My Favorite Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnrPP3qkM0E
I Won't Back Down!
Isabella Brooke Knightly and Austin Gamez-Knightly
In Memory of my Loving Husband, William F. Knightly Jr. Murdered by ILLEGAL Palliative Care at a Nashua, NH Hospital
Sunday, May 9, 2010
My Message to Nashua, NH DCYF! I Won't Back Down!
My Favorite Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnrPP3qkM0E
I Won't Back Down!
A Message to Austin Knightly From His Real Mother
Hi Austin. Another Mother's Day without you thanks to the DCYF kidnappers of Nashua. I love and miss you and so does the rest of your REAL family. I hope some day you'll be able to read this and know that your REAL family fought to get you back, but parent's in NH don't stand a chance up against Nashua DCYF and the NH courts. Their nothing but liars and thieves. Don't believe anything they tell you. Remember they told you I wasn't your Mommy anymore. My rights weren't even terminated. They were trying to sell you off right after they took you to the orphanage. You were worth too much money for them to let you go even when my innocence was proven and my charges of child endangerment were dropped. I hope you are remembering me and your REAL family today. That is if they haven't put you on even more drugs than they already had you on. The people you were auctioned off to work for DCYF and are NOT your family. I will ALWAYS be your Mother and Grampie and Grammy will ALWAYS be your Grandparents and YOUR dog Belle misses you and kisses your picture all the time. I hope your not being starved again and please don't try to kill yourself again. We WILL be together again. It just takes time to fight the liars who are keeping you from your REAL family. I hope the people you are living with are treating you good and I hope you never forget they work for DCYF. They are paid to take care of you. You are not their child. They only do what DCYF tell's them to do. I hope their life is un-forgetful!
Austin, I'll love you forever. Some day you WILL come home!
Love ALWAYS and FOREVER,Mommy!
Austin, I'll love you forever. Some day you WILL come home!
Love ALWAYS and FOREVER,Mommy!
In Re James N. holds that delinquent acts cannot be the basis of a CHINS petition
Posted on October 21, 2008 by Kysa Crusco
Comment sent from anonymous:
NH's judicial system failed to act in the best interest of James by ignoring James' Constitutional Rights, including his Disability Rights and his right to have a CHINS,. James is a child who had already been declared by Social Security Administration during 3/2007 as a mentally disabled child and he was also a child with a repeated history of unsafe and aggressive behaviors who reported to have experienced hallucinations. Since when is it just for the NH Judicial System to label a mentally disabled children as a "Juvenile Delinquents" and since when do supposed Juvenile Delinquents experience hallucinations? Those who denied James' Constitutional Rights should live as James' parent for a year or two, staying up every night to keep James and the rest of the family safe only to be told by NH DCYF that { 2 hours of someone coming to the house per day and an emergency pager number is sufficient as there had been no lethalities yet! } - Which means that a lethality would result in a higher level of "human services".... Unlike the "Live Free or Die" state who failed to provide a CHINS for James, the MA Judicial System was able to recognize that James was in fact a Child In Need of Services, who needed mental health services and did not attempt to label James as a juvenile delinquent. The State of NH's attempt to paint James as a "perfectly healthy normal child with no mental illness who is in no way a threat to himself nor to the community" and their failure to provide the necessary services for James caused harm to both James and to his family.....
In Re James N. holds that delinquent acts cannot be the basis of a CHINS petition
Posted on October 21, 2008 by Kysa Crusco
In Re James N. holds that delinquent acts cannot be the basis of a CHINS petition
The New Hampshire Supreme Court released In Re James N. on October 8, 2008 holding that the basis of a CHINS petition under the Child in Need of Services statute cannot be founded upon a delinquent act.
In 2007, the Mother filed a CHINS petition involving her 6 year old son James, who at the time was in DCYF’s custody. Mother alleged that he was a child in need of services for failing to obey the reasonable commands of his parent, guardian or custodian pursuant to RSA 169-D:2, II(b). The specific acts alleged in the petition were: threatening others with physical harm, threatening to set fire to a residence, harming his foster family’s dog, attempting to strangle his foster brother, head butting, biting, and placing glass “sharps” in others’ clothing.
At the hearing, James, joined by DCYF, moved to dismiss arguing that the alleged underlying facts are delinquent acts and may not be included in a CHINS petition. The court granted James’ motion finding that the petition failed because the acts alleged were delinquent acts.
The mother then filed four delinquency petitions alleging cruelty to animals, simple assault, and reckless conduct. James moved to dismiss arguing that a six-year old is presumed not to be competent to stand trial in delinquency proceedings and is presumed not to be capable of committing a crime due to his tender age. The court agreed with James and found that he could not consult with his attorney or have a rational understanding of the proceeding. Therefore, it would be a violation of his due process rights to make him stand trial.
