Scandal fallout: Oregon pulls foster kids from another provider

Oregon officials have stopped placing foster children with a Clackamas County agency that landed on a state "radar list" of troubled providers, the Department of Human Services said Thursday — more fallout from accusations the department did little to stop neglect by a Portland provider.

The provider, Youth Villages Oregon, is a local branch of a national organization. It was led, until this winter, by Oregon Health Authority director Lynne Saxton. A statement from a Department of Human Services spokesman didn't say why the provider was put on the radar list or how many children were affected.

The department plans to release a letter Friday detailing problems and threatening Youth Villages with the loss of its state license.

Connie Mills, a spokeswoman in Youth Villages' main office in Tennessee, told The Oregonian/OregonLive "we disagree with some of [the department's] conclusions." But she acknowledged that Oregon officials had "asked us to hold off on admissions to our residential campus program for the time being." The provider works with children facing serious behavioral and emotional issues.

Mills also shed some light on some of Oregon's concerns, saying they involved training and supervision issues.

"They have some questions about this program and we are actively addressing those while we work with [the department] on a corrective action plan," she said in a statement. "Some of the things we're doing include enhancing supervision of youth by significantly increasing highly skilled and trained staffing, as well as conducting additional trainings and evaluating other areas in which we can make improvements."

Youth Villages, formerly known as ChristieCare, is one of two providers facing sanctions after Department of Human Services officials this month reviewed seven providers on the most recent radar list.

The other one is Scotts Valley School in Douglas County, which treats behavioral problems and accepts private clients from across the country. Scotts Valley has been on the list longer than any other provider and is expected to receive a letter Monday, officials said. It does not treat any state-paid clients.

The Department of Human Services released information about the list and the results of its review in response to requests from three media outlets, including The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Those requests came during a tense legislative hearing last month on how the Department of Human Services deals with troubled providers. The hearing followed reports that top officials continued to send children to a Northeast Portland foster care provider despite knowing about serious financial issues and abuse accusations.

The state Department of Justice has filed suit against that provider, Give Us This Day, accusing its operator of misspending $2 million in state money to pay for personal expenses such as cosmetic surgery and vacations.

Give Us This Day spent 28 months on the radar list, officials testified at last month's hearing. The list, issued every few months by the department's licensing arm, looks at factors including media attention, the volume and severity of complaints, and chronic noncompliance. The licensing office has three staffers in charge of tracking 203 child-care providers.

"The document became known as the 'radar list,' but it was never intended to be more than an advisory about licensed facilities that someone thought should be added or removed to ensure that DHS executives were informed if asked," department spokesman Gene Evans wrote. "It was never a 'watch list' of locations where immediate action was needed or recommended — it was only an internal advisory document."

Gov. Kate Brown responded to the Give Us This Day scandal last month by replacing the Department of Human Services' interim director and announcing an independent investigation of the state's child welfare system.

Her choice to lead the department, state administrator Clyde Saiki, told lawmakers last month that human services managers lacked a central mechanism for spotting troubled providers. Evans said Saiki ordered the review that led to Thursday's announcement.

Evans said Saiki has "established an ongoing review process" to make sure managers meet and track concerns involving child-care facilities.

"This cross-agency team and regular review is one early outcome of the governor's charge to improve oversight of the child foster care system," Evans wrote.

Sen. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, who convened last month's hearing, is working up legislation to toughen licensing requirements and financial rules, and to give regulators the power to suspend a provider's license over abuse claims and other safety violations.

Gelser also has proposed changing how the department processes abuse and neglect allegations. Last year, more than half of complaints were ruled closed during an initial screening, in part because state law strictly limits investigations, usually to cases involving serious injury or an ongoing threat.

Gelser wants to set a lower threshold that would include threats, neglect through the denial of food or medicine, financial fraud and lesser injuries that don't leave a child near death.

— Denis C. Theriault

dtheriault@oregonian.com

503-221-8430; @TheriaultPDX

DHS investigating 7 foster homes

Children have been removed from one foster home as part of a DHS investigation ordered by Gov. Kate Brown and increased media scrutiny of the agency.

Children at the Clackamas County foster care provider Youth Villages have been removed from the facility, according to information released Thursday from the Department of Human Services.

That information became public following DHS's fulfillment of a public records request by the Statesman Journal and other media for the DHS "radar list" of foster care providers.

The list is periodically delivered to DHS executives to alert them about providers that have a high number of complaints or high severity of complaints, a record of chronic noncompliance with rules, or anticipated media attention.

Scotts Valley School, a therapeutic boarding school in Yoncalla, has been on the list for at least 36 months, the longest of any provider. The school does not have state-placed children, but is a private organization accepting payment to house and treat troubled children. Scotts Valley School did not return phone calls Thursday.

