Victims advocates need volunteers

VERY NICE ARTICLE, AND VERY IMPORTANT.

So many kids are let down, not just parents but by the system as well. I don't think people who work in the courts should be discussing to everyone in public what goes on. I know for a fact one of them tells peoples private matters and I hope they get caught. I do know one gal who is trying to raise her kids with out any help from the father or any assistance. she works full time and walks to a local factory everyday. She has a sitter and her child was sick the other day and her nosey and mean neighbor lied and said she was not changing the baby's diaper. How would a neighbor know when you change a baby's diaper?? Their was no rash and I think this mom has gotten her life in order. They system will go after a gal like that but keep a child who is neglected or being abused in a home then you let them down. This girl goes to church weekly and she has her church support. I hope these kids get to be with thier Mom, It's bad enough for her being a working single mom and to add more trouble by evil people who want to break her heart and put her kids in foster care. The state sure doesn't mind paying those folks money. HMM! one might think they do it to make a living only.

There are many who like to complain about the system in regard to children. Every government agency has guidelines they have to follow. Wouldn't it be better for a child to be removed from a home for suspected neglect than to be left there when real neglect was going on? The child can always be returned to the home, but a neglected child may not live to see tomorrow.

The CASA program is a very important one. I wish that more people with time on their hands would become involved in it. A few hours a day could make a big difference in a child's quality of life.

The State does not look out for every child, some they dismiss and they are the ones who suffer. I have worked in education for 20 plus years and In all my years I have had a few children who needed help, In fact I remember a case where a child told me her Daddy slept in her bed with her at night after Mommy went to sleep and he would get naked and tell her they were wrestling. You could have imagined my horror to hear this, I was sick to my stomach over it and it broke my heart.She then told the state worker more graphic details of this CPS spoke with the child and the child and siblings were going through this alone for years together. It took 7 years and massive mental damage to finally get this man convicted because the courts took their time and would not remove the children from this home. He is now a registered sex offender and has many counts against him and of course he did not serve hardly any time. That's the things I am talking about what about those kids? I have seen kids come to school filthy and the parents look dirty too but I see bonds and can tell even though they may not keep house like you and I that is not a reason to turn them in. I agree they need more casa workers but they need ones that are in this for the love of a child , which I think most care it's the courts that don't care torment them by constantly changing them from place to place. I have seen it all, I have seen some try to pull the wool over one's eyes but my point is this. I have seen this young mother I know help out recently and I know she is trying I know she has a past she has shared her sins and It was not easy for her to tell all. I also know that their is a woman who wants to adopt this child badly and that is great their are people that love children like that. I also know the lady that wants this little guy has connections to the courts and it was horrible that this was done in such a sneaky and evil way. May God have mercy on your souls. My point is this, to the courts and CPS ,start using time on real cases when a childs life does need care. If you think it's so bad why do you send them back over and over again to the same bad place why?? I am in way saying all foster homes are bad but this is their bread and butter most of them have more than money than a small town banker. They get this from the state, but I have not seen the state help too many working single mothers. I also know through sports programs at the schools that some and not all just a few of the foster kids are home schooled and only mingle with the children they live with. They are isolated, it may protect some but isolate some from telling what is going on where they are at. Maybe I don't know this young lady's whole story but I do know other children's and the state has let them down plenty. I think the states hiring of new cps workers is great if they get to working and actually help children. Moms and even some grandparents raising grandchildren on limited income could use a hand I am sure. Casa workers are great I was in no way putting them down but trying to embrace the reality of the states welfare system.

Someone who has worked in education for 20 plus years should be able to write a more coherent comment. The court system, just like the education system, is not perfect. There are many things that have to occur before a child can be removed from a parent and placed in foster care. Despite what CPS does, the judge has the final decision about whether a child is separated from his/her parent and, if removed, where that child will live. If you are unhappy with the system, volunteer to be a CASA and use the opportunity to have a positive effect on a child's life and change the system from within.

Some people just can't do any better because of economic stress or physical and mental disabilities. But when their children are fed,clothed, loved and cared for the best way parents can do, how does that give certain wolf's in sheep's clothing the right to interfere? Is it true concern or job security? Give the families the money that foster parents are paid and the resources to help them become better parents.

There are some evil people in Putnam County agencies that need to do their job and protect children truly in need and quit witch hunting to justify their employment. The foster care system needs revamped to prevent certain people from trying to get little cash cows in their homes so they don't have to work anywhere else. Please do not warehouse the children of Putnam County and pat yourself on the back and say "My I really did a good job today."