Foster care system is in crisis
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070826/OPINION01/708260311
Michigan's foster care system is in crisis.
That's not a new revelation, but it bears repeating, because in spite of
several deaths and a growing record of failure, we're stuck.
On Thursday, Senate Republicans passed a bill that would put 20 percent
more foster cases in the hands of private agencies.
Currently, 40 percent of Michigan's DHS foster care service are
privatized. Sen. Bill Hardiman, R- Kentwood, sponsored SB 232 and said
it will improve the private agencies' accountability using
performanced-based contracts, requiring national accreditation and
giving the state more time for oversight.
Candidly, we're skeptical. Although there are certainly responsible
agencies in Michigan who do a good job with their caseloads, there are
those who don't, and we don't see any consensus around a strategy to
impose accountability on the system.
The nightmare here is that this isn't just another bureaucracy in need
of state reform; this is agency charged with protecting our youngest and
most vulnerable citizens.
The Department of Human Services has investigated the deaths of nearly
70 deaths of foster children since 2004, and while the majority of those
were reportedly from natural causes, more than dozen were homicides.
Throughout the system is evidence of neglect:
# As many as 31 percent of the state's 19,000 foster children don't see
a caseworker each month.
# At least 40 percent of children in state custody don't receive basic
preventative health screenings.
The solutions aren't that complicated. The state needs to reduce
caseloads, add staff to provide more oversight and give more support to
foster families.
We don't need a partisan debate over the merits of privatization to
solve the state's budget crisis. Rather, we need a unified front to
stand up and say we won't tolerate this any more. After widely
publicized deaths of two children in the past two years, we're still
waiting.
As depressing and infuriating as this issue is, we need not look far to
find inspiration for what is possible. The home of Brian and Kim Gerber,
featured on today's front page, embodies the promise of Michigan's
foster care system: a safe, structured and nurturing home environment
for children who have lost or have been removed from their biological
parents or custodial adults.
Some 40 foster children have journeyed through their loving home, of
which a dozen have come to stay as adopted family members. It's not
always easy, and it's not always successful, but it's family.
Says Kim, "We just tell them everyday we love them. We laugh, we cry and
we live together."
It seems to us there are plenty of examples in the system of people who
put the welfare of children ahead of everything.
The least we can do is find a way to help them.
CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A
DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NSA / CIA
WIRETAPPING PROGRAM....
CPS Does not protect children...
It is sickening how many children are subject to abuse, neglect and even
killed at the hands of Child Protective Services.
every parent should read this .pdf from
connecticut dcf watch...
http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com/8x11.pdf
http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com
Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the US
These numbers come from The National Center on
Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington. (NCCAN)
Recent numbers have increased significantly for CPS
*Perpetrators of Maltreatment*
Physical Abuse CPS 160, Parents 59
Sexual Abuse CPS 112, Parents 13
Neglect CPS 410, Parents 241
Medical Neglect CPS 14 Parents 12
Fatalities CPS 6.4, Parents 1.5
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, HAPPILY DESTROYING THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT
FAMILIES YEARLY NATIONWIDE AND COMING TO YOU'RE HOME SOON...
BE SURE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STANDS ON THE ISSUE OF
REFORMING OR ABOLISHING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ("MAKE YOUR CANDIDATES
TAKE A STAND ON THIS ISSUE.") THEN REMEMBER TO VOTE ACCORDINGLY IF THEY
ARE "FAMILY UNFRIENDLY" IN THE NEXT ELECTION...
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