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Child advocates say MDHS is broken
Published Sunday, April 27, 2008
The very system that took one Adams County woman from the grips of child abuse is now in such shambles she’s turned her back on it.
The woman — who asked to remain anonymous — was a foster child in the care of the Mississippi Department of Human Services from the age of 14 to 19.
As an adult, she wanted to give back, and began working for the DHS.
But a broken system caught in near debilitating levels of bureaucracy pushed her to quit, she said.
“The system is not working,” she said.
That’s a fact other area children’s rights experts agree on.
Adams County Youth Court Judge John Hudson said he recognized the sad irony in the system that’s meant to help children is actually working against them.
“(DHS) loses priority and gets pushed down the list,” he said describing how funding is taken from programs like DHS and moved to other place.
But a plan for change is already in action.
In March 2004, Children’s Rights sued the Mississippi DHS alleging that the department, instead of aiding abused and neglected children worked against them.
In May 2007, the state acknowledged its liability and began a process equivalent to a complete overhaul of the entire DHS system.
Children’s Rights Executive Director, and lead attorney on the case Marcia Lowry said the group’s victory in the court system was the first step in a turning point for DHS.
Only in the last six months have the terms of DHS’s reform obligations been developed.
The implementation of those terms is only just beginning and is scheduled to take five years.
At the end of that time many locals working for the betterment of children are hoping to see a vastly different system.
Lowry said the need for change within the Mississippi department was immense.
“Mississippi might be as bad as I’ve seen,” she said.
Lowry has successfully litigated against, and forced reform in, multiple states across the country.
She described the system in Mississippi as one that was “very destructive” and one where “kids were being badly hurt.”
The Adams County woman who asked to be anonymous worked as a case manager with DHS.
She, like Lowry, said caseworkers assigned to foster children or wards of the state are, the majority of the times, too overloaded with cases to get any work done.
“It’s not possible,” she said.
During her time as a DHS case manager, the woman said it was not uncommon to be assigned 40 or more cases to handle.
New regulations set forth by the DHS settlement would cut that number in half.
After leaving DHS the woman went to work for what she called a local “DHS provider.”
The provider the woman described is basically a group home for children.
“Most of the children who will be placed in foster care are in need of a great deal of emotional and mental help,” she said. “The situations many of them have come from are unimaginable.”
Lowry said in some Mississippi counties caseworkers were managing as many as 100 cases each.
The situation was so dire the department actually labeled the situation as “beyond danger,” Lowry said.
Natchez Sunshine Children’s Center Director Matilda Stephens said foster care reforms outlined in the settlement are badly needed.
The shelter is a locally run group home for children.
Stephens said the new reforms will help to establish new foster care facilities and to educate and train foster parents.
The reforms will also limit the amount of children living in a foster home to five, including biological children.
Stephens said she is aware of one foster parent in Adams County that has 10 children in his care.
“It’s outrageous,” she said.
Stephens said group homes like the Sunshine Center are only legally allowed to house 12 children at a time.
While many working with abused and neglected youth in the county are looking for change those charged to make it happen say it’s on the way.
Rusty Fortenberry, an attorney who represented the state in the DHS suit, said the funding is on its way back in the right direction.
DHS representatives would only speak through their attorney.
Fortenberry pointed to nearly $36 million in funding appointed by Gov. Haley Barbour that will go to repairing the DHS.
Fortenberry called the entire situation a “long complex issue.”
Fortenberry said the state is willing to do its part in repairing the system and is seeking accreditation from the Council on Accreditation.
Fortenberry said the accreditation at the end of the five-year period would, “be a very high achievement.”
Comments
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
this is way long over due. A big thank you to all involved in making it happen. Our children are our future and this has been overlooked too long in Ms.
Posted by oldschool (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When I took on two children back in the early 80's to the 90's I was left BIG bills that the department did not cover. These children were to have Medicaid and the DHS dept would not release those cards/ number so when taking these kids to the doctor and psycholigist I had to pay and Never received any money back in return. There was more to the issue than this. The system then in return took the the children and put them back in the same situation they were in with NO RECOURSE for the parents. Evently one of the parents did go to prison but the other walked away and NEVER served a day, that was way to late before more damage was done to theses kids. This abuse went on for years and the system would take them out and then put them right back in. SAD CASES!!
