Experts call state DHS mismanaged agency | Tulsa World
Using evidence shared in a federal class action lawsuit over the state’s foster care system, two experts commissioned by New York-based Children’s Rights condemned the Oklahoma Department of Human Services as a mismanaged agency.
The experts released reports Monday through Children's Rights.
Children’s Rights filed a lawsuit in February 2008 against DHS seeking wide-ranging reforms in its foster care system. A trial is expected to begin as early as October.
The reports released Monday state abused and neglected children taken into custody by DHS are further harmed by holes in communication and the agency's flawed computer tracking system.
The study claims the problems have led to high rates of maltreatment while in care, inadequate and untimely investigations, extreme placement instability, unsafe and inappropriate placements, poor efforts to maintain relationships with biological families, inconsistent visitation by caseworkers and denial of access to essential services.
“Given the overwhelming evidence that continues to mount, there can be little question that the well-documented and pervasive mismanagement of Oklahoma’s foster care system is directly tied to the harm that children in its custody suffer,” stated Marcia Robinson Lowry, executive director of Children’s Rights, in a press release.
The Department of Human Services could not immediately be reached for comment.
By GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20110321_298_0_Usinge385927
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
Monday, March 21, 2011
Foster Care Program Explained After Arrests of 2 Men
Foster Care Program Explained After Arrests of 2 Men - WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 -
MARDELA SPRINGS, Md.- Recent allegations of sexual abuse leveled against two Mardela Springs men, both certified foster parents, raised the question: what are the qualifications to foster children in Maryland?
Tracy Bayne, 51, was arrested Wednesday, March 16, and charged with sexual abuse of a minor, sex offense, and sodomy. His nephew, Stephen James Merritt, 38, was arrested on Tuesday, March 15, also on child sex abuse charges.
The Maryland Department of Human Resources confirmed both men were certified foster parents with a child placement agency, MENTOR Maryland.
MARDELA SPRINGS, Md.- Recent allegations of sexual abuse leveled against two Mardela Springs men, both certified foster parents, raised the question: what are the qualifications to foster children in Maryland?
Tracy Bayne, 51, was arrested Wednesday, March 16, and charged with sexual abuse of a minor, sex offense, and sodomy. His nephew, Stephen James Merritt, 38, was arrested on Tuesday, March 15, also on child sex abuse charges.
The Maryland Department of Human Resources confirmed both men were certified foster parents with a child placement agency, MENTOR Maryland.
Kids' court shouldn't operate in secret
Kids' court shouldn't operate in secret | legislation, state, problem - Our View - Appeal-Democrat
March 19, 2011 11:46:00 PM
We've become so accustomed to bad legislation emanating from the state Capitol that it can be surprising when a legislator offers a sensible solution to a major problem. Consider us shocked, then, by a bill introduced this month by Assemblyman Mike Feuer, D-Los Angeles, regarding the state's troubled foster-care system. The legislation is desperately needed and targeted at the right problem — a problem that too often is overlooked.
Although details of Assembly Bill 73 were still being worked out, the bill's goal is to improve openness and oversight of a dependency-court system shrouded in secrecy. More than 60,000 California children are in foster care or otherwise are under the supervision of the court system. Unlike other court systems, dependency courts are closed to the public under the theory that children's identities should be protected.
But abuses fester anytime that sunshine is not permitted. Stories have reported on a number of cases in dependency court where records are kept from the public and where those who administer the system — social workers, judges, attorneys — are not always held accountable. In a free society, the government should operate in the most open and accountable way, yet this system — which can make life-changing family decisions — operates in a way more appropriate in un-free societies.
The Feuer legislation seeks to make the court system presumptively open. This is how it operates in 17 other states. In preparation for a March 1 hearing on the subject, Assembly Judiciary Committee staff explained the importance of this issue: "The dependency court has vast power over these children — determining what services they and their families will receive, who will care for them, in both the short- and long-term, and what contact they will have with their families. The court even decides whether to terminate parental rights and begin adoption proceedings."
