Ombudsman for DSHS, Director Mary Meing, will be in Spokane Wednesday, August 12, at 10 AM. This is an open meeting to be held at the Red Lion Inn at the Park. Friends will meet in the lobby beforehand.
Kevin Graham of the Spokesman Review will attend. WA Families United and the National Coalition for Children's Rights may be carrying the ball on this. It is a good time to network and ask to have your situation reviewed.
Children's Justice Conference 2010
We would like to thank the Dimmer Foundation for the opportunity to attend the Children’s Justice Conference on May 10th and 11th. Several of our members were grateful to have the opportunity; it was a good learning experience for us to have the opportunity to help serve our families.
Meet with the Secretary of DSHS
Secretary Susan Dryfus will be speaking 11-07-09. Meeting starts @10:00 am, Clarion Hotel Conference Room. Rooms are available for anyone who might need it. It will cost $25 per family. We hope to see everyone there!
900 Capitol Way South
Oylmpia, WA 98501
(800) 367-7771
University of Washington Disability Studies Program presents
Friday, October 9, 2009
9 a.m. to 3 p.m
Eugenics and Disability:
History and Legacy in
Washington,
eugenics (yōō-jěn'ĭks) noun. the science of using controlled human breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable traits. Origin 1883, from Greek "well-born."
University of Washington Tower Auditorium 4333 Brooklyn Avenue NE Seattle, Washington 98195
This event is free and open to the public
Registration is required
To register go to http://eugenics.washington.edu/
For more information contact Tammi Olson, tammio@uw.edu | 425-774-4446 (voice) 425-774-9303 (fax) | 425-771-7438 (TTY) One-day Symposium In 1909, Washington became the secondstate to enact a law for the forced sterilization of people considered to be biologically inferior. This event will provide a forum for publicdialogue about Washington’s eugenic past and its current implications. 9 to 11:30 a.m. Disability in the History of Eugenics12:30 to 3 p.m.Perspectives on the Relevance of Eugenics Today Free lunch for registered attendees To request disability accommodation, contactthe UW Disability Services Office: 206-543-6450 (voice), 206-543-6452 (TTY), 206-685-7264 (fax), or email dso@uw.edu. For more information contact Joanne Woiak, jwoiak@uw.edu To view the live webcast go to http://UWTV.org
Sponsored by: UW Center for Genomics and Healthcare Equality; DBTAC Northwest ADA Information Center; UW Office of the Provost; and Seattle Children’s Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics. Support from these UW programs: Boeing Professorship in Computer Science and Engineering; Bothell Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences; Center for Technology and Disability Studies; Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest; Center on Human Development and Disability; Comparative History of Ideas Program; Department of Genome Sciences; Diversity Research Institute; Haring Center for Applied Research and Training in Education; Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity; Program on Values in Society.
Rally held in support of Poca's biological family
11:07 AM PDT on Friday, June 12, 2009
KING
About a dozen people gathered in Everett, Wash. this morning in support of biological families.
EVERETT, Wash. - About a dozen people gathered this morning for a rally in support of the biological parents of a 4-year-old foster child known as "Poca."
Over the last few months the KING 5 Investigators have exposed many missteps in the handling of the Snohomish's County child’s case by state social workers, the court system, and the child’s court advocate which led to Poca being removed from the foster family who raised her since infancy.
People at this morning's rally held signs reading "Send Poca back home," "Bio families first," and "Ask Poca who her mommy is."
"We're tired of foster parents trying to think that they can keep our children because either the department has not been completely honest with the foster parents or they've told the foster parents they can be an adoptive resource for the child," said CC Tillett, Vice President of Washington Families United. "Those foster families have a tendency to sabotage reunifications."
Related Content
"We're protesting because bio families have rights and we feel that the story that some of the news media has portrayed hasn't been fairly portrayed," Tillett said.
Poca was born a critically ill preemie, who weighed just two pounds, four ounces. After a 3 month stay in intensive care she entered foster care, eventually being placed with Dick and Amy Langley.
The Langleys have extensive experience caring for special needs children. The state has placed more than 20 foster children in their care over the last 10 years.
Soon after being placed with the Langleys, the foster family made waves about how the child’s case was being handled by DSHS social workers and Poca’s court appointed advocate. Three-and-a-half years later the state asked a judge to remove Poca from the Langleys and she agreed. For the last month, Poca has lived with family friends of the birthparents, whom she’d only met a few times.
KING
Poca
At the direction of Gov. Chris Gregoire, an expert has been hired for $35,000 to fully investigate Poca's case. That report is due at the end of June. Then, in mid-August, he'll submit a report on problems system-wide, as related to Poca's case.
