We’re Kathey and Rob Raskin of Las Vegas and we care about foster children in this country. Children living in foster care have been criminalized for practically nothing according to a new report from a penal reform charity warns.

The Howard League for Penal Reform published research about the policing of children’s homes, which revealed the authorities are getting many calls from homes. The report found several children’s homes were calling the police for “minor incidents”. In one case, the call was put in for a child who squirted a staff member with water. In another, because a child knocked down a curtain.

The charity cautioned that this is a strain on law enforcement resources and risked “criminalizing” foster children. The report told of how the larger government authorities are combatting the issue by working closely with foster homes and local police to attempt to cut down the number of unnecessary calls.

The Howard League has also published research showing how children aged 16 and 17 who are residing in children’s homes are 15x more likely to be criminalized than their peers. Studies shows the more contact a child has with the criminal justice system, the more likely they are to commit another crime. According to the charity, keeping foster children out of the system will help avert crime.

Frances Crook, chief executive at the Howard League for Penal Reform, stated: “The Howard League is proud to have played a key role in reducing child arrests […]. Working together with the police, we have ensured that tens of thousands of children will […] not be dragged into a downward spiral of crime and custody.”

The charity believes the best scenario for a foster child is not to have any contact with the authorities, like any child in their parents’ home. He stated, “Ensuring […] there is the least possible contact between police and children […] in residential care would free up police […] to deal with more important matters and prevent children having […] an unnecessary criminal record.”

Our foster homes and systems must do better. Putting children in jail for same issues, even just in custody, is not helping. It’s hurting. On our Kathey and Rob Raskin Stop DHR webpage, you can report complaints. Please do.

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.

We, Robert and Kathleen Raskin, and we are fighting to raise awareness of corruption in the agencies that are charged with protecting children. We believe the funds that are funneled toward crooked workers and judges and abusive foster parents would be better spent on improving systems that improve the welfare and the quality of living of children. One case in New York is a glaring example of just how much money is potentially thrown away on corruption and abuse each year, and that is the twisted case of Cesar Gonzales-Mugaburu of Long Island, who earned over a million dollars while repeatedly being accused of abuse.

Foster Father and Pedophile

New York foster father Cesar Gonzales-Mugaburu hosted 106 boys during his career as a foster parent, and he was paid over $1.5M by the state. During the years this sick man was allowed to host foster children, he was investigated for child abuse at least 18 times, and his neighbors filed countless complaints. Now he stands formally charged with abusing eight children. Considering the number of children who were in his care over the years, the actual number of victims was speculated to be significantly higher.

In the end, Gonzales-Mugaburu was acquitted, and he is suing over his damaged reputation though a verdict is not in yet in that case. While most foster parents do not abuse children, enough do that it is worth taking a closer look at whether foster parents’ payments should be suspended when accusations of abuse are levied until an investigation takes place. Otherwise, we are just paying abusers to have in-house victims. And we, Robert and Kathleen Raskin, are far from the only citizens who are concerned about this. It is time for these organizations to stop working for a paycheck and to start working for the children they are charged with caring for and protecting.

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.

We are Kathey and Rob Raskin of Las Vegas, and we believe our nation’s children are the #1 priority. This is why we want DHR to be held accountable.

A task force created to repair Kansas’ problematic foster care system largely depended on the ideas of a lone member to meet a deadline for initial proposals, displaying the intimidating nature of its job and some issues within the panel.

The Child Welfare System Task Force, created in June 2017, gave its first report, with preliminary suggestions, to the legislature on Monday. However, lawmakers only scheduled 35 minutes to go over the report at their most recent meeting. Many task force members believe it wasn’t enough time to encourage any profound progress.

Rep. Jarrod Ousley, a Merriam Democrat and one of the most vocal backers of the task force stated, “I was personally […] shocked by the little amount of time that was set on the agenda […] to talk about it. I was hoping to have a more thorough discussion.”

Rep. Linda Gallagher, a Republican, was the sole task force member to present recommendations at the December meeting. Her list of concerns and suggestions, with a few additions, was in the report given to the legislature on Monday. Gallagher was also surprised there wasn’t more discussion of the preliminary results.

She stated, “I’m […] disappointed that we don’t have a […] formal report to the legislature.  But it is very early, so […] people […] thought we’re not far enough into it yet to […] have very much to say…”

Since its first meeting in August, a great deal has changed for the task force. Phyllis Gilmore was the beleaguered former head of the DCF, and a common target of reproach about Kansas’s fraught foster care system. She retired on the first of December. A member of the task force, social worker, and former DCF administrator, Gina Meier-Hummel, replaced her.

The task force’s vice chairman, Rep. Steve Alford, left the panel following criticism of racist statements he made during a town hall. He also resigned from the House Children and Seniors Committee. This committee endorsed the original bill establishing the task force, and it’s one place where possible legislative corrections to the child welfare system’s issue could begin.

