Posted by Mike on February 11, 202004 at 19:06:32:
In Reply to: Re: Many More Issues Involved posted by sam on February 11, 202004 at 17:40:20:
: : : : Do you and I have the right to all of the information regarding this case if it might hinder the criminal investigation and case against the real culprits in this case, the parents? Let's let law enforcement speak. Is there a case against CYS or not? If so, let the pieces fall as they may. I'm just a little hesitant to believe unverified newspaper reports and comments taken from letters of a murderer.
: : : No, we dont have the right to infomation in the criminal case. That's is not my point. My point is that CYS cannot keep citing "privacy" or it's confidential about what they did or didnt do, w/o getting into criminal matters. Whose privacy are they referring to? A little girl is dead. CYS is a social welfare agency, not law enforcement.
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: : First of all, you are incorrect. You do not need to be a "law enforcement" agency to maintain privacy and privilege for your clients. Look at practically any other state agency, not only social services and law enforcement, they cannot release the information that they have collected. The release has of information has become a lot more stricter over the last decade. Think about private institutions...they also have and maintain strict codes of confidentiality and privacy. I do not think just because the person is "dead" that we, the public, have a right to intrude into this person's life, especially before any type of convictions. would you want the case to be possibly compromised?
: : Secondly, CYS has many problems, but most of the problems originate from the policy and regulations that are sent down from above, i.e. Harrisburg. The fact is that for years we have heard the call to slash funding for social services. Well, we are getting what we asked for. The turnover rate is very high with CYS positions across the state, not just with Armstrong County or Western Pennsylvania. The issue of the staffing and training is another problem. Once again, you get what you pay for. If the federal and state governments keep on the same track that they have been on over the past few years, you are going to see more and more of this. It is common logic.
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: : There is whole cycle that is created in which the dynamics relate to each between socical behavior, the social agencies and the economy. The facts do not lie.
: : Are these contraints the sole reason to absolve CYS from any wrongdoing in this case? Of course not. If CYS acted irresponsibly, then somebody from that agency or department needs to accept the responsibility for this horrible act. I think one of the main problems with CYS in this case was the communication between Westmoreland Co. and Armstrong C0. It seemed like this incident was occurring right after a move from one county ot the other.
: : I hope that this incident not only sheds light on the negative aspects of CYS, but that it is also a wake-up call to the local, state and federal goverment representatives that we better begin paying more attention to the things occurring in OUR own society, before we begin trying to rectify others.
: : And finally, why are we so quick to jump to an opinion with CYS, but we are overlooking the real monsters in this story....the people directly responsible for the death of this young girl?? Do we want CYS to be the cure-all for everything wrong in our society? Well, you might as well give them badges, guns, and cars, because child abuse cases are increasing in our society, not declining. So does it make sense that we cut funding and staffing for these people, if they are appointed as the so-called guardians of the children today?
: : We cannot have it both ways. Sure, it is easy to moan, groan and complain wehn something like this occurs, but let us look at all the issues related to the facts. I would hope that CYS does some positive things in the community. I say that with optimism, because I do not have the facts in front of me to make a qualified opinion. I think it is a balancing act, and you basically get what you pay for. You want to protect the children out there from monsters such as these? Then we better find ways to get more workers, have them highly-skilled and pay them enough to retain them in their positions. If we don't do this, then the next incident that occurs like this should not be such a shock. I know that I do not want that job, and give credit to the caseworkers (the little guys) who do take on this challenge.
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: Do they do it because they love the challenge and want to make life better for the kids or are they there because it is the best job they can get for the ability they have?
Hard to say-probably depends on the individual person. A high turnover in any job usually means that it is low paying with no career growth, which is very typical with government positions such as CYS. Still there must some some accountabilty for an public agency--they cannot hide behind privacy laws.