KING
About a dozen people gathered in Everett, Wash. this morning in support of biological families.
EVERETT, Wash. - About a dozen people gathered this morning for a rally in support of the biological parents of a 4-year-old foster child known as "Poca."
Over the last few months the KING 5 Investigators have exposed many missteps in the handling of the Snohomish's County child’s case by state social workers, the court system, and the child’s court advocate which led to Poca being removed from the foster family who raised her since infancy.
People at this morning's rally held signs reading "Send Poca back home," "Bio families first," and "Ask Poca who her mommy is."
"We're tired of foster parents trying to think that they can keep our children because either the department has not been completely honest with the foster parents or they've told the foster parents they can be an adoptive resource for the child," said CC Tillett, Vice President of Washington Families United. "Those foster families have a tendency to sabotage reunifications."
Related Content
"We're protesting because bio families have rights and we feel that the story that some of the news media has portrayed hasn't been fairly portrayed," Tillett said.
Poca was born a critically ill preemie, who weighed just two pounds, four ounces. After a 3 month stay in intensive care she entered foster care, eventually being placed with Dick and Amy Langley.
The Langleys have extensive experience caring for special needs children. The state has placed more than 20 foster children in their care over the last 10 years.
Soon after being placed with the Langleys, the foster family made waves about how the child’s case was being handled by DSHS social workers and Poca’s court appointed advocate. Three-and-a-half years later the state asked a judge to remove Poca from the Langleys and she agreed. For the last month, Poca has lived with family friends of the birthparents, whom she’d only met a few times.
KING
Poca
At the direction of Gov. Chris Gregoire, an expert has been hired for $35,000 to fully investigate Poca's case. That report is due at the end of June. Then, in mid-August, he'll submit a report on problems system-wide, as related to Poca's case.
Washington Senator Pam Roach and Former Senator Nancy Schaefer: “CPS is Corrupt”
Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:34:29 -0700
Subject: Senator Roach Podcast
- Lary Holland
- 04.29.09
- Campaigns, Congress, Judicial Oversight, Parental Rights, Political and Advocate Tools, Programs and Resources, educational, Child Protective Services, Child Welfare Laws, CPS, CPS Abuse, CPS Neglect, Eagle Forum, Georgia, Nancy Schaefer, Nancy Schaefer Report, Pam Roach, Pam Roach Report, Senate, Washington
We were joined by two very special guests to discuss Child Protective Services and Parental Rights. Although these two notable figures live great distances apart, their noble goals are remarkably similar. Nancy Schaefer and Pam Roach made special appearances on Get Your Justice Live Wednesday April 29, 2009. A common theme that both leaders agreed on is that “CPS is Corrupt.”
EPISODE211 - Senator Pam Roach and Former Senator Nancy Schaefer Live [1:13:38m]: Hide Player | Play in Popup
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You can learn more about Eagle Forum by visiting their website at http://www.eagleforum.org and also find additional resources pertaining to the Pam Roach Report at http://pamroachreport.blogspot.com. By referring your own legislators to these resources, organizations, and interviews you can supplement your own voice and positions about the “Corrupt Business of Child Protective Services” and establish a higher burden of proof on the various state programs before they are able to burgeon your family.
No matter which way you look at it, former Georgia Senator Nancy Schaefer as well as Washington State Senator Pam Roach believe that “Parental Rights Should Be Respected and Protected By All” and the great need for Child Protective Services to come under greater scrutiny of the general public. Please take a listen and spread the word.
Cheryl Marshall
Session Aide to Senator Pam Roach
202 Newhouse Building
PO Box 40431
Olympia, WA 98504
360-786-7660
marshall.cheryl@leg.wa.gov
Washington State Senate
Sen. Pam Roach For immediate release For interviews contact:April 13, 2009 Sen. Pam Roach (360) 786-7660 Senator Pam Roach announces Public Hearing on DCFS Olympia…Sen. Pam Roach, (R-rural Auburn), has set April 16, 2009 as the date for a special legislative hearing on “DCFS: Agency Problems.” The meeting begins at 12 noon in the John A. Cherberg Building on the Olympia Campus, Senate Hearing Room 1. “The Division of Children and Family Services is fraught with problems,” said Roach. “They fail to protect children by not following the law requiring placement with good, biological relatives and too often do not remove children in harm’s way. They have systemic problems with inaccurate reporting on the ground level.” In January, State Ombudsman, Mary Meinig, released a scathing report citing deficiencies in the department. The report states that the ombudsman reviewed more than 150 child fatalities or near fatalities during its two year study. DCFS had an increase in citizen complaints against the department, often used foster providers who had not been given background checks, and had a 62% increase since 2006 in issues involving inappropriate permanency plans or delays in permanency. “This report finds that our children are in danger,” added Roach, “and nothing is changing at this agency to turn its unsafe culture around.” Another report released by Stevens County Prosecuting Attorney, Tim Rasmussen, who will attend the meeting, finds serious problems within the department. It states that relatives of the child are not notified or considered for placement, and that DCFS workers have developed a pattern of “shopping” for health care providers and counselors supportive of their objectives. “I have come to believe a pattern of misconduct exists within the local department that has resulted in corruption,” reports Rasmussen. “The department uses the confidentiality requirement as a shield to disclosure and discovery of misconduct by the workers.” “The report from Stevens County is indicative of a system wide problem that must be addressed,” warned Roach. “The purpose of the hearing is to identify specific organizational problems within the agency in hopes of giving guidance for future, more lawful interactions with the public.” “Simply put, this system needs help saving children,” said Roach. “Money isn’t the answer. The answer is accountability and lawful involvement.” “There is a growing degree of interest by legislators regarding the outcomes within DCFS,” Roach added. “We need to shine light on this agency, and the public needs to be involved in order to correct its deficiencies.” -30- For more information contact Senator Pam Roach at (360) 786-7660 or via e-mail at Roach.pam@leg.wa.gov.