These decisions currently are made in secrecy. As Feuer said, "Openness in this system fosters scrutiny and reform." Openness would provide more attention to the system and would push those who work for the system to operate at their very best. Critics have argued that it's necessary to keep the system closed to protect the children, but evidence from other states suggests the opposite. The best way to assure that reasoned and fair-minded custody decisions are made is to open the process to the cleansing light of day. That's why the nation's court system mostly operates in the view of the public and why a judge from a Minnesota dependency court, where openness is the presumption, came to California to support this change.
In a recent opinion column, retired Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Leonard Edwards, captured the frustration shared by many of us who have reported on the dependency courts: "A foster child dies while in care. The media contact the children's services agency and ask what happened. The agency responds that it cannot reveal any of the facts because the law requires that the matter remain confidential. The media next contact the juvenile court judge, who responds that there will have to be a hearing before the release (if any) of information relating to the death. The media is outraged. The public wonders about the secrecy surrounding the child's death and whether the agency and the court are trying to hide something."
Transparency is the best way to fix that frustrating and infuriating situation. We're pleased by Mr. Feuer's approach and glad to be pleasantly surprised by something in Sacramento these days.
March 19, 2011 11:46:00 PM
We've become so accustomed to bad legislation emanating from the state Capitol that it can be surprising when a legislator offers a sensible solution to a major problem. Consider us shocked, then, by a bill introduced this month by Assemblyman Mike Feuer, D-Los Angeles, regarding the state's troubled foster-care system. The legislation is desperately needed and targeted at the right problem — a problem that too often is overlooked.
Although details of Assembly Bill 73 were still being worked out, the bill's goal is to improve openness and oversight of a dependency-court system shrouded in secrecy. More than 60,000 California children are in foster care or otherwise are under the supervision of the court system. Unlike other court systems, dependency courts are closed to the public under the theory that children's identities should be protected.
But abuses fester anytime that sunshine is not permitted. Stories have reported on a number of cases in dependency court where records are kept from the public and where those who administer the system — social workers, judges, attorneys — are not always held accountable. In a free society, the government should operate in the most open and accountable way, yet this system — which can make life-changing family decisions — operates in a way more appropriate in un-free societies.
The Feuer legislation seeks to make the court system presumptively open. This is how it operates in 17 other states. In preparation for a March 1 hearing on the subject, Assembly Judiciary Committee staff explained the importance of this issue: "The dependency court has vast power over these children — determining what services they and their families will receive, who will care for them, in both the short- and long-term, and what contact they will have with their families. The court even decides whether to terminate parental rights and begin adoption proceedings."
These decisions currently are made in secrecy. As Feuer said, "Openness in this system fosters scrutiny and reform." Openness would provide more attention to the system and would push those who work for the system to operate at their very best. Critics have argued that it's necessary to keep the system closed to protect the children, but evidence from other states suggests the opposite. The best way to assure that reasoned and fair-minded custody decisions are made is to open the process to the cleansing light of day. That's why the nation's court system mostly operates in the view of the public and why a judge from a Minnesota dependency court, where openness is the presumption, came to California to support this change.
In a recent opinion column, retired Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Leonard Edwards, captured the frustration shared by many of us who have reported on the dependency courts: "A foster child dies while in care. The media contact the children's services agency and ask what happened. The agency responds that it cannot reveal any of the facts because the law requires that the matter remain confidential. The media next contact the juvenile court judge, who responds that there will have to be a hearing before the release (if any) of information relating to the death. The media is outraged. The public wonders about the secrecy surrounding the child's death and whether the agency and the court are trying to hide something."
Transparency is the best way to fix that frustrating and infuriating situation. We're pleased by Mr. Feuer's approach and glad to be pleasantly surprised by something in Sacramento these days.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
CPS People fit the Profile of a Sociopath
CPS People fit the Profile of a Sociopath
Countless CPS people display many of the behavioral characteristics of a sociopath. They believe they are superior, and they are not widely recognized as deviant or disturbed. Only a trained professional can make a diagnosis. Unfortunately the "trained professionals" are working in COLLUSION with them for the Federal Funding Streams. It is important to be able to recognize the personality type in order to expose them for what they really are.