Posted by Whisper (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why will it take so long to fix this tragedy. I am pretty sure that if our elected officials. Took one day and looked over the problems. That within a week the problem could see results. No committees, no studies, no red tape. Just step up to the plate and fix it. If the elected officials, had to take all these children. Into their own homes, right now. I guarantee you there would be imediate results on fixing this problem. Good Grief Miss. officials. Our State has the worse reputation on everything. What does this say for our leaders in office. Don't any of you have any pride.
Posted by laracersmb (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Stephens said she is aware of one foster parent in Adams County that has 10 children in his care."
Wow, That is way too many children in one home!
Posted by observer (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We southerners don't like people in New York telling us what we need to do, but thank heaven "Children's Rights" was bold enough to take Mississippi to court and win. You will get an education if you Google "Children's Rights" on the internet. Click on "Mississippi" in the side bar.
Whisper is correct. Our elected officials should be ashamed that it took a New York advocacy agency suing our governor, our legislature and DHS to finally get them to take some action. Case workers are not only overloaded, but often ill prepared for the jobs they perform (even some with so called Masters Degrees).
Sending these children back into the abusive homes they were removed from is apparantly a common practice. This is done to get them off the "welfare rolls" and lower the case loads and payments DHS has to make. I'm sure Ms Stephens could tell you that from her experience at the Sunshine Shelter, which is an emergency placement agency. Natchez Children's Home Services must certainly have had similar experiences.
It is good this suit happened because now people are aware that this is going on - yes, right here in Natchez. The children are at the mercy of DHS, and the agencies probably are too. It remains to be seen how long it will take for Mississippi to comply with the court order and make things better for our children. Natchez Democrat, please keep us posted.
Posted by LdyBreez (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The one thing I dont like is when DHS takes a child from a parent or parents and they go to court, the judge does not ask his own questions. Generally they take the case workers recomendations and sometimes that case worker is biased.
I know of two children, a girl and a boy who were taken from both parents. It was discovered after the mother was beaten almost to death by the father that both were on drugs. The mother has attended all kinds of counsleing, goes to meetings and has been clean and sober for 2 years now and He was given custody of the children the charges against him were conveinantly lost and never went before a grand jury the charges were assult with a deadly weapon. This father beat this mother in front of the children. He has never been made to attend any kind of drug abuse counsleing and was given custody of these children. This is in Lincoln County. There is even more to this story, the children were being sexually molested by the fathers friends which were at the custody hearing with the father. When asked why the charges were never brought before the grand jury by the mothers lawer, she was told it must have slipped through the cracks. To date the charges against the father have never gone before the Grand jury he still has custody and the mother is not even allowed to talk to her children even after she jumped through DHS's hoops and beyond.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmmm strange what drugs cost some of us isn't it? Even stranger what can be lost in the cracks....
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was thinking about what you wrote LdyBreez Did this woman know her children were being sexually abused??
Posted by DedicatedFPS (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First and foremost let me say to all those, supporters and non-supporters, that until you have worked a day in our shoes you should not begin to assume to know, let alone make a comment, about MDHS and its workers. To the anonymous lady, who is not as anonymous as she thinks, you could not cut it with MDHS or the DHS provider you use to work for. That is evident by the “case manager” position you stated you held when you worked for MDHS very briefly. The Division of Family and Children’s Services does not employ “case managers”. We are Family Protection Specialists (Social Workers) with years of dedication and no plans of leaving. We roll up our sleeves and we work, regardless of the tough times. We work for the CHILDREN of the State of MS, in spite of the mediocre pay, caseloads, lack of appreciation and support from those on high. The ignorance of individuals speaking about our agency and agency’s policies is running rampant through this article, the comments posted and the community. Final decisions about children coming into custody and returning to their parents are made by the Youth Court Judges. Yes, there was a lawsuit and a settlement to improve the quality of services provided to MS families and children, however, we were doing the job long before this lawsuit and to the best of our abilities considering the limitations and constraints placed on us by those who have never visited a county office. There are genuine and dedicated workers throughout Family and Children’s Services, who will not be affected by the negativity, instead will stand tall and continue to work hard for this State, with or without your approval. Why? Because if we don’t, you won’t either! You wouldn’t know where to start!
