CALL TO ACTION (MD, USA): (Phone calls and emails today please.) House Judiciary committee vote, we need to keep the pressure up with phone calls and email in support of Bill HB 1132. Please forward this email to your networks. 1) http://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/bills/hb/hb1132f.pdf
Absent truthful abuse, neglect and abandonment NO child should ever be used to create the need for services.We are fighting the Maryland Bar Association, Maryland Psychologist, and various other profit seeking organizations that profit from creating conflicts abusing our children and parents. These organizations are presenting misinformation and omiting facts to committees. This is organized systemic abuse of the public.These orgainizations are knowingly creating the need for their services and destroying 100s of thousands of families in Maryland. Let use repeat: Absent truthful abuse, neglect and abandonment No child should ever be used to create the need for services.
Please contact your legislators (301)970-5400 to support Bill HB1132.Equal parenting for Maryland. Please build support from all parties call everybody you can.
General Assembly Link 2) http://mlis.state.md.us/
Warning: Just because we have members supporting a Bill, does not make members vote to support the Bill. We need public outcry for members to vote to protect our children.
The Bill is sponsored by: (we need 12 Judiciary members to support this bill we have 11)
Please clearly state you want the legislator to support HB1132 and Senator to support SB909.The last 4 digits of the below numbers are the judiciary members extensions. You can use the followeing prefixes to get your calls to the delegates. (410)841-xxxx or (301)858-xxxx
Delegate Jill P. Carter, District 41 (Judiciary member) (301) 858-3283
Delegate Tiffany T. Alston, District 24 (Judiciary member) (301) 858-3692
Delegate John W. E. Cluster, Jr., District 8 (Judiciary member) (301) 858-3526
Delegate Frank M. Conaway, Jr., District 40 (Judiciary member) (301) 858-3189
Delegate Don H. Dwyer, Jr., District 31 (Judiciary member) (301) 858-3047
Delegate Michael J. Hough, District 3B (Judiciary member) (301) 858-3472
Delegate Carolyn J. B. Howard, District 24 (301) 858-3919
Delegate Kevin Kelly, District 1B (Judiciary member) (301) 858-3404
Delegate Benjamin F. Kramer, District 19 (301) 858-3485
Delegate Susan K. McComas, District 35B (Judiciary member) (301) 858-3272
Delegate Michael A. McDermott, District 38B (Judiciary member) (301) 858-3431
Delegate Doyle L. Niemann, District 47 (301) 858-3326
Delegate Nathaniel T. Oaks, District 41 (301) 858-3283
Delegate Luiz R. S. Simmons, District 17 (Judiciary member) (301) 858-3037
Delegate Michael D. Smigiel, Sr., District 36 (Judiciary member) (301) 858-3555
Delegate Michael G. Summers, District 47 (301) 858-3340
Delegate Mary L. Washington, District 43 (301) 858-3476
Delegate C. T. Wilson, District 28 (301) 858-3325
We need calls, emails and letters sent to all Judiciary Committee members to support HB1132. EVIL IS KNOWINGLY AND WILLFULLY CAUSING HARM TO OTHERS. EXPOSE THE TRUTH.
The following Judiciary members we need to lobby hard to get them to vote to support Bill HB1132.
Anderson, Curt Delegate District 43 (301) 858-3291 curt.anderson@house.state.md.us
Arora, Sam Delegate District 19 (301) 858-3528 sam.arora@house.state.md.us
Clippinger, Luke, Delegate District 46 (301) 858-3303 luke.clippinger@house.state.md.us
Cluster, John W.E., Jr., Delegate District 8 (301) 858-3526 john.cluster@house.state.md.us
Lee, Susan C., Delegate District 16 (301) 858-3649 susan.lee@house.state.md.us
Mitchell, Keiffer J., Jr., Delegate District 44 (301) 858-3802 keiffer.mitchell@house.state.md.us
Parrott, Neil, Delegate District 2B (301) 858-3636 neil.parrott@house.state.md.us
Valderrama, Kriselda, Delegate District 26 (301) 858-3210 kris.valderrama@house.state.md.us
Valentino-Smith, Geraldine, Delegate District 23A (301) 858-3101 geraldine.valentino@house.state.md.us
Waldstreicher, Jeff, Delegate District 18 (301) 858-3130 jeff.waldstreicher@house.state.md.us
Thank you,
STOP CHILD ABUSE FOR PROFIT
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
Friday, March 18, 2011
Couple Battling CPS over Adoption Suffers Major Setback
Couple Battling CPS over Adoption Suffers Major Setback
RANDY WALLACE
Investigative Reporter
HOUSTON - In an exclusive FOX 26 investigation in February, we told you about Tina and Brian Porter.
