N.H. Judge Rules Against DCYF

N.H. Judge Rules Against DCYF:

A New Hampshire Superior Court judge has sided with a family suing the state child protection agency in a ruling that could pave the way to making confidential abuse and neglect records open to the public.

“The court finds defendants’ interests in maintaining confidentiality in this case is motivated purely by their own self-interest in minimizing public exposure of their alleged errors,” Judge Gillian Abramson wrote in an order released on Thursday.

Former DCYF social worker says blame is misplaced

Former DCYF social worker says blame is misplaced | New Hampshire:

CONCORD - Ashley Rossiter realized her lifelong dream of becoming a social worker when she joined the state's child protective services department in 2013.

The challenge in assessing agency’s work

The challenge in assessing agency’s work:
It's almost impossible for the public to get information about what the State does or how Judges rule in child abuse and neglect proceedings. The records are all kept confidential. Even talking about what happens inside the hearing can result in a misdemeanor charge.

Fatal flaws – Part 1 of 4: Inside the last year of Brielle Gage’s life

Fatal flaws – Part 1 of 4: Inside the last year of Brielle Gage’s life:

The 911 call came in just past 11:30 a.m. Nashua police sped to a beige house on Oak Street and found 3-year-old Brielle Gage lying unconscious, face-up on the bathroom floor, her skin gray and her blue eyes half open. Brielle’s 4-year-old brother watched as a police officer began performing chest compressions on her limp, bruised body.

4 L.A. County social workers to face trial in horrific death of 8-year-old boy

4 L.A. County social workers to face trial in horrific death of 8-year-old boy - LA Times:

A Los Angeles County judge ruled Monday that four social workers should stand trial on child abuse and other charges in the death of an 8-year-old Palmdale boy they were assigned to protect, allowing prosecutors to push ahead with a case that has sent a chill through the ranks of child protection workers nationwide.

N.H. DCYF’S accountability sorely lacking

N.H. DCYF’S accountability sorely lacking

Every day most of us try to hold ourselves or our direct wards whether they be family or peers accountable for our actions. We are told "To err is human, to forgive is divine," but we also know the extension of any pardon must follow the admission of one's mistake. Above all other institutions that function in our society, entities that make up our government at every level, should hold themselves to the highest standards of accountability.

In the case of the N.H. Division of Children, Youth and Families, recent events have made it clear accountability is a foreign concept.

Message to Austin, Isabella and Ally

To Austin, Isabella and Ally. If you ever want to see Grampie again, you'd better hurry up and make contact. He's very sick.