Seven DCBS workers face discipline: an investigation found abuseof power that caused numerous parents to lose rights to their children andwhen employees allegedly fast-tracked adoptions.

Seven DCBS workers face discipline
By BOB WHITE
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 8:13 PM CDT

http://www.newsenterpriseonline.com/...ews/news01.txt


Action follows abuse of power found by state inspector general

ELIZABETHTOWN � Five social workers at the Hardin County-based
Department for Community Based Services were placed on paid special
leave Monday and informed of major disciplinary action being sought
against them.

The social workers were employed here when an investigation found abuse
of power that caused numerous parents to lose rights to their children
and when employees allegedly fast-tracked adoptions.

Two other employees were notified of pending disciplinary measures being
sought against them, but were allowed to remain on the job.

The pending “major� disciplinary measures stem from an investigation
into dozens of claims made against local DCBS office workers in a report
by watchdog group National Institute on Children, Youth and Families
Inc. and in an investigative report by the Office of the Inspector
General, which substantiated many of the claims.

Cabinet for Health and Family Services spokeswoman Vicki Franklin said
the Cabinet intends to finalize its disciplinary measures against the
seven social workers and their supervisors by the end of August.

Several of those put on leave were transferred out of the Hardin County
DCBS office to other locations throughout Kentucky since allegations of
malfeasance, gross official misconduct and abuse of power first surfaced.

The Cabinet would not release the names of those escorted from their
work stations and put on special leave.

Marie Colasanti, who worked at the Hardin County-based DCBS office as a
case manager, said many of the allegations stemmed from orders given to
subordinates and a lack of oversight that allowed action not in the best
interest of families and children.

Colasanti, who now works for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and is striving to
restart the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program in Hardin
County, said she’d be surprised if those who once were in power at the
Hardin County DCBS office were terminated.

Cabinet representatives would not clarify what “major� disciplinary
measures might be.

Colasanti said she doubts any significant disciplinary measures will be
taken, since many of the alleged directives were verbal, not written.

Bonnie Phillips, a grandmother who had four grandchildren taken from her
home, said she knows the power of verbal orders.

“The social worker told us that she was doing what her supervisor told
her to do,� Phillips said. “She knew she was going to take the children,
even before she came inside my home.�

Phillips’ allegations were one of dozens of complaints investigated by
the inspector general’s office.

Despite claims of fast-tracked adoptions, wrongfully terminated parental
rights, abuse of power and official conduct being substantiated by the
OIG, no criminal charges were brought.

A report from a Hardin County grand jury, which reviewed the cases over
the course of two months, said Kentucky law didn’t provide for criminal
charges against the social workers or their supervisors for such
misconduct. The grand jury advised state legislators to make changes to
current statutes so criminal charges can be brought if similar
misconduct happens again.

When the grand jury reported a no true finding on criminal activity,
David Richart, head of the NICYF, said he felt the group had wasted its
time investigating claims of Cabinet victims and producing its report,
“The Other Kentucky Lottery.�

Richart said social workers deserve criminal penalties, not
administrative leaves, suspensions and terminations.

When the Cabinet concludes its disciplinary action at the end of this
month, Franklin said those disciplined will be allowed appeals of their
discipline under the 18A Merit System rules. She said the disciplinary
process could go “on and on� due to those appeals.

Bob White can be reached at 769-1200, Ext. 241, or
.




CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A
DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NSA / CIA
WIRETAPPING PROGRAM....

CPS Does not protect children...
It is sickening how many children are subject to abuse, neglect and even
killed at the hands of Child Protective Services.

every parent should read this .pdf from
connecticut dcf watch...

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com/8x11.pdf

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com

Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the US
These numbers come from The National Center on
Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington. (NCCAN)
Recent numbers have increased significantly for CPS

*Perpetrators of Maltreatment*

Physical Abuse CPS 160, Parents 59
Sexual Abuse CPS 112, Parents 13
Neglect CPS 410, Parents 241
Medical Neglect CPS 14 Parents 12
Fatalities CPS 6.4, Parents 1.5

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, HAPPILY DESTROYING THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT
FAMILIES YEARLY NATIONWIDE AND COMING TO YOU'RE HOME SOON...


BE SURE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STANDS ON THE ISSUE OF
REFORMING OR ABOLISHING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ("MAKE YOUR CANDIDATES
TAKE A STAND ON THIS ISSUE.") THEN REMEMBER TO VOTE ACCORDINGLY IF THEY
ARE "FAMILY UNFRIENDLY" IN THE NEXT ELECTION...