Rethinking foster care: 
Molly McGrath Tierney at TEDxBaltimore 2014

Published on Feb 27, 2014

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Molly McGrath Tierney is the Director for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, managing the City's child welfare and public assistance programs. Over the past six years, she has led a massive reform effort to dramatically improve the impact of services to vulnerable citizens of Baltimore. Molly's work is considered a national model for modern social services.

 Our Grand Kids were thrown into this system almost three years ago. Since they are now part of a magnetic chess game where all pieces have a carefully pre-planned movement, they will be adopted out as we believe that was planned before they were taken. They have not only lost their Alaskan family heritage, they have lost their inheritance. When Gramma and Grampa are gone, it must go to someone else as the "new family" is not getting it. Let them actually live here and build their own heritage, not just claim they have one. The kids will know the truth some day.

*The posts made in this blog are of our opinion only* Without Prejudice UCC 1-207

New Commission to Regulate Prosecutorial Misconduct

From:  Mad Angel- a prosecutor is suppose to find all the facts of the case even if it proves you innocent. But that's not what prosecutors are doing even in cps cases. Instead they are just another lawyer on cps side.

From: Huffington Post THE BLOG
Posted: 05/20/2014 12:09 pm EDT

"New York State is poised to become the first state in the nation to create a public commission specifically designed to investigate complaints of misconduct by prosecutors and impose discipline upon prosecutors who violate the rules. The commission is modeled after commissions on judicial conduct, which exist in every state, including New York, to regulate the conduct of judges. Given the prosecutor's unique role as a "minister of justice" who occupies a "quasi-judicial" position, the huge costs on the criminal justice system from prosecutorial misconduct, and the abject failure of other mechanisms to discipline prosecutors, it is essential to the integrity of the justice system and the public's confidence that the system functions fairly and accurately, that this commission be created.
The incidence of misconduct by prosecutors in New York and across the country is escalating. Flagrant misconduct by prosecutors has been documented in several recent high-profile cases: late Senator Ted Stevens' conviction was thrown out because of egregious misconduct by federal prosecutors; the Duke Lacrosse prosecutor Michael Nifong was disbarred and jailed because of his misconduct; and prosecutor Ken Anderson, who hid evidence that wrongfully convicted Michael Morton and sent him to jail for 25 years, also was disbarred and jailed. But these cases are the tip of the iceberg. They illustrate the terrible consequences of misconduct that occurs regularly in thousands and thousands of other cases but do not receive the same publicity.
Prosecutors claim that reports of misconduct are exaggerated, and that misconduct is the work of a few bad apples, or a handful of rogue prosecutors. Indeed, some prosecutors in New York even claim that the prosecutor commission has been created to retaliate against the Moreland Commission, which subpoenaed legislators in connection with its investigation into public corruption. But given the extent of misconduct nationally and in New York, and the fact that this proposed commission has been studied for several years, this response by prosecutors is misguided and misinformed. Indeed, in a remarkable opinion by Chief Judge Alex Kozinski of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, in which he was joined by several colleagues, Kozinski writes that the culture of prosecution has changed dramatically in recent years; no longer is misconduct by prosecutors the "exception" or "a rare blemish." One of the most pervasive forms of misconduct - hiding favorable evidence that could prove a defendant's innocence -- "has reached epidemic proportions." Judge Kozinski concludes, just as so many courts and commentators have previously concluded, that "some prosecutors turn a blind eye to misconduct because they're more interested in gaining a conviction than achieving a just result."
