Saturday, May 13, 2006
Saskatchewan's Foster Children Scandal
From secret to scandal: the difference is that people know about it
These twins and their brother, Michael, who was a year and a half older were the natural children of Don and Helen Ross, deaf parents who were ill-equipped to take care of them.
When they were six, the three children were placed in the foster home of Dale and Anita Klassen. Dale and Anita had specifically stated that they were not prepared to take children with problems arising from sexual abuse. The Department of Social Services neglected to tell them of the children's history but it quickly became apparent to them that these children were sexually precocious and that, given the opportunity, Michael was molesting them.
Anita and Dale did everything within their power to keep Michael away from the girls, following the advice of Social Services. Eventually, they demanded that Michael be immediately removed from their house.
Michael was removed and placed in a special needs home with inexperienced foster parents. Michael missed his sisters and began to make allegations against Dale and Anita.
Within a few months, the girls were taken from Dale and Anita's home and put in the home with Michael. With the assistance of therapist Carol Bunko-Ruys and now retired Saskatoon police officer Brian Dueck, the children made up allegations against Dale, Anita, other family members and their natural parents.
The allgations were bizarre and unbelievable. Nonetheless, 19 people were arrested and charged with 70+ charges of child sexual abuse.
This story was told in the prize-winning Fifth Estate documentary The Scandal of the Century which aired on CBC in 2000 and 2001.
We brought this story to public attention. There is much more to say about the civil claim which Richard Klassen filed in 1994 and won in 2003 and it is told throughout the website.
The story of the foster children is far from over. Kathy and Michell are now 24 years old and leading difficult lives.
The horror is that new Kathies and Michells are being created every day!
Donna Jones began fostering in July, 2004 and has recently come forward to recount what it has been like fostering in Saskatchewan. .
Saskatchewan Social Services continues to use Dr. Joel Yelland to examine children and note whether there is reason to suspect abuse.
We know that Yelland was found by Judge Baynton to have been reckless in some evidence he swore to regarding the Ross children.
He is still doing it today and Social Services is continuing to give foster children to parents who are not trained and then punishing the parents for failing to properly do impossible jobs.
It is a terrible problem and it is still going on. There are ads on TV and in the newspapers encouraging people to sign up for fostering. When people sign up, they usually get a very different job than the one they signed up for.
We are posting some of Donna's stories here on the blog and we encourage others to come forward so we can get to the bottom of what is going on.
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The Juvenile Dependency system is rife with corruption. It is all "confidential" so that the judges can do anything they want to the poor with little fear of scrutiny.
i for one am a foster parent for the last 4 years. I know as foster parents we do not receive the recognition that we deserve for helping children in need. But i do not think that we should comment on blogs such as this with our problems with the department. I have had my share of problems with the department but i feel we can work together and make it work for the children. Of course, the department will not comment on this story because of the privacy of the children, which should be respected. My advice to Donna, talk to the department and continue to work things out with them until you find someone that will answer your questions and your concerns.
# posted by 
: Sat May 27, 09:35:00 PM 2006
: Sat May 27, 09:35:00 PM 2006
*The kidnapping of Geneva Johnson*Must Read*
An order of removal was signed to remove my niece Geneva Johnson from the premises of her grandmother Annie Lackey on 2/2/05 base on a lie by an ACS case worker (Angelica Reyes). It was determined that an emergency removal was necessary because the case worker claimed that her grandmother exhibits bizarre behavior; and the absence of furniture in her home with the exception of a dresser and a few chairs.
Supervising Judge Susan Knipps of family court (60 Lafayette st) signed the emergency removal order for Geneva Johnson with insufficient proof and no professional testimony, no legal representation or examination of the alleged victim who was 13 at the time. In fact on 2/3/05 the next day the Judge did not allow Geneva to speak in court, and her Law guardian (Natalie Albert) did not represent Geneva’s best interest in court concerning the innocence of her grandmother. Instead they plotted to place her into a DRC facility and have her mentally evaluated and medicated. The Judge violated Family court act 1028 by directing Ms. Lackey’s newly appointed attorney Ms. Baronoff not to have the 72 hour hearing that she is entitled to get Geneva back home.
In fact no family resource was contacted nor were any services offered as required by the NYS family court act to avoid removal of Geneva or placement into foster care. Ms. Lackey and Geneva are both dedicated Christians of Jehovah witnesses and neither has any history of mental illness, abuse or criminal activity. On 2/17/05 I went to family court with the hopes to get Geneva placed into my care until this tragedy passed over. I was informed by Angelica Reyes and Natalie Albert: “that the only way I can get Geneva placed into my custody is to go thru an ICPC which can take upwards from anywhere to 3 to 6 months and until then she will have to remain in foster care.”
