Blogs by Deborah K. Frontiera
Fighting CPS
11/11/2012 4:12:21 PM
The purpose of this blog is to provide updates on some of the cases I reported in my book (Fighting CPS: Guilty Until Proven Innocent of Child Protective Services Charges ISBN 9-780-9800061-6-2) that had not been resolved when the book went to press, and to report other cases where CPS is not working up to par. I’d also like to hear about cases in which Child Protective Services did the right thing so those cases can serve as examples of what should be done. Occasionally, I will report helpful tips and web sites with advice on fighting CPS.
To comment on this blog, or to tell your story, email Deborah Frontiera at frontiera.fightingcps.deborah.gmail.com
The next post on this blog will post on Nov. 26, 2012.
More Sobering Statistics
The vicious cycle: CPS caseworkers have too many cases; those cases remain “open” for over 60 days and become “delinquent”; children languish in abusive homes OR children under all those “voluntary safety plans” (see Oct. 29, 2012 post) remain away from their families; overworked caseworkers quit less than a year after they began; so there are even more cases for fewer workers; so some counties with “fewer” backlogged cases loan caseworkers to counties with greater backlogs to help them catch up, only to come back to their “home” counties to face worse backlogs . . . . round and round the mulberry bush the monkey chased the weasel.
In August 2012, CPS in Texas hired 65 investigators, but 73 others left the agency that same month. In half the state of Texas, one third of the cases handled are “delinquent”—over 60 days old and not closed or investigated. Back in 2005, the state approved millions for CPS for incentives and equipment (among these was a $5000 bonus to new investigators) which was supposed to relieve some of the backlog. Many “new hires” looked at the economy, took the bonus, then only hung around for the three months of training, or for the first few months of work before “something better” cams along, making working for CPS nothing more than a “way station” on the way to better employment, or seeing an investigator’s job as a temporary one. People hired in that way are not only less dedicated, but unprepared for the tidal wave that is about to hit them. No wonder they don’t stay.
And who are the losers? The children! Both those whose parents are innocent of any wrong doing, and those who will die in abusive homes because their case is “backlogged.”
The solution: not simple, not easy, but imperative to the well-being of all children. Among the changes this writer sees to solve this complex problem: provide more money for better trained workers, not as a signing bonus but as part of a good monthly salary; more commitment from those workers; let police investigate and have CPS caseworkers provide services to families; get more people involved in every aspect of community support; be aware of what’s happening with your neighbor, your friend, your cousin, etc., and point them to church and community agencies before CPS involvement becomes necessary—be your “brother’s keeper”; stop thinking in terms of “zero tolerance” and absolutes and insert some common sense into the system; be aware that there are no quick fixes or free lunches, only hard work on everyone’s part.
(Statistics quoted are from an article in the Houston Chronicle, Sep. 17, 2012, pg. A-1 and 5)
With Thanksgiving coming up, it’s hard to find much to “be thankful” about when it comes to the suffering of so many children, but I will give God thanks for my children and grandchildren that they are safe in their homes, for the success of this blog, for the continued good sales of my books (Fighting CPS and all my others) and for you, my readers, who, I hope, are doing more than just reading these words. I give thanks for whatever actions you may be taking that I am unaware of.
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