The mother appeals to the NH Supreme Court and argues that the allegation of a delinquent act should not be fatal to a CHINS petition if the child cannot form the required mens rea (guilty mind). The court disagreed, and stated that the plain language of the statute does not allow delinquent acts to be included in a CHINS petition. Further, under the Mother’s interpretation the child would have to prove his guilt with respect to the act in order to show the act should be excluded from the petition. This would be an absurd result and the legislature would not pass an act leading to an absurdity. Additionally, the court points out that the definition of a child in need of services supports their interpretation because the definition does not overlap with the definition of a delinquent.
Crusco Law Office Law Clerk Marisa L. Ulloa contributed to this post.
TAGS: CHINS, In Re James N, Juvenile Law, New Hampshire Supreme Court, RSA 169-B, RSA 169-D, delinquent child
The New Hampshire Supreme Court released In Re James N. on October 8, 2008 holding that the basis of a CHINS petition under the Child in Need of Services statute cannot be founded upon a delinquent act.
In 2007, the Mother filed a CHINS petition involving her 6 year old son James, who at the time was in DCYF’s custody. Mother alleged that he was a child in need of services for failing to obey the reasonable commands of his parent, guardian or custodian pursuant to RSA 169-D:2, II(b). The specific acts alleged in the petition were: threatening others with physical harm, threatening to set fire to a residence, harming his foster family’s dog, attempting to strangle his foster brother, head butting, biting, and placing glass “sharps” in others’ clothing.
At the hearing, James, joined by DCYF, moved to dismiss arguing that the alleged underlying facts are delinquent acts and may not be included in a CHINS petition. The court granted James’ motion finding that the petition failed because the acts alleged were delinquent acts.
The mother then filed four delinquency petitions alleging cruelty to animals, simple assault, and reckless conduct. James moved to dismiss arguing that a six-year old is presumed not to be competent to stand trial in delinquency proceedings and is presumed not to be capable of committing a crime due to his tender age. The court agreed with James and found that he could not consult with his attorney or have a rational understanding of the proceeding. Therefore, it would be a violation of his due process rights to make him stand trial.
The mother appeals to the NH Supreme Court and argues that the allegation of a delinquent act should not be fatal to a CHINS petition if the child cannot form the required mens rea (guilty mind). The court disagreed, and stated that the plain language of the statute does not allow delinquent acts to be included in a CHINS petition. Further, under the Mother’s interpretation the child would have to prove his guilt with respect to the act in order to show the act should be excluded from the petition. This would be an absurd result and the legislature would not pass an act leading to an absurdity. Additionally, the court points out that the definition of a child in need of services supports their interpretation because the definition does not overlap with the definition of a delinquent.
Crusco Law Office Law Clerk Marisa L. Ulloa contributed to this post.
TAGS: CHINS, In Re James N, Juvenile Law, New Hampshire Supreme Court, RSA 169-B, RSA 169-D, delinquent child
Comment sent from anonymous:
NH's judicial system failed to act in the best interest of James by ignoring James' Constitutional Rights, including his Disability Rights and his right to have a CHINS,. James is a child who had already been declared by Social Security Administration during 3/2007 as a mentally disabled child and he was also a child with a repeated history of unsafe and aggressive behaviors who reported to have experienced hallucinations. Since when is it just for the NH Judicial System to label a mentally disabled children as a "Juvenile Delinquents" and since when do supposed Juvenile Delinquents experience hallucinations? Those who denied James' Constitutional Rights should live as James' parent for a year or two, staying up every night to keep James and the rest of the family safe only to be told by NH DCYF that { 2 hours of someone coming to the house per day and an emergency pager number is sufficient as there had been no lethalities yet! } - Which means that a lethality would result in a higher level of "human services".... Unlike the "Live Free or Die" state who failed to provide a CHINS for James, the MA Judicial System was able to recognize that James was in fact a Child In Need of Services, who needed mental health services and did not attempt to label James as a juvenile delinquent. The State of NH's attempt to paint James as a "perfectly healthy normal child with no mental illness who is in no way a threat to himself nor to the community" and their failure to provide the necessary services for James caused harm to both James and to his family.....
In Re James N. holds that delinquent acts cannot be the basis of a CHINS petition
Posted on October 21, 2008 by Kysa Crusco
In Re James N. holds that delinquent acts cannot be the basis of a CHINS petition
The New Hampshire Supreme Court released In Re James N. on October 8, 2008 holding that the basis of a CHINS petition under the Child in Need of Services statute cannot be founded upon a delinquent act.