I knew what they were telling me did not make any sense; we’re living in America, and the law cannot possibly be that screwed up, I remembered reasoning to my self. I next challenged the allegations against my mother and asked for an explanation. I was informed that my mother was believed to be mentally ill and my niece was removed for imminent risk to life and health. I immediately asked for their proof to this ridiculous allegation and they replied it was confidential and that I’m not a party to this case (docket no: N-1301/05 NYS family court 60 Lafayette st.).
The Judge informed my mother that she and Geneva will have to see the court psychiatrist to determine her mental status if she wants her granddaughter back. Ms. Lackey never has been to a clinical psychiatrist, thus without professional diagnosis what is the basis for the Judge to account for an assessment? Ms. Lackey will not comply with the Judge’s wishes because it’s obvious that the courts doctors will find an unfavorable diagnosis to support the courts claims especially since the removable was done on very deliberate and questionable grounds. The burden of proof should fall on the accuser not the accused.
On 3/24/05 Elvis Liburd and Robert Griffith of the dept. of social services petitioned the Supreme Court ex parte motion part (index 400985/05) for an order to gain access into Ms. Lackey’s home. They claimed that she was mentally impaired and exhibits psychotic, paranoid, schizophrenic behavior and that she has auditory hallucinations amongst other things. On 3/30/05 Mr. Griffith and 6 NYPD officers and a psychiatrist showed up at Ms. Lackey’s residence in a failed attempt to force my mother into psychiatric care. I immediately went down to confront Mr. Griffith about the fictitious claim he bought against my mother and threatened the dept. of Social Services with a lawsuit. They later dropped their case against my mother (foajm.2645851). I later discovered that I can apply for legal guardianship for Geneva; a right that was deliberately withheld from me by ACS, family court and Geneva’s law guardian.
On 6/13/05 I was denied the right to file for legal guardianship for my niece Geneva by family court clerk Thomas O’Connor who I immediately reported to the inspector general office with no satisfaction till this date in writing. During Geneva’s stay in foster care, ACS has failed to enroll her into school or provide home schooling for her. In fact Geneva has been neglected and abused in most of the foster homes they placed her in; all her cries for help fell upon deaf ears when those crimes were properly reported to ACS officials, her law guardian, and the mayor’s office. I have even written to the Governor’s office, John Mattingly (ACS), the Mayor, various politicians and all law enforcement agencies on her behalf and explained in full detail about the seriousness of the crimes and the abuse that she is suffering each day; nobody did anything.
Geneva grew tired of the educational neglect and the lack of help she was receiving from those who were supposed to be protecting her. It really bothered her that she has been to court more than 18 times and was not allowed to have a voice in court from the Judge even though she is now 14 years old. She was concerned as to why her fact finding hearing did not start as of yet and she grew weary of the psychological conditioning that they were subjecting on her each day. Geneva decided to leave ACS custody after a failed rape attempt at one of their facilities. She returned back to the safety of her family late in the summer of 2005 to escape the many abuses she endured during her tenure in ACS care.
On 12/19/05 ACS workers Sophia Nunez, Michael Navas and 6 officers from NYPD came to Ms. Lackey’s residents and forcibly removed Geneva, painfully handcuffing her in the process while refusing to present or leave the court order they claim they had to justify their actions. Geneva knew she had to get away from this callous agency that did nothing but abuse her and try to force medication on her. She returned home to her Grandmother the next day and went to the hospital for her sore wrist and shortness of breath and filed a complaint against the police officers. A little over a week later on the 28th ACS worker Charles Emanuel along with officers from NYPD Came to Ms. Lackeys home to remove Geneva. This time Ms. Lackey refuse to open the door until they show their court order, instead they chose to break down the door and swarm into her apartment. P.O. Pitts (shield # 2457) threatened to shoot Ms. Lackey on the spot if she moved and ordered her to shut up and get off the phone. Ms. Lackey refused because she was calling for help. The officers began to push her around and then P.O. Cano (shield # 8153) pulled the phone wire out of the wall then pushed Ms. Lackey who is 64 years old out into her hallway barefoot.
