DRG's and Child Welfare

[Lynscho@xxxxxxx]

Tbitlaw:
While the new federal Adoption and Safe Families Act allows for termination 
of parental rights when a child is in custody for 15 of the last 22 months,  
the law also provides for some exceptions.   Perhaps you missed that part of 
the law.  I would be happy to forward you a copy of the law in its entirety, 
or you can download it yourself at  www.ndaa-apri.org.  Additionally, your 
comment that "child welfare workers and prosecutors see this as the 
answer..." is a gross generalization.  In my experience in the State of 
Vermont, many child welfare workers recognize that families who have abused 
or neglected their children present with a multiplicity of challenges that 
take time and more resources than are frequently available to make the needed 
substantitive changes within one year.  The majority of child welfare workers 
also recognize the strong bonds that children and parents have, even in 
families that engage in abusive behavior, and the lifelong consequences that 
occur to all concerned when you separate families.   Perhaps you could 
constructively address your concerns about the law to the federal lawmakers, 
rather than generalizing and blaming those who are in the field all over the 
country doing this difficult, dangerous and often heartrending work in 
substandard working conditions, with low pay and outrageous caseloads, under 
the extremely critical eye of the community, who expect nothing and 
everything at the same time.

Lynda Schoenbeck, MSW 
Intake Supervisor 


Take a look at the new federal legislation that mandates termination of 
parental rights petitions for children who have been in the system for "15 of 
the last 22 months."  Not driven by the needs of the family, child or time it 
takes to address sometimes many layers of problems.  Yes, there are 
exceptions, but child welfare workers and prosecutors see this as the 
answer---we must terminate.  Often their goal is to "provide permanency" for 
children---yes we can make them permanently orphans, especially those 
children who are not young and adoptable.  And accomplish what?