The Porters said Children's Protective Services ignored state law when it allowed their great niece's baby to be adopted by foster parents instead of blood relatives.
"I would never in my life believe in this country this kind of behavior would be allowed," Brian Porter said.
The Porters are in the process of adopting their great niece's baby boy and had planned on adopting her baby daughter as well.
The birth mother is mentally disabled and is described by her family as having the mental capacity of a 12-year-old child.
That didn't stop CPS from talking the mother into signing away her parental rights with no attorney present, according to Don Robinowitz, the Porters attorney.
“She definitely has, like I said, mental disabilities that were recognized in CPS's own paperwork and no precautions were taken," Robinowitz said. "Somebody should have made sure that she was competent to make a decision of this magnitude."
The Porters accuse CPS of stringing them along for months making them think they would be adopting the baby girl.
Then last December, according to the Porters, CPS called them to tell them in 24 hours the baby would be adopted by her foster parents.
"Unbelievable," Tina Porter said. "I still can't believe it how this could be allowed to happen."
The Porters filed suit in hopes of undoing the adoption.
In a recent court hearing, the judge pointed out that no matter how he ruled, hearts would be broken.
Even though they had several supporters with them wearing bright yellow T-shirts, it was the Porters who ended up emotionally crushed.
"To me, it wasn't a fair ruling," Tina Porter said.
The judge ruled against the Porters saying they had no legal standing to try to reverse the baby girl's adoption by her foster parents.
"It's a very hard hit, especially from an emotional standpoint and a financial stand point," Robinowitz said.
“We're ready to see her come home and every time we come up here it lasts even longer," Brian Porter said. "Enough is enough."
The Porters saga as well as this family's story prompted dozens and dozens of viewers to contact FOX 26 Investigates. Those viewers claim what happened to those families happened to them too:
CPS allowed foster parents to adopt children without considering family members first.
"That's my biggest problem with this whole thing," Tina Porter said. "There are dozens of families being ripped apart constantly."
"They feel like they're being forced to back down their afraid of fighting CPS," Tina said.
The Porters aren't afraid to fight CPS. They plan to appeal the judge's ruling.
"We're not going to stop. We're going to keep fighting no matter what," Tina Porter said.
While the Porters are financially able to fight CPS, they realize many families can't, so they don't even try.
"People are scared they lose their family members, it's not right," Tina Porter said. "Something should be done to stop this."
RANDY WALLACE
Investigative Reporter
HOUSTON - In an exclusive FOX 26 investigation in February, we told you about Tina and Brian Porter.
The Porters said Children's Protective Services ignored state law when it allowed their great niece's baby to be adopted by foster parents instead of blood relatives.
"I would never in my life believe in this country this kind of behavior would be allowed," Brian Porter said.
The Porters are in the process of adopting their great niece's baby boy and had planned on adopting her baby daughter as well.
The birth mother is mentally disabled and is described by her family as having the mental capacity of a 12-year-old child.
That didn't stop CPS from talking the mother into signing away her parental rights with no attorney present, according to Don Robinowitz, the Porters attorney.
“She definitely has, like I said, mental disabilities that were recognized in CPS's own paperwork and no precautions were taken," Robinowitz said. "Somebody should have made sure that she was competent to make a decision of this magnitude."
The Porters accuse CPS of stringing them along for months making them think they would be adopting the baby girl.
Then last December, according to the Porters, CPS called them to tell them in 24 hours the baby would be adopted by her foster parents.
"Unbelievable," Tina Porter said. "I still can't believe it how this could be allowed to happen."
The Porters filed suit in hopes of undoing the adoption.
In a recent court hearing, the judge pointed out that no matter how he ruled, hearts would be broken.
