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Here we go again. Another child is dead from neglect and abuse. I was horrified to hear about this happening yet again! Gov. Janet Mills, state legislators, and Department of Health and Human Services administrators seemingly stand around and wring their hands, like they don’t know what to do to prevent this. Ask the stakeholders!
I have worked with families and attempted to work with DHHS throughout my career in social work. I can tell you firsthand, the DHHS workers have too many kids on their caseloads! They do not have time to check on the children assigned to them. They do not have time to return phone calls from concerned teachers, social workers, or neighbors. Unfit parents are given chance after chance to attend parenting classes, anger management, and drug treatment free of charge. They are even provided with transportation. They often don’t do it. Nevertheless, their kids come back to them because there are not enough licensed foster homes to place all the kids at risk into safe environments.
So, why aren’t there enough workers and foster homes? It’s because the work is heartbreaking, and the financial compensation is very low. Obviously, the entire system needs a complete overhaul, but our kids can’t wait for that to happen. We’ve been talking about it for years. How long has it been since the little girl in Stockton Springs was killed? How many kiddos have died since then?
I want to see some action now to protect our greatest asset, our children.
Constance Poulin
Glenburn