The increasing incidence of misconduct by prosecutors is not surprising. The phenomenon is closely linked to the post-9/11 legal and political culture of fear, secrecy and repression in which the power of law enforcement, especially of prosecutors, has become much more dominant and aggressive. Prosecutors see themselves almost exclusively as "Accusers and Convicters." This unsettling spectacle has replaced almost completely the prosecutor's other important function to respect the rights of everybody, including defendants, and ensure justice for all persons. In this changed climate, the goal of finding the truth becomes submerged in an overly-aggressive law enforcement culture. In this troubling period of criminal justice, prosecutors get the message that they can prosecute as hard as they want and as far as they want, and there is virtually nothing to stop them. This new climate is manifested by massive and warrantless electronic surveillance, far broader leeway for law enforcement to search, seize and get confessions, a huge increase in drug arrests and prosecutions, a huge increase in the prison population, and more and more legislatively and judicially-created weapons in the hands of prosecutors to help them get convictions.
Moreover, it is well-known that sanctions against prosecutors who commit misconduct are either inadequate or non-existent. Prosecutors who commit misconduct are hardly ever disciplined. They are almost never disciplined by their own office, rarely disciplined by federal and state disciplinary agencies, and hardly ever disciplined by the courts, even for gross and repeated acts of misconduct. Consider the case of upstate New York prosecutor Jeffrey Taylor. As documented by the New York State Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association, despite six cases in which he was harshly rebuked by state and federal courts for his misconduct, and where four of those cases were reversed because of his misconduct, Taylor has never been disciplined. Despite numerous reports of misconduct against the office of former Brooklyn County District Attorney Charles Hynes, there is no report of any prosecutor in his office being disciplined for misconduct. And when a judge actually disciplines an offending prosecutor, it becomes headline news because of its rarity, as occurred a few months ago when a Bronx judge banished a prosecutor from his courtroom for life because of her flagrant misconduct.
Errant conduct by prosecutors exacts tremendous costs. First, scarce taxpayer resources are expended on having to litigate and re-litigate cases over and over again because of a prosecutor's misconduct, which money could be much better spent making communities safer. Second, the failure of the criminal justice system to deal effectively with misconduct by prosecutors and make them accountable when they violate the law erodes public confidence in the system and undermines the public's faith in the integrity of criminal trials. And third, let's never forget the enormous pain and suffering inflicted on innocent persons, and their families, when they are subjected to a wrongful prosecution through the deliberate misconduct of a prosecutor who, in Judge Kozinski's words, wants a conviction and turns a blind eye to justice. The National Registry of Exonerations, covering cases since 1989, ranks New York State fourth nationally with 166 exonerations out of 1,367 nationally. And many, maybe most of these wrongful convictions are attributable to the prosecutor's misconduct.
To be sure, a state commission on prosecutorial conduct will not prevent a prosecutor from engaging in misconduct, particularly when so much misconduct is hidden, as when prosecutors suppress favorable evidence from the defendant. But a commission that is independent from the legal profession, and independent from the prosecutor's office, will be able to conduct investigations in a nonpartisan, non-political, and objective manner. Indeed, for 100 years prior to 1975, when the state commission on judicial conduct was created, only 23 judges were disciplined. Since 1975, 826 judges were disciplined, and 166 removed from office. That's a fairly dramatic testament to the importance of an independent disciplinary commission, and to its effectiveness. The creation of such a commission to regulate prosecutors very likely would achieve similar results. It is imperative that this bill be enacted by the state legislature, and Governor Cuomo sign it."

*The posts made in this blog are of our opinion only* Without Prejudice UCC 1-207

Report: Alaska [OCS] pays $1 million to settle abuse lawsuit

 Report: Alaska pays $1 million to settle abuse lawsuit
The Associated Press | Posted: Monday, May 19, 2014 12:48 pm