Geneva was in the bathroom taking a bath when this entire ruckus started. She was frozen and very scared and did not want to leave her grandmother. Geneva was ordered out the bathroom by the responding officers and she informed them that she was in the bathtub. Next, under Sgt. Caruso command, a Swat team from the 19th precinct with laser guided weapons and full body armor bust down the door and pulled Geneva NAKED out of the tub in full view of the 20 or more police officer’s and the ACS worker, all who were MEN. The officers then painfully handcuffed Geneva and wrapped some sheets around her out of the linen closets and marched her away barefoot in the dead of winter crying like she’s a savage animal or some crazed killer. Next, they took her to Metropolitan Hospital where they injected her with some type of medication while she is still handcuffed with her hands behind her back. Then they put her into a straight jacket and placed her into a psych ward at a DRC facility on 17th street & 2nd ave. The cowardly, thuggish and terrorizing actions of the police officers were reported to the civilian complaint review board (case # 200515422), Internal Affairs, the Mayors office, the Governors office, Don Mattingly (ACS), Robert Morgenthau-District Attorney, FBI, Rep. Carolyn Maloney and a host of others. Nobody did anything but just let the case die down.
Geneva continued to stand firm and returned home to her grandmother on the 30th of December, 2 days after her tragic ordeal. She wrote letters to the Mayor pleading for help, and got nothing, no satisfaction, not even a reply. On 5/7/06 they came back again and took her upstate and locked her up in some type of mental institution. Why is The New York City government protecting ACS and Family Court for the obvious crimes they have committed? How many innocent children and parents are subjected to psychiatric evaluation; and are unnecessarily administered mood- stabilizing drugs as a condition to retain the rights of their children?
ACS and Family court is being run like a plantation. It’s a profit-driven industry, a subtle continuation of institutionalized slavery which violates the 13th amendment against slavery and involuntary servitude. Family court has been used to “legalize” this racketeering scheme to rubber stamp ACS state sponsored child & family abuse/neglect cases, and terrorize & subdue underprivileged mothers and their children; mostly Afro-American and Latino. What do they want with Geneva so badly? She did not commit a crime so why do they treat her so? Why are they not educating her? Is this some type of behavior modification experimentation? Why are these individuals being allowed to operate like a secret cult with total impunity?
Constituents of New York please VOICE your OUTRAGE. Today they are targeting mother’s that are considered underprivileged, tomorrow it may be your kids. Please stand up and make the guilty party accountable for their crimes. This is CHILD ABUSE of the worst kind. Please make copies of this document and help pass the word. Their strength is in their concealment. My niece is being used as a sacrificial lamb for their sadistic experiments; and she needs your help. Please make this case public!
Mayor Bloomberg John Mattingly (ACS) Governor Pataki District Attorney Family Court
212-New –York 212-341-0900 518-474-8390 212-335-9082 646-386-5206
Rep. Carolyn Maloney Hon. Hillary Clinton FBI NY U.S Dept. of Justice Ms. Lackey
212-860-0606 212-688-6262 212-384-1000 202-353-1555 212-348-0474
realdealoneal@hotmail.com Case Docket No: N-1301/05 NYS Family Court
Created by: S. Johnson 570-424-9432
An order of removal was signed to remove my niece Geneva Johnson from the premises of her grandmother Annie Lackey on 2/2/05 base on a lie by an ACS case worker (Angelica Reyes). It was determined that an emergency removal was necessary because the case worker claimed that her grandmother exhibits bizarre behavior; and the absence of furniture in her home with the exception of a dresser and a few chairs.
Supervising Judge Susan Knipps of family court (60 Lafayette st) signed the emergency removal order for Geneva Johnson with insufficient proof and no professional testimony, no legal representation or examination of the alleged victim who was 13 at the time. In fact on 2/3/05 the next day the Judge did not allow Geneva to speak in court, and her Law guardian (Natalie Albert) did not represent Geneva’s best interest in court concerning the innocence of her grandmother. Instead they plotted to place her into a DRC facility and have her mentally evaluated and medicated. The Judge violated Family court act 1028 by directing Ms. Lackey’s newly appointed attorney Ms. Baronoff not to have the 72 hour hearing that she is entitled to get Geneva back home.
In fact no family resource was contacted nor were any services offered as required by the NYS family court act to avoid removal of Geneva or placement into foster care. Ms. Lackey and Geneva are both dedicated Christians of Jehovah witnesses and neither has any history of mental illness, abuse or criminal activity. On 2/17/05 I went to family court with the hopes to get Geneva placed into my care until this tragedy passed over. I was informed by Angelica Reyes and Natalie Albert: “that the only way I can get Geneva placed into my custody is to go thru an ICPC which can take upwards from anywhere to 3 to 6 months and until then she will have to remain in foster care.”