Along with Scotts Valley School and Youth Villages, other facilities on the "radar list" are: Chehalem Youth and Family Services, of Newberg, Eastern Oregon Academy, of Burns, Inn Home for Boys, of Portland, Kairos, of Grants Pass, and Youth Progress, of Portland.

The list released Thursday did not include details of any allegations against the organizations. DHS spokesman Gene Evans declined to comment on why those facilities are on the list, although he said Youth Villages and Scotts Valley School are the most serious cases.

"We're not releasing detailed information on those yet, because that's all being redacted," Evans said.

Connie Mills, public relations manager at Youth Villages, a national organization with several campuses, said in a statement that Youth Villages is improving its programming and disagrees with some of DHS's conclusions, but is "extremely concerned about this" and "taking these issues very seriously."

"We believe in being transparent about our work and constantly enhancing our program, so we are working closely and openly with DHS," the statement said.

DHS is working with the Department of Justice to issue "intent to revoke" letters notifying Youth Villages and Scotts Valley School of corrective actions they must take to stay licensed. Those letters are expected to be publicly released following DOJ review and will include detailed information about the allegations.

The existence of the radar list was first reported after journalists learned of it at a public hearing last month. DHS officials testified to the Interim Committee On Human Services and Early Childhood about how they are working to fix problems with the agency's child care system, and mentioned the list.

Gov. Kate Brown ordered an independent review of DHS following media reports that now-defunct foster care provider Give Us This Day had allegedly pocketed upwards of $2 million meant for childcare and provided substandard living conditions. Despite knowing of abuse and mismanagement, DHS officials did not revoke Give Us This Day's license.

Following those revelations, Brown demoted acting-DHS Director Jerry Waybrant and appointed State Chief Operating Officer Clyde Saiki as interim DHS director. Saiki said he plans a "deep" investigation of DHS.

A committee has also been created to guide the investigation, which is ongoing.

gfriedman2@statesmanjournal.com, (503) 399-6653, on Twitter @gordonrfriedman or Facebook.com/gordonrfriedman

You Stole Her Heart A Gripping Look into the Department of Human Services

By Joseph Snook
Investigative Reporter

This is an exposé on the Department of Human Services (DHS) and how they stripped three young children from their mother. This article will reflect on how it was done under the auspice of “keeping the children safe.” The tactics DHS used, the rights they abused, the evidence they created and the evidence they simply turned a blind-eye towards is something every mother and father should be aware of. This is a - “Gripping Look into the Department of Human Services.”
When it comes to the safety of children, and their well-being, it is very important to understand that some families endure problematic events that present circumstances where action needs to be taken. Sometimes, removing children from parent(s) to protect everyone in the family is a necessary decision. Sometimes it is not, and this is when the US~Observer gets involved…
As an investigative reporter, I have witnessed many examples of government agencies that don't always do the right thing. For many reasons, the interests of certain government agencies can potentially alter government employees intentions. Sadly, for Amber Caitlin Parker, her three young children have been “stolen by DHS.”
DHS Background – From DHS:

“At any given time, Oregon's DHS can have up to 9,000 children in their system, at a cost of up to $27,000.00 per child annually.” --Margaret Carter, Deputy Director, Oregon Department of Human Services

“The 1971 Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Department of Human Resources, an agency providing a spectrum of human services to individuals, families and communities.
“The 2001 Oregon Legislature reorganized the department and changed its name to the Oregon Department of Human Services. In 2009 the Oregon Legislature transferred many of the health related functions to the newly created Oregon Health Authority. Today, the Department of Human Services key functions serve children, adults and families and seniors and people with disabilities.”

“They Stole My Heart”
--Amber Caitlin Parker

Amber Caitlin Parker (Duran)