In 2007, the Mother filed a CHINS petition involving her 6 year old son James, who at the time was in DCYF’s custody. Mother alleged that he was a child in need of services for failing to obey the reasonable commands of his parent, guardian or custodian pursuant to RSA 169-D:2, II(b). The specific acts alleged in the petition were: threatening others with physical harm, threatening to set fire to a residence, harming his foster family’s dog, attempting to strangle his foster brother, head butting, biting, and placing glass “sharps” in others’ clothing.
At the hearing, James, joined by DCYF, moved to dismiss arguing that the alleged underlying facts are delinquent acts and may not be included in a CHINS petition. The court granted James’ motion finding that the petition failed because the acts alleged were delinquent acts.
The mother then filed four delinquency petitions alleging cruelty to animals, simple assault, and reckless conduct. James moved to dismiss arguing that a six-year old is presumed not to be competent to stand trial in delinquency proceedings and is presumed not to be capable of committing a crime due to his tender age. The court agreed with James and found that he could not consult with his attorney or have a rational understanding of the proceeding. Therefore, it would be a violation of his due process rights to make him stand trial.
The mother appeals to the NH Supreme Court and argues that the allegation of a delinquent act should not be fatal to a CHINS petition if the child cannot form the required mens rea (guilty mind). The court disagreed, and stated that the plain language of the statute does not allow delinquent acts to be included in a CHINS petition. Further, under the Mother’s interpretation the child would have to prove his guilt with respect to the act in order to show the act should be excluded from the petition. This would be an absurd result and the legislature would not pass an act leading to an absurdity. Additionally, the court points out that the definition of a child in need of services supports their interpretation because the definition does not overlap with the definition of a delinquent.
Crusco Law Office Law Clerk Marisa L. Ulloa contributed to this post.
TAGS: CHINS, In Re James N, Juvenile Law, New Hampshire Supreme Court, RSA 169-B, RSA 169-D, delinquent child
The New Hampshire Supreme Court released In Re James N. on October 8, 2008 holding that the basis of a CHINS petition under the Child in Need of Services statute cannot be founded upon a delinquent act.
In 2007, the Mother filed a CHINS petition involving her 6 year old son James, who at the time was in DCYF’s custody. Mother alleged that he was a child in need of services for failing to obey the reasonable commands of his parent, guardian or custodian pursuant to RSA 169-D:2, II(b). The specific acts alleged in the petition were: threatening others with physical harm, threatening to set fire to a residence, harming his foster family’s dog, attempting to strangle his foster brother, head butting, biting, and placing glass “sharps” in others’ clothing.
At the hearing, James, joined by DCYF, moved to dismiss arguing that the alleged underlying facts are delinquent acts and may not be included in a CHINS petition. The court granted James’ motion finding that the petition failed because the acts alleged were delinquent acts.
The mother then filed four delinquency petitions alleging cruelty to animals, simple assault, and reckless conduct. James moved to dismiss arguing that a six-year old is presumed not to be competent to stand trial in delinquency proceedings and is presumed not to be capable of committing a crime due to his tender age. The court agreed with James and found that he could not consult with his attorney or have a rational understanding of the proceeding. Therefore, it would be a violation of his due process rights to make him stand trial.
The mother appeals to the NH Supreme Court and argues that the allegation of a delinquent act should not be fatal to a CHINS petition if the child cannot form the required mens rea (guilty mind). The court disagreed, and stated that the plain language of the statute does not allow delinquent acts to be included in a CHINS petition. Further, under the Mother’s interpretation the child would have to prove his guilt with respect to the act in order to show the act should be excluded from the petition. This would be an absurd result and the legislature would not pass an act leading to an absurdity. Additionally, the court points out that the definition of a child in need of services supports their interpretation because the definition does not overlap with the definition of a delinquent.
Crusco Law Office Law Clerk Marisa L. Ulloa contributed to this post.
TAGS: CHINS, In Re James N, Juvenile Law, New Hampshire Supreme Court, RSA 169-B, RSA 169-D, delinquent child
FOR “OUR” CHILDREN, THERE IS NO MOTHERS DAY.
Free the FLDS Children - AKA The Freedom Liberty Defenders Society
Defending Due Process, Religious Liberty, Human Rights, Constitutional Rights, and Freedom for the FLDS Community and All Of Us!
FOR “OUR” CHILDREN, THERE IS NO MOTHERS DAY.
For parents, every single day that their child is in captivity is a living nightmare that just will not stop, but there are certain days of the year that make their pain and suffering so much more acute. The childs birthday, Christmas, Halloween, Fathers Day and today, Mothers Day.