I knew what they were telling me did not make any sense; we’re living in America, and the law cannot possibly be that screwed up, I remembered reasoning to my self. I next challenged the allegations against my mother and asked for an explanation. I was informed that my mother was believed to be mentally ill and my niece was removed for imminent risk to life and health. I immediately asked for their proof to this ridiculous allegation and they replied it was confidential and that I’m not a party to this case (docket no: N-1301/05 NYS family court 60 Lafayette st.).
The Judge informed my mother that she and Geneva will have to see the court psychiatrist to determine her mental status if she wants her granddaughter back. Ms. Lackey never has been to a clinical psychiatrist, thus without professional diagnosis what is the basis for the Judge to account for an assessment? Ms. Lackey will not comply with the Judge’s wishes because it’s obvious that the courts doctors will find an unfavorable diagnosis to support the courts claims especially since the removable was done on very deliberate and questionable grounds. The burden of proof should fall on the accuser not the accused.
On 3/24/05 Elvis Liburd and Robert Griffith of the dept. of social services petitioned the Supreme Court ex parte motion part (index 400985/05) for an order to gain access into Ms. Lackey’s home. They claimed that she was mentally impaired and exhibits psychotic, paranoid, schizophrenic behavior and that she has auditory hallucinations amongst other things. On 3/30/05 Mr. Griffith and 6 NYPD officers and a psychiatrist showed up at Ms. Lackey’s residence in a failed attempt to force my mother into psychiatric care. I immediately went down to confront Mr. Griffith about the fictitious claim he bought against my mother and threatened the dept. of Social Services with a lawsuit. They later dropped their case against my mother (foajm.2645851). I later discovered that I can apply for legal guardianship for Geneva; a right that was deliberately withheld from me by ACS, family court and Geneva’s law guardian.
On 6/13/05 I was denied the right to file for legal guardianship for my niece Geneva by family court clerk Thomas O’Connor who I immediately reported to the inspector general office with no satisfaction till this date in writing. During Geneva’s stay in foster care, ACS has failed to enroll her into school or provide home schooling for her. In fact Geneva has been neglected and abused in most of the foster homes they placed her in; all her cries for help fell upon deaf ears when those crimes were properly reported to ACS officials, her law guardian, and the mayor’s office. I have even written to the Governor’s office, John Mattingly (ACS), the Mayor, various politicians and all law enforcement agencies on her behalf and explained in full detail about the seriousness of the crimes and the abuse that she is suffering each day; nobody did anything.
Geneva grew tired of the educational neglect and the lack of help she was receiving from those who were supposed to be protecting her. It really bothered her that she has been to court more than 18 times and was not allowed to have a voice in court from the Judge even though she is now 14 years old. She was concerned as to why her fact finding hearing did not start as of yet and she grew weary of the psychological conditioning that they were subjecting on her each day. Geneva decided to leave ACS custody after a failed rape attempt at one of their facilities. She returned back to the safety of her family late in the summer of 2005 to escape the many abuses she endured during her tenure in ACS care.
On 12/19/05 ACS workers Sophia Nunez, Michael Navas and 6 officers from NYPD came to Ms. Lackey’s residents and forcibly removed Geneva, painfully handcuffing her in the process while refusing to present or leave the court order they claim they had to justify their actions. Geneva knew she had to get away from this callous agency that did nothing but abuse her and try to force medication on her. She returned home to her Grandmother the next day and went to the hospital for her sore wrist and shortness of breath and filed a complaint against the police officers. A little over a week later on the 28th ACS worker Charles Emanuel along with officers from NYPD Came to Ms. Lackeys home to remove Geneva. This time Ms. Lackey refuse to open the door until they show their court order, instead they chose to break down the door and swarm into her apartment. P.O. Pitts (shield # 2457) threatened to shoot Ms. Lackey on the spot if she moved and ordered her to shut up and get off the phone. Ms. Lackey refused because she was calling for help. The officers began to push her around and then P.O. Cano (shield # 8153) pulled the phone wire out of the wall then pushed Ms. Lackey who is 64 years old out into her hallway barefoot.