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The state of Alaska has agreed to pay $1 million to settle a lawsuit filed by man who claims he was placed into the adoptive care of an abusive couple.
Thomas Joseph White, 20, reached the settlement in the case filed against the state Office of Children's Services, the Anchorage Daily News (http://bit.ly/1o7Bg4j ) reported Saturday.
White told the newspaper he wants his story told to make sure other neglected children do not suffer in the system.
"They could have done a lot better, actually," White said of the Office of Children's Services and its predecessor, the Division of Family and Youth Services.
The state did not acknowledge any wrongdoing in the settlement.
The abuse was revealed in 2004, three years after state oversight ended, Christy Lawton, director of the Office of Children's Services, said by email.
"The only lesson to be learned was that OCS does not have a crystal ball that will perfectly predict the future," she wrote.
Sherry Kelley was convicted of assault and criminal nonsupport. Patrick Kelley was convicted of child endangerment. Both were jailed for 17 months.
White first needed state protection in 1993 as the 2-month-old son of a cocaine addict, the newspaper said. In July 2000, the Kelleys made him their fifth adopted child.
His aunt, Betsy Golan, claimed she saw signs of abuse during a visit in May 2001, including locks on the outside of his bedroom door and a bucket used for a toilet in his bedroom. Lawton said the office had no record of complaints by Golan.
The family moved from Anchorage to a compound between Big Lake and Wasilla, and the children were put to work, White said. They did not go to school and were not educated at home, he said.
White claims the children were beaten and older children in the family were forced to sleep outside.
In February 2004, White said, he was ordered outside for the night. He slept near a fire and woke with his clothes on fire. He suffered third-degree burns that he said were treated with rubbing alcohol.
He lost the tip of a finger to frostbite and ate dog food but not regular meals, he said.
His adoptive grandfather in July 2004 called Alaska State Troopers and said he feared White might die.
___
Information from: Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News, http://www.adn.com

*The posts made in this blog are of our opinion only* Without Prejudice UCC 1-207

THE LOST CARE CHILDREN, CALLING YOU CALLING ME...

Published on Jan 4, 2014

Michael Unsworth's song, "Calling you calling me" can be found at CD Baby http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/michaelunsworth
All proceeds go to the Charity Children Screaming To Be Heard.

Information backing up what Maggie is talking about can be found in this link...
http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/si...
The song Calling you, calling me, will soon be available on Maggie's website ..
http://www.childrenscreamingtobeheard... and can be downloaded from Itunes, all
proceeds will go to helping the children screaming to be heard.

http://concertforabusedchildren.com/

http://caica.org/FOSTER%20CARE%20DEAT...

http://www.davidicke.com/headlines/75...

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/c...




SMOKE AND MIRRORS: IS THE UK HIDING THE "NUMBER" OF CHILDREN HAVING PASSED AWAY IN STATE CARE
October 13, 2013 at 11:58pm
By R. Fairhurst © 2013

LONDON - Factual and accurate information concerning children who have died in care is not readily available and is by no means a straight forward process to obtain. One would assume the information is recorded as all other data is, however, it is not. National statistics do not reveal the annual numbers of children who have died while in the care of the state.

Figures available for England,Scotland, Ireland and Wales are all held on separate data bases, the figures below are for England alone. However there are currently over 90,000 looked after children in care in the UK.

Numbers revealed 2008, 2009, 2010 an even number of 50 with a drop to 40 in 2012 and up to 60 in 2013. When asked why the numbers were consistent and rounded the National statistics office explained publishing unrounded figures could lead to the identity of the child if the data was split and crossed with geographic statistics and tables of locations. This may reveal the odd number and the identity of the child which would be a breach of data protection.

Statistics for children who have died while NOT in care are disclosed; however when requesting information from local councils under the freedom of information Act councils reply by stating the information is exempt from disclosure under section 40(2) of the freedom of information Act.

Disclosure rules are set in accordance with the code of practice for official statistics. This is statutory code published under the section 10 of the statistics and registration and service Act 2007 which applies to all UK official statistics. Principle 5practice 1 of the code states "Ensure that official statistics do not reveal the identity of an individual or organisation, or any private information relating to them, taking into account other relevant sources of information".

