My letter to board re; my story and need for reform

MS. SANTIAGO, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD: March 31, 2010 Again I would like to thank you and the board members for your patients and your time once again to listen to a very sensitive issue for both sides. The CPS power point presentation was informative and professional, but as it progressed with numbers, percentages and measuring trends to surrounding counties, I remember hearing the words, “we are on track and meeting the counties expectations”, or something close to that. I felt my gut twist and became overwhelmed with sadness. I thought, “ That is not at all what my experience was like”. They present their facts and figures and say that our county is meeting expectations, while they run their own show and seem to leave out the data regarding how the children are coping emotionally and the appropriateness of case plans to families.
The truth is, that once the children are in state custody, the chances for abuse increase at an alarming rate. These things are happening, they are real and, with your help, will be addressed. Factors that aren’t addressed are things like, Are the children’s needs being met? The child’s general outlook on life? Is the social worker and attorney advocating for the child? This data will never be presented because the facts are stunning and hidden from public view. The past 18 months has led me on a journey to a very deep and dark place, that I am just now finally able to talk about. My experience was both Raw and Eye opening, and is only one of many. The fact is, the true operations of CPS, with its own adgenda, are only the result of what truly needs attention and immediate action. I became compelled to find out how an agency could leave a mother and child in shambles and continue the unnecessary separation and inappropriate case plan, for 18 long months. My research led me to a realization that, when abuse is being investigated, you simply follow the money. I took this time to immerse myself in paperwork and educate myself about the operations of CPS and it’s social workers. In my case, much of the communication (very little) was through fear and intimidation. This only exacerbated a very devastating experience. Unfortunately, what was allowed, is “Unchecked state control” of its own employees without any citizen oversight. What’s sad, is the fact that these social workers and supervisors really know no better, and those who might, I believe, struggle with the ethical delimmas they face daily when given instructions by mngmt, who’s instructions are known to be confusing. Could this reluctance to perform a duty simply be a question to weather the supervisor was asking something that was possibly illegal or outside of their job scope. It is documented in the Audit report of 2002, that supervisors saw this reluctance by staff, as “resistance”. Could this resistance be the fact that these social workers struggle with ethical delimmas in the work place daily. The audit continues to shed light on the fact that most staff were frustrated and confused because communication was signifigantly lacking, and when it happened, the directions were conflicting between supervisors. This, coupled with the fact that a large portion of the staff were not knowledgable regarding their job scope and responsibilities. 80% of the El Dorado county CPS staff were not happy with many situations in their work place. How can this agency work professionally and efficiently without a Policy Manual in place for reference. This job holds a great responsibility, OUR FUTURE, and now it is time to make sure that they adhear to policy, rules and Ethical principles that these licensed social workers pledge in their oath upon graduation. FACT: Numerous investigations show a Manual that is very out dated, lacking specific job roles ,critical information regarding emergency response time, removals, new laws and codes, etc. This important matter has been ignored year after year. This, quite possibly has jeopardized lives, and sends a message to the Grand Jury, The Board, and our families, that professionalism and protecting children are not as important as they lead us to believe. This disregard for such important matters should be absolutely unacceptable and swift action should be taken to correct this problem. There is a Reason the courts are “closed” to the public, and it is not for confidentiality of the children, it allows the practice of law, where the petitioner, (CPS) is heard, and the parent can never speak on record to defend themselves. Due process does not exist in this court that fails to recognize our constitution. Child protective agencies' disclosures clearly challenge the public's assumption that children are removed from their homes only under the most extreme of circumstances. However, further examination of the agencies' own records discloses that the cure increasingly utilized by child protective services is worse than the problem. There is an increasing awareness in our county and beyond; people are watching and people will be voting. The public is slowly learning about the operations behind these closed court proceedings. Time is of the essence, and by voting for this committee, the county sends a message to the families in the community, and quite possibly restores the hope and vision to this agency for which it was originally intended. A non-biased, objective committee that is aware of CPS and its Policies, that can oversee and help to ensure an accountability that goes far beyond the agencies “ Peer Group Evaluation”, which only serves to protect themselves. El Dorado county, and many of it’s families have become frustrated and devastated by the operations of CPS, and the laws that are so loosely written and definitions to what is, and what isn’t ABUSE, are quite vague. What’s left is an interpretation of the above, that when not clear , will be decided, by a frustrated, overworked,, and sometimes, bias social worker, weather your child is taken or not. The parent's court appointed attorney gets their check from the same place as the state's attorney and the children's attorney and the judge. Like every other employee on earth, they work for the party that gives them their paycheck. Their job is to keep their job. Nobody has anything to lose as long as the child is kept away from the "potentially" abusive parent, except for the child and the parent, who are both equal victims. "COMPLEX, IT IS NOT!! Cps and its operations have continued to operate without clear and concise guidelines. The accountability they rave about labled” Peer” only helps to cover and protect themselves. The result has manifested into a monster with a voracious appetite. THIS COMMITTEE = SAFER CHILDREN FIRST ORDER OF BUISNESS.. UPDATED POLICY MANUAL, ABIDING BY THE LAW, AND CONSEQUENCES TO ACTIONS FACT: What we have is not working. THE MISSION STATEMENT CPS PROVIDES TO THE PUBLIC, IS WELL WRITTEN, BUT PROVIDES A FALSE SENCE OF SECURITY AND IS A DISSERVICE TO THE PUBLIC. MY WELL DOCUMENTED STORY, AND MANY OTHERS ATTEST TO THIS FACT. ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED PROMPTLY IN THE LIGHT OF THIS COMMITTEE: a) Outdated policy manual lacking critical information for emergencies, updated laws and codes. b) CPS violates the constitutional rights of every family, every day. They lie or withhold information under oath, falsify documents and do everything in their power to keep families in the system, for the longest time allowed, and if possible, terminate parental rights all in the name of money. (Work on opening the court) Not closed court. Many states are changing this law because of the corruption, and the public, now knowing, has helped in the accountability. c) Whenever parental rights are terminated, a case is won in favor of CPS, or a child is moved from home to home, the money flows, with incentives and bonuses for judges and the agency. Special Needs children garnish 2000 dollars more per head.( This will take time, but more money and time towards reunification, or if warrented, at home with inhome services.) d) Laws that are loosely written regarding removal of children, and important definitions that d etermine what is and is not ABUSE are quite vague. Imminent Danger, did it exist. A feeling (by social worker) that abuse is likely to exist in the future, so removal is needed. Unfortunately, once the child is in the system, the chances of that same child being returned dramatically go down. (This is where we can be as specific as we want, as we should) Decreases #of children in system; saves money; e) The CPS case plan is a court order to be followed by families and monitored frequently to ensure that the plan is in fact appropriate, and working. Adding moral, welfare and emotional well being as an important measurement in how families and children are doing in the system. (see audit 2002 recc. ) re; contra costa and LA county accountability programs.. working well The fact is: the case plan that is required to have family involvement, is already made by the social worker. These plans are given to individuals, regardless of the situation they came from, and are very demanding of time and travel. More than not , the family is indigent and has no transportation which deems them as non-compliant and is grounds for termination of parental rights. As ASFA speeds up the process to terminate parental rights, and (TANF), accelerates the time frame for single mothers to remain on welfare, the laws are on a collision course destined to victimize impoverished children. f) Children are seldom removed on anything but an emergency basis. The number of emergency removals has increased steadily for the past 2 decades, to the point where they now occur at nearly double the rate of 20 years. This has led to the dramatic expansion of the foster care population, which grew from 262,000 in 1982 to nearly 550,000in 2001 (AFCARS, report #8) There are many, but if addressed one at a time with the “RIGHT” outcome, the vision of this agency can be restored, along with setting a model to role by for other agencies (sherriff) and surrounding counties. CHILD REMOVALS Studies prove that between 60 and 80 percent of children are removed from homes uneccessarily. Audits and investigations also show our agencies protocol that should be followed and paper work , that must be completed when removing children, is either incomplete, or not done at all. Who is monitoring the selective paper work that is used for measuring outcomes? (OUR MULTI-LEVEL PEER GROUP???) Intervention might have been needed, but we have alternatives in place that allow the child to remain home. (When warrented) This allows the family to remain intact and get the help they need with supervision of CPS. WHAT I AM ABOUT TO MENTION IS THE THE BIGGEST CONTROVERSY, AND WHERE THE WATER GETS MUDDY. IT IS INFACT THE DRIVING FORCE FOR ALL STATES, AND CALIFORNIA IS THE BIGGEST CASH COW OF THEM ALL. This information is well documented and is available to the public, but somehow missed at our Power point presentation. There is funding for each state and adoption incentives put in place by president Clinton and Bush, that fuel the drive for an increased adoption rate. The list that I have attatched shows a breakdown of states and what they are allowed as far as funding. Some states were left off of the list because they received multi-million dollar payments in the program during previous years. California IS at the top of the list. This program only pays for an increase in the number of adoptions from the year before. In order for the state to be eligible for these incentives it must increase the number of adoptions every year. Which can range anywhere from 2 to 10,000 children a year in our state. I believe that the SDM tool, having its benefits, is not enough to counter a judgemental social worker and the power of the mighty dollar. (Attatchments included re; adoption incentives) These are just a few of the items that are in need of attention and change. This will surely be an undertaking, but slow and steady, and one at a time with our focus never wavering. Why not re-design this program and let it stand on its own as a model for many other counties. We have two options: Keep what we have which is failing miserably, or restore the hope of our community and once again feel good about the county where I was born and raised. My experience with CPS is over, but I will live with the vivid memories and feelings for a life time. I am triggered daily by certain things that bring me right back to that time. It is painful but reminds me that the information contained in this paper, if not addressed here, will continue on its journey to find that “someone” who will do “ something”

     Items I will address in the future:
1. CHILDREN THAT GO MISSING WHILE IN THE CARE OF CPS: ANOTHER CASE OF DON’T ASK DON’T TELL?? This is a Human Being, not a Puppy!!
2. CASA- deep in denial – The all too cozy relationship between CASA and child attorney and social worker. Who does CASA really support??
3. COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS- who do they really work for?
4. 3 questions that should be asked and objectively aswered before removing a child.
     a.) Is there any real and conclusive reason why the child should not stay where it is?
     b.) What is lacking in his present home which we deem necessary for the childs care, and just how is that particular thing going to be provided under our proposed plan.
     c.) How much will our proposed plan cost and would that sum, if used to assist the child in his own home, secure better results??