tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397297519936791008.post7839014450919164239..comments2023-09-22T04:10:57.228-04:00Comments on Beth's stories: Child Protection, Part IBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02604780070187163751noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397297519936791008.post-9959466135887592312008-12-07T10:02:00.000-05:002008-12-07T10:02:00.000-05:00Beth--while your responsibility is awesome (in the...Beth--while your responsibility is awesome (in the truest sense), thank goodness caring people such as you ARE involved.KGMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05165941950953938943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397297519936791008.post-70582721190599727692008-12-06T00:59:00.000-05:002008-12-06T00:59:00.000-05:00Thank you for sharing this. AS a fairly new princ...Thank you for sharing this. AS a fairly new principal, I have only had limited exposure and experience with situations like this. I appreciate your clear explanation. It has helped me understand quite a lot about one particular situation that is on-going with three children in our school. Children need people like you! But then so do parents.R. Aastruphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05883779431075392296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397297519936791008.post-72864387669615796072008-12-05T18:31:00.000-05:002008-12-05T18:31:00.000-05:00I found your post interesting and helpful. In the ...I found your post interesting and helpful. In the Victim Relief Ministry I work for as a volunteer chaplain, I have observed our case manager help crime victims whose cases include child abuse and custody issues. We also help provide trained mental health professionals for the children. We also act as advocates in court proceedings for the victims. Our ministry was called in by the state of Texas to help with the victims in the West Texas polygamy sect cases. It was quite draining and traumatic for our personnel who ministered to these young mothers and their children. Very complicated problems and issues.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397297519936791008.post-83117587479152362902008-12-05T15:32:00.000-05:002008-12-05T15:32:00.000-05:00I loved reading this....and the memories it brough...I loved reading this....and the memories it brought back to me so quickly, as if they had all happened yesterday.<BR/><BR/>I think you know that I was a CASA for 3 years in indiana...court appointed special advocate....and I loved it !!! Some people did refer to us GAL, but since I was only a volunteer with extensive training, I always told them that I was a CASA and NO...I don't get paid for what I do...I do what I do because I love these kids and I want them to be safe !!!<BR/><BR/>I spent so many days in court with so many different cases, but I loved working with those kids !! They will forever hold a special place in my heart !!<BR/><BR/>Thank you for what you do {and I wish everyone had the knowledge to really KNOW what it is you are doing} AND I wish our system here allowed for me to continue doing what I love....but they just don't get it here in wisconsin !!<BR/><BR/>I'll be ready to read your next post.....and to see how things are going.<BR/><BR/>{also, jonatha was GREAT at squam and to see her again and give her a big hug and talk with her....HEAVEN !!!!}bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094533582512917616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397297519936791008.post-84334093283146792672008-12-05T09:40:00.000-05:002008-12-05T09:40:00.000-05:00I will have to check if our system in Canada works...I will have to check if our system in Canada works in a similar fashion. In cases of reported child abuse, children are sometimes removed from the home until the court comes to a verdict. It is very traumatic for the children to be removed suddenly, even from a questionable home. I have read about recent cases in our province where the parents were found not guilty and the children were returned and others where the children were not removed and died. What a great responsibility you have!Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15892804871759397018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397297519936791008.post-36424355224283846672008-12-05T09:30:00.000-05:002008-12-05T09:30:00.000-05:00Beth, as a teacher, I see students who are being p...Beth, as a teacher, I see students who are being parented in ways that just plain don't work. It's easy to think that they should be removed from their parents until you talk to the child. The most damaged child I've worked with to date loved his mother fiercely and could not handle any criticism of her. Reunification with proper guidance and direction and instruction is so important . . . at least to try! Thanks for doing such incrediably hard work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397297519936791008.post-80405951091811300332008-12-05T08:33:00.000-05:002008-12-05T08:33:00.000-05:00Beth, an excellent job of explaining how the sysyt...Beth, an excellent job of explaining how the sysytem works. I have a niece who takes in foster children and we have discussed a lot of the hows and whys. I admire her and you for your courage. You both must be very strong.beckiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06400859161321357279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397297519936791008.post-57789451634595996572008-12-05T08:20:00.000-05:002008-12-05T08:20:00.000-05:00Working the other side is a good way to prevent tu...Working the other side is a good way to prevent tunnel vision. I have on occasion investigated for the defense, and it does erase some of your bias. Looking forward to the next installment. PappyPappyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13118854996343714131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397297519936791008.post-53186127774908389032008-12-05T07:51:00.000-05:002008-12-05T07:51:00.000-05:00I'd heard that guardians ad litem were the only on...I'd heard that guardians ad litem were the only ones legally allowed to have hearsay evidence admitted; is it only the word of the child that can be admitted, or can a GAL also admit testimony from other people connected to the case?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11379279405364769805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397297519936791008.post-24586979879409980372008-12-05T07:27:00.000-05:002008-12-05T07:27:00.000-05:00Jayne, like I told you after you were on the jury ...Jayne, like I told you after you were on the jury in the child maltreatment case--you will never be the same. I'm forever changed from the cases that I have heard and while I often envy others their naivete I am glad to be on the front lines trying to help.<BR/><BR/>Jan, thank you for commenting. Your daughter is a joy and a testament to good parenting, I'm sure that the foster children you nurtured were very fortunate. P.S., I love your dolls--if Santa is reading this--I'm not too old for a doll for Christmas.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02604780070187163751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397297519936791008.post-30919739727697916332008-12-05T07:00:00.000-05:002008-12-05T07:00:00.000-05:00Hi Beth,Amity's mom here. Having had foster childr...Hi Beth,<BR/>Amity's mom here. Having had foster children and been involved with these kinds of cases I know what it is that you do. Our FKs had both good guardian ad litums and poor ones. Thanks for being attentive and doing a good job. <BR/>Jan better known as mabeaneJanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03597944446324222665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397297519936791008.post-69534329210449070952008-12-05T06:36:00.000-05:002008-12-05T06:36:00.000-05:00The responsibility you carry must feel so heavy at...The responsibility you carry must feel so heavy at times Beth. Whew. I am sure there are times when you know in your gut that the parents should not have custody and yet, like you said, reunification has to be the goal unless the situation is clear cut. Bless you for doing this work and thanks for helping us understand it more fully.Jaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14057094040409159429noreply@blogger.com