Worse, though, is that perception is reality. Florida has the highest number of confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect in the country, according to the Child Welfare League of America. Florida also is No. 1 in the rate of children of color in the system. Not only did the state set a record in 2005 for the number of children to die of child abuse and neglect who were known previously to DCF; according to the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, the state also hit an all-time high in the number of children taken from their parents.
The article goes on to mention the DCF has the computer system keeping track of errors and negligence. In 2005, I wrote about Rilya Wilson. She was missing for over a year before the DCF noticed. The past administration did not correct the problems DCF faced. Hopefully, Bob Butterworth will change things. His handling of the Melissa Amora tragedy was a good start.
Most troubling to me:
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At this moment, most troubling to me: It's almost like there was some shifting and shell games to rid the agency of Lucy Hadi who hadn't done anything wrong other than stand in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Bob Butterworth is a sheriff, prosecutor, judge and attorney general. I don't care if he's a fix-it man or a dem.
Attorneys are already afraid to go up against DCF and what will it be like when so much power is at the head of the agency? Surely, somewhere in the great US of A there is at least ONE child advocate working on or in possession of an MBA.
I'm mighty 'court's out on that one' on that appointment.
Another watch and see.
There are many of US working on Masters Programs, as well as already have. Unfortunately, the general public has no idea what WE do everyday. It is sad that there are a few screw ups who should have never entered the child welfare field, but there are many more of US who do OUR best everyday to keep these many children safe and happy. The blame needs to get placed on the dead beat parents who place their children in a situation that requires the state to intervene, why aren’t they being chastised everyday like WE are. WE love these kids, they are OUR kids, WE do everything that WE can possibly do, what are YOU doing? Too many people are quick to bash US. Why don’t you become a foster parent, why don’t you come do this job, heck, do you have any idea how hard it is to get a simple birthday cake, it comes out of our pocket. Why don’t you donate your time and your resources to help make things better, God only knows that WE try OUR hardest. It kills me that WE try so hard, WE work overtime on nights and weekends, WE cry with these children, WE buy them things, WE go to their school shows, only to get slapped in the face by the unknowing media and public. Instead of complaining...DO SOMTHING!!
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