On those days, the knife in your heart is twisting.
Imagine a childs birthday presents that CPS and the foster parents refuse to give your baby. Imagine Christmas presents that sit under the tree un-opened and rejected by CPS. Imagine seeing your child smiling at you every time the doorbell rings at Halloween, but they are not your children, they are the neighbors. Fathers Days are generally ignored when it comes to society’s view of how a father reacts to the loss of his child, after all, he’s a man and doesn’t have the emotional ties to his children the same way a mother does. I can’t speak for mothers, but I sure as hell can speak for fathers, and trust me, there is no difference between the two.
Today, all over this Country there are mothers who ache every time they see a scene between a child and it’s mother. Today, the knife is twisting for them. Today, there is no "Happy Mothers Day Mommy". There’s an empty bed, an empty room, toys sitting around un-played with, pictures which cannot hug you back, and the worst feelings of all; what is happening with my baby? Today is hell.
Much is written about the kind, caring, compassionate people who kidnapped and hold the children and I guess there might be a few who actually are. However, for the majority, they have an agenda and that agenda is to keep you away from your child regardless of the truth of the matter. They will lie, cheat, fabricate and even invent ways to keep your child from you, and the worst thing about is that they do it with a sneer on their faces.
I received 4 requests yesterday begging for help from mothers who were frantically trying to stop the steam roller that is called CPS and CASA from destroying themselves and their children. All 4 will be given whatever help we can give them, but one story struck me. Like the kidnapping of the Ranch children, it brought me back to my own experience with CPS, and that’s always a very dangerous place for me to go.
One of the mothers told me of a visit with her child that she was finally able to beg away from CPS and CASA. She went to the office, and waited in a little room with a few very small chairs and some toys that looked more like props on a stage. The caseworker walked into the room with her child that she hadn’t been able to see in 9 months and said to the child "Chris is here to see you, I’ll be right outside if you need me".
There are some animals who just need to have their throats slit from ear to ear to put them out of their misery.
If you are one of the lucky ones who have never come into contact with CPS and CASA, Happy Mothers Day. Today, enjoy your Day and your family. Tomorrow, do something tangible to help those mothers and fathers whose only crime was having a very valuable commodity for CPS and CASA to make money off; their children.
If you’re one of the un-lucky ones caught in the jaws of the predators, this Mothers Day is brighter than any other one in history. The time was, if CPS and CASA came and took your child, you had absolutely no hope in the world of getting him or her back unless you could pay through the nose. Today, thanks to the internet, every time a child is grabbed by the vultures, there are more and more people asking "Why?".
People are now aware that foster "Care" is a sewer you wouldn’t put your dog into, let alone a child. People now know that adoption is a business. States stand to gain millions of Federal dollars if they sell enough children, which puts a whole new prospective on "In the best INTEREST of the children". Change out "Best" for "Most" and you have a much more accurate sales tool.
http://www.flds.ws/2010/05/09/for-our-children-there-is-no-mothers-day/
Defending Due Process, Religious Liberty, Human Rights, Constitutional Rights, and Freedom for the FLDS Community and All Of Us!
FOR “OUR” CHILDREN, THERE IS NO MOTHERS DAY.
For parents, every single day that their child is in captivity is a living nightmare that just will not stop, but there are certain days of the year that make their pain and suffering so much more acute. The childs birthday, Christmas, Halloween, Fathers Day and today, Mothers Day.
On those days, the knife in your heart is twisting.
Imagine a childs birthday presents that CPS and the foster parents refuse to give your baby. Imagine Christmas presents that sit under the tree un-opened and rejected by CPS. Imagine seeing your child smiling at you every time the doorbell rings at Halloween, but they are not your children, they are the neighbors. Fathers Days are generally ignored when it comes to society’s view of how a father reacts to the loss of his child, after all, he’s a man and doesn’t have the emotional ties to his children the same way a mother does. I can’t speak for mothers, but I sure as hell can speak for fathers, and trust me, there is no difference between the two.
Today, all over this Country there are mothers who ache every time they see a scene between a child and it’s mother. Today, the knife is twisting for them. Today, there is no "Happy Mothers Day Mommy". There’s an empty bed, an empty room, toys sitting around un-played with, pictures which cannot hug you back, and the worst feelings of all; what is happening with my baby? Today is hell.
Much is written about the kind, caring, compassionate people who kidnapped and hold the children and I guess there might be a few who actually are. However, for the majority, they have an agenda and that agenda is to keep you away from your child regardless of the truth of the matter. They will lie, cheat, fabricate and even invent ways to keep your child from you, and the worst thing about is that they do it with a sneer on their faces.
