DCF Wastes Money On Cell Phones, High-Grade Gas

DCF Wastes Money On Cell Phones, High-Grade Gas

http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news4165.html

Associated Press

01/07/08

Department of Children and Families employees have wasted taxpayer money
on non-work-related cell phone calls and purchases of premium gasoline
for state-owned cars, a state audit has found.

Auditors examining 275 instances in which workers’ cell phone use
exceeded 1,000 minutes a month in the 2005-06 state fiscal year found
that half of the calls were made on days when employees weren’t at work.

In addition, the audit found that social workers were unnecessarily
buying premium gasoline for state-owned vehicles and often using
commercial filling stations, though a free state-run gas pump was available.

The report by the state auditors said DCF could save $87,000 a year if
it monitored cell phone use more closely.

The agency could save an additional $34,000 if it stopped paying for 258
cell phones the auditors say aren’t being used.

And the agency would save more than $16,500 if workers used the free
state pumps, the report said.

The annual operating budget for DCF is expected to exceed $900 million
this year.

Gary Kleeblatt, a spokesman for the agency, said employees have been
disciplined for improper cell phone calls, and some have been forced to
repay the state.

“We take that seriously,� he said.

Employees also have been reminded to use state filling stations,
Kleeblatt said.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell this week called on state agencies to curb spending to
blunt the impact of rising energy prices and other increasing costs at
state agencies.

Christopher Cooper, a Rell spokesman, said state workers are wasting
taxpayer money by putting premium gasoline in state cars.

“And while the money may not look that big ... wasting even $1 of
taxpayer money is too much,� he said.

The audit also found that DCF continued to pay thousands of dollars to a
guardian caring for two foster children, though the children were
returned to their biological mother and were living with her for a year.

And the auditors said the agency couldn’t provide proof that $110,335
spent on emergency services for 35 clients in the Manchester-Hartford
area resulted in the delivery of the services.

The auditors couldn’t find invoices for 25 of 68 payments made in the
local agency offices they checked. Where there was documentation, the
auditors found that the agency inadvertently twice paid for the same
service in 21 instances.

State Auditor Robert G. Jaekle said some findings were troublesome
because DCF was alerted to problems with cell phone use, gasoline
purchases and proper documentation in prior audits.

A lack of records makes it hard to tell whether the money is being spent
appropriately, the auditors’ report said.

“I get concerned when there are several small items that just seem to
defy common sense,� Jaekle said. “It’s basic good business practice and
a concern for spending state tax dollars.� (AP)





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 PROGRAMS....

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.


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...