Albany, OR - After years of abuse endured during two separate intimate relationships, Amber Parker found herself alone, supporting her three young children. Amber's life was threatened on more than one occasion by her former boyfriend David Boatright, father of her oldest child.
Michael Duran, father of Amber's two youngest children and currently married (divorce has been filed) to Amber, had also reportedly threatened and attempted to take her life numerous times.
David Boatwright's criminal history as described in a psychological report, which reflects on DHS documents produced by former DHS employee Kimberly Williams, shows that he has an extensive criminal record. Williams' report didn't differentiate between charges and convictions wherein the crimes included Assault I, Attempted assault of a public safety officer in 2011, Assault IV/Domestic Violence in 2008, Domestic Abuse/Harassment in 2007, Harassment in 2007, Assault/Harassment in 2006, Criminal Mischief II in 2006, Criminal Mischief II in 2007 and Menacing in 2005. Williams wrote that Boatright has a history of alcohol and drug abuse and domestic violence. It was confirmed according to documents obtained that Boatright would submit to random UA's and anger management/domestic violence batterer's programming. No information was obtained that confirmed whether or not these courses were completed. This reporter attempted to communicate with Mr. Boatright after a recent full review hearing, but was unable to make contact.
Michael Duran's criminal history was described in a psyche exam, which reflected on a report also produced by Kimberly Williams of DHS. His record reflected: "forcible entry", likely burglary in August of 2000, Possession of Controlled Substance (PCS) in 2002, Open Container in 2002, DUII in 2003, PCS in 2004, Assault IV in 2005, Attempt to elude in 2008. Convictions were for Assault IV, DUII, and attempt to elude. It is somewhat unclear which of these "charges" and "convictions" may have represented the same instances. Further inquiry into Duran's criminal history revealed the following: Parole violation on 11/10/11, Burglary I, PCS in 2005, Manufacture of Rock Cocaine, Felony drug possession 2005, felony drug possession 2006, Child neglect 1st degree 2005, Endangering welfare 2005, Contempt of court 2004. Duran is currently awaiting trial on reported Assault charges against Amber Caitlin Parker (police reports were used in our findings). Mr. Duran was contacted by this reporter and stated that, he was, “Advised not to talk to any reporters.” He further stated that, “He would be willing to talk, once everything was over.”
“I think PTSD played a factor in the following months after this whole thing started, Still I flinch when guys move too quickly if I don't trust them - which is most of them, or when they raise their voice.”
-- Amber Parker
Reported text messages sent from Duran to Amber stated that he would “paint her house in red with her blood.” In the fairly small community of Albany Oregon, one former neighbor of Duran's stated, “His father was in prison for murder, and he has many family members who are into drugs and violence. Michael Duran is probably the worst Duran I know of.”

Amber's bruises, "after one of their arguments," referring to Michael Duran.

“Michael and I were arguing (I think about his partying), we were in our bedroom next to the bed, he lifted me up by my neck about 6 inches - 1 foot off the ground and held me against the wall. When he let go about 5-10 seconds later, I almost fell onto our (at the time 2-3 week old) son. I put my hands down to stop myself from landing on him. My neck was very sore and I couldn't turn my head to the right for several days afterwards. I had 3 small bruises on the right side of my neck, and still have a ‘lump’ that sticks out a little bit.”
– Amber Parker
According to police reports, Duran “choked Amber and kicked her in the stomach” just months after she gave birth to their child and threw her out of a moving automobile, then attempted to “run her over.” Duran spent a total of ten months in prison for this and was released in October of 2009. After his release, Amber, apparently naive at the time, wanted to give their family a second chance. Her attempts failed and Duran allegedly continued to abuse her. Amber has since filed for divorce and obtained a restraining order against Duran, issued on December 16, 2011. Duran was recently indicted by a Grand Jury on Feb. 22, 2012 and is awaiting trial for assault IV, felony domestic violence charges. The trial is reportedly set for sometime in August as of this publication.
Amber has claimed many things according to documents from DHS. She has claimed that someone had broken into her house and attempted to poison her children, that they were coming in through the closet and attic. Another report stated that Boatright was drilling holes in her roof to “spy on her.”
They were very strange accusations, but when you look into the issues surrounding them and the domestic abuse that Amber suffered, it's surprising that she has been able to maintain her composure throughout this process. DHS documents claim that Amber was either using drugs or was a paranoid schizophrenic. She was battered, DHS!
On or around November 4, 2011, David Boatright was given custody of Amber's oldest son. On or around November 14, 2011, Amber's two youngest children were officially placed in foster care. At that time, she reportedly volunteered to do whatever she could to get her children back. Amber was referred by DHS to a Psychologist that they often use. Amber underwent a comprehensive psychological exam given by James A. Ewell, Ph.D. in Eugene Oregon. Ewell's report stated, “In addition to information gathered through the procedures mentioned above, I also received background data from Ms. Williams' letter of referral. Accompanying that letter Ms. Williams forwarded additional documents describing Ms. Duran's history, behaviors and contact with agency workers. These materials were briefly reviewed PRIOR to my meeting with her.” Strangely enough, Ewell's diagnosis apparently fell in line with what DHS had presumed... He stated that, “I do not believe Amber would currently be able to safely parent/protect her children, if they were returned to her care. She should be evaluated for the possible use of psychotropic medications. She probably also could benefit from supportive psychotherapy. She should continue to submit random urinalysis screenings...” While reading Ewell's entire report, I found parts of it repetitive and similar to what I had read from DHS reports.
Shortly after her children were taken, Amber obtained the help of the US~Observer. Amber was very skeptical of Ewell's report. She was strongly opposed to using psychotropic drugs, which Ewell suggested, and therefore unwilling to comply with a report she adamantly disagreed with.
Amber subsequently obtained an independent psychological exam from a well known psychologist out of Portland, Oregon.
This second exam was conducted by Frank Colistro Ed. D. (Ed. D. is a Doctor of Education Degree, equivalent to a professor or lecturer at the university level). Colistro found that Amber had similar findings resulting from similar tests given by Ewell, although Colistro's report seemed less repetitive and much more thorough to this reporter. Colistro stated, “Overall, results of this assessment do not support Dr. Ewell's diagnosis of Schizophrenia or any other form of mental illness, nor are there any indications of a substance abuse problem.”
Colistro also stated that Amber's findings were, “supportive of the appellation of Battered Women's Syndrome...”

