PRESS RELEASE - WESTERN NEBRASKA FAMILY SUPPORT TOWNHALL MEETING IN NORTH PLATTE THIS SATURDAY

PRESS RELEASE - WESTERN NEBRASKA FAMILY SUPPORT TOWNHALL MEETING IN NORTH PLATTE THIS SATURDAY



*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

CONTACT:
Melanie Williams-Smotherman
Executive Director
Family Advocacy Movement
PO Box 540733
Omaha, NE 68154
402.689.9613
familyadvocacymovement.com
melanie@familyadvocacymovement.com



WESTERN NEBRASKANS ARE CALLING FOR DHHS OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY


The Family Advocacy Movement (FAM) has heard the stories of many concerned families from all over Nebraska during the past two years; however, the calls and emails have increased significantly from Western Nebraska, ever since a series of exposé articles were published in the North Platte Telegraph a couple of weeks ago. Those articles shined a harsh light on the problems with the Department of Health & Human Services, and particularly with regard to Child & Family Services - which includes Child Protective Services (CPS).

"We've been inundated with calls and emails from parents and grandparents sharing common stories of deception, corruption, system abuses, and unaccountable behaviors by child welfare officials in Western Nebraska, who - according to the families - have seriously harmed them and their children," said Melanie Williams-Smotherman, executive director of FAM.

Williams-Smotherman said she is a parent whose own children suffered because of the same sorts of experiences she has been hearing and reading about from others. "Only our story pales in comparison to so many others. My husband have often said, 'We are educated, professional, and highly functional people who are active civic leaders and volunteers in our community. If this can happen to us, what must be happening to people who are more vulnerable because of less education, poverty, and with access to fewer resources?'"

"This is why we're so committed to helping families raise their voices with others and find justice for their own cases. We feel it's our responsibility as families who have been through this to reach out to others and to bring attention to the most egregious and obvious system problems," she said.

Because of the growing number of contacts from Western Nebraska recently, FAM - which is based in Omaha - plans to increase its presence and opportunities for families to come together in North Platte and other Western Nebraska cities and towns.

The group visited North Platte several months ago to hear approximately twenty consumers tell of serious problems with Region 2, as well as with the prison system not keeping inmates safe, of the the police behaving as though the area was "The Wild, Wild West," of people suffering mental health conditions and are kept from the therapists and treatment homes of their choice, and even of a veteran fighting for his needed benefits against what he says is retaliation by Region 2 officials for his speaking out against system abuses and incompetence.

"We even heard about a forced medicating of a woman. According to her husband and therapist, Michelle Myles was forced to take medication that she knew was not healthy for her to take, if she wanted to keep her state services," Williams-Smotherman said. "Her death was labeled 'heart attack,' but her husband and therapist believe a thorough enough investigation did not take place, because Region 2 officials may have been covering up for their negligence and culpability. It's simply heartbreaking, and some may say criminal."

But Williams-Smotherman said the state and its employees cannot keep stories of injustice and harm silenced forever. When people are unnecessarily hurt or unjustly treated, these issues do not just go away. That is why families and advocates are calling for major changes and safeguards that include greater transparency, oversight and accountability.

"Families want to see people held accountable for abuses of power that harm citizens. Right now, that is not happening, which is why we continue to hear about these horrific situations," she said.

"And that is why we are hosting an open family support meeting to be held this Saturday in North Platte."



Here are the details:

WHAT: TOWN HALL MEETING FOR FAMILIES, ADVOCATES, AND THOSE INTERESTED IN REFORM EFFORTS
WHEN: SATURDAY, MARCH 5th / 1:30 to 4:30 pm
WHERE: NORTH PLATTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 502 S. DEWEY STREET, NORTH PLATTE
(Northwest corner of Dewey and "E" Streets). Enter the door on the north side of the building ("E" Street side).


We especially encourage the attendance and participation of parents, grandparents, family advocates and professionals who are concerned about the current state of the child protection/child welfare system and have personal stories or experiences to share. Participants are encouraged (but not required) to bring brief summaries of their observations or experiences to share with others at the meeting. We will also offer information about opportunities to join with other families and reform advocates working to change this destructive system.