Rally in Olympia Seeks Reforms to Child Protective Services
http://www.king5.com/video/index.html?nvid=329261&shu=1
Thursday, February 5, 2009
By Josh Farley (Contact)
About 70 people crowded the steps of the state capitol rotunda Thursday for a rally seeking reforms in the Child Protective Services division of the state Department of Social and Health Services. State Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, is leading a legislative effort to overhaul DSHS. (Josh Farley | Kitsap Sun)
OLYMPIA
About 70 people crowded the steps of the state capitol rotunda Thursday to agitate for reform of the state's child protective services programs.
"They say they put family first," said Elaine Wolcott-Erhardt, a Port Orchard resident and president of Washington Families United, which orchestrated the rally with help from Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn. "But they don't follow the law."
Wolcott-Erhardt's children were taken away by CPS after a DUI which later was dismissed through a deferred prosecution. She's no stranger to the Legislature. In 2006 she was able to help lawmakers craft a bill that allowed her two sons to petition to reunite with her.
Roach, an outspoken critic of the Department of Social and Health Services — which includes the CPS programs — used a news conference and the rally in the rotunda to showcase bills she has introduced in an effort to reform the department.
Roach believes most CPS case workers and foster parents do their work well, but she says some "rogue" workers and families don't. She thinks they should be held accountable.
The rally comes at a time when the Office of the Family and Children's Ombudsman, the department that investigates CPS complaints, is receiving more complaints than ever. In region five, which includes Pierce and Kitsap counties, complaints went from 68 in 2005 to 97 in 2008, according to the ombudsman's recently published yearly report.
Alice Hamm, 61, of Seabeck came to Olympia to vent her own frustrations. She had a granddaughter taken away. She drives 50 miles from her home to visit the child on a bi-weekly basis. She's supportive of Roach's efforts, but like Wolcott-Erhardt, believes laws aren't being upheld and case workers have lied and withheld evidence in order to take the child.
"The laws of the state are actually there," she said. "But CPS doesn't follow them."
Roach's bills aim to increase transparency and accountability. Among them:
Conduct thorough background checks — including financial checks — on court-appointed advocates for children, sometimes called guardian ad litems or court-appointed special advocates.
Split DSHS into smaller departments. She says the department's biannual budget of $20 billion is too big and says she wants to "break up the bureaucracy."
Find out more about foster families. Roach wants to know employment and education history, what guests frequent the home, and determine if there are protection orders among the foster family.
Seek legislation that would keep those with racial and cultural backgrounds together when possible, rather than separate them.
Put in place a policy that requires DSHS to keep record of how much money is spent on each case, in order to see "just how long are those tentacles."
DSHS spokesman Thomas Shapley said lawmakers tend to change their thinking regularly on combining bureaucracies or breaking them apart. He also said the agency's has grown with the aim of providing a one-stop shopping approach for those needing state social services.
He added that foster families do receive background checks, and are visited once a month by a DSHS case worker.
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* * PUBLIC NOTICE * *
IN THE BEST INTEREST OF A CHILD!
Did you know?!
158 Washington children died in 12 months!!!!
Did you know?!
Thousands of Washington Children are severely beaten in group homes, foster homes, and their own homes.
Did you know?!
Each year thousands of Washington families are destroyed based on bias and lies of some social workers and guardian ad litems
Did you know?!
Thousands of great parents are jailed and separated from their children due to false allegations
IN THE BEST INTEREST OF A CHILD!
Help us to help you before this happens to
someone you know and love!
