Me and my babies..My story to the board

 My letter to the Board of Supervisors and a little of my history as I began my challenging yet rewarding journey into the life of service and advocacy

March, 2010

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 their mngmt, who’s instructions are known to be confusing and boarder on the line of being legal.  El Dorado Counties CPS has been under investigation since 2000. Almost every year, there has been a grand jury investigation and 2 very thorough audits performed by an outside agency.  In short, My research showed that the agency has operated with an outdated Policy manual that is interpreted by every supervisor.  This Manual lacks very critical updates ( codes & laws) dealing with emergency response and  investigation among many others. The audit continues to shed light on the fact that most staff were frustrated and confused because communication was signifigantly lacking.  80% of the staff were frustrated and confused as to what there roles and responsibilities were.

Our childrens lives are in the hands of these people; Our future is in the hands of frustrated, confused and angry social workers.  If you are not outraged yet, then stay with me as I uncover some pretty stunning facts.

Ever been to family court??  If you have never been assigned  a case #, then the answer is  probably no.   These hearings are closed to the public, so as not to reveal the identity of the children involved.  ( which I did agree with initially)    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 with the help of some key players, I’ve submitted a proposal to the Board of Supervisors, that would implement a committee of  very specific individuals that would be responsible for making

sure that an effective system of checks and balances is in place.  There WILL  be  a clear  understanding that there are consequences to the actions of this agency, 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.   El Dorado county, and many of it’s families, have become frustrated and devastated by the operations of CPS.  the laws  are written in such a manner to where anyone in the agency may define "what IS  and what ISN'T abuse", as these definitions must become very specific and never left open for interpretation when , who subsequently decides whether 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."

Fact

What we have in place, is not working!!

1.)THE MISSION STATEMENT CPS PROVIDES TO THE PUBLIC, IS WELL WRITTEN,  BUT  PROVIDES A FALSE SENsE OF SECURITY AND IS A DISSERVICE TO THE  PUBLIC.  MY WELL DOCUMENTED STORY, AND MANY OTHERS ATTEST TO THIS FACT.  CPS has continued to ignore the recommendations of the Grand Jury as well as the grievances of families who continue to struggle in the system.

2.) CPS violates the constitutional rights of every family, every day.  They lie and withhold exculpatory evidence/ 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.

3.)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.

4.)Studies prove that between 60 and 80 percent of children are removed from homes unnecessarily.  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. 

5.) A power point presentation given by CPS Reps to the Board on March 16,  2010, Unfortunately did not reveal the number  of children in CPS care that were: Missing, abused, neglected and dead.  The number of deaths reported for each state are grosely underestimated because of the reluctatnce to report such an incident.

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 our former president, Bill Clinton, 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.  Unfortunately The federal system for funding child welfare services at the state and county levels provides openended funding for children and youth who are in foster care, but caps funds for prevention and early intervention efforts. These funding restrictions result in the states and counties having significantly more funds available for placing children into out-of-home care - as opposed to funding programs that could reduce the need for child welfare services in the first place.

a)    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??