Posted by ntz143 (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No one is questioning the dedication of the individual social workers who work for DHS.....if anything, it seems like the article is in support of smaller caseloads for these people. Obviously DHS on the state level was not doing what they should have been...THEY SETTLED THE LAWSUIT INSTEAD OF GOING TO COURT...i.e. they admitted guilt. But that is certainly not a condemnation of every worker. My guess is that they are doing the best they can under very bad circumstances. God bless anybody who takes action against child abusers....
Posted by Whisper (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thats right Dedicated, we are on your side. I'm ready to go find the Governor of this fine State. Drag him down here kicking and screaming if I have to. And make him bring all his little cronies. Make them stay right here, till they fix their mess. They could always plant some more Magnolia Trees along the highway, on their way down. Oh thats right,, they don't get out into the trenches. They just talk about it. Oh, and if I am accused of sounding threatning. Even though I wouldn't try to do that. Any and all letters will be appreciated while I'm in jail. This is a pitiful sad moment that should make all our politicians hang their heads in shame.
Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What does it take to become a social worker? What are the qualifications, of these people who decide the fate of parents and children, and who is telling the truth?
Posted by DedicatedFPS (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NatchezEnema, There is an actual BSW, Bachelor's of Social Work, you can attain from accredited colleges and/or universities. MS also has a licensure board. If you obtain a BSW you can take a test and become a LSW, Licensed Social Worker. However, it takes compassion, empathy, genuiness,values, ethics, and an understanding of the need for change in society and with specific populations (and so much more) to be a Social Worker. Once again, we do not decide the fate of parents and children, the Judges do. We assess and present them the facts found for them to make decisions based on State and Federal laws they help create.
Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 7:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How long does that take to get? The BSW
Posted by msfixit (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NatchezEnema, the BSW is a regular 4 year college degree. I didn't realize Mississippi still allowed people to become licensed with the BSW. In the majority of other states the entry level degree is a Master's of Social Work, which includes a 1 year internship under the supervision of someone who is already licensed. I know that schools in Louisiana will not hire school social workers with anything less than a Master's.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You know Mississippi we are always behind....
Posted by concernedmom (anonymous) on April 27, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FIRST ID LIKE TO SAY THAT THE PAPER AS IT HAS DONE SO BEFORE DIDNT QUOTE ANONYMOUS AS SHE HAD TOLD THEM SHE IS FOR AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN FOR THE KIDS FIRST AND FORMOST . ANYBODY WHO THINKS THEY KNOW HER WOULD TELL YOU THIS SHE HAS A LOTTA LOVE FOR KIDS AND NEVER TO BUSY FOR THEM AT ANYTIME . SECOND ID LIKE TO SAY THAT THE SYSTEM DOES NEED HELP AND SHE WASNT CUTTING PEOPLE SHE WAS TRYING TO TELL YOU THAT THE WORKERS AREOVERLOADED AND NEED MORE HELP AND TRAINING NOBODY CAN HAVE TO MUCH TRAINING ON HOW TO HELP THESE CHILDREN . BUT THE SYSTEM IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUNDS TO WORK THE PEOPLE WHOM SUPPOSE TO CARE FOR THESE KIDS LET ALONE GIVE THEM TIME TO LEARN HOW TO HELP THEM WE SEEM TO ALL FORGET THAT ITS THE KIDS WHO ARE PAYING FOR OUR DECISIONS FOR THEM WHEN WE KEEP HELPING THE PARENTS AND NOT THE KIDS WHEN WE KNOW THEY GOING RIGHT BACK INTO A HOME OF HELL THATS WHY WE GOT THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE I SAY AGAIN WHOM EVER THINKS THEY KNOW IT ALL AND CANT LEARN MORE NEEDS NOT TO BE IN THIS LINE OF WORK LETS THINK OF OUR KIDS AND NOT FIGHT ABOUT STUPID STUFF
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
((DedicatedFPS)) You are soo right until oneo has walked in ya'lls shoes we shouldn't comment.. I Have Not Walked in Your Shoes But I Was Very Close With Two Of The Case Workers And One Of The CASA Workers That Came Into My Family And Took My Sisters From the Parents. The Look In The Latest Case Workers Eyes Will Never Be Forgotten. She Always Looked Tired And Always Worried About The Childern That Were Under Her Care. She Even Gave us her cell number and by some miracle wounded up not living too far from my parents home so she would always ride by or 'pop in' just to say hi. It Made my sisters feel like they had some one to turn to at times... for 6 years my sisters were taken in and out of their home and workers came and went so much at times i wouldn't know who the worker was or who to call.