JOIN OUR RALLY!
February 5th, 2009 - 12:00pm, Noon
Washington State Capitol Building
Olympia WA
Join us! Speak for those who cannot speak
for themselves! Help our voices be heard!!
WASHINGTON FAMILIES UNITED
1063 Capitol Way S. Ste 212
Olympia WA 98501
360-705-3233
Family First Rally
Washington State Senate
Sen. Pam Roach
For immediate release For interviews contact:
January 15, 2009 Sen. Pam Roach (360) 786-7660
Senator Pam Roach to call for DSHS Accountability at February 5 Rally
10:00 AM PRESS CONFERENCE TO PRECEED RALLY, CHERBERG BUILDING CONFERENCE ROOM ABC
Auburn…Sen. Pam Roach (R-rural Auburn) has announced her Families’ First rally at the Capitol Rotunda in Olympia on February 5, 2009 at 12:00 noon.
The subject will be the need for justice and accountability within DSHS Child Protective Services.
Roach believes CPS is out of control, and she is giving voice to the thousands of children and relatives hurt by the department.
Roach led the successful 11 month effort to return the granddaughter of Doug and AnneMarie Stuth to their Enumclaw home. (Please see: KING 5, “Up Front,” January 11, 2009. Investigative reporter, Susannah Frame, covers this story.)
“It is time the citizens of Washington stand up against the atrocities of this department,” said Roach. “We expect hundreds, if not thousands, of people will join their voices to publicly be heard by the Legislature and Governor.”
Washington Families United, Grandparent’s Rights of Washington, legislators, and citizens demanding accountability will be in attendance.
“Of the Stuths,” Roach said, “we have become family after our year-long struggle. These are good people who fought and won. So many others have had their children stolen.”
“Doug and AnneMarie Stuth, the Enumclaw couple recently awarded third party custody of their grandchild, will be in attendance,” Roach said.
“Their horrific story shows just how intent CPS has been to separate good families from their children,” said Roach. “On the other hand, they often leave children in harm’s way.”
“Just one month ago, between Christmas and New Year’s, two infants returned to their respective homes, died by shaken baby syndrome,” said Roach. “This is absolutely atrocious.”
“The rally is intended to give hope to the thousands of families injured by the negligence of CPS,” Roach added.
“As in other cases, the Stuths have been terribly hurt by the system,” said Roach. “They deserve vindication for all the untruths told in court and should be compensated for the $50,000 they spent trying to get their granddaughter back.”
“It is not a coincidence that both DSHS Secretary, Robin Arnold-Williams, and CPS Director, Cheryl Stephani, announced their departure from the department just three weeks ago, and two weeks prior to a scathing report on CPS practices they knew would be released by the State Ombudsman,” Roach added. “Out of the hot seat, but not out of the fire.”
“The leadership in the department has not addressed accountability within the system,” Roach said.
“I will be proposing legislation to break DSHS into smaller agencies to increase accountability and efficiency,” added Roach. “Another piece of legislation includes creating a Citizens Review Committee of CPS.
-30-
For more information contact Senator Pam Roach at (360) 786-7660 or via e-mail at Roach.pam@leg.wa.gov. She may be reached at her home office (253) 735-4210.
PAMROACHREPORT.BLOGSPOT.COM OUTLINES THE STUTH CASE IN DETAIL
Washington State Book Signing
November 23, 2008
Barnes and Noble in Seattle and Spokane has graciously invited me to a book signing event January 3rd and 4th of 2009. As I have mentioned, Washington legislature has stalled any bills that pertain to grandparent visitation rights, so there is quite a growing coalition of advocates for the grandparent grandchild relationship who are lobbying to get the ball rolling. There are numerous organizations in Washington who have been loyal supporters of the book, GRAND WISHES and Advocates For Grandparent Grandchild Connection and it is because of them that I enthusiastically agreed to make the trip. More about the book: www.grandparentchildconnect.org/our-book/
January 4, 2009
Susan Hoffman, author, Grand Wishes discusses grandparent concerns
with Betty Tomlin of Colville Washington and Linda Harris of Spokane Washington
at Barnes & Noble at Northtown Mall in Spokane Washington.
October 22, 2008 at Riverfront Park. Spokane, WA
We held a candlelight vigil in memory of children who have died while under the care of social service agencies Everywhere. We had a good turn out of 35 people. We would like to have one every year to remember our lost children.
Dedicated to protected to death by child protective services.