Two different psychological exams produced two different conclusions

What would you do if you were beaten by the father of your child? What would you do if your life was threatened constantly? What if you were almost intentionally ran over by an automobile driven by your husband? What if you were choked, beaten, had your finger broken, and were constantly attacked and verbally assaulted? What if you were told that your house was going to be painted red with your own blood? What if you were kicked in the stomach? What if your ex's had such extensive rap sheets as reported in this article? What would you do if the people you looked up to for help, reportedly disregarded your claims and ultimately used them against you, then stole your children? What if the people who were supposed to help you, failed to understand that you were the victim of extreme domestic violence? What if the help they offered required UA's instead of treatment for domestic abuse? What if the help you were ridiculed for not accepting, required the use of psychotropic drugs?
One thing is clear to this writer: Amber has taken numerous parenting courses, she has removed herself from the presence of her exes. She has obtained restraining orders against her exes, she has filed for divorce from Duran, and has been doing all she can to get her children back. She has reportedly undergone 20 clean UA's (one was reportedly inconclusive due to a prescription she was taking at that time) and she has NO CRIMINAL HISTORY WHATSOEVER. Amber has a perfect record, minus a couple traffic citations. According to one psyche exam, "Amber has made substantial efforts to grow and learn in the area of parenting. Although not employed, she involves herself in productive, pro-social activities such as volunteering for the Humane Society and staying active in her church."
What would you do if you were subjected to this kind of treatment? What if you were told your children were possibly going to be placed in foster care permanently?
At a recent full review hearing, this writer communicated with DHS employee David Purcell.
Mr. Purcell, Julia Blackburn's (case worker assigned) supervisor, filled in for her at the hearing. Mr. Purcell expressed that he could not communicate with the press, but was willing to listen. Mr. Purcell was given this writers contact phone number and was asked to give it to his supervisor. Mr. Purcell was also informed of Amber's willingness to cooperate with DHS, given they were willing to accept her position regarding the psychological exams. It was surprising to see Mr. Purcell not only do the right thing during the hearing, but his willingness to listen was a trait this writer respects. I can report that Mr. Purcell appeared to be an honest person, who's intentions were truly genuine.
At the recent full review hearing, DHS' Attorney stated, "we've received information that a reporter is present" and asked that the judge not allow it. Judge Daniel Murphy responded by quoting Oregon law and the first amendment, then asked if anyone "objected", to which there was no reply. Concluding the hearing, Judge Murphy stated that if the children are not given back to one of the parents by August 9, 2012, that one of the attorneys needed to schedule another review hearing. Judge Murphy appeared to be concerned for the children, which was evident when he spoke to the many attorney's present.
Editor’s Note: The US~Observer contacted Julia Blackburn who is/was the case worker at DHS assigned to this case. During the short conversation, Blackburn stated, "I don't feel comfortable talking." We were eventually put into contact with DHS supervisor Marco Benavides. Mr. Benavides reassured the US~Observer that Amber’s case would be reassessed. Nothing has been documented to prove anything has happened as of this publication. In fact, Amber is reportedly awaiting a hearing where the determination will be made regarding DHS's decision to keep her children from her permanently.
Amber is a fit mother that needs counseling for Battered Women's Syndrome. DHS has failed thus far at doing the right thing in this case. DHS has given out of office visitation to Duran for the two youngest children and temporary custody of the eldest child to Boatright.
Amber currently has to visit her children under strict supervision at DHS. DHS has even gone as far as telling Amber she cannot "talk to the children about future placement with her..." In other words, if one of her children said they wanted to come home, she must "redirect the conversation." Amber was also recently notified that she was no longer permitted to take photos of her own children during her visits with them.
What is wrong with this picture people? David Boatright has custody of Amber’s oldest son and Michael Duran has visits with Amber’s two younger children, outside of DHS supervision, while he most likely awaits another prison term for his alleged criminal attacks on Amber. Amber’s visits with her own children are closely monitored and supervised, as she is constantly dissected and examined by DHS. This is NOT okay with this writer and this is NOT okay with the US~Observer. This is incompetence, it is negligence and this is absolute abuse of Amber. It will NOT continue…
If you have any information regarding DHS employees, Julia Blackburn, Kimberly Williams (former DHS) or Marco Benavides, please contact the US~Observer immediately via email edtior@usobserver.com, or call 541-474-7885. It’s time to put an end to abuse at the hands of DHS.

http://usobserver.com/archive/june-12/dhs-you-stole-her-heart.htm

Charges dropped in toddler assault case

By Nicole Montesano
Of the News-Register 

Charges against a McMinnville man accused of fracturing a toddler's skull were dropped on Thursday, after a grand jury declined to indict him.