Geneva was in the bathroom taking a bath when this entire ruckus started. She was frozen and very scared and did not want to leave her grandmother. Geneva was ordered out the bathroom by the responding officers and she informed them that she was in the bathtub. Next, under Sgt. Caruso command, a Swat team from the 19th precinct with laser guided weapons and full body armor bust down the door and pulled Geneva NAKED out of the tub in full view of the 20 or more police officer’s and the ACS worker, all who were MEN. The officers then painfully handcuffed Geneva and wrapped some sheets around her out of the linen closets and marched her away barefoot in the dead of winter crying like she’s a savage animal or some crazed killer. Next, they took her to Metropolitan Hospital where they injected her with some type of medication while she is still handcuffed with her hands behind her back. Then they put her into a straight jacket and placed her into a psych ward at a DRC facility on 17th street & 2nd ave. The cowardly, thuggish and terrorizing actions of the police officers were reported to the civilian complaint review board (case # 200515422), Internal Affairs, the Mayors office, the Governors office, Don Mattingly (ACS), Robert Morgenthau-District Attorney, FBI, Rep. Carolyn Maloney and a host of others. Nobody did anything but just let the case die down.
Geneva continued to stand firm and returned home to her grandmother on the 30th of December, 2 days after her tragic ordeal. She wrote letters to the Mayor pleading for help, and got nothing, no satisfaction, not even a reply. On 5/7/06 they came back again and took her upstate and locked her up in some type of mental institution. Why is The New York City government protecting ACS and Family Court for the obvious crimes they have committed? How many innocent children and parents are subjected to psychiatric evaluation; and are unnecessarily administered mood- stabilizing drugs as a condition to retain the rights of their children?
ACS and Family court is being run like a plantation. It’s a profit-driven industry, a subtle continuation of institutionalized slavery which violates the 13th amendment against slavery and involuntary servitude. Family court has been used to “legalize” this racketeering scheme to rubber stamp ACS state sponsored child & family abuse/neglect cases, and terrorize & subdue underprivileged mothers and their children; mostly Afro-American and Latino. What do they want with Geneva so badly? She did not commit a crime so why do they treat her so? Why are they not educating her? Is this some type of behavior modification experimentation? Why are these individuals being allowed to operate like a secret cult with total impunity?
Constituents of New York please VOICE your OUTRAGE. Today they are targeting mother’s that are considered underprivileged, tomorrow it may be your kids. Please stand up and make the guilty party accountable for their crimes. This is CHILD ABUSE of the worst kind. Please make copies of this document and help pass the word. Their strength is in their concealment. My niece is being used as a sacrificial lamb for their sadistic experiments; and she needs your help. Please make this case public!
Mayor Bloomberg John Mattingly (ACS) Governor Pataki District Attorney Family Court
212-New –York 212-341-0900 518-474-8390 212-335-9082 646-386-5206
Rep. Carolyn Maloney Hon. Hillary Clinton FBI NY U.S Dept. of Justice Ms. Lackey
212-860-0606 212-688-6262 212-384-1000 202-353-1555 212-348-0474
realdealoneal@hotmail.com Case Docket No: N-1301/05 NYS Family Court
Created by: S. Johnson 570-424-9432
# posted by : Sun Jun 11, 08:51:00 PM 2006
: Sun Jun 11, 08:51:00 PM 2006
I am not claiming the department is innocent in the behaviors. We only ever hear about the bad....tell me have you ever heard anything good. Have you ever heard adoptive parents of children in foster care come out and say how great of an experience it is? No because society only wants to hear all the bad. The department has many faults...but instead of critizing...lets stand together and make it better...FOR THE KIDS SAKE!!!
# posted by : Mon Jun 12, 12:33:00 PM 2006
: Mon Jun 12, 12:33:00 PM 2006
I agree!!!I am ashamed to be associated with the likes of Ms. Jones...Anyone who speaks to their foster children and social workers in this manner should perhaps give their time to something more suited to them. I hope people do not think Ms. Jones negative and angry attitude represent the majority of foster because it does not.
# posted by : Tue Jun 13, 07:16:00 PM 2006
: Tue Jun 13, 07:16:00 PM 2006
Often the front line workers are the ones targeted--but most intelligent people know they are working directly under someone who is telling them what they need to do or not do. You think you were under serviced--if you talk the way you write,I can see why your calls are not returned.Is there anyone you've dealt with that you appreciate? And Vice Versa? i know of a lot of bad situations, and this foster system needs a total overhaul--but problems aren't solved by ramblings that come off making one sound CRAZY!!(On a Blog like this none the less) This foster parent knows, some workers you named are doing pretty darn good jobs given the circumstances they work under!