Council Member Apple to Host "Council connection" on Thrusday, Jan.24
| Contact: Marlene Feist, (509) 625-6740 |
The next edition of "Council Connection," the monthly call–in program hosted by Spokane City Council Members, will be shown live on CityCable 5 on Thursday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. Council Member Bob Apple will host this month's program, titled "A Discussion of Child Protective Services (CPS)." Council Member Apple will be joined by guests, Cheryl Wolfe, Assistant Attorney General Section Chief for the Social Services Section; Linda Harris, Washington Families United, and Dave Wood, a lobbyist who works on CPS issues. Council Member Apple will accept calls from citizens during the program; the number to reach the show is 625–6337. "Council Connection" is shown live on the fourth Thursday of each month and then replayed until the next live program. CityCable 5 is the City of Spokane's government–access cable station; it is found on channel 5 on the Comcast cable system in Spokane. |
Posted by cctillett on February 5, 2009 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Elaine,
Way to go! It looks like the prediction of having Washington Families United recognized in every rag on this side of the Mississippi and the other side has come to fruition.
You have worked very hard for families in this county and diligently worked to keep this organization in the spotlight.
Kudos.
Respectfully,
CC Tillett
Washington Families United
Vice-President
Child and Family Advocate
Posted by ARM on February 5, 2009 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is just the beginning of people who are sick and tired of CPS and their practice of ripping families to shreds. They remove to many children that do not need to be removed and make piss poor decision leaving others to die.
The focus of this rally was Families First. It is the law.
CPS routinely places children in foster care when they have family members or even friends [as was made law in 2006] of the family to take in children. They ignore this a lot.
It needs to stop. The economy may actually be a blessing for some families. They may just be forced to return kids that have lingered in foster care. Social Workers jobs are to help not hurt people.
It is my opinion that if they go to terminate parental rights they got a failing grade. We do not have too few foster homes we have too many foster children that could live with a family member.
Posted by billbstock on February 6, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You go girl that is one of the worst departments in this state, it could use some reform, or even better a closing down. In this state you are not allowed by law to discipline your children properly, what a crock. That foster care system is a crock too, there are some families who do care but I know some of them and they are in it for money. It's sick they horde the money they get from the sate and provide the bear minimum for the foster kid. They even have commercials on television "donate your coats and clothing to the foster kids" I don’t mind that donation but aren’t the foster families suppose to provide for that kid? They get paid for it by the state. If they can not they should not be in the foster program. I know people who do a crappie job taking care of their own kids and they are Washington State foster parents, wow. The government needs to understand that 99.9% of us do not need their help in raising our kids. Your help is not needed, is undesired, and unwelcome. People do not put yourself in the position to be involved with the system, it is not there to help you it is there to maintain its empire, and sociopolitical agenda.
Posted by jeniferm on February 6, 2009 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am not naive enough to think that CPS doesn't screw up. Like any occupation it has good workers and bad workers. I have met both. Yes, there are good foster parents and bad foster parents. The agency is needed, but it needs more oversite and the casemanagers need to be reportable to someone. They need much smaller caseloads, its impossible for them to do their job well with what they have. I do not see termination of parental rights as a failure. I see not terminating sooner often as a failure. I had a foster child that the system was involved with since birth. Documented neglect and abuse for years. Parents did little to fix things up. Finally, at age nine after the father was accused and convicted of rape the kids were taken. Then she lingered in foster care until the age of fourteen while mommy refused to do parenting classes or much of anything else they asked. It should not have taken fourteen years to give this kid a chance. She suffered severe cognitive and psychological damage due to it that will be with her for a lifetime. CPS can't win. They take a kid they are evil, they leave a kid they end up dead. I definetly don't have all the answers and I'm glad people are pushing for reform, but lets not kid ourselves into thinking that CPS or something like it is not needed. I wish it wasn't, but it is.
Posted by pjsfullhouse on February 6, 2009 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
billbstock, I take offense that you think some of us are in foster care for the money. We work hard caring for kids in care. We have them 24/7, feed, clothe, take them to counseling and the doctors, speak and deal with schools almost daily and love them. We have them and their friends and family to our home. We take them to visit their birth families and work on reunionifacation if it is possible. Our outings are mostly with kids in mind. Just imagine taking hungry boys out to the movies and dinner. We spend more money on them than we did our own kids. We have willingly given up our personal lives to take care of kids. We have to have background checks and state people are in our home frequently. Sometimes our grandkids can't be around because we have kids who may harm them. Our poor dog has been hit and had things done to her that I can't mention here. Yet she still protects the kids and sleeps by their bedroom. We are not the ones who harmed these kids, it was their families. Some kids will never feel safe. We love what we do because of the kids. Sometimes they let us know they care about us but mostly we are the bad people because they can't be with their family. They don't know how to handle being truly loved. So tell me how we do this for money! I don't think so.