Nicholas Ryan Bates, 25, had been charged in May with third-degree assault and first-degree criminal mistreatment, after his girlfriend's 2-year-old son was found to have suffered a fractured skull and collarbone.

Grand jury proceedings are secret by law; not even the defendant is allowed to be present. During the proceedings, the jury receives evidence favorable to the prosecution; no defense is presented. It then determines whether it believes that the evidence, if unexplained or contradicted at trial, would support a conviction. If so, it determines which charges are supported.

Defendants are informed of the outcome at a court hearing, when they are either formally advised of the charges against them, or the charges are officially dismissed.

Prosecutor May Chou said, that "at this point, I do not expect to" file any additional charges in the case. She declined further comment.

The case came to light in mid-May, when the toddler's mother, 22-year-old Felicia Megan Manley, took him to the hospital emergency room.

According to the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office, she told investigators that she and the child had been at Bates' home when she stepped outside to smoke a cigarette, and returned inside, to find the child had a small amount of blood on his mouth, as if he had bitten his tongue. The next day, the toddler was unresponsive and acted as if his arm hurt, so she took him to the hospital, where doctors discovered the injuries, and notified police. She told investigators she did not know how the toddler had been injured.

Bates said that he is no longer with Manley.

He said he does not know how or when the child was injured.

"We were not being good parents, that's all I can say. ... We were just having a bonfire, everyone was drinking, no one was paying attention."

The situation continues to be a painful one, he said, because he feels his reputation has been permanently damaged.

"I wish there was any way to fix that, but the damage has already been done. I don't know if anybody is ever going to believe me," he said. "I'm not a child beater. ... I'm just pretty upset about the whole situation."

http://newsregister.com/article?articleTitle=charges-dropped-in-toddler-assault-case--1339857429--3759--news

Crime Victims' Services Division - Karly's Law

Karly's Law

Other Resources

• Oregon Medical Guidelines for Evaluation of Sexual Abuse in Children and Adolescents (Second Edition 2004)
  
• Oregon Interviewing Guidelines
  
• Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Intervention (CAMI)
  
• CAMI Regional Service Providers
  

Since 2008 Karly’s Law has helped thousands of Oregon children receive the medical care and support they need to find protection from abuse. Named after a 3 year old Corvallis girl who died from abuse after allegations went unchecked; Karly’s Law mandates that children in Oregon who exhibit suspicious physical injuries in the course of a child abuse investigation must receive medical attention within 48 hours.
Karly’s Law has specific requirements regarding the handling of cases involving suspicious physical injury that must be met by law enforcement, the Department of Human Services (DHS), and designated medical providers that have recieved specialized training to assess injuries that may have been caused by child physical abuse. Suspicious physical injury include, but are not limited to::

• Burns or scalds
  
• Extensive bruising or abrasions on any part of the body
  
• Bruising, swelling or abrasions on the head, neck or face
  
• Fractures of any bone in a child under the age of three
  
• Multiple fractures in a child of any age
  
• Dislocations, soft tissue swelling or moderate to severe cuts
  
• Loss of the ability to walk or move normally according to the child’s developmental ability
  
• Unconsciousness or difficulty maintaining consciousness
  
• Multiple injuries of different types
  
• Injuries causing serious or protracted disfigurement or loss of impairment of the function of any bodily organ
  
• Any other injury that threatens the physical well-being of the child
  

Suspicion that injuries are caused by abuse must be addressed in the coordinated comprehensive way required by Karly’s Law. For more information about protocol and procedures please see Karly's Law ORS 419B.022 through 419B.024.


http://www.doj.state.or.us/victims/karlys_law.shtml

New child welfare audit says Oregon can do more to reunite parents and kids in foster care

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/04/post_65.html

Published: Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 6:00 AM     Updated: Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 10:43 AM

 By Michelle Cole, The Oregonian 
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RobFinch/The OregonianAn Oregon child caseworker checks on a baby in foster care in this 2008 photo.

SALEM --While Oregon child welfare caseworkers do better than the national average in seeing that children taken into state foster care are returned to their parents, a new audit also finds caseworkers often do not include parents in critical discussions concerning their families and have little time to ensure meaningful visits between parents and kids. 

Overall, the 28-page report portrays a system under stress. 

Overworked child welfare staff do not get much help from the central office in prioritizing their work. Parents were unable to get addiction treatment, mental health care or other services they needed before they could bring their kids back home.