Even though they had several supporters with them wearing bright yellow T-shirts, it was the Porters who ended up emotionally crushed.
"To me, it wasn't a fair ruling," Tina Porter said.
The judge ruled against the Porters saying they had no legal standing to try to reverse the baby girl's adoption by her foster parents.
"It's a very hard hit, especially from an emotional standpoint and a financial stand point," Robinowitz said.
“We're ready to see her come home and every time we come up here it lasts even longer," Brian Porter said. "Enough is enough."
The Porters saga as well as this family's story prompted dozens and dozens of viewers to contact FOX 26 Investigates. Those viewers claim what happened to those families happened to them too:
CPS allowed foster parents to adopt children without considering family members first.
"That's my biggest problem with this whole thing," Tina Porter said. "There are dozens of families being ripped apart constantly."
"They feel like they're being forced to back down their afraid of fighting CPS," Tina said.
The Porters aren't afraid to fight CPS. They plan to appeal the judge's ruling.
"We're not going to stop. We're going to keep fighting no matter what," Tina Porter said.
While the Porters are financially able to fight CPS, they realize many families can't, so they don't even try.
"People are scared they lose their family members, it's not right," Tina Porter said. "Something should be done to stop this."
Pilot program to review use of psychotropic prescription drugs in Georgia's foster care system
Pilot program to review use of psychotropic prescription drugs in Georgia's foster care system :: The Republic
ATLANTA — A pilot program will study of the use of psychotropic drugs in Georgia's foster care system.
State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver said many children in foster care have been traumatized and are in need of mental health treatment but data from the Department of Community Health show they are being prescribed psychotropic drugs at an alarmingly high rate.
Oliver is sponsoring legislation that would create an independent medical review for prescription drug use of children in state custody. It would also require state officials to develop an independent medical review of psychotropic medications.
The pilot program will be funded by Casey Family Programs and run out of the Barton Child Law and Policy Center at Emory University Law School in partnership with the Georgia Department of Human Services.
ATLANTA — A pilot program will study of the use of psychotropic drugs in Georgia's foster care system.
State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver said many children in foster care have been traumatized and are in need of mental health treatment but data from the Department of Community Health show they are being prescribed psychotropic drugs at an alarmingly high rate.
Oliver is sponsoring legislation that would create an independent medical review for prescription drug use of children in state custody. It would also require state officials to develop an independent medical review of psychotropic medications.
The pilot program will be funded by Casey Family Programs and run out of the Barton Child Law and Policy Center at Emory University Law School in partnership with the Georgia Department of Human Services.
The Fleecing of Foster Children: How We Confiscate Their Assets and Undermine Their Financial Security
Youth Today
The Fleecing of Foster Children: How We Confiscate Their Assets and Undermine Their Financial Security
March 18, 2011 by Kaitlin Mayhew
The Children’s Advocacy Institute, First Star
About 30,000 of the nation’s foster children age out of the system each year, most often at age 18. They are expected to become independent, self-sufficient and contributing members of society with little or no assistance from others.
According to this report, the foster care system creates huge problems that make the expectations unrealistic. Only about 3 percent of children in foster care ever earn four-year degrees, and by age 24, less than half of foster care “alumni” are employed.
Children in foster care are more likely to be victim to identity theft, and many do not even discover that they had been targeted until they leave foster care and are applying for a student loan, apartment, or car and discover their credit has been destroyed.
Many children in the foster care system quality for Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits Program (OASDI) and/or the Supplemental Security Income for Aged, Blind and Disabled (SSI) program, but can’t claim the benefits, according to this report.
Underage beneficiaries are required to have an adult representative payee, which often can’t be provided for a foster child, so the benefits are confiscated.
Even those who do get benefits are given odd restrictions. For example, they are not allowed to accumulate resources that exceed $2,000, so in essence they are being taught not to save money. The $2,000 figure was put in place in 1989 and has not been adjusted since for inflation.
One or more of these situations intertwined can result in a lifetime of poverty. Another problem is the state and county social services budgets have been reduced in recent years, and face more cuts as a result of the struggling economy.
According to the organizations authoring the report, the states should take more responsibility for foster children. “States should be required to check into youth’s credit records and repair when necessary.”