Posted by calkid on February 6, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why did only 70 people show up if this is any thing of big concern? It sounds like a group of parents who have had their children taken because of bad parenting. Think of the number of parents who have had their children removed from their care and they could only find 70 for their protest.
PPPPPLLLLEEEAAASSSEEE
Posted by sun on February 6, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
pj, don't listen to bill, he's a bitter, bitter man!!
Posted by justjunkemail on February 6, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
billbstock, you compassion is overwhelming.
Posted by billbstock on February 6, 2009 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
pjsfullhouse: I never intend to offend I tell the truth and a lot of people cannot handle the truth (yes I have seen the movie) they do not want to know the truth. If you read my entire post you would see that I said some families care and it sounds to me like you are one of them. However the fact remains that there are many people in the foster care system just like I described and if that offends people maybe it should. Some eight balls on this post just want to slam what other people have to say, they do not desire honest dialog so I do not even pay attention to them because their spite just shows the intellect level of their brain; it’s nothing personal. If anyone is worried about their particular level of compassion I suggest that you practice some the things that I have practiced in my life witch have made me much more compassionate than I would have been otherwise such as: Buying a meal for a homeless person (many occasions), volunteer with Special Olympics, Volunteer at your kids school, be a Boy and Girl Scout leader, become a deacon at your church, volunteer to teach adults to read, be a baseball coach, be a basketball coach, be a hockey coach, be a life mentor to many teenagers, there are many ways. This is not to ring my bell either, its just that I'll bet the ones who call me un-compassionate have not done half of what I have done for this community, but I am still not offended because they are in fact entitled to their opinion even if it's stupid. Those who think I do not have compassion and am bitter do not know me at all, your loss not mine.
Posted by calkid on February 6, 2009 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is to bad when a person has to shout their own praises, because no one else will. Makes one question the trueness of the credits. hummm, just a thought. things I do for others I do because I want to, not because I am looking for recognition from others. I think most people are of the same mind as I.
Posted by cctillett on February 6, 2009 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Calkid,
There were over 200 people present.
I was there and counted.
Posted by pjsfullhouse on February 6, 2009 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I want to thank Elaine and Cindy for working so hard to make people aware of fostering. I know they both have had bad experiences. I too have have some experiences I would not like to repeat. As it has been said before there are the good, bad and ugly in foster care. I know there are many people out there working hard to make it better for everyone. By hard work we can only make things better for the kids. I know that bad experiences happen in our lives and we don't know why. But sometimes it makes us stronger and we are able to take that experience and make a positve out of it. Thanks again for being strong and helping to make positive changes for our kids. Phyllis
Posted by ARM on February 6, 2009 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
actually the count was well over 200. Only so many people can get off of work on a Thursday. and calkid please keep doing good things because you want to. There are more gifts from giving and being kind and not judgemental. Pj I know you are very caring and others in foster care are also. Yesterday I spent hours consoling a young woman who was brutalized in foster care. She is now in her early 20s and went back to her mother the first chance she got. She told of the worker that would not let her out of a room while he played sex games with a doll and coersed her into saying she had been sexually abused. She says they lied and she suffered along with her family. The next young woman I spent another few hours with wants the foster parents to adopt her three young children. In court transcripts it reads " Your Honor we must move these children to another home or we will loose federal funding. Bam 3 kids jerked from a good foster home where mom is content that her children are taken care of. Not money for the foster parent but money for the department. Believe me foster parents do not get a fraction of the money every child in care generates. BRS placements get a lot more. Unfortunetly many homes are not safe. It is sad. We need to weed out the out for the kill kind of workers and allow the good workers to do what they are paid to do.
Posted by Lilathe on February 6, 2009 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you click on the picture and enlarge it, you can count about 150 people there at the time of the pic.
CPS is a broken system with too many newbie caseworkers trying to do a job only a professional parent should even be considered for. All too often children are removed for "negligent supervision" then placed into foster/adoptive homes where they are molested, starved, tortured, beaten or just simply adopted away from their biological family because the foster parents became attached.
There are some good foster homes but that doesn't excuse the fact that in Texas a child is 4 times more likely to die in foster care than in the general population according to the governments OWN report.
Today they are starting the trial of Crystal Ramirez's adoptive parents who beat, starved and tortured her to death over a period of years. She was removed from her mother for "negligent supervision". Which is worse? Not enough attention or having tape stuffed in your mouth then your mouth taped shut so your adoptive parents don't have to listen to you cry when you are thirsty or hungry?
In Queen city this month another adoptive mother beat her son to death. She stopped hitting him with a metal baseball bat when her hands began to bleed. He had been removed from his mother for "negligent supervision". Which is worse? Not enough attention or being beaten for hours on end and starved for 3 months like Cynthia Hudson did these three children?
