New Kids On The Block Make Some Noise in PA

The internet's on fire with the new piece written by an independent Wilkes-Barre/Scranton newspaper. Have you read it yet? If not, you should.

http://wilkesbarrescrantonig.com/2014/01/27/custody-cash-plea-help-place-else-turn/

Also stop by the blog here. Leave a comment and show your support for the NEPA community!

http://wakeupwilkesbarre.blogspot.com/2014/01/custody-for-cash-now.html?m=1

Together, we can stop the corrupt and make positive changes for families in Pennsylvania.

Hot Potato Part Duo!

This letter was addressed to a citizen in the western part of Pa who had written to voice her opinion to Pat Toomey.



Thank you for contacting me about child welfare services. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you may know, Pennsylvania maintains a child welfare system that is county-administered and state-supervised. In addition, the federal government provides assistance to state and local agencies for the provision of child welfare services, most notably through Title IV-E of the Social Security Act and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant program. To ensure compliance with federal requirements and to assess the overall system's processes and outcomes, the federal Department of Health and Human Services conducts regular audits and conformity reviews of state and local programs.

I understand your support for efforts to ensure the integrity of these state and local agencies and guarantee the safety, proper assessment, and appropriate placement of children within Pennsylvania. Please be assured that I appreciate your input and will keep your comments in mind as initiatives to improve and modernize child welfare services are introduced and considered in the Senate.

Thank you again for your correspondence. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,


Pat Toomey
U.S. Senator, Pennsylvania

Hot Potato Hot Potato!

Kids all over the world play the game "hot potato" or some variation thereof. The goal is to not get caught with the hot potato--ie to quickly pass it off to someone else before you get burnt.  Pennsylvania politicians(or all politicians for that matter) play this game very well.

Yes, yes we care. BUT....but alas I can't do anything about THAT. You see, it isn't my potato. Here is a letter from a Pennsylvania Senator that states just that. Yes, we have a problem with child abuse agencies not doing their job in Pennsylvania. But oh dear, that isn't my problem.

Here is the letter, written in response to a letter written by a blogger in Pennsylvania.

Thank you for taking the time to contact Senator Casey about child protective services in Pennsylvania. He appreciates hearing from all Pennsylvanians about the issues that matter most to them.
Child protective services are administered at the county level in the state of Pennsylvania. The Department of Public Welfare’s Office of Children, Youth and Families serves in an oversight capacity to monitor the county agencies and ensure their compliance with state laws. The states have traditionally exercised jurisdiction over litigation and other matters involving child custody, based on the premise that state courts are best able to evaluate all parties and ultimately render decisions in the best interests of a child.
As a federal official, Senator Casey is unable to take direct action on matters relating to these agencies. If you have any questions about a specific issue regarding Child Protective Services, I urge you to contact your State Representative or State Senator for assistance.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with our office. Please do not hesitate to contact us in the future about this or any other matter of importance to you.
Bonnie Seaman
Director of Constituent Services
Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr.
22 S. Third Street, Suite 6A
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101
717-231-7540
717-231-7542 (fax)
http://casey.senate.gov/

You can call the office and express concern. Exactly whose jurisdiction it is in Pennsylvania? Who is the local CYS accountable to????

Penn State To Pay $60 Million To Victims

It's costly--both financially and emotionally. Penn State has agreed to pay almost $60 million dollars to abuse victims in exchange for them not pressing further charges against the university.

There were 26 victims in the Penn State scandal. How many people have been victimized in Berks County over the years and ignored? Many.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/29/sports/ncaafootball/penn-state-to-pay-59-7-million-to-26-sandusky-victims.html?_r=1&

Article On Corruption, Reform, And "Culture of Privilege" That Enables Poor Behavior in Pennsylvania

http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_786032.html#axzz2i0cmDJkL

Biker Groups, Churches Sponsor Oceanfront Trip For Members Of "I Survived Berks County" Support Group

Last night, a group gathered in Virginia Beach to share a meal and have some fun. From all appearances, the group looked like any other group at the ocean front having a cookout. There was laughter, singing, and lots of food.  But this was different then your average get together.

