Hello, we’re Kathey and Rob Raskin of Las Vegas and we care about what happens to children in the foster care system.

Governor Matt Bevin is recommending changes regarding reuniting family units who are involved with child welfare disputes. Child advocates have stated that child safety must always come first but some individuals are questioning whether the Governor’s words are meant to be dogma in an area which is anything but black and white.

Monday, the Governor talked about the concerns while speaking to the future of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

He stated, “The challenge is […] the child [must] trump the parents when it comes to what’s best for [them]. Period. There is no […] family whose interest are more important than that of [a] child… This idea of the family and putting [a] child back in [a] family [as] the most important thing has led to […] problems and we have a […] children who have been put […] back into very abusive and neglectful situations. And we’ve known it. Whether we’ll admit it or not [….] [W]e’ve known it because the laws require it. [P}eople know […] they’re putting a child back into a bad situation. Those rules have got to change, and that mindset [must] change and that’s one thing we’re working on. The child [must] come first.”

Dr. Terry Brooks of Kentucky Youth Advocates and Family attorneys Felicia Nu’Man commented on the statement, saying “I don’t think anyone knowingly puts a child back into a place […] they know is dangerous.”

The attorneys stated most of the parental rights cases they see involve poor families. If alterations occur, they’re concerned the parent’s rights wouldn’t be recognized while lawyers, cabinet workers, and judges debate a child’s best interest.

Jessica Green of Dr. Terry Brooks of Kentucky Youth Advocates and Family stated, “Certainly, every judge, every parent’s attorney, every guardian ad litem, every cabinet worker in this commonwealth wants to keep kids safe. That’s what we do every single day. However, an absolute like the governor just [stated] would be a problem for many of us because we take … the idea of family preservation [very seriously]. I think [it’s] something no one […] needs to try to eradicate…”

Dr. Terry Brooks stated, “Clearly, you can’t disagree when the governor says the priority is the [safety] of the kids. We all agree on that. So, really the question becomes how do we guarantee that safety?”

Dr. Brooks has been a candid supporter of Governor Bevin’s budget proposal which would provide more money for social work, adoption and foster care, and kinship care, where family member would take a child before entering foster care. Monday, Governor Bevin insisted that funds are set aside to assist families cover costs of children they’re fostering.

We know the foster care system needs work and children’s safety must come first. But, do we want them going into the system? Kentucky may serve as an example or cautionary tale. Only time will tell. We, Kathey and Rob Raskin, aim to stop DHR corruption throughout the nation. If you have a complaint, please log it on our main page now, and contact your local representatives here.