Posted by VetParent on February 6, 2009 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am a parent that had my children taken away by CPS due to drugs, back in 2002 and you know what I needed that HUGE wake up call, because I was putting my children in danger hanging out with the worst people you can think of. Today I am clean and sober 6 years and my children are back home where they belong with 2 clean and sober parents with the help of CPS! At first I was angry and thought the same way you are all feeling about CPS, but after I got clean and sober I took the responsibility of my own actions and surrendered!
Today I am working on behalf of the parents that had there children taken away because something went wrong somewhere, and letting the parents know that if they work with CPS & Kitsap County Juvenile Courts on do what they are suppose to do, to get there children back, then everybody is a winner especially the children and everybody is happy and living good lives.
Now for the Foster Parents that step in to help protect the children in all issues I stand up and give you all a round of applause and yes there are some foster parents that should never take in children, but we should appraise the ones that are in it for the children not the money! It is hard taking children in that was in many dangerous circumstances if it is for temporary or permanent! Know matter what it is hard on everybody involved not knowing what is going to happen to the children, but it is up to the parents to make the changes like my husband and I did, although my children were put in family placement, not everybody is lucky to have that opportunity, but it is for the best and I learned that the hard way, both my husband and I would not change anything that happened to us because it happened the way it did for a darn good reason we were not thinking about our children.
Please everyone remember everyone is human and everybody makes mistakes on both parts (professionals and parents), but working together things will happen for the good and "families will reunite"!
Carmen Santiago
Parent to Parent Coordinator
Parent to Parent Program
Posted by Jessiesmom on February 6, 2009 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Elaine and CC - WAY TO GO!!!! Sorry I couldn't make it but I had school things to deal with for Jessie. I just hope that Roach keeps the ball rolling. I read the previous comments and see that some people can't understand that the truth is about CPS agents and employees who are corrupt and destructive in their actions against families. I know of a foster family that actually are experiencing the corruption from a foster parent side so I know that it's not a biased group. The department continues to use children as money market accounts. There are good and bad parents and good and bad foster parents. There may even a few good cps workers but they usually don't last long. Regardless of where one stands, that department needs a complete overhaul, and it's related "service providers" who add to the corruption. I thank God everyday for Dave Wood and the legislatures and others who step up and listen. The stereotyping of any parent who find themselves attacked by this agency is sad, and those who do so do it out of ignorance. That is until they find themselves in the same position.
Anyway it's because of people like Elaine and CC who refuse to be silenced by their threats that things will change, as well as the politicians who actually do care about the people they represent such as Roach.
Love you guys!! Jennifer and Jessica
Posted by queenrosary on February 6, 2009 at 7:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I believe that each CPS agent should take a Psychology Examination Yearly to keep those who are suspected of foul behavior under other employment situations.
I lived in another state to do law enforcement assistance. A computer was used for phase 1 of the psychology examination. Phase 2 was with an experience psychologist in criminal behavior detection. The the tested person was passed on or passed over for the testing.
If a person fails then no job, or fired. Its just that easy. The test should be secured as well as the WASL, no samples and very well not viewed. Anyone telling the test be fined and fired immediately.
Please God Bless it to happen.
Posted by ARM on February 6, 2009 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
vetparent,
I am well aware of your group and the involvement in teaching dependency 101 classes in Kitsap.
Believe me I have been saddened to hear you bashed Washington Families United during at least one of these classes [I believe taxpayers are paying for this time]. It is a sad day when one who has suffered, inflicts the same fear as some of the worst workers do on clients involved in the system.
I spoke with you a couple of years ago and you told me you would be in court. You were a no show. Teaching parents about the dependency process is noble but I have found far too many families torn apart for no real good reason.
WFU has become a statewide organization that helps families advocate for themselves and when they are at rock bottom we help them help themselves to pull through and get services before it is too late.
I commend you on your recovery and the recovery of your family. Not every parent in the system is an addict. Some families are unecessarily in the system. Those parents should not have to jump hoops. They have done nothing wrong.Their children were not in any danger. We need accountability in the department so families are not abused by a much needed agency for children in real danger .
I truely appreciate any help you have given parents. I also hope you refrain from using taxpayers time to promote a self serving agenda in the future
Rally seeks greater rights for families in DSHS cases
More kids should be placed with relatives, some advocates say
By Adam Wilson | The Olympian • Published February 06, 2009
Jan Smith of Nisqually began her battles with state Child Protective Services a year and a half ago, when her grandson was taken from a hospital by a social worker.
Her daughter was abusing drugs and Smith wanted to take over care for the child, she said. But the boy was sent to live with a foster family interested in adopting him, she said.