I received 4 requests yesterday begging for help from mothers who were frantically trying to stop the steam roller that is called CPS and CASA from destroying themselves and their children. All 4 will be given whatever help we can give them, but one story struck me. Like the kidnapping of the Ranch children, it brought me back to my own experience with CPS, and that’s always a very dangerous place for me to go.
One of the mothers told me of a visit with her child that she was finally able to beg away from CPS and CASA. She went to the office, and waited in a little room with a few very small chairs and some toys that looked more like props on a stage. The caseworker walked into the room with her child that she hadn’t been able to see in 9 months and said to the child "Chris is here to see you, I’ll be right outside if you need me".
There are some animals who just need to have their throats slit from ear to ear to put them out of their misery.
If you are one of the lucky ones who have never come into contact with CPS and CASA, Happy Mothers Day. Today, enjoy your Day and your family. Tomorrow, do something tangible to help those mothers and fathers whose only crime was having a very valuable commodity for CPS and CASA to make money off; their children.
If you’re one of the un-lucky ones caught in the jaws of the predators, this Mothers Day is brighter than any other one in history. The time was, if CPS and CASA came and took your child, you had absolutely no hope in the world of getting him or her back unless you could pay through the nose. Today, thanks to the internet, every time a child is grabbed by the vultures, there are more and more people asking "Why?".
People are now aware that foster "Care" is a sewer you wouldn’t put your dog into, let alone a child. People now know that adoption is a business. States stand to gain millions of Federal dollars if they sell enough children, which puts a whole new prospective on "In the best INTEREST of the children". Change out "Best" for "Most" and you have a much more accurate sales tool.
http://www.flds.ws/2010/05/09/for-our-children-there-is-no-mothers-day/
Health, human services commissioner: change necessary
Health, human services commissioner: change necessary
unhappygrammy-Nicholas Toumpas states,"Give me an alternative." I'll give him an alternative. Put a stop to NH DCYF's illegal practices in the stealing of un-abused, non-neglected children. Get rid of ALL the un-ethical DCYF worker's in the state. Mainly Nashua. Start at the top of the fraud chain, where 99% of the fraud exist's. Work your way down. There's your alternative. You'll save the state MILLIONS!
DHHS Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas speaks at a Portsmouth Rotary luncheon Thursday afternoon at the Redhook Ale Brewery.
Dave Choate
By Dave Choate
dchoate@seacoastonline.com
May 07, 2010 2:00 AM
PORTSMOUTH — Confronting rising demand and steep cuts, N.H. Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas said his department is trying to transform the way it delivers services to residents.
Speaking to a large crowd at the weekly Portsmouth Rotary meeting and lunch, Toumpas outlined a 12 percent increase in the demand for services from the department, which handles nursing, elderly and mental health patients. The department has been asked to cut nearly 9 percent of its budget as part of nearly $85 million in proposed reductions statewide. His budget, he said, represents 45 percent of the state's general fund, making it far and away the largest department.
"We are an organization that is going through an extraordinary time right now," Toumpas said. "In the short term, there's not a whole lot to be cheery about."
The state as a whole is battling falling revenues and rising costs, he added.
"We have a $200 million problem," Toumpas said, referring to an estimated budget shortfall lawmakers are trying to close. "Everything is impacted by it."
Cutting the deficit will require change, the commissioner said, beginning with looking at population segments by need and attempting to focus the delivery of services, bringing together nonprofits and other agencies, taking a hard look at what the department offers and how to make cuts while maintaining or raising the quality of core services and enhancing the department's technology infrastructure.
Toumpas said, while he's sure a number of people will say the idea of improving service while heavy cost-cutting is going on is crazy, the department must try.
"My response is, 'Give me an alternative,'" Toumpas said.
He praised the collaboration of agencies in Portsmouth. In a response to a question from one Rotarian, he said further consolidation of agencies — including those that treat mental health disorders — is a wise decision in the long run. He also spoke of mobilizing volunteers to aid public health efforts.
"You've got a marvelous jump-start," Toumpas said.
He also received one broader question about why state government agencies seem resistant to change until it becomes a critical need, citing studies as far back as 15 years ago that predicted unsustainability of current practices. Toumpas countered by saying the size and relatively autonomous sectors of state government cause difficulty, and said quantum leaps and sweeping efficiency improvements at that level are not likely to happen any time soon.
Nancy Notis, a member of Rotary and the Portsmouth Regional Hospital spokeswoman, said the goal with bringing in speakers like Toumpas is to provide locals with a view of issues that go beyond the city's borders.
"We have a speaker for every Rotary meeting," said Notis, who added that they target "speakers that come in that can enlighten us on things going on, not only locally but also ... statewide and nationally."