"We read a lot of stories about what's happening with caseworkers and children and we thought it was important for us to go out and see what areas we might be able to help improve," said Gary Blackmer, director of the secretary of state's audits division. 

Auditors analyzed data, visited child welfare offices and reviewed case files from October 2009 through September 2010. During that time caseworkers removed 4,736 children from their homes because of suspected abuse or neglect. In total, about 13,000 kids spent at least one day in foster care during that period. 

The report found 29 percent of the children in foster care were reunited with their parents; nationally 22 percent of the children returned home. Oregon had a lower rate of children returning to foster care because they were abused again. 

"Safely returning kids home to their parents is a priority and has been for the last several years because children do better at home -- as long as they are safe at home," said Gene Evans, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Human Services. 

But Oregon also takes proportionately more children into foster care than other states. Auditors were unable to measure whether there were some youngsters taken from their parents who shouldn't have been, said Andrew Love, the report's lead auditor. 

Much of the report connects the rising number of reports of child abuse and neglect -- up 20 percent in the last five years -- to a mounting load for caseworkers. 

Tasks that state officials consider critical to returning a child home were not being done regularly, if at all. 

For example, while policy requires caseworkers to meet parents face-to-face at least once a month to monitor progress. Those contacts occurred 62 percent of the time. 

Auditors found that "action agreements," forms signed by a parent or caregiver were not completed in 20 of 91 cases reviewed. Of the 71 agreements that were done, 22 were not signed by a parent and some had no date indicating the form had been reviewed by a parent. 

Even though experts stress the need for parents and children who have been separated to have quality time together, across Oregon those visits typically happened for one hour once a week at the local child welfare office. 

"In all the districts we visited, child welfare caseworkers and other stakeholders noted the amount and quality of parent-child visits was rarely adequate," the report said. 

There were exceptions. In Klamath County, auditors noted families have access to a visitation center located away from the child welfare office and where parents can also seek drug and alcohol treatment. 

But auditors did not paint a picture of a situation they expected would improve on its own. They noted that a new computer system had increased caseworker's clerical load. Caseworkers got little guidance from top managers about what in their 1,500-page policy manual should be their priorities. Until last year, child welfare caseworkers did not get job performance reviews. 

In their list of recommendations, auditors suggest that the agency designate a manager in its Salem headquarters to focus on what workers need to do to ensure that children return home. 

"We didn't see strong communication between central office and the field," Blackmer said. 

In a letter of response the agency's chief operating officer, Jim Scherzinger said caseworkers are doing the best they can. 

"Child welfare is staffed at approximately 67 percent of the need, given the current workload and there are tasks that go undone every day," he wrote. 

As for hiring a manager to oversee this part of the work, Scherzinger said the agency doesn't have the financial resources. Besides, he wrote, "a static list of priorities issued from Central Office will not serve families well and could leave children in unsafe settings." 

-- Michelle Cole

Fired CASA director threatens lawsuit

Fired CASA director threatens lawsuit

Statesman Journal file

The former director of Marion County CASA plans to file a federal lawsuit against her former employer, the county, and the state Commission on Children and Families.

In a tort claim notice filed last July, Pam Sornson claims a host of violations, including breach of her free speech rights, defamation, wrongful discharge, and violation of Oregon’s whistleblower law.

A tort claim notice lets a government entity know of potential claims.

Documents: Tort claim notice, letters referenced, fund allocations, tax forms

In an interview, Sornson said she plans to file her lawsuit this week. She said she hopes the lawsuit draws attention to what she says are problems plaguing CASA programs statewide.

“I’m as much interested in fixing the situation as anything else,” Sornson said.

Since 1987, the Oregon Legislature has appropriated money each biennium for the state’s Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, programs.

The Oregon Commission on Children and Families allocates that money, along with some federal funds, to each county’s Commission on Children and Families.

The counties in turn contract with about 30 nonprofit or government organizations — including Marion County CASA — to carry out the actual programs, which match volunteer advocates with children in foster care.

In her tort claim notice, Sornson says she discovered that the state commission was allocating funds unequally among counties.

Sornson says she was retaliated against for trying to achieve a more equitable allocation, and for advocating for improvements to what she says is a disorganized, ineffective statewide system of serving the state’s most needy children.

Sornson, a lawyer, joined the Marion County CASA board of directors in fall 2003 and became its chairwoman in June 2004.

In July 2005, she resigned from the board to become the agency’s executive director. She was fired on March 15, 2011.

In her tort claim, Sornson says that when she started, the agency had no policies or procedures to guide the volunteer advocates. She researched state and national laws and best practices, and developed an extensive reference manual and training program.

In doing that work, Sornson told the Statesman Journal, she discovered the following problems:

-Unequal allocation of state and federal funds to counties.