I also have alot of respect for the SUNSHINE SHELTER for taking two of my sister's in until all paper work could be done approved and transferred to the coast THANK YOU. with out them opening thier doors they would've been split up and sperated through out the state.
Posted by npc (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The problem with DHS and Mississippi being last in every catigory isn't necessarily the elected officials or DHS system. The reason DHS is overloaded and MS makes the bottom of every list, is that MS has way more than its share of kids having kids and then going on to make even worse decisions raising their kids. We also have to change the mentallity of people having kids that can't afford them. When you start having kids that you can't afford, this causes stress on the family which then can lead to people snapping, making bad decisions and then abusing their kids. You also have kids raising kids that will be the next generation that will not no how to handle any situation; finances, relationships, raising children and the cycle continues. You can put an army of social works with all the money in the world, but until you address the real problem, nothing in MS or DHS is going to change.
Posted by daddysgirl (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've not dealt with DHS, however being 'involved' in the Chancery Court system in Adams County I can tell you that the entire system needs to be investigated...attorneys and judges, where the welfare of children is concerned. It is apparent that a particular judge here in Adams County is 'notorious for taking his time' in the judgement of a case regardless of the urgency of the situation. And I quote that from an Adams County 'attorney'~I won't even get started on the attorneys here...they wake up everyday and PLAY a POWER game with each other not even considering their clients lives and more importanly the lives of helpless, innocent children. So, my point here is this...I don't think MDHS is the only 'organization' that should be at fault here in situations such as this...the entire system is flawed and our 'elected' officials should be made to do their jobs and be held accountable when the welfare of a child is left to hang in the air until they get good and ready to make a ruling. What happens in the meantime could be devasting.
Posted by USMBOY (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I had a friend who is messed up in DHS's poor system. His social worker told him he could move up here with me and i got him a job and let him and another friend of mine stay at my house. He was working and tryin to enroll in a JC and pick up a trade. Then all of a sudden his SW told him he had to quit his job and move back or she would classify him as a run-a-way. He was trying to do good for himself now he's right back were he started at, square one. I just don't understand.
Posted by daddysgirl (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
USMBOY...again I say, that's not DHS it's our screwed up system. Doing the 'right' thing seems to always be the 'wrong' thing where family law is concerned.
Posted by npc (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's called, "common sense". Common sense doesn't exist in any bureaucracy.
Posted by srob (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 10:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the social workers need to pay attention to the worse cases, and not investigating things such as when i had DHS called on my house because my 6 month old baby cried a lot, because i had clothes on the floor of my kitchen (by my washer) where i was separating them at the exact moment the person who reported me walked in (aka i didnt do anything wrong or dangerous) and because i had left my baby in the car maybe 2 or 3 times, for abuot a minute or less each, to grab something off of the table that i had forgotten when i left moments earlier (and i left the A/C running and ebrake on the whole time). The person who "reported" us made it seem like sucha bigger deal than any of it was, and even the social worker lady basically said it was a waste of her time to be there she cuold tell i was an awesome mother, and told me to buy a fire extinguisher and a toilet lock (wtf?) and i never heard from her ever again. if people would stop sending in ridiculous claims to "get back" at other people, the caseloads would definately lighten for the workers. sorry for the typos its late and im tired
Posted by momof4 (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 10:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
completely agree srob, perfectly said. people tend to USE dhs for their own personal wars with others... the only people who get hurt are kids.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 11:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree srob and momof4....
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