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20100507-NEWS-5070397
An e-mail I received from Anonymous in response to this article:
Dot,
I completely agree with you! DCYF and their false allegations have resulted in the huge waste of taxpayers' monies and time, and there has been harm to the very children, youths and families by DCYF that NH DCYF has claimed to be "servicing." NH DCYF offices should be fined heavily and re-audited for each allegation that involved falsified documents, false allegation and harm to the child or family that they are supposed to be servicing....as well for each day of wasting the taxpayers' monies by tying up the Family Courts with such allegations. The Nashua DCYF office, the Salem NH DCYF office and the Concord NH DCYF offices are the first 3 offices that are in dire need of being audited on ALL of their cases. It's my understanding that the supervisor who made false allegations re: my son and our family has since been promoted to "state liaison for abuse and neglect." Our taxpayer dollars paid for her course/training. Her salary is listed below. My concern is that there are too many unethical people in high up positions and when one finally gets replaced, as Maggie Bishop eventually will be, that a Maggie Protoge will assume the lead role of NH DCYF. 2 wrongs certainly don't make a right. The fact that NH DCYF harms families is the 1st wrong, the lack of accountability is the 2nd wrong and that there hasn't been a mandated audit of NH DCYF at the request of NH Families to achieve an indepth look at NH DCYF's handling of cases, their clinical and ethical practices is the 3rd wrong! 2 wrongs don't made a right and 3 wrongs are equivalent to a huge wrong!
http://www.unionleader.com/uploads/media-items/2009/January/2008statesalaries.pdf
unhappygrammy-Nicholas Toumpas states,"Give me an alternative." I'll give him an alternative. Put a stop to NH DCYF's illegal practices in the stealing of un-abused, non-neglected children. Get rid of ALL the un-ethical DCYF worker's in the state. Mainly Nashua. Start at the top of the fraud chain, where 99% of the fraud exist's. Work your way down. There's your alternative. You'll save the state MILLIONS!
DHHS Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas speaks at a Portsmouth Rotary luncheon Thursday afternoon at the Redhook Ale Brewery.
Dave Choate
By Dave Choate
dchoate@seacoastonline.com
May 07, 2010 2:00 AM
PORTSMOUTH — Confronting rising demand and steep cuts, N.H. Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas said his department is trying to transform the way it delivers services to residents.
Speaking to a large crowd at the weekly Portsmouth Rotary meeting and lunch, Toumpas outlined a 12 percent increase in the demand for services from the department, which handles nursing, elderly and mental health patients. The department has been asked to cut nearly 9 percent of its budget as part of nearly $85 million in proposed reductions statewide. His budget, he said, represents 45 percent of the state's general fund, making it far and away the largest department.
"We are an organization that is going through an extraordinary time right now," Toumpas said. "In the short term, there's not a whole lot to be cheery about."
The state as a whole is battling falling revenues and rising costs, he added.
"We have a $200 million problem," Toumpas said, referring to an estimated budget shortfall lawmakers are trying to close. "Everything is impacted by it."
Cutting the deficit will require change, the commissioner said, beginning with looking at population segments by need and attempting to focus the delivery of services, bringing together nonprofits and other agencies, taking a hard look at what the department offers and how to make cuts while maintaining or raising the quality of core services and enhancing the department's technology infrastructure.
Toumpas said, while he's sure a number of people will say the idea of improving service while heavy cost-cutting is going on is crazy, the department must try.
"My response is, 'Give me an alternative,'" Toumpas said.
He praised the collaboration of agencies in Portsmouth. In a response to a question from one Rotarian, he said further consolidation of agencies — including those that treat mental health disorders — is a wise decision in the long run. He also spoke of mobilizing volunteers to aid public health efforts.
"You've got a marvelous jump-start," Toumpas said.
He also received one broader question about why state government agencies seem resistant to change until it becomes a critical need, citing studies as far back as 15 years ago that predicted unsustainability of current practices. Toumpas countered by saying the size and relatively autonomous sectors of state government cause difficulty, and said quantum leaps and sweeping efficiency improvements at that level are not likely to happen any time soon.
Nancy Notis, a member of Rotary and the Portsmouth Regional Hospital spokeswoman, said the goal with bringing in speakers like Toumpas is to provide locals with a view of issues that go beyond the city's borders.
"We have a speaker for every Rotary meeting," said Notis, who added that they target "speakers that come in that can enlighten us on things going on, not only locally but also ... statewide and nationally."