The report recommends passage of the Foster Children Self-Support Act, which would safeguard some of foster children’s Social Security benefits, creating a basic safety net for when they age out of foster care.
“Just as parents work hard to raise children who will become self-sufficient, we should work hard to prepare foster youth to have the same capabilities.”
Free. 44 pages. http://www.caichildlaw.org/Misc/Fleecing_Report_Final_HR.pdf
The Fleecing of Foster Children: How We Confiscate Their Assets and Undermine Their Financial Security
March 18, 2011 by Kaitlin Mayhew
The Children’s Advocacy Institute, First Star
About 30,000 of the nation’s foster children age out of the system each year, most often at age 18. They are expected to become independent, self-sufficient and contributing members of society with little or no assistance from others.
According to this report, the foster care system creates huge problems that make the expectations unrealistic. Only about 3 percent of children in foster care ever earn four-year degrees, and by age 24, less than half of foster care “alumni” are employed.
Children in foster care are more likely to be victim to identity theft, and many do not even discover that they had been targeted until they leave foster care and are applying for a student loan, apartment, or car and discover their credit has been destroyed.
Many children in the foster care system quality for Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits Program (OASDI) and/or the Supplemental Security Income for Aged, Blind and Disabled (SSI) program, but can’t claim the benefits, according to this report.
Underage beneficiaries are required to have an adult representative payee, which often can’t be provided for a foster child, so the benefits are confiscated.
Even those who do get benefits are given odd restrictions. For example, they are not allowed to accumulate resources that exceed $2,000, so in essence they are being taught not to save money. The $2,000 figure was put in place in 1989 and has not been adjusted since for inflation.
One or more of these situations intertwined can result in a lifetime of poverty. Another problem is the state and county social services budgets have been reduced in recent years, and face more cuts as a result of the struggling economy.
According to the organizations authoring the report, the states should take more responsibility for foster children. “States should be required to check into youth’s credit records and repair when necessary.”
The report recommends passage of the Foster Children Self-Support Act, which would safeguard some of foster children’s Social Security benefits, creating a basic safety net for when they age out of foster care.
“Just as parents work hard to raise children who will become self-sufficient, we should work hard to prepare foster youth to have the same capabilities.”
Free. 44 pages. http://www.caichildlaw.org/Misc/Fleecing_Report_Final_HR.pdf
Oliver Spring couple files $50 million lawsuit over abuse charges, removal of children
Oliver Spring couple files $50 million lawsuit over abuse charges, removal of children » Knoxville News Sentinel Mobile
By Bob Fowler
Published Thursday, March 10, 2011
An Oliver Springs couple accused of child abuse have filed a $50 million federal lawsuit over their arrest and the removal of six adopted children from their home.
The complaint was filed on behalf of Tobias M. Pethtel and Kathleen Elaine Pethtel, both 45.
The legal action names nine organizations and 31 individuals - including eight Anderson County deputies and five foster parents - as defendants.
The lawsuit contends the children were uprooted from their home, coerced by children's advocacy groups and state Department of Children's Services employees and others, and placed in inappropriate foster homes.
The 114-page amended complaint - first filed in November - was resubmitted earlier this month in U.S. District Court.
The Pethtels are free on $75,000 bonds after being indicted last summer on six counts each of aggravated child abuse or neglect.
"They've had a long and difficult saga," said Billy Sams, an attorney representing them in their criminal cases.
Authorities have declined comment on the pending criminal cases. An Anderson County judge has issued a gag order banning parties from discussing the case.
The Pethtels contend their constitutional rights have been trampled on, from their arrest to the state's seizure of their children to the children's subsequent mistreatment by foster parents.
The children "have been raised in a traditionally conservative and Christian manner," the lawsuit states.
Department of Children's Services workers have portrayed the couple as belonging to a "cult," it continues, "subjecting the family to discriminatory religious remarks."
One DCS worker described the children as "brainwashed," according to the lawsuit.
The Pethtels have seven children, ranging in age from 7 to 16 and adopted in Russia, Hawaii and Idaho, according to court records. Six children were living at home at the time, while a seventh child was in a Florida military school.