# posted by : Tue Jun 13, 11:41:00 PM 2006
: Tue Jun 13, 11:41:00 PM 2006
Gosh, this is a cry for help. Any Social Workers intrested in commenting? Is this normal goings on? Does the Dept place children with Foster parents that have no abilty or training to deal with the children placed with them? Jones would have been Jones when the dept approved her. Why was she closed? Was she doing the work that the Dept approved her to do.
# posted by : Fri Jun 16, 08:44:00 AM 2006
: Fri Jun 16, 08:44:00 AM 2006
1. Tiffany Burns, why were you smiling throughout the 48 Hours 2-hour special broadcast this evening (6/17/06)? Were you concerned about your appearance and possible future TV gigs, thrilled to be on national television defending your obnoxious brother, or were you suffering from a severe lipstick overdose?
2. Your claim that poor Sebastian was "tricked" into confessing his despicable and obscene crime is pathetic. You and your equally "outraged" family should own up to the obvious fact that poor little Sebastian is exactly what the ruling judge assessed him to be: arrogant and unremorseful. Was that two-hour diatribe after his sentencing meant to shame those jurors ("I don't know how they can sleep at night..." Good God, woman, are you as out of touch with reality as your convicted-murderer bother??) or just showcase to the world his brilliant, albeit homicidal, mind? (Aww, poor Sebastian! I guess he thought his brilliance might win his freedom after all!)
3. I don't know how YOU can sleep at night, knowing what that little monster did at the tender age of 18. What a crew, what a family! Maybe you can get a reality-TV show and call it "The Dysfunctionals of Canada"!
4. Worth mentioning again: LOSE THE LIPSTICK, and LOSE THAT STUPID, WIDDLE-GIRL POUT. Both aren't the least bit believable.
5. May that poor family rest in peace.....
2. Your claim that poor Sebastian was "tricked" into confessing his despicable and obscene crime is pathetic. You and your equally "outraged" family should own up to the obvious fact that poor little Sebastian is exactly what the ruling judge assessed him to be: arrogant and unremorseful. Was that two-hour diatribe after his sentencing meant to shame those jurors ("I don't know how they can sleep at night..." Good God, woman, are you as out of touch with reality as your convicted-murderer bother??) or just showcase to the world his brilliant, albeit homicidal, mind? (Aww, poor Sebastian! I guess he thought his brilliance might win his freedom after all!)
3. I don't know how YOU can sleep at night, knowing what that little monster did at the tender age of 18. What a crew, what a family! Maybe you can get a reality-TV show and call it "The Dysfunctionals of Canada"!
4. Worth mentioning again: LOSE THE LIPSTICK, and LOSE THAT STUPID, WIDDLE-GIRL POUT. Both aren't the least bit believable.
5. May that poor family rest in peace.....
# posted by : Sat Jun 17, 09:33:00 PM 2006
: Sat Jun 17, 09:33:00 PM 2006
Quentin Zane Chauncey Ermine ,Your son and I really need to get a hold of you please drop a line maureenbuck@yahoo.ca
I am really enjoying all the comments that are posted on this site. We can all learn from each other, it's wonderful.
To all those that are angry at me I am very happy to hear it. I'm glad I hit a nerve. You should be angry.But not just at me. You should be angry at the Dept. and at the worker's as well. It's supposed to be about the children. Who cares what I said, or the Dept. said, or what the worker said. It's about the kids and their needs.That's the whole point to the stories. When a Foster Parent says help they need help. Who is the help for? The children.I agree with all of you about being polite.I was polite and when that did not work I spoke a little louder and I spoke more forcefully.I was being ignored when I was polite. I found out that speaking up made people angry.I even got threatend, I had never been threatend for doing my job before.I may have rubbed some people the wrong way but that's okay,because in the end No.2 won! We got him where he needed to be.
Foster Parents take the rap if something goes wrong.I never pretended that I could deal with this child's problems. I kept telling the Dept. over and over I did not have the skills to handle this child. I hope none of you are angry at me for telling the truth.If you're going to be angry be angry for the right reasons.
I really do appreciate all of you that tried to help me with this child. You did your best but it didn't work.I did what I did and it worked.So I ruffled a few feather's so what? Why do some of you want to cover up for the Dept.? When something goes wrong whether it's your fault or not, nine times out of ten you're going to take the blame for it. It's time that blame was placed where it belongs.