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20100507-NEWS-5070397
An e-mail I received from Anonymous in response to this article:
Dot,
I completely agree with you! DCYF and their false allegations have resulted in the huge waste of taxpayers' monies and time, and there has been harm to the very children, youths and families by DCYF that NH DCYF has claimed to be "servicing." NH DCYF offices should be fined heavily and re-audited for each allegation that involved falsified documents, false allegation and harm to the child or family that they are supposed to be servicing....as well for each day of wasting the taxpayers' monies by tying up the Family Courts with such allegations. The Nashua DCYF office, the Salem NH DCYF office and the Concord NH DCYF offices are the first 3 offices that are in dire need of being audited on ALL of their cases. It's my understanding that the supervisor who made false allegations re: my son and our family has since been promoted to "state liaison for abuse and neglect." Our taxpayer dollars paid for her course/training. Her salary is listed below. My concern is that there are too many unethical people in high up positions and when one finally gets replaced, as Maggie Bishop eventually will be, that a Maggie Protoge will assume the lead role of NH DCYF. 2 wrongs certainly don't make a right. The fact that NH DCYF harms families is the 1st wrong, the lack of accountability is the 2nd wrong and that there hasn't been a mandated audit of NH DCYF at the request of NH Families to achieve an indepth look at NH DCYF's handling of cases, their clinical and ethical practices is the 3rd wrong! 2 wrongs don't made a right and 3 wrongs are equivalent to a huge wrong!
http://www.unionleader.com/uploads/media-items/2009/January/2008statesalaries.pdf
President Mother’s Day Proclamation Acknowledges Two-Mom Families
http://www.keennewsservice.com/2010/05/09/president-mother’s-day-proclamation-acknowledges-two-mom-families/comment-page-1/#comment-556
President Mother’s Day Proclamation Acknowledges Two-Mom Families
By Dana Rudolph on May 9, 2010
For the first time ever, a president’s annual Mother’s Day proclamation has included a specific mention of families that include two mothers.
President Obama’s May 7 proclamation said in part, “Whether adoptive, biological, or foster, mothers share an unbreakable bond with their children, and Americans of all ages and backgrounds owe them an immeasurable debt. Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may be raised by two parents, a single mother, two mothers, a step-mom, a grandmother, or a guardian.”
The President’s Mother’s Day proclamation in 2009 did not mention two-mom families, but followed the examples of Presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, who almost always enumerated some version of “adoptive, biological, or foster mothers,” occasionally adding “stepmothers.” (President George W. Bush did not, however, specify types of mothers after 2003.)
Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Equality Council, a support and advocacy group for LGBT families, issued the following statement in response to this year’s Presidential proclamation: “We welcome the President’s words today, but they represent the bow on the gift of equality we don’t yet have.”
Chrisler noted that one million LGBT families raising two million kids need action. The organization seeks passage of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, introduced into the House last October. The bill seeks to prohibit discrimination in adoption or foster care placements based on the sexual orientation, gender identification, or marital status of any prospective adoptive or foster parent. It awaits action in the House Ways and Means Committee.
The bill supports the group’s priority of opening the door for qualified LGBT people to parent the 120,000 kids up for adoption in the foster care system. “There are at least four times as many LGBT people wanting to adopt as there are kids waiting to be adopted, according to the Williams Institute,” Chrisler said. “The question is: Do we give these kids parents, or not? Thirty years of research and all major child welfare organizations agree: gay parents are good parents.”
President Obama, in naming November 2009 as National Adoption Month, did indicate his support of the concept, stating, “By continually opening up the doors to adoption, and supporting full equality in adoption laws for all American families, we allow more children to find the permanent homes they yearn for and deserve.”
He has acknowledged LGBT people in other proclamations as well. Last year, he issued the first Presidential Pride Month proclamation since President Clinton in 2000.
In proclaiming Sept. 28, 2009, as Family Day, he said, “Whether children are raised by two parents, a single parent, grandparents, a same-sex couple, or a guardian, families encourage us to do our best and enable us to accomplish great things.”
But in his proclamation of May 2010 as National Foster Care Month, he made no mention of LGBT foster parents.
And one day before his Mother’s Day proclamation, he proclaimed Military Spouse Appreciation Day, but made no mention of the same-sex partners of servicemembers.
(I'm just writing back to let everyone know my comment was removed. I guess it just wasn't what was expected!)
MY COMMENT!
Families torn apart illegally by our Governments state agencies are owed an immeasurable debt. Instead of opening the door for LGBT people to adopt our stolen children, it would be nice if you did something for the families being torn apart due to false accusations and fraud. What do American families mean to you? Not enough evidently.
Your grandmother raised you, so what's wrong with me and other grandparents raising our grandchildren? Are we not good enough?