Glibness/Superficial Charm
Language can be used without effort by them to confuse and convince their audience. Captivating storytellers that exude self-confidence, they can spin a web that intrigues others. Since they are persuasive, they have the capacity to destroy their critics verbally or emotionally.
Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors permissible. They may appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They dominate and humiliate their victims.
Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right." Craves adulation and attendance. Must be the center of attention with their own fantasies as the "spokesman for God," "enlightened," "leader of humankind," etc. Creates an us-versus-them mentality
Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities.
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around her as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Incapacity for Love
While they talks about "love" they is unable to give or receive it. Very harsh in testing it from their clients and expects them to feel guilt for their failings. Expects unconditional surrender.
Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge, yet testing the gullibility of their "clientele" with bizarre rules, punishments and behaviors. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal.
Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them. Their skills are used to exploit, abuse and exert power. Since the clientele cannot believe their government would callously hurt them, they rationalize her behavior as necessary for their own "good" and ignore the abuse. When the client become aware of the exploitation it feels like a "rape" to them.
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believes they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others. They see themselves as near perfect.
Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerning about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blame their clients or others of their family. Blame reinforces passivity and obedience and produces guilt, shame, terror and conformity in the clients.
Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
They may frequently practice promiscuity, homosexuality, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts. This is usually kept hidden from all but the inner circle. Stringent sexual control of their clients, such as forced breakups and divorces, removal of children from parents, rules for dating, etc.
Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future. Great contrast between the government employee's lifestyle and the client's impoverishment. Highly sensitive to their own pain and health.
Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image and that of the agency as needed to avoid prosecution and to increase income and to recruit a range of supporters. Is able to adapt or relocate as needed to preserve the agency. Always "on vacation" or "retired" after pulling off a "high risk" caper with too much public attention. Can resurface later in a different agency and a new twist on the same old scam.
Other Related Qualities:
Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them
Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them
Authoritarian
Secretive
Paranoid
Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired
Conventional appearance
Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)
Exercises despotic control over every aspect of their victim's life
Has a psychological need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their agency's affirmation
Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim
Incapable of real human attachment to another
Unable to feel remorse or guilt
Extreme narcissism and grandiose
May state readily that their goal is to rule the world
The above traits are based on the psychopathy checklists of H. Cleckley and R. Hare. In the 1830's this disorder was called "moral insanity." By 1900 it was changed to "psychopathic personality." More recently it has been termed "antisocial personality disorder." Order: Without Conscience: The disturbing world of the psychopaths among us by Robert D. Hare.
http://familyrights.us / social_work / profile_of_a_sociopath.htm
Countless CPS people display many of the behavioral characteristics of a sociopath. They believe they are superior, and they are not widely recognized as deviant or disturbed. Only a trained professional can make a diagnosis. Unfortunately the "trained professionals" are working in COLLUSION with them for the Federal Funding Streams. It is important to be able to recognize the personality type in order to expose them for what they really are.
Glibness/Superficial Charm
Language can be used without effort by them to confuse and convince their audience. Captivating storytellers that exude self-confidence, they can spin a web that intrigues others. Since they are persuasive, they have the capacity to destroy their critics verbally or emotionally.
Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors permissible. They may appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They dominate and humiliate their victims.
Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right." Craves adulation and attendance. Must be the center of attention with their own fantasies as the "spokesman for God," "enlightened," "leader of humankind," etc. Creates an us-versus-them mentality
Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities.
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around her as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Incapacity for Love
While they talks about "love" they is unable to give or receive it. Very harsh in testing it from their clients and expects them to feel guilt for their failings. Expects unconditional surrender.
Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge, yet testing the gullibility of their "clientele" with bizarre rules, punishments and behaviors. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal.
Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them. Their skills are used to exploit, abuse and exert power. Since the clientele cannot believe their government would callously hurt them, they rationalize her behavior as necessary for their own "good" and ignore the abuse. When the client become aware of the exploitation it feels like a "rape" to them.
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believes they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others. They see themselves as near perfect.
Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerning about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blame their clients or others of their family. Blame reinforces passivity and obedience and produces guilt, shame, terror and conformity in the clients.
Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
They may frequently practice promiscuity, homosexuality, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts. This is usually kept hidden from all but the inner circle. Stringent sexual control of their clients, such as forced breakups and divorces, removal of children from parents, rules for dating, etc.
Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future. Great contrast between the government employee's lifestyle and the client's impoverishment. Highly sensitive to their own pain and health.
Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image and that of the agency as needed to avoid prosecution and to increase income and to recruit a range of supporters. Is able to adapt or relocate as needed to preserve the agency. Always "on vacation" or "retired" after pulling off a "high risk" caper with too much public attention. Can resurface later in a different agency and a new twist on the same old scam.
Other Related Qualities:
Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them
Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them
Authoritarian
Secretive
Paranoid
Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired
Conventional appearance
Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)
Exercises despotic control over every aspect of their victim's life
Has a psychological need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their agency's affirmation
Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim
Incapable of real human attachment to another
Unable to feel remorse or guilt
Extreme narcissism and grandiose
May state readily that their goal is to rule the world
The above traits are based on the psychopathy checklists of H. Cleckley and R. Hare. In the 1830's this disorder was called "moral insanity." By 1900 it was changed to "psychopathic personality." More recently it has been termed "antisocial personality disorder." Order: Without Conscience: The disturbing world of the psychopaths among us by Robert D. Hare.
http://familyrights.us / social_work / profile_of_a_sociopath.htm
Dependency courts must be open to public scrutiny
Dependency courts must be open to public scrutiny
Dependency courts fly under the radar in California. If you're a registered voter, you'll never be called to serve at one. They're rarely seen on television. Since they aren't associated with high-profile crime, many Californians have never heard of them.
Low profile as they are, these courts have a substantial impact on the future of California. And for the children and parents who find themselves in the system, the courts can decide the direction of their lives. For these reasons, we believe they should be open to public scrutiny.
The courts oversee California's sprawling foster care system. The judges who preside over them determine the fates of children who are removed from their homes following reports of abuse or neglect. Last year, more than 58,000 children learned whether they'd be allowed to stay with their families - or enter the foster care system. Once children enter the foster care system, with its spin cycle of foster homes and group facilities, they often have to go back to dependency court if they hope to be reunited with their families.
Needless to say, these are big decisions for any court. Ideally, they'd be made by judges who have the time to closely examine each case, with the assistance of lawyers who had considered each family's history. But there have been reports that California's dependency courts are the exact opposite of this scenario. There are stories of judges who have to rule on more than 100 cases a day, and lawyers for children and parents who barely meet their clients.
Common sense suggests that these conditions aren't good for California's most defenseless children. But because the courts are closed to the public, we don't really know what the impact has been.
"The participants in this system are never going to be held accountable unless there is public scrutiny," said Assemblyman Mike Feuer, D-Los Angeles. "I'm a huge believer in the power of transparency and scrutiny for providing the accountability we need."
Feuer is the author of AB73, which would make dependency courts "presumptively" open. The idea is that the dependency courts are open to the public, unless a judge decides there's cause to keep a case out of the public eye.
Seventeen other states have open dependency courts, said Feuer, and there's some evidence that allowing public scrutiny has improved matters for foster youth. Clearly, he added, this is only one step in the process of improving foster care, but "there's never going to be meaningful reform without public awareness."
The legislation has powerful opponents in the form of the social workers union, however.
"We're most concerned that this kind of exposure will lead to peer bullying for these children, and psychological harm," said Mary Gutierrez, a spokeswoman for the California branch of the Service Employees International Union, which represents social workers. "The kids shouldn't have their most private and personal information exposed to the world."
