If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
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... |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|