Problems and Solutions
We are an advocacy group that will promote awareness of child maltreatment concerns and seek solutions for prevention.
What is lacking? System wide accountability for the children. Collective bargaining has made it difficult for politicians to be able to intervene on the behalf of the children of Indiana. There is also a misconception that the department of Child Services (DCS) has been established to serve children and their families. The current situation is, “If the DCS doesn’t see it as abuse then it isn’t”. Local police departments, prosecutors, and judges assume that DCS reports are fact. This process needs to be rectified.
How can this be achieved? The Department of Child Services should not be an autonomy, it allows for a mega agency under-qualified for specific issues. We need community partnerships, i.e. health departments, housing inspectors, policing agencies etc. to be partnered with DCS for the best possible experts in the fields of concerns.
This will allow the system to be managed more efficiently and with greater accountability to the children of Indiana. Laws need to be enacted so there is consistency in all 92 counties in Indiana.
Why will C.H.I.L.D. tackle this pressing issue? Indiana has been #1 in child abuse deaths in the nation! DCS has consistently under reported child abuse and child deaths with little notice or concern from lawmakers or the media.
Child abuse reports need to be entered into a database daily for timely monitoring of each child, much like your money is traced in financial institutions.
Solutions for this ever growing problem is needed and has been needed for many years, A few years ago, Carole Davis worked with Harvard University to develop a plan. These were the problems and the proposals:
-
1)
Problem – DCS does not regard proven statistics in determining suggestions for child custody.
Proposal – Correlate statistics and risk factors when removing or placing children in dwellings.
2)
Problem – DCS indifference to the child’s extended families and loved ones.
Proposal – Placing children in a strange dwelling should be the last resort. Children who have been traumatized need love, familiarity and stability. DCS should not usurp genealogical or other close relationships children have formed bonds with. This wreaks of a power stance withing the DCS. This autocratic attitude causes further demise of the child.
3)
Problem – DCS acts as guardian ad-litem in custody cases. This is a blatant conflict of interests with controlling methods.
Proposal – Guardian ad-litems should be someone who has studies, in depth, all facts and recommends what is in the child’s best interest that is not connected to the DCS.
4)
Problem – DCS home studies are allowed in determining child custody after only one announced visit. The DCS can type up findings based on this one visit. DCS can relieve themselves of any fault in findings, by declaring:”The information in this report has not been verified.”
Proposal – Eliminate this total recklessness of home studies where children’s lives are at stake. Excuses of not enough personnel or whatever is not acceptable.
5)
Problem – Thee are vital health standards in place for living conditions in children’s homes.
Proposal – Health agencies partnering with the DCS to provide training and supervision in living conditions where cleanliness has been an issue.
6)
Problem – Vermin and pets are a health and safety hazard to children if uncleanliness exists and is not addressed.
Proposal – Veterinarians, humane societies, or other experts, should be consulted when conditions present are endangering to the well-being of children.
7)
Problem – DCS has stated that the happiness and well-being of children do not matter in legislation.
Proposal – Research has shown that child maltreatment permanently alters brain development and function. The whole health of the child needs to be taken into account.
8 )
Problem – Confidentiality of cases by the DCS is in their best interest, not the child’s. This allows movement of children within the system for government funding qualifications.
Proposal – Public awareness of the sheer numbers of children controlled by the DCS should be broadcast to allow for public scrutiny and eliminate potential fraud.
9)
Problem – At-risk families moving to avoid investigation of children at risk.
Proposal – All states should set up reciprocal agreements with other states in order to protect a-risk children. Politics should not be the deciding factor in a child’s best interests.
10)
Problem – Societal tradition has been the norm in deciding placement of children.
Proposal – Public awareness of the sheer numbers of children controlled by the DCS should be broadcasted to allow for public scrutiny and eliminate potential fraud.
11)
Problem – “One size fits all” attitude for DCS responses to children at-risk.
Proposal – “Take it or leave them” reaction should not be acceptable. DCS must be able to administer to a child’s well-being in a way that is in the treating of the individual situation and the whole health of the child. The systems worst casualties are the children they are paid to protect.
12)
Problem – Self-evaluation by DCS.
Proposal – Outside experts with no political ties should evaluate DCS annually.
13)
Problem – Intimidation by DCS towards family members.
14)
Problem – Foster care.
Solution – Foster care should be used as intended, a temporary placement. A six month maximum stay and only if a loved one or relative is not available for placement of the child in their home.
15)
Problem – Family Reunification.
Solution – Parents should not be allowed more than six months to prove their fitness to resume custody of their child. Any parent who severely hurts a child should not be allowed to ever get them back!
C.H.I.L.D. (Children Hostages in Life’s Derangement) is an advocacy group that will promote public awareness of child maltreatment concerns and seek solutions for prevention.
Carole Davis, founder of C.H.I.L.D., has been providing these services to families and children for the last twenty years from her own financial resources. we are obtaining our 501(C)3; so that we can continue Carole’s legacy on a larger scale. Currently, we are relying on private donations. In the future, wel will be writing grants to secure our funding.
C.H.I.L.D. will strive for a better balance between family autonomy and the rights of children to be protected from harm. This will be approached in the following manner:
The public should not be shielded form the atrocities of maltreated children. Involve media for mass information broadcasting.
Lobby for changes in laws and ordinances, and for enforcement of laws already in place.
Seminars and conferences to inform the public of programs and methods of reducing child maltreatment.
Convene public hearings to look into issues of child maltreatment and conduct evaluative studies.
Provide dispute resolution and coordination to allow children at risk a means to resolve issues related to their care, placement, or services.
To enhance a child’s voice in these matters, in conjunction with and complimenting existing child supportive agencies.