In the past two biennia, the state commission allocated $87,317 per year to Marion County for an average of 1,000 foster children, or $83 per child. It allocated $13,250 to Wheeler County to serve an average of three children, or $4,417 per child, Sornson’s data shows.

Four counties reported no volunteer advocates but received state funding for a CASA program, she said.

-A high turnover rate for directors of the nonprofit organizations that run the programs.

According to Sornson’s research, 22 of the state’s CASA programs had a total of 65 directors during the past five years. Columbia County CASA has had six directors since 2005, she said.

The high turnover means programs repeatedly pay for training and lack consistency. An additional problem, she said, is that there are no experience or training requirements for CASA directors.

-Inconsistencies among the county programs and a lack of training and support for volunteers in many of those programs.

In summer of 2010, Sornson became involved in a group working to reinstate the Oregon CASA Association, a lapsed nonprofit organization aiming to improve CASA programs across the state.

She joined the board of directors of the reconstituted group, along with Polk County CASA director Chris Olson; retired Circuit Court Judge Charles Luukinen; state Rep. Jim Thompson; lawyer Steven McCarthy; and Lee Effinger, a volunteer advocate for Marion County CASA.

According to Sornson’s tort claim notice, the group was concerned that the Oregon Commission on Children and Families had no relation to the courts or child welfare system and was not providing proper oversight of local programs.

In December 2010 and January 2011, Sornson, Polk County’s Olson and McCarthy began meeting with legislators to discuss equitable funding for CASA programs and the possibility of moving CASA administration from the Oregon Commission on Children and Families to the Oregon Judicial Department, Sornson said.

Sornson thinks the Oregon Commission on Children and Families retaliated against her for that advocacy, pressuring Marion County to force the Marion CASA Board to fire her.

She provided documents showing:

-On Feb. 7, 2011, the Oregon Commission on Children and Families sent letters to the county Commission on Children and Families in both Marion and Polk counties, saying their CASA directors’ advocacy with the legislature was a possible violation of state rules.

Polk County responded that it believed no violation had occurred, but the Marion County Commission on Children and Families launched an investigation, asking judges and the state Department of Human Services whether they had any problems with the local CASA organization and requesting documents and information from the group.

-On Feb. 28, Alison Kelley, head of the Marion County Commission on Children and Families, sent a letter to the Marion County CASA Board saying the program was in breach of its contract, for a variety of reasons, and was in danger of being terminated.

Sornson said that at the March 9, 2011, Marion County CASA Board meeting, the board pressured her to stop talking with legislators. In order to save her job, Sornson agreed, she said.

On March 15, Marion County CASA Board members Irene Trent-Valencia and Jim Lewis gave Sornson a letter asking for her resignation in lieu of termination. Sornson refused and was fired, she said. Trent-Valencia was appointed interim executive director.

“There’s really been not a glitch in the program,” Trent-Valencia said in March 2011, days after Sornson was fired. “Nothing is wrong. Our program is excellent.”

“This was orchestrated by the state commission and carried out by the local commission,” Sornson said in an interview.

Kelley declined to comment on the allegations and potential lawsuit, as did Trent-Valencia, Marion County Commissioner Janet Carlson, and Irene Bell, interim transition director of the Oregon Commission on Children and Families.

tloew@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6779 or follow at twitter.com/SJWatchdog


http://community.statesmanjournal.com/blogs/watch/2012/01/22/fired-casa-director-threatens-lawsuit/

Wait! So when someone notices that a program is wrong, and when a person tries to fix a problem it is obvious they must be wrong... CASA must be perfect, right? Otherwise that would mean that these "representatives" for our children could be screwing things up. Go figure.? Thank you Pam Sornson for trying to help, but it seems that the state prioritizes it's current reputation over what is truly just and correct. I wish you luck, and I truly hope that the CASA program can learn from this and truly fix it's internal issues.

Parents of toddler charged with criminal mistreatment

By KATU.com Published: Mar 19, 2012 at 11:20 AM PDT Last Updated: Mar 19, 2012 at 4:04 PM PDT

BATTLE GROUND, Wash. -- The parents of a 4-year-old have been charged after not having their child examined further by a doctor at OHSU, police said.

Patrick N. Andrews, 30, and Jessica R. Andrews, 26, were charged with second-degree criminal mistreatment and booked into the Clark County Jail.

The charges stem from an incident on March 17 when the Battle Ground Police Department responded to a call from a Kaiser Permanente medical doctor. Investigators said Patrick and Jessica Andrews had brought their 4-year-old in to Kaiser to be seen for a head injury suffered on March 12.

After examining the child, the doctor referred the child to Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) for further examination and treatment. Police said the doctor followed up on the patient five days later and discovered the child had not been seen at OHSU, prompting the charges.