Shame on me for coming on this site and telling the truth.When the Klassen's cried out for help where was the Dept.?Before any of you pass judgement on me, read what happened to them and the Ross children. Remember it could happen to you.You want to talk about the children? Talk to The Ross girls.I know both these young ladies and their story will break your heart.
To all those that are angry at me I am very happy to hear it. I'm glad I hit a nerve. You should be angry.But not just at me. You should be angry at the Dept. and at the worker's as well. It's supposed to be about the children. Who cares what I said, or the Dept. said, or what the worker said. It's about the kids and their needs.That's the whole point to the stories. When a Foster Parent says help they need help. Who is the help for? The children.I agree with all of you about being polite.I was polite and when that did not work I spoke a little louder and I spoke more forcefully.I was being ignored when I was polite. I found out that speaking up made people angry.I even got threatend, I had never been threatend for doing my job before.I may have rubbed some people the wrong way but that's okay,because in the end No.2 won! We got him where he needed to be.
Foster Parents take the rap if something goes wrong.I never pretended that I could deal with this child's problems. I kept telling the Dept. over and over I did not have the skills to handle this child. I hope none of you are angry at me for telling the truth.If you're going to be angry be angry for the right reasons.
I really do appreciate all of you that tried to help me with this child. You did your best but it didn't work.I did what I did and it worked.So I ruffled a few feather's so what? Why do some of you want to cover up for the Dept.? When something goes wrong whether it's your fault or not, nine times out of ten you're going to take the blame for it. It's time that blame was placed where it belongs.
Shame on me for coming on this site and telling the truth.When the Klassen's cried out for help where was the Dept.?Before any of you pass judgement on me, read what happened to them and the Ross children. Remember it could happen to you.You want to talk about the children? Talk to The Ross girls.I know both these young ladies and their story will break your heart.
We only have your word on it "that things worked out for the best"...you ruffled a few feathers...Are you Fostering children???No you are not,so who's feathers got ruffled Donna? Who won in the end? you or DCRE? DCRE is still around, you are not....
# posted by : Mon Jun 19, 10:33:00 PM 2006
: Mon Jun 19, 10:33:00 PM 2006
Four of my children were kidnapped and two judges in Wyoming not only allowed it to happen, but gave custody of the children to the ex's that kidnapped them. I have tried contacting senators and other support groups. Unfortunately it's all the same, we're sorry your rights and the rights of the children were violated, but there's nothing we can do. What good does it do to have laws in effect to protect people from this kind of thing, if the judges are being given full reign to do as they wish, even if it's in violation of our constitutional rights?
# posted by : Wed Jun 21, 01:59:00 PM 2006
: Wed Jun 21, 01:59:00 PM 2006
The dust has settled. The emotions have been brought under control. Some thing Donna is a hero for doing this story. Others think she is a whiner and a discredit to fostering. What this story does regardless of what you think of Donna shows that our child welfare system in this province is far from perfect. More supports are needed for foster parents, more training is needed as well. Raising our concerns is not wrong or hurtful. How we do it can be. It is frustrating when you seem to be ignored by a social worker if you are a foster parent. It is also just as frustrating when a social worker is ignored by a foster parent. A working relationship between foster parent and social worker needs to be established and worked at if we are going to do any thing for the childern in our care.
# posted by : Sat Jun 24, 07:10:00 AM 2006
: Sat Jun 24, 07:10:00 AM 2006
Eight years ago it was said that no one should have more than four foster chilren in there homes. Anyone who wanted to sit on a local position could not be in over load according to the SFFA. If it was good enough for anyone who sat on the local or on the EOC why would it not be good enough for everyone.
# posted by : Wed Jun 28, 06:34:00 PM 2006
: Wed Jun 28, 06:34:00 PM 2006
Donna,my heart goes out to you, in Saskatoon there are foster homes with anywhere from 12 to 16 children in them--what else is that but institutional care? Where should the blame be placed on DCRE or on the foster parents who continue to let DCRE overload them. Once a foster home has over 4 children in their care they should know their own capabilities and what is in the best interest of the children. Just SAY No!!! comes to mind.
I have spoken to many foster parents towing 6 and 8 children for visits and having more at home, they express feelings of being overwhelmed, exhausted, and emotionally drained--how then are they serving the dept. or the children in their care, let alone practicing self care.
Let's get with it foster parents when you have reached your capacity say no--this is a volunteer position as "foster parents" we know this--volunteer for the time that you are ready, willing and able--not at the discretion of DCRE.