If you REALLY want to help the children of our great Nation, abolish CPS/DCYF. How about proclaiming June "Legally Kidnapped Childrens Month?"
President Mother’s Day Proclamation Acknowledges Two-Mom Families
By Dana Rudolph on May 9, 2010
For the first time ever, a president’s annual Mother’s Day proclamation has included a specific mention of families that include two mothers.
President Obama’s May 7 proclamation said in part, “Whether adoptive, biological, or foster, mothers share an unbreakable bond with their children, and Americans of all ages and backgrounds owe them an immeasurable debt. Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may be raised by two parents, a single mother, two mothers, a step-mom, a grandmother, or a guardian.”
The President’s Mother’s Day proclamation in 2009 did not mention two-mom families, but followed the examples of Presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, who almost always enumerated some version of “adoptive, biological, or foster mothers,” occasionally adding “stepmothers.” (President George W. Bush did not, however, specify types of mothers after 2003.)
Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Equality Council, a support and advocacy group for LGBT families, issued the following statement in response to this year’s Presidential proclamation: “We welcome the President’s words today, but they represent the bow on the gift of equality we don’t yet have.”
Chrisler noted that one million LGBT families raising two million kids need action. The organization seeks passage of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, introduced into the House last October. The bill seeks to prohibit discrimination in adoption or foster care placements based on the sexual orientation, gender identification, or marital status of any prospective adoptive or foster parent. It awaits action in the House Ways and Means Committee.
The bill supports the group’s priority of opening the door for qualified LGBT people to parent the 120,000 kids up for adoption in the foster care system. “There are at least four times as many LGBT people wanting to adopt as there are kids waiting to be adopted, according to the Williams Institute,” Chrisler said. “The question is: Do we give these kids parents, or not? Thirty years of research and all major child welfare organizations agree: gay parents are good parents.”
President Obama, in naming November 2009 as National Adoption Month, did indicate his support of the concept, stating, “By continually opening up the doors to adoption, and supporting full equality in adoption laws for all American families, we allow more children to find the permanent homes they yearn for and deserve.”
He has acknowledged LGBT people in other proclamations as well. Last year, he issued the first Presidential Pride Month proclamation since President Clinton in 2000.
In proclaiming Sept. 28, 2009, as Family Day, he said, “Whether children are raised by two parents, a single parent, grandparents, a same-sex couple, or a guardian, families encourage us to do our best and enable us to accomplish great things.”
But in his proclamation of May 2010 as National Foster Care Month, he made no mention of LGBT foster parents.
And one day before his Mother’s Day proclamation, he proclaimed Military Spouse Appreciation Day, but made no mention of the same-sex partners of servicemembers.
(I'm just writing back to let everyone know my comment was removed. I guess it just wasn't what was expected!)
MY COMMENT!
Families torn apart illegally by our Governments state agencies are owed an immeasurable debt. Instead of opening the door for LGBT people to adopt our stolen children, it would be nice if you did something for the families being torn apart due to false accusations and fraud. What do American families mean to you? Not enough evidently.
Your grandmother raised you, so what's wrong with me and other grandparents raising our grandchildren? Are we not good enough?
If you REALLY want to help the children of our great Nation, abolish CPS/DCYF. How about proclaiming June "Legally Kidnapped Childrens Month?"
Saturday, May 8, 2010
A True Mother
Becoming a mother is the greatest experience of life
A precious life grows inside the womb
The happiness of the baby's birth
Brings expectations of a life filled with joy
Taking your baby home from the hospital
Taking care of your baby's every need
Watching your baby grow
Your baby's first smile
First tooth
First steps
All the baby's firsts
That a Mother will never forget
Protecting your child
Standing by your child
Listening to your child
Making sure your child alway's know's she's loved
She'll make mistakes along the way
But a Mother never judges her child
Just letting her know your there
Through good times and bad
To lend a helping hand
To teach her how to be a Mother
So she can experience the greatest miracle of life
The most precious of all God's creations
Her newborn child
This is the life of a true Mother.
A precious life grows inside the womb
The happiness of the baby's birth
Brings expectations of a life filled with joy
Taking your baby home from the hospital
Taking care of your baby's every need
Watching your baby grow
Your baby's first smile
First tooth
First steps
All the baby's firsts
That a Mother will never forget
Protecting your child
Standing by your child
Listening to your child
Making sure your child alway's know's she's loved
She'll make mistakes along the way
But a Mother never judges her child
Just letting her know your there
Through good times and bad
To lend a helping hand
To teach her how to be a Mother
So she can experience the greatest miracle of life
The most precious of all God's creations
Her newborn child
This is the life of a true Mother.
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