E-mail to TCFR supporters on April 7, 2004
COMPTROLLER: "TEXAS IS ABUSING THE CHILDREN IT IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT"
"From an outdoor 'pee wall,' to unrefrigerated meat patties, plastic sheets for walls and an attic lock-down room, Texas is abusing the children it is supposed to protect." So reported today's Houston Chronicle in reference to
Forgotten Children a seven month investigation into foster care released yesterday by Texas Comptroller, Carole Keeton Strayhorn.
The Chronicle continued that the report, "said the Department of Family and Protective Services operates a system in which children have died, been reported missing and suffered sexual, physical and emotional abuse."
Moreover, Strayhorn says in the report, "The truth is some of the children are no better off in the care of the state than they were in the hands of abusive and negligent parents."
These facts come as no shock to us at Texas Center for Family Rights. Is it any wonder that children are treated as chattel when handed over to strangers? Certainly there are well-intentioned foster families and managers of group homes. But there are also foster parents and group home facilities in the business for one reason: money.
Wouldn't it make more sense to give parents the option to direct the placement of their children with other family members, relatives, church members, neighbors and friends than to turn them over into the hands of strangers? Wouldn't that make more sense for the best interests of the children?
Or wouldn't it make more sense to remove the alleged perpetrator from the home during the investigation rather than the children? Why subject the children to certain emotional trauma during an investigation when there is no certainty that abuse even occurred? Wouldn't that make more sense for the best interests of the children?
And wouldn't it make financial sense to save the state money by not incurring the excessive costs of foster care?
Of course, these common sense principles make too much sense unless there is a motive that supersedes common sense. Unless perhaps money motivates the decisions.
Could there be dark secrets behind the veil of CPS? The Comptroller's report calls it a "Crisis in Texas Foster Care". It reveals:
"Federal and state oversight agencies have reported on TDPRS' troubles repeatedly, yet the problems remain. The system reflects a legacy of weak leadership; an atmosphere of helpless acquiescence to the status quo; a reluctance to look too closely into dark corners; a culture of self-protection and buck-passing."
Among the "many and varied" problems are "perverse financial incentives to keep children in restrictive environments by paying them more money to provide children with expensive and restrictive placements, and offering them little incentive to help children return to their homes or become adopted."
Yes, it is time for a change. TDFPS must be held accountable beginning with the Executive Director, Thomas Chapmond and every level down to the newest social worker. They must be held accountable because they are dealing with children; children made in the image of God, not chattel.
Respectfully,
Peter Johnston
President