The federal complaint alleges the Pethtels' legal woes were sparked by a "911 prank call" made by one of the children in November 2009.
A deputy responding to cite the parents for the call "forced his way into the house" without a warrant and noticed a bruise on one child's face, according to the complaint. Although deputies were told the bruise was the result of a recent bike wreck, DCS employees were summoned, it continues.
Subsequent "Nazi-style interviews" of some of the Pethtel children produced "crazy lies, gross inconsistencies and contradictions," the lawsuit contends.
The legal action alleges foster parents for the children exposed them to various practices "outside the family guidelines."
Lanis L. Karnes, a Jackson, Tenn., attorney, filed the federal lawsuit. Karnes didn't return calls Monday and Tuesday seeking comment.
Bob Fowler may be reached at 865-481-3625.
By Bob Fowler
Published Thursday, March 10, 2011
An Oliver Springs couple accused of child abuse have filed a $50 million federal lawsuit over their arrest and the removal of six adopted children from their home.
The complaint was filed on behalf of Tobias M. Pethtel and Kathleen Elaine Pethtel, both 45.
The legal action names nine organizations and 31 individuals - including eight Anderson County deputies and five foster parents - as defendants.
The lawsuit contends the children were uprooted from their home, coerced by children's advocacy groups and state Department of Children's Services employees and others, and placed in inappropriate foster homes.
The 114-page amended complaint - first filed in November - was resubmitted earlier this month in U.S. District Court.
The Pethtels are free on $75,000 bonds after being indicted last summer on six counts each of aggravated child abuse or neglect.
"They've had a long and difficult saga," said Billy Sams, an attorney representing them in their criminal cases.
Authorities have declined comment on the pending criminal cases. An Anderson County judge has issued a gag order banning parties from discussing the case.
The Pethtels contend their constitutional rights have been trampled on, from their arrest to the state's seizure of their children to the children's subsequent mistreatment by foster parents.
The children "have been raised in a traditionally conservative and Christian manner," the lawsuit states.
Department of Children's Services workers have portrayed the couple as belonging to a "cult," it continues, "subjecting the family to discriminatory religious remarks."
One DCS worker described the children as "brainwashed," according to the lawsuit.
The Pethtels have seven children, ranging in age from 7 to 16 and adopted in Russia, Hawaii and Idaho, according to court records. Six children were living at home at the time, while a seventh child was in a Florida military school.
The federal complaint alleges the Pethtels' legal woes were sparked by a "911 prank call" made by one of the children in November 2009.
A deputy responding to cite the parents for the call "forced his way into the house" without a warrant and noticed a bruise on one child's face, according to the complaint. Although deputies were told the bruise was the result of a recent bike wreck, DCS employees were summoned, it continues.
Subsequent "Nazi-style interviews" of some of the Pethtel children produced "crazy lies, gross inconsistencies and contradictions," the lawsuit contends.
The legal action alleges foster parents for the children exposed them to various practices "outside the family guidelines."
Lanis L. Karnes, a Jackson, Tenn., attorney, filed the federal lawsuit. Karnes didn't return calls Monday and Tuesday seeking comment.
Bob Fowler may be reached at 865-481-3625.
Foster-care deaths increase, but advocates defend system
Foster-care deaths increase, but advocates defend system - Whittier Daily News
By Troy Anderson, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/21/2010 08:50:48 PM PST
Blog
Go behind the yellow tape in the Crime Scene blog
Amid growing concerns about an increase in child abuse and deaths in Los Angeles County, child advocates and county officials are debating what impact new reforms have had in recent years and how to best improve the troubled foster-care system.
The debate centers in part over how the county's Department of Children and Family Services should be funded. A previous method was scrapped in 2007 because it gave financial incentives to tear kids away from their families and place them in foster homes.
The new method essentially involves the county receiving a fixed, capped amount of money under a waiver granted by the federal government.
While most county officials have called it a success, some have questioned whether it has played a role in a recent countywide increase in child abuse and deaths.
DCFS director Trish Ploehn - who reportedly is facing possible ouster from her job because of problems within the department - defended the waiver.
