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An uncertain fate for some in DCYF care
An uncertain fate for some in DCYF care
01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 By Steve Peoples Journal State House Bureau MARTINEZ http://www.projo.com/news/content/dc...J.343655d.html PROVIDENCE — Shantaine Hall has less than a month to find a new home. And the 20-year-old single mother is not alone. There are an estimated 600 young adults who may lose state-subsidized housing and other services in the coming weeks as the Department of Children, Youth and Families struggles with a limited budget to help young people raised in state care. The young adults of Rhode Island’s child welfare system have depended on the state for housing, health care and education. Raised in foster homes, institutions and group homes, state law affords them benefits they do not receive from the families they were taken away from. But the system as it has existed for nearly three decades is about to change because of the state’s new budget. State law as outlined in the budget requires Rhode Island to provide services such as housing and health care to children who turn 18 while in state custody until their 21st birthday. But legislators cut DCYF’s $25-million budget for such services in half. “What we know so far is that we were given $12 million less to service 18 to 21 year olds,” DCYF Director Patricia Martinez said. “We need to figure out what sort of supports we are going to put into place to continue providing services to this population in a way that is equitable. While we do that, we need to make sure that we tell the kids that they’re not going to be homeless.” Hall recently learned from her social worker that as of Aug. 1, the state will stop paying for the one-bedroom apartment she shares with her 2-year-old daughter, Ariana. “I guess I’m going to stay with my mom,” said Hall, who spent most of her teenage years in state care. “If she says I can’t stay there, I’ll go to a shelter.” While Martinez promised that no one will be forced onto the street, Hall isn’t so sure. “Well that’s what they say,” Hall said. “I don’t believe it because where am I going to be in less than a month? Homeless. Me and my child are being left behind.” The truth is that neither Martinez, nor Hall, nor social service advocates know exactly what will become of the hundreds of 18 to 21 year olds currently living in foster homes, group homes and state-subsidized apartments. The state must enact cost-cutting measures immediately to live within the new budget, which went into effect July 1. And social workers have already notified young adults across the state that their services will be changed or eliminated. But Hall and her daughter don’t know what services, if any, they will receive. DCYF this week began the legal process of removing the 18- to 21-year-olds from Family Court jurisdiction, as outlined in the budget. It is the first step toward reducing or changing state services offered to the young adults, moves that had required court permission until July 1. Social service advocates, who were initially grateful that the Assembly had financed 18- to 21- year-olds at all (the governor had proposed cutting virtually all money), are asking state leaders to postpone the legal action. “Youth in state care are guaranteed the right to a timely, appropriate and thorough transition process that cannot be preempted by the sudden enactment of a policy change or budgetary reduction,” reads a letter sent to Governor Carcieri, Martinez and a host of state officials late last month from the Rhode Island Children’s Policy Coalition. Advocates fear that the rush to save money may put the young people — many of whom were removed from homes because of neglect or abuse — at further risk. “The public has a right to know that the victims in all of this are going to be the kids. It’s a false assurance to say these kids are going to be fine, because in reality, no one really seems to know,” said Lisa Guillette, executive director of the Rhode Island Foster Parents Association. Soniya Bhogal doesn’t expect a happy 18th birthday. The teenager becomes an adult on July 24 and has until early next month to be out of her state-subsidized one-bedroom apartment. “I’m one of those who are so-called getting sent back to my parents,” she said. “They take you out of your house, now they’re telling us to go back? I can’t go back — my mom doesn’t have any room for me… . She doesn’t want me to go back, let’s put it that way.” Martinez sent a memo to DCYF staff dated July 2 outlining several ways DCYF can “assist” children who turn 18, given the new state budget. The first option is to cut all state involvement: “All youth who can remain safely with their parents or relatives, who can go to a parent or a relative or who otherwise have a viable transition plan will close to DCYF ... .” The young adult would retain state-subsidized health care, but nothing else. Another option outlined in the memo would refer the 18- to 21- year-olds to an “aftercare services program” that “may include housing, access to … post secondary educational funding, medical coverage and limited case management.” Martinez said her department is developing transition plans for each young person, but that there’s no clear plan. Most will receive health care and reduced housing benefits, but “there’s no question” that benefits will be reduced, she said. State services for young adults with developmental disabilities or those who are “seriously emotionally disturbed” are not expected to change. Martinez acknowledged the magnitude of the looming changes: “It’s pressure I don’t think the system’s ever felt,” she said. “We were told to reform the system in two weeks.” CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY/CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY 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 Imagine that, 6.4 children die at the hands of the very agencies that are supposed to protect them and only 1.5 at the hands of parents per 100,000 children. CPS perpetrates more abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse and kills more children then parents in the United States. If the citizens of this country hold CPS to the same standards that they hold parents too. No judge should ever put another child in the hands of ANY government agency because CPS nationwide is guilty of more harm and death than any human being combined. CPS nationwide is guilty of more human rights violations and deaths of children then the homes from which they were removed. When are the judges going to wake up and see that they are sending children to their death and a life of abuse when children are removed from safe homes based on the mere opinion of a bunch of social workers. 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... |
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