Preventing tragedy
Tougher oversight is needed for Florida's foster care system
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070804/OPINION/708040313/1004
While we are talking about domestic violence, it's important to remember
that children in homes where such brutality occurs sometimes end up in
foster care.
But the Department of Children and Families' record on protecting those
vulnerable kids is appalling.
That hit home in Brevard County in 2005, when former Merritt Island
foster father Robert Howard was arrested and charged with 70 counts of
sexual battery on a child.
Investigations revealed the DCF let Howard and his spouse adopt two
children that year, even though their foster home had previously been
shut down because of possible mistreatment of children.
And despite continued promises that the situation is getting better,
examples of failed oversight continue to pile up:
Pinellas County toddler Courtney Clark was missing for nine months from
her foster home before police found her in June in a Wisconsin home
where another child had been tortured.
And a Miami foster child was allegedly raped by her foster parent's
boyfriend this year, even though the DCF had evidence the man may have
molested another child in the home.
New DCF chief Bob Butterworth has launched a task force to look into
overhauling the broken system -- but it's clear the agency can't be
trusted to self-police.
That's why Democratic lawmakers are right in calling for a series of
oversight hearings into foster care living conditions -- and all aspects
of Florida's child-welfare system.
It's about time.
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 HUNDREDS 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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