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Forced-Adoption-Manchester/838116819535792

*The posts made in this blog are of our opinion only* Without Prejudice UCC 1-207

Mind what you say and do

From a former foster child thrown into the system. In her words:

They say mind what you say and do because the children are watching. (Well former foster kids are watching too)
I have so many things that have really bothered me lately about the so called child protection services. And it has to do more with their claims than anything. As cps claims millions of calls have come in about child abuse, during this very line to plead for more money, they do not tell people that many of these calls are unfounded and in retaliation.
The true numbers of child abuse are actually way down. And of course the number of neglect cases are way up. But let's look at what they consider neglect. As a child is moved around from place to place because parents are struggling financially cps steps in to remove the kid because of lack of stability.
But look at what cps and the foster care system provides for these children, many moved once or twice every six month. (One girl had been moved over forty times in her life of foster care) the lack of stability and structure in these children's lives are appalling and this is their response for a loving family who is in a financial crises.
The child had already been dealing with struggle but had the strength and love of the family, yet suddenly ripped up and taken away permanently traumatized with a lack of security and (here I want to call it a shield from the outside world, a child no longer believes his parents can protect them from anything)
Removed from everyone, school, friends, grandparents, aunts and uncles some of the most important people in a child's life. And placed with complete strangers (afraid to really trust anyone) held captive away from their family they become angry, depressed withdrawn, (an emotional wreck) and for this normal response they are labeled and placed on medication for their best interest.
And from one excuse to another through the courts ever burdened large case loads (caused by this abuse of power) and cps claims of their ever burdening case loads (ditto on why) the children are held in a purgatory of this system abuse. Remaining on medications they shouldn't be on (without their parents permission) being subjected to sometime traumatic and unjust counseling sessions (my position stands here as I was told since I was molested I would molest in one of their therapy sessions, it broke my heart, I've learned better
Dear cps just because you get mugged doesn't make you a mugger lay off your junk therapy)
Every day children beg to see and hear from their parents, wanting to hear that their parents are trying everything to win back the child's freedom. But sadly parents are not allowed to tell their children this because cps claims the parent should not give the child false hopes. Again how cruel. Leaving the child in such a confusing state continually visiting and walking away and as the child begs the parent to take them home all the parent is allowed to say is I love you. (THIS IS NOT ENOUGH FOR THE CHILD)
As the bond and closeness of the family slips away because cps holds on to the child for so long it becomes a struggle to reunite and bond these family members are no longer the same, pain and stress has taken its toll on the parents in court and the child is so use to closing people out that all this creates a new burden on the family. (But no one including me would ever tell cps this or they would use it as an excuse to hold on to the child longer)
Here I have to tell you of a very loved happy little girl. She'd shown such great signs of intelligence eager to start school soon and very happy with her family. She was ripped away by cps with the excuse of failure to thrive. (No she wasn't malnourished, but she was extremely hyper and happy and her mother is only five foot) because this adorable little girl was short and skinny cps took her away and placed her first in a foster care and then to her paternal grandmother's home.
In court she was then described as inconsolable, she begged everyone to take her home to her mom and dad (the caseworker claimed the child had been couched even though the parents hadn't been allowed to see her) this already tiny child started to lose weight as the pain and depression kicked in. There was talk of placing her on medication. (This is when the parents finally got to visit and begged their little girl to be strong, so afraid of the type of medications they planned to force onto her without the parents permission, yes cps told the parents they were well within their rights to do so)
Everyday this child was put through more and more abuse from cps. As she was taken from the grandmother's home (the caseworker said for a mental evaluation) and as the little girl was instructed at this evaluation to take off all her clothes and get on the table she had no one familiar to give her strength at this violation of her rights.
After she was returned to the grandmother the caseworker left and said nothing. And this now timid five year old girl took her 13 year old sister aside and told her what had really happened. As she described how they had touched her, how they had touched her down there and then placed something inside her. (This crushed the older sister and she told her parents) all the parents ever received was an apology for not telling them what had happened and that they usually don't have a five year old tell the parents (yeah I can imagine they are usually to scared, that's why the five year old told her sister)
Never once was there a claim of sexual abuse, molestation or physical abuse. She was taken for being short. And for this she was anal and vaginal probed. (They caseworker CLAIMED in court they where we'll within their rights, but this really wasn't true. Doing this to every single child who enters cps care would truly be abuse.)
(Fyi I have documented proof of this case)
All the importance of keeping secrets to spare a child from being teased in school over their cases is allowing some truly horrific abuse to take place. All the claims of cps in the best interest of the child is also helping to facility and perpetuate even more atrocious abuse that many children should never have ever experienced.
Now I can see the news and I even know from my own childhood that child abuse is real. But the solution and response to this for far to many years has actually caused a greater amount of child abuse than it has stopped. (Sadly I know from experience the real amount of abuse children suffer while in cps care will never be reported because abusers don't tell on themselves, not tell they've been caught, notice this pattern with cps.....it's an abuser mentality)
I can show hundreds of double standards and abuser mentality within cps very own policies, procedures and manuals but I have to find someone who will listen and look. And far to many people still believe cps is there to save and protect children.....maybe someday someone will want to see.