According to a probable cause affidavit, the child's injury was one week old and the doctor said that the couple's son was in "grave danger" due to neglect from the parents.

Also according to the affidavit, Patrick Andrews, who took the 4-year-old to the doctor in the first place, didn't take his son to OHSU for another doctor's exam. Instead investigators said he went home to tell his wife about what the doctor said and then told her to take the son to OHSU.

Jessica Andrews, however, told her husband she did not want to wake her son up and so they did not ever go to OHSU for more tests, investigators wrote in the court documents.

Three children, including the child with the head injury, were placed in the care of Child Protective Services.

Police are continuing their investigation into this case.

"The question I ask is this: If they weren't charged in the initial appointment, why are they suddenly being charged afterwards? Unfortunately, I fear that this family may face a tough battle ahead, and I wish that honestly and truth leads their paths."

http://www.katu.com/news/local/143354776.html

Oregon's $40 million child welfare computer upgrade has lots of glitches, some serious

Oregon's $40 million child welfare computer upgrade has lots of glitches, some serious

Oregon child welfare managers have not had access to statewide performance data showing how quickly local offices are responding to abuse reports and other information. Foster parents have waited for payments. And caseworkers say they are spending time putting information into a computer that should be spent with families.


http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/03/post_63.html 


Oregonlive.com


SALEM -- Oregon child welfare managers have not had access to statewide performance data showing how quickly local offices are responding to abuse reports and other information. Foster parents have waited for payments. And caseworkers say they are spending time putting information into a computer that should be spent with families. 

A $40 million computer upgrade that went live in August, after being delayed nearly a year, has suffered all kinds of problems, though top agency managers stress that none of them has put children in danger. 

Dangerous or not, the Department of Human Services' "OrKids" project provides yet another example of government's difficulties with large-scale technology projects. In 2009, a new $80 million state computer system that handled nearly 2 million Oregon Health Plan claims each month ran into serious technical difficulties. Last year, lawmakers decided to dial back on a statewide emergency communications system because the estimated costs were growing exponentially and without explanation. 

The new child welfare system is still on budget and the vendor, Canada-based CGI, is working with the state to correct the problems, says Carolyn Lawson, chief information officer for the Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority. 

The upgrade, required by the federal government and partially paid for by federal dollars, consolidates seven computer systems of various vintage into one, web-based system. 

Despite serious glitches, Human Services Director Erinn Kelley-Siel says OrKids has already proven to be a useful safety tool. 

In the past, because of fragmented information, caseworkers may not have known about abuse reports involving a foster parent. Now, Kelley-Siel says, the computer sends an alert whenever there's an allegation of abuse so anyone who has a child placed in that home knows. 

Still, Kelley-Siel acknowledges that the new system and its problems come at a "really difficult time" for workers in field offices, where staff numbers are the lowest they've been in years. 

Karen Miller, a local union leader who provides computer support at Human Services offices in the Portland area, says she routinely talks to caseworkers "who are concerned that children are not being made safe because they aren't out in the field and are instead spending the bulk of their afternoons doing repetitive data entries." 

Rather than making information easier to get, Miller says caseworkers find it even more difficult to access a child's medical file and other critical information. 

Meanwhile foster parents, group homes and others have had problems getting paid. 

The upgrade has "gone poorly and created its own extraordinary impact," says Janet Arenz, executive director of the Oregon Alliance of Children's Programs, which includes volunteer and mentoring nonprofits, psychiatric treatment providers and other family service groups. 

Arenz says alliance members, who work with 95,000 of the state's most vulnerable kids each year, "have been struggling to receive payments for services they have performed under DHS contracts."

"Some outstanding payments go back as far as May 2011," she says. 

In response to such complaints, Human Services officials have scrambled to make sure providers get paid, even if it's by a hand-processed check. 

Inside the agency, problems with the new OrKids system mean data managers have been unable to pull together reports showing how well the child welfare system is functioning. 

Since 2008, the agency has issued monthly "dashboard reports" measuring everything from how quickly local district staff investigate abuse reports to how often caseworkers see children in foster care to how long it takes for children to be either returned to their parents or adopted into a new home. The numbers have not been updated since August. 

Local managers are keeping track of what's happening with their kids, says Jerry Waybrant, chief operations officer for state child welfare and self-sufficiency programs. 

Yet Waybrant says the dashboard reports are valuable. 

"They inform us where we need resources and training. It's not pleasant for me not having those available." 

Oregon isn't alone. Washington, which used the same vendor, also encountered problems updating the state's child welfare technology, says Lawson, the Oregon technology officer.

"I've done a variety of these large systems and it never goes smoothly," she says. "It almost doesn't matter how much you test it, there are always going to be issues."

--Michelle Cole 

LK: http://legallykidnapped.blogspot.com/2012/03/oregons-40-million-child-welfare.html#ixzz1piww53IJ