"The waiver itself has been exceptionally successful," Ploehn said. "The old way of doing foster care basically set up an incentive for foster-care agencies to have more children in care. That is not a good way to do child welfare, and research bears out that children always do much better in their own homes. Removing a child from their family is traumatizing to the child."
But Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky has raised concerns recently about the waiver and DCFS' drive to reduce the number of
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children in foster care, saying the push has resulted in the county leaving too many children in unsafe environments.
Yaroslavsky did not return calls for comment.
Yaroslavsky's concerns come as the number of child deaths rose from 18 in 2008 to 26 last year. And 23 have been reported this year, putting it on track to surpass last year's figure.
DCFS released the figures under a new law designed to give the public a fuller picture of the number of children who died after county agencies were brought in to investigate reports of abuse or neglect.
County officials, however, have said the apparent statistical increase in deaths may be misleading, because a new law requires an expansion in the number of causes of death that should be counted. The old way primarily focused on homicides, while the new statistics also include drownings, suicides and other types of deaths resulting from accident or neglect.
The number of reports of abuse and neglect also has increased from 182,013 in 2007 to 186,782 last year.
As of Sept. 21, the number stood at 139,571 and was on pace to surpass 2009.
But Ploehn said she believes the rising number of reports of child abuse and neglect in the county is not connected to the waiver or other reforms, but rather the increasing stress on families hit by the nation's weak economy.
Meanwhile, a report slated for release this week is expected to show that the well-being of children in DCFS' care has improved since the waiver went into effect in 2007.
The report, requested by Supervisors Michael Antonovich and Mark Ridley-Thomas, is expected to show the number of children in long-term foster care has dropped from 9,918 in 2007 to 6,641 now, the number of children abused or neglected in foster care has fallen from 451 in 2007 to 393 now, and the number of children placed in group homes has decreased 33 percent, according to DCFS figures.
Under the method of funding before the waiver, the county received $30,000 to $150,000 in state and federal funding for each child placed in foster care.
A series of audits in 2003 found private foster-family agencies and group homes had spent millions of taxpayer dollars to drive around in Jaguars and Mercedes and pay for Las Vegas gambling debts, calls to psychic hot lines, jewelry, parties and alcohol.
At the time, former DCFS Director David Sanders said that because of the financial incentives in child-welfare laws, up to half the county's foster children had been unnecessarily placed in a system that is often more dangerous than their homes.
Sanders, who advocated the waiver, said the point of the waiver was to free up a portion of DCFS' $1.8 billion budget to use on services to help families stay together.
In 2007, the federal government granted Los Angeles County and other jurisdictions throughout the nation the waivers. Since then, DCFS has used $88 million that normally would have gone to pay for foster care and put it toward services to help families and keep children out of foster care. At the same time, the number of children in foster homes has dropped from 30,000 in 2003 to 15,000 now.
Richard Wexler, executive director of the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, said there is no evidence the waiver has compromised the safety of children in the county.
"The waiver is the only thing that has kept this whole situation from being even worse," Wexler said. "We know it's possible to improve safety under a waiver because Florida has done it. Without the waiver, huge numbers of additional children will be needlessly torn from everyone they know and love."
troy.anderson@dailynews.com
213-974-8985
By Troy Anderson, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/21/2010 08:50:48 PM PST
Blog
Go behind the yellow tape in the Crime Scene blog
Amid growing concerns about an increase in child abuse and deaths in Los Angeles County, child advocates and county officials are debating what impact new reforms have had in recent years and how to best improve the troubled foster-care system.
The debate centers in part over how the county's Department of Children and Family Services should be funded. A previous method was scrapped in 2007 because it gave financial incentives to tear kids away from their families and place them in foster homes.
The new method essentially involves the county receiving a fixed, capped amount of money under a waiver granted by the federal government.
While most county officials have called it a success, some have questioned whether it has played a role in a recent countywide increase in child abuse and deaths.
DCFS director Trish Ploehn - who reportedly is facing possible ouster from her job because of problems within the department - defended the waiver.
"The waiver itself has been exceptionally successful," Ploehn said. "The old way of doing foster care basically set up an incentive for foster-care agencies to have more children in care. That is not a good way to do child welfare, and research bears out that children always do much better in their own homes. Removing a child from their family is traumatizing to the child."
But Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky has raised concerns recently about the waiver and DCFS' drive to reduce the number of
Advertisement
children in foster care, saying the push has resulted in the county leaving too many children in unsafe environments.
Yaroslavsky did not return calls for comment.
Yaroslavsky's concerns come as the number of child deaths rose from 18 in 2008 to 26 last year. And 23 have been reported this year, putting it on track to surpass last year's figure.
DCFS released the figures under a new law designed to give the public a fuller picture of the number of children who died after county agencies were brought in to investigate reports of abuse or neglect.
County officials, however, have said the apparent statistical increase in deaths may be misleading, because a new law requires an expansion in the number of causes of death that should be counted. The old way primarily focused on homicides, while the new statistics also include drownings, suicides and other types of deaths resulting from accident or neglect.
The number of reports of abuse and neglect also has increased from 182,013 in 2007 to 186,782 last year.
As of Sept. 21, the number stood at 139,571 and was on pace to surpass 2009.
But Ploehn said she believes the rising number of reports of child abuse and neglect in the county is not connected to the waiver or other reforms, but rather the increasing stress on families hit by the nation's weak economy.
Meanwhile, a report slated for release this week is expected to show that the well-being of children in DCFS' care has improved since the waiver went into effect in 2007.
The report, requested by Supervisors Michael Antonovich and Mark Ridley-Thomas, is expected to show the number of children in long-term foster care has dropped from 9,918 in 2007 to 6,641 now, the number of children abused or neglected in foster care has fallen from 451 in 2007 to 393 now, and the number of children placed in group homes has decreased 33 percent, according to DCFS figures.
Under the method of funding before the waiver, the county received $30,000 to $150,000 in state and federal funding for each child placed in foster care.
A series of audits in 2003 found private foster-family agencies and group homes had spent millions of taxpayer dollars to drive around in Jaguars and Mercedes and pay for Las Vegas gambling debts, calls to psychic hot lines, jewelry, parties and alcohol.
At the time, former DCFS Director David Sanders said that because of the financial incentives in child-welfare laws, up to half the county's foster children had been unnecessarily placed in a system that is often more dangerous than their homes.
Sanders, who advocated the waiver, said the point of the waiver was to free up a portion of DCFS' $1.8 billion budget to use on services to help families stay together.
In 2007, the federal government granted Los Angeles County and other jurisdictions throughout the nation the waivers. Since then, DCFS has used $88 million that normally would have gone to pay for foster care and put it toward services to help families and keep children out of foster care. At the same time, the number of children in foster homes has dropped from 30,000 in 2003 to 15,000 now.
Richard Wexler, executive director of the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, said there is no evidence the waiver has compromised the safety of children in the county.
"The waiver is the only thing that has kept this whole situation from being even worse," Wexler said. "We know it's possible to improve safety under a waiver because Florida has done it. Without the waiver, huge numbers of additional children will be needlessly torn from everyone they know and love."
troy.anderson@dailynews.com
213-974-8985
A Child's Right: A Child's Right
A Child's Right: A Child's Right
Welcome to A Child’s Right! This 100% volunteer organization is dedicated to a child's fundamental right to be loved, guided, nurtured and educated by both fit and willing parents. To deny this is wrong. To deny this IS child abuse. Click the link to Watch the video at the very bottom of this webpage and ask yourself if this is in the "best interests of the children".
On this website you will find plenty of useful information and it will be updated frequently! You will find information on the benefits of shared parenting, children and parental rights events, Title IV-D, Support: System Down - The Movie, recommended blogs, A Child’s Right videos, volunteer opportunities, and our newly revised A Child’s Right store.
Welcome to A Child’s Right! This 100% volunteer organization is dedicated to a child's fundamental right to be loved, guided, nurtured and educated by both fit and willing parents. To deny this is wrong. To deny this IS child abuse. Click the link to Watch the video at the very bottom of this webpage and ask yourself if this is in the "best interests of the children".
On this website you will find plenty of useful information and it will be updated frequently! You will find information on the benefits of shared parenting, children and parental rights events, Title IV-D, Support: System Down - The Movie, recommended blogs, A Child’s Right videos, volunteer opportunities, and our newly revised A Child’s Right store.
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