https://www.facebook.com/mad.angel.750


*The posts made in this blog are of our opinion only* Without Prejudice UCC 1-207

CPS Steals Children for Profit - Your Tax Dollars in Action!

Uploaded on Aug 12, 2010

Short video detailing abuse of power by Child Protective Services - CPS. Highlights financial incentives to steal kids and place them on drugs. Contains multiple news clips and interviews from families that CPS stole the kids from, & includes the late (possibly murdered) Nancy Schaefer.

*The posts made in this blog are of our opinion only* Without Prejudice UCC 1-207

FPS [Family Protection Services]

From Fairbanks Daily News miner Letters to the Editor

Don't cut ocs budget

Feb. 24, 2014

To the editor: In 2012, a workload study, commissioned by the current governor, recommended an increase in support staff for the Office of Children’s Services. This department, already underfunded to achieve its goal of protecting children from abuse and neglect, is set to receive serious budget cuts this year.

How can it be that those we’ve elected can turn away from such information? How can they say “these are the tough choices” we have to make?

The governor and our elected officials have an independent workload study recommending a feasible solution to protect our most vulnerable population, our children, from abuse and neglect. I wonder what they will say when more stories of abused children end up in the news.
Tough choices should not include gambling with the lives of children. “Choosing Respect” is more than words. Actions demonstrate respect. Our children deserve protection from violence, abuse and neglect. Voting to cut child protection is not choosing respect.
Kim Swisher
Fairbanks

 Now... lets follow the money:

Kim Swisher:

Department of Social Work. UAF

Clinical Assistant Professer and Feild Director for BSW program.

"... Master's of Social Work from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2000 with an emphasis in Children, Youth and Families. ..."
"... in the field working with severely emotionally disturbed children, providing advocacy in court for children, child welfare, and child protection. Kim has worked as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care, and spent ten years with the Office of Children's Services, both in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Kim spent three years working for the Family and Youth Services Training Academy, through the UAA School of Social Work, traveling Alaska and training child protection workers in best practice. Kim currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Interior Center for Non-Violent Living (IAC), and the Advisory Board for the Birch Center in Fairbanks. She provides consultation to Stevie's Place, the Child Advocacy Center in Fairbanks, through the Resource Center for Parents and Children (RCPC). Kim's area of interest include direct practice with individuals, groups and communities, and she delights in inspiring students to become social workers. ..."

So... respect for whom?

The budget needs to be cut. Many, many positions need to be eliminated. CPS needs to be eliminated. It can then be rebuilt into FPS. "Family Protection Services" of which it is currently not. FPS can then hire individuals who have respect for families. Not those who concern themselves with the bottom dollar and where they get new inventory.

*The posts made in this blog are of our opinion only* Without Prejudice UCC 1-207