The get together was sponsored by churches and biker groups in Virginia. The attendees? Adults from the "I Survived Berks County" support group which has formed in Lehigh County. Members of the group are adults who had CYS involvement in their lives when they were young. Many of the adults were sent to homes like Kids Peace and Bethany Home. Others were sent to live in foster care homes. In some cases, the foster care homes were worse then what they endured at home.

"I am so grateful for these people. It's nice to get away and I've never been to Virginia before", said one attendee.

"The people are nice and they really care about what we've gone through", said another. "It helps. It helps to know people care."

Counselors were also available if participants needed to talk. Some of the adults did just that; others remained silent.

" I don't trust counselors" said one man who identified himself just as G Daddy. "In Berks County, counselors are part of "the system". They'll sell you out in a heart beat to make money. That's all kids are in Berks--a way to make money." G Daddy got up suddenly and walked to the ocean, throwing shells into the water. A biker came up alongside of him and just stood silently, with his hand on G Daddy's shoulder.

Pastor CJ is old enough to remember the civil rights movement in the 1960s although he won't say his age. "I remember the marches and I remember folks getting beat up and even killed for standing up for what was right. Houses were burned and people woke up to burning crosses on their lawns if they chose to speak out. I remember when the schools were segregated and when you could only use certain bathrooms and certain water fountains. I can relate to the anger these people have at the system. But anger will only destroy you. What happened to these young people was wrong, but it happened. We're here today to say that we care and to help them process what happened, to help them move forward, to give them a safe environment to talk about what happened to them."

Andy used to live in Pennsylvania. He now lives in Virginia.  "My parents were foster parents. These kids were deeply wounded when they came to our family. Some of them had horrible things done to them at the hands of their parents before the system stepped in and gave them a safe place to live. Others had a safe place to live and were just taken."

Andy continued. "I've kept in touch with a bunch of the foster kids that lived with our family. Their stories didn't end well. They didn't have the support they needed, they didn't get the help they needed to heal. It affected their kids as well. That's why I'm here today. I want to help."

"If you aren't part of the solution, you are the problem" said another sponsor of the trip. I want to be part of the solution.

Welcome to Pennsylvania!

Hired goons with guns intimidate citizens at Independence Hall in Philadelphia who are just merely asking questions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N078jMaPA5M

New Book On Corruption In the Keystone State

Apparently political corruption is nothing new in Pennsylvania.  A new book aims to prove just that. In late September, the book KEYSTONE CORRUPTION hit Amazon and other book outlets. Check it out! Who knows, you might just see some familiar names in the book!!!!

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/09/15/new-book-is-a-primer-on-pa-political-corruption/

PA Police Chief Discusses Child Abuse And How System Protects "Important" Pennsylvanians

Our Staff Reacts to Child Protection Measures Recently Discussed in Sente

The Senate Aging and Youth Committee, chaired by Sen. Bob Mensch (R-24)( As in Bob Mensch who threatened a motorist with a hand gunhttp://berkscountynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2013/09/bob-mensch-head-of-children-and-youth.html )approved a series of bills to provide sweeping improvements to Pennsylvania’s child protection laws. Read on to see the reaction of our staffers which is underlined.

The measures were sent to the full Senate for consideration.

What happened to Judy Schwanks bill which has languised in committee? That would have provided oversite for this agency which takes in millions of dollars, but has no accountability.

“Pennsylvania’s child protection laws are long overdue for review and update. No kidding.

 We’ve learned from the work of the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection What task force? The task force that was so secret that even the governor's office had no idea where they met and who was on it and what the agenda was? That task force?  and from hearing testimony what testimony?Who testified? How do we find out about this?  what needs to be done, and today is an important step in this critical process,” said Mensch who himself was brought up on charges of waving a handgun in a state car at an individual who "threatened" him..

The committee approved the following bills:

• Senate Bill 20 Sen. LeAnna Washington (D-4), Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) Updates the definition of “child abuse” and provides exclusions Exclusions? From child abuse? So everything will be an exclusion???.