"Blood relatives are of no consequence. I had no rights," Smith said. "It's a public policy I'm interested in changing."
She and about 150 others rallied at the Capitol to demand more consideration from the Department of Social and Health Services, which is tasked with protecting children from abuse.
"We have gone so far in giving boundless authority to these social workers. They can do as they please," said Dave Wood of Washington Families United, which sponsored the rally.
The department recognizes how important staying with relatives can be for vulnerable children and has been moving more children to those homes, said department spokesman Thomas Shapley.
Research shows that children placed with relatives have fewer behavioral problems and switch homes less frequently than children placed with foster parents, he said. About 38 percent of the children removed from their homes in Washington are placed in what is known as kinship care.
"It's the first logical thing to do if it's safe for the child and ultimately in the child's best interest — remain with the extended family, in familiar surroundings with familiar people," Shapley said.
But Wood said that the rate of relative placements should be doubled. And complaints against the department have reached an all-time high of 1,200 in two years, according to a recent report by the Office of the Family and Children's Ombudsman.
A broad assortment of activists recounted emotional stories Thursday, many saying they were treated with disdain by state employees.
"They use that argument against you a lot: if you couldn't deal with the adult child, then you can't deal with your grandchild," Smith said. But the troubles of an adult shouldn't reflect on the ability of grandparents to care for their grandchildren, she said.
Smith said she contacted social workers and lawmakers and picketed outside a state office while trying to regain custody of her grandson. After 18 months and four rounds of parenting classes, her daughter had the boy returned to her, Smith said.
The department cannot confirm details of individual custody cases because they are legally private.
Smith formed two groups to advocate for relatives' custody rights: Washington State Extended Families and Citizens for Family Preservation. They are part of the effort that led to Thursday's rally, the first of its kind that organizers could remember.
Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, promoted the event and said it was prompted by cases in which the state failed to stop abuse, including one in which a 14-year-old Carnation girl was starved.
"On one hand, they don't protect kids. On the other, they take kids away from parents," Roach said.
She touted several bills she has proposed to change the child welfare system. Among her ideas are splitting DSHS, the largest state agency, into several smaller agencies, boosting grandparents' legal standing, and requiring volunteers appointed by the court to represent children to report their financial and family status.
Adam Wilson covers state workers and politics for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-753-1688 or awilson@theolympian.com.
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DHHS does Not always place children with relatives first.In fact, they lie in court and say there were no relatives willing to take them.
I'm a grandmother from Nashua, N.H. and have been fighting for my granddaughter and grandson for the last three years. My granddaughters mother was accused of doing illegal drugs the day before her birth, after she was given a morphine IV in labor for nineteen hours. The morphine spilled into the baby, which normally happens, yet the Judge could not understand this as reality and placed my granddaughter in foster care.I was denied placement, along with other relatives after the DCYF Lawyer told the Judge of a false report, which was already proven false.
Three months later, my older daughter was accused of being drunk at the hospital which works with DHHS in the removal children. Blood test results prove she had no alcohol in her system, yet her children were taken. It's been proven, once DHHS goes after one family member, they go after the rest.
Hey fosterdadjk,you should try the other side of the fence! Pam Roach would`nt give me the time of day when I brought DSHS/CPS concerns to her attention 10yrs ago.I was a single father, in compliance for 3yrs and they still took my children.When the Judge rendered his verdict he started with"It appears in fact I`m(me) am the victim in this case". Thanks alot Pam,thanks alot...
Half of the foster parents I know are the grandparents of the children that are in their care. I don't know what the circumstances were with the people who were protesting, but I know that DSHS always tries relative care as the first resort when placing children. My son (who is adopted) was not able to be placed with his grandmother when he was originally taken because she was basically not able to provide a fit place for any child to live in. We have an 18-month-old girl in care with us at this time whose grandmother isn't interested in taking her, and her great-grandmother feels she's better off with us, and is all for our adopting her. There's usually very good reason when the state doesn't place with a family member -- sometimes it's as simple as the family member isn't willing to do the minimum requirements to be a viable placement. It's easy to make a big deal out of all these allegations, but the fact of the matter is that these are exceptions, and not the rule!
I think I would have to side with the grandparents here. Yes maybe they've gone wrong with thier own children, BUT now they are hopefully wiser and know better what they can do to straighten out thier grandchildren! The fact is here you can not tell an ADULT CHILD what to do it's just not going to work they will do what they please. Yet it is up to us the FAMILY MEMBERS to take over these abused children whether they be Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Older established siblings ect. just as long as FAMILY is thier. TOO MANY of our children have under gone continued abuse in the foster care systems. IF NOT done by they foster parents them selves then handed down by a fellow foster child. In the form of rape, abuse, molestation ect.