Gutierrez is right that the situation has to be handled with care. Children who find themselves in dependency court have likely already suffered enough. They don't deserve to be revictimized by anyone who doesn't understand the value of privacy.
But there are ways to ensure the privacy of those children without cloaking the entire system in darkness. Feuer has promised to build safeguards for children into the legislation.
The adults in the process, however - including the social workers - don't necessarily deserve the same levels of protection. If they're doing a good job, then the public deserves to know. If they're not doing a good job, then the public deserves to know.
Californians can't make the right reforms to our foster care system unless we know how it's working. Opening the dependency courts is a small but crucial step in the process.
At SFGate.com/blogs/opinionshop: Daniel Heimpel, project director of Fostering Media Connections, on the role of journalism in pushing for California reforms.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/19/EDEI1H584P.DTL#ixzz1HBmUjxlU
Dependency courts fly under the radar in California. If you're a registered voter, you'll never be called to serve at one. They're rarely seen on television. Since they aren't associated with high-profile crime, many Californians have never heard of them.
Low profile as they are, these courts have a substantial impact on the future of California. And for the children and parents who find themselves in the system, the courts can decide the direction of their lives. For these reasons, we believe they should be open to public scrutiny.
The courts oversee California's sprawling foster care system. The judges who preside over them determine the fates of children who are removed from their homes following reports of abuse or neglect. Last year, more than 58,000 children learned whether they'd be allowed to stay with their families - or enter the foster care system. Once children enter the foster care system, with its spin cycle of foster homes and group facilities, they often have to go back to dependency court if they hope to be reunited with their families.
Needless to say, these are big decisions for any court. Ideally, they'd be made by judges who have the time to closely examine each case, with the assistance of lawyers who had considered each family's history. But there have been reports that California's dependency courts are the exact opposite of this scenario. There are stories of judges who have to rule on more than 100 cases a day, and lawyers for children and parents who barely meet their clients.
Common sense suggests that these conditions aren't good for California's most defenseless children. But because the courts are closed to the public, we don't really know what the impact has been.
"The participants in this system are never going to be held accountable unless there is public scrutiny," said Assemblyman Mike Feuer, D-Los Angeles. "I'm a huge believer in the power of transparency and scrutiny for providing the accountability we need."
Feuer is the author of AB73, which would make dependency courts "presumptively" open. The idea is that the dependency courts are open to the public, unless a judge decides there's cause to keep a case out of the public eye.
Seventeen other states have open dependency courts, said Feuer, and there's some evidence that allowing public scrutiny has improved matters for foster youth. Clearly, he added, this is only one step in the process of improving foster care, but "there's never going to be meaningful reform without public awareness."
The legislation has powerful opponents in the form of the social workers union, however.
"We're most concerned that this kind of exposure will lead to peer bullying for these children, and psychological harm," said Mary Gutierrez, a spokeswoman for the California branch of the Service Employees International Union, which represents social workers. "The kids shouldn't have their most private and personal information exposed to the world."
Gutierrez is right that the situation has to be handled with care. Children who find themselves in dependency court have likely already suffered enough. They don't deserve to be revictimized by anyone who doesn't understand the value of privacy.
But there are ways to ensure the privacy of those children without cloaking the entire system in darkness. Feuer has promised to build safeguards for children into the legislation.
The adults in the process, however - including the social workers - don't necessarily deserve the same levels of protection. If they're doing a good job, then the public deserves to know. If they're not doing a good job, then the public deserves to know.
Californians can't make the right reforms to our foster care system unless we know how it's working. Opening the dependency courts is a small but crucial step in the process.
At SFGate.com/blogs/opinionshop: Daniel Heimpel, project director of Fostering Media Connections, on the role of journalism in pushing for California reforms.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/19/EDEI1H584P.DTL#ixzz1HBmUjxlU
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)