“Before we can punish child abusers and help the victims, we must know what child abuse is Wow. They DON'T know what child abuse is in PA. Amazing.,” Senator Washington said. “Senate Bill 20 provides a clear, commonsense guide to what is and is not child abuse, while still allowing parents to parent. Does it allow people to have puppies? What about long grass? Is that addressed?As Democratic Chair of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee – and a survivor of child abuse Wait, how did you identify yourself as a survivor if you just said that you had to know what child abuse was in order to punish and protect? – I could not be more proud to put my name on this important legislation and to be a part of this effort to save so many children from harm.” 

• Senate Bill 21 Sen. Kim Ward (R-39), Sen. John Blake (D-22) Clarifies who is a “mandatory reporter” of child abuse. People already report child abuse. Reporting isn't the problem. In fact, some people report people for child abuse just to retaliate against them.

• Senate Bill 22 Sen. Kim Ward (R-39), Sen. Tim Solobay (D-46) Increases penalties for failure to report child abuse. Again, reporting isn't the problem. And what happens if you are supposed to report and don't because your CYS agency tells you they'll take away your kids for "parental alienation"? Sort of a catch 22. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

“A massive overhaul of our child protective services law was long overdueThis isn't a massive overhaul. A massive overhaul would be providing accountability for agencies.,” Senator Ward said. “I am particularly pleased to offer Senate Bill 21 as it contains a key clarification as to who is a mandated reporter. The law was pretty clear. Just because the folks at Penn State chose to ignore it doesn't mean we need more legislation.In the past, there were instances where child abuse was overlooked or not reported to the authorities because the old law was confusing. It wasn't because the laws were confusing. My legislation should clear up any doubt as to who needs to report and when they are required to do so.”

“The enhanced penalties of failing to report child abuse under Senate Bill 22 should also serve as a reminder to mandated reporters that they can no longer shirk their duty to report without serious consequences,” Yes, report child abuse so your complaints can be ignored by your local CYS unless the child in question could be adoptable. In that case, the agency will act on it right away. Senator Ward continued.  “We cannot and will not allow children to continue to slip through the cracks.” Unless it means that we make money.......

• Senate Bill 23 Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-2) Updates the definition of “perpetrator” and expands definition of “person responsible for a child’s welfare.” That's still pretty vague.

“By expanding the definition of a child abuse perpetrator, we can increase the number of vulnerable children protected from harm, and help more children who have already been harmed,” Senator Baker said. “This legislation will give child welfare workers the tools they need to keep offenders away from innocent children and to hold abusers liable for their crimes.” No it won't, especially when it seems that Pennsylvanians condone child abuse.

• Senate Bill 27 Sen. Bob Mensch (R-24), Sen. Mike Stack (D-5) Improves the exchange of information among medical practitioners and county agencies. And that will help how? It won't, especially when information is doctored by CYS.

• Senate Bill 30 Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26), Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-32) Establishes accountability and due process protections for individuals working with delinquent children in juvenile detention facilities and residential rehabilitative institutions. How about working to provide accountability for the laws we already have on the books instead of making new ones that people will just ignore and refuse to uphold?

“Over the years, the number of false claims of child abuse against staff who work with delinquent children and students in juvenile detention and private residential facilities has increased Why of course. These staff would NEVER hurt children. , and the appeals can take an average of 18 months to conclude,” Senator Erickson said. “My legislation will establish specific timelines for appeals for indicated cases of child abuse. It will also contain provisions to establish a subfile within the State Registry of those who have been found guilty of intentionally filing a false report, along with the name of the child involved in the report.”

• Senate Bill 33 Sen. Bob Mensch (R-24), Sen. Jim Brewster (D-45) Provides employee whistleblower protection for child abuse reporting. What about people who aren't employees and report child abuse of the kid next door? I guess they are on their own.

“My bills aim to improve the exchange of information from the point when someone first suspects child abuse through the time when an investigation is in progress,” said Mensch. “It became clear from expert testimony that more children could be protected if there was better coordination between agencies, and legal protections for those citizens who come forward to report abuse.” Children could be better protected if agencies follow the law, refuse to play favorites, and actually listen to children instead of caring first about how much money they can make/lose on a certain investigation.

The bills are part of a bipartisan package of legislation introduced following the recommendations of the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection, created by the passage of Senate Resolution 250 in December 2011. The panel held a series of public meetings and released its report in November 2012. Public meetings? Where and when????