The general public does not know about the intricate fostering that must be done for these children--they only have their own experiences with their natural children in which to voice their opinions. The general public does not, I repeat NOT, make informed comments when they enter on this blog.
Please discard their ignorance Donna, "they know not what they do".
Hang in there you are a wonderful role model for many foster parents we just do not have the intestinal fortitude to stand up for Ourselves.
I have spoken to many foster parents towing 6 and 8 children for visits and having more at home, they express feelings of being overwhelmed, exhausted, and emotionally drained--how then are they serving the dept. or the children in their care, let alone practicing self care.
Let's get with it foster parents when you have reached your capacity say no--this is a volunteer position as "foster parents" we know this--volunteer for the time that you are ready, willing and able--not at the discretion of DCRE.
The general public does not know about the intricate fostering that must be done for these children--they only have their own experiences with their natural children in which to voice their opinions. The general public does not, I repeat NOT, make informed comments when they enter on this blog.
Please discard their ignorance Donna, "they know not what they do".
Hang in there you are a wonderful role model for many foster parents we just do not have the intestinal fortitude to stand up for Ourselves.
# posted by : Sun Sep 10, 01:19:00 PM 2006
: Sun Sep 10, 01:19:00 PM 2006
I am a foster mom. I have also witnessed the grief and heartache of family members who have lost their children to the system. The system has no oversight. Complaints against foster parents are shuffled under the rug, for far more then the bios have done. Many children die in foster care.
I do not believe that foster children should be crammed into a foster home 2,3,4, or more, not including their own kids.
CPS does their work in the dark, and if you're a foster mom or dad don't try to have a relationship with the bios in attempt to forestall the fear of your foster kids who have been removed from all they know. Trying to work with the bios is a no no.
Many people believe that they will never feel the sting of the system, because they are good parents, think again. It can and might happen to you. And no my kids have never been in care, nor have I been booted out of the system, but I have seen enough of non caring social workers. Although the good foster parents outweigh the bad I have seen enough neglectful, really nasty fosters who are buddy, buddy with the case workers, and kids complaints are ignored.
I do not believe that foster children should be crammed into a foster home 2,3,4, or more, not including their own kids.
CPS does their work in the dark, and if you're a foster mom or dad don't try to have a relationship with the bios in attempt to forestall the fear of your foster kids who have been removed from all they know. Trying to work with the bios is a no no.
Many people believe that they will never feel the sting of the system, because they are good parents, think again. It can and might happen to you. And no my kids have never been in care, nor have I been booted out of the system, but I have seen enough of non caring social workers. Although the good foster parents outweigh the bad I have seen enough neglectful, really nasty fosters who are buddy, buddy with the case workers, and kids complaints are ignored.
# posted by : Sat Nov 04, 01:54:00 AM 2006
: Sat Nov 04, 01:54:00 AM 2006
It's a shame that things have deteriorated to the point that they have . Possibly the Foster Parents of Saskatchewan should attempt to organize and unite and apply pressure to the department to start overhauling their clearly dysfunctional and at times , abusive system . Most likely the concerns and complaints end up posted here b/c people feel as though they are not being heard . Many fine individuals work for the department and undoubtedly try their best , within the confines of the system .... they too do not know what to do to begin fixing the many problem areas . Are any foster parents interested in trying to form a coalition for change ? That might be more useful in the long run . Best to all .... and remember to fight the good fight ! :-) I also am a foster parent here and am all too familiar with the difficulties .
# posted by : Fri Jan 12, 09:32:00 PM 2007
: Fri Jan 12, 09:32:00 PM 2007
10 years of hell! i dont know how this emotional slavery can go on. anytime that i would begin fighting for my human rights cps appears!
# posted by : Mon Feb 05, 01:59:00 PM 2007
: Mon Feb 05, 01:59:00 PM 2007
Come on , lets get with the program here , these social workers in Saskatoon especially have a lot to hide and they do it well. They will apprehend your child for no reason , make false accusations against you , and threaten to put your child in foster care , as if thats any good either , i just cannot believe the nerve of these social workers and wonder how they can sleep at night . I wonder how they would like to be tricked into doing things against their will . Its such a shame how they can treat children like this , and they are suppose to be there to help and protect children.I have a lot more to say on this subject and what goes on in this this field .
# posted by : Wed Feb 25, 10:57:00 PM 2009
: Wed Feb 25, 10:57:00 PM 2009 Links to this post:
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