbal. For instance, an infant receives a burn, broken bones, etc and law enforcement is unable to determine which adult in the home caused the injury (which must be determined medically as "non accidental") and the child being non verbal is unable to disclose. In such cases, perhaps no one is ever charged, but DHS proceeds, based on the medical findings, that the child is not safe in the care of any of the adults in the home.
Another avenue you may want to pursue is to call the Governor's Advocacy Office (Oregon) and explain the situation to them. They contact DHS, usually the supervisor, sometimes the branch manager, to find out what is going on and to try and assist citizens in navigating and/or understanding the situation.
Hope this helps.
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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on Sealing the Cracks in Foster Care
You are welcome.
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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on Sealing the Cracks in Foster Care
First, I am so sorry for your anguish and frustration. As a recently retired child protective services supervisor (Oregon), I share your frustration from an agency standpoint. What you're describing is part of the ICPC - Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. Its a federal law and you should be able to access it via the internet. Basically, it prevents children from being placed across state lines without the appropriate oversight, such as home studies, back ground checks, etc. Which is good. But, it slows down the process, in part, because the sending state, Oregon in your case, has to wait on Washington, the receiving state, to do the homestudy, background checks, etc. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that Washington is as "invested" in the child and his/her well-being, future, etc. as Oregon is. This happens both ways, I'm just using your situation as an example. Work load issues are the primary reason things get stuck in the mud. More workers with fewer cases, fewer home studies, etc. would be able to address these issues much more quickly.
There is some good news, too. There is a border agreement in place now between Multnomah County, Oregon, and some of the border counties in Washington, such as Clark Co. (there are others but I don't recall which ones.) I don't know where you live, but if you are 90 miles N of Portland, you may not be a resident of one of those "border agreement counties." You may find more information about this on the state of oregon website, child welfare, border agreement.
I urge you to be a vocal advocate for this child and I wish you the best of luck.
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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on Sealing the Cracks in Foster Care
If the conversation/interview takes place at a CAC - child assessment center such as CARES NW, it is video taped. If the conversation/interview takes place in the home, at school, in the community, it is not video or audio taped.
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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on Sealing the Cracks in Foster Care
Parents are almost always court ordered to complete parenting classes. However, the research indicates these classes are ineffective. Poor parenting is not a "stand alone" issue for removal. There are so many reasons WHY parents are ill equipped or unmotivated and getting to the heart of WHY is key. Some parents ARE able to internalize what they learn through parenting classes, but unfortunately, they are the minority.
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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on Sealing the Cracks in Foster Care
The court more often than not orders that the children removed from their parents' care continue in the school they were attending at the time of removal. If a child is moved to another school, DHS must be granted permission by the court to do so.
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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on Sealing the Cracks in Foster Care
Yes. There is a rigorous training program for foster parents that addresses these issues.
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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on Sealing the Cracks in Foster Care
I am a retired Child Welfare supervisor. All Child Welfare Caseworkers, regardless of their role as investigator, foster home certifier, permanency worker, are responsible for the safety of children, first and foremost. Cases of enmeshment of between foster home certifiers and foster parents are rare. All caseworkers are mandatory reporters and could be fired for not reporting abuse in foster homes or elsewhere.
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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