Additionally, Secretary Meier-Hummel and Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer stated the DCF is attempting to secure more funds to address significant issues which surfaced during the task force’s four meetings. These issues include children sleeping in foster care contractors’ offices and a growing number of children entering foster care. Ousley stated he was heartened to hear the administration is working to make child welfare a priority.

We back holding DHHS responsible, and we, Rob and Kathey Raskin, want to see change. If you’ve been witness to problems with your local office, report them here. Then, do your part to get your state officials participating. Contact your state representatives here.

Hello, we’re Kathey and Rob Raskin of Las Vegas and we care about kids in the foster care system throughout this great country. Our nation’s child protection services must do better and now a lawsuit could help get these children the care they require.

Foster children across the nation and in Indiana probably won’t graduate from high school, and very few will go to college. However, foster children are seldom included in state-level conversations regarding how Indiana is educating its children.

The Indiana Department of Education has practically no data on how the 30,000 children in foster care do in school, a group near the size of Indiana’s biggest school district. Indiana saw the second sharpest climb in the country’s of foster children population between 2012 and 2016, of 60%.

To determine the issues affecting foster students, lawmakers and advocates are suggesting a bill which would require the Departments of Education and Child Services to share information on foster students in the state. So far, House Bill 1314 has seen wide-ranging bipartisan support.

Brent Kent, CEO of Indiana Connected By 25, a foster child advocacy group, stated, “Youth in foster care […] have no one speaking for them. The state is their parent … we will see for the first time, foster youth side-by-side with other peer groups and how they are performing.”

The bill, written by Granger Republican Rep. Dale DeVon, would set up information sharing between Indiana’s education and child services departments. It would also require the Indiana State Board of Education to release a yearly report about foster youth education.

About 50% of the foster children in the nation will graduate from high school by age 19, and only about 3% will go on to complete college, per a report from the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative.

Kent said collecting data is a huge leap forward as few states do it.  Indiana already reports student data separated by income level, gender and age, race, ethnicity, among other factors. If the bill becomes law, foster care status would become a part of this data as well.

Demetrees Hutchins, a researcher from Indiana University and a former foster kid, said it’s “deplorable” how little foster children go on to college. She said this bill can help state agencies coordinate their efforts, so foster care students aren’t ignored.

Kent stated he’s practical, and he doesn’t believe the bill will solve every problem. But it’s a beginning. The bill passed the House universally and is up for deliberation in the Senate.

We, Kathey and Rob Raskin, have made it our life’s mission to stop DHR corruption in this country to protect our kids. If you have seen problems, report them immediately on our main page. Then, contact your local representatives here to make a greater impact.

Hello, we’re Kathey and Rob Raskin of Las Vegas and we care about children throughout the foster care system across this great nation. Our country’s child protection departments must do better and now a lawsuit may help get them the care they need.

A worldwide law firm and a children’s advocacy group are litigating with the Florida Department of Children and Families for neglecting to provide satisfactory housing and care for children in foster care.

Law firm Baker McKenzie and the non-profit Children’s Rights on Tuesday filed a class action lawsuit versus the DCF on behalf of roughly 2,000 foster kids in both Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties.

Between January of 2016 and June of 2017, over 400 children resided in 10 or more separate foster homes, referred to as placements, per the lawsuit. It also names the DCF Secretary Mike Carroll as a defendant. Roughly 185 children had 20 or more placements and 27 children were shuffled between 80 and 140 homes throughout their time in foster care.

Children under six have been placed in emergency shelters and group homes, and the received care from shift workers, according to the lawsuit.

The unpredictability which accompanies being bounced around from home to home “causes emotional, psychological, and physical harm,” per the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also states that the recurrent relocations also mean several children with mental health conditions are not receiving the treatment they require. It calls for a system-wide overhaul to be made to better the level of care and housings.

In Hillsborough County, placement has also been an issue where kids were forced to sleep in unlicensed accommodations such as an office and teen rec center in 2016. Following lead agency Eckerd Connects firing of a contractor for abandoning older children without any supervision, the DCF ordered a state appraisal of the county’s foster care system.

The lawsuit is still underway.

We, Kathey and Rob Raskin, have made it our goal to stop DHR corruption in this nation to protect our kids. If you have a complaint, report it immediately on our main page. Then, contact your local representatives here to make a larger impact.

Hello, we’re Kathey and Rob Raskin of Las Vegas and we care about what happens to children throughout the foster care system. And when it comes to the children’s safety, every measure must be taken. While compromise can be daunting, the lives of our nation’s children always come first.

An Arizona law could help protect our children. But it is being fought against, tooth and nail.

Legislation which would prevent the Arizona Department of Child Safety from enforcing rules on guns being allowed in foster homes has won approval from a state House panel.

The Arizona Republic reported, the House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee voted 5 to 4 on Wednesday to advance the bill to the Rules Committee.

The bill has a great deal of support from gun rights groups and lawmakers who say foster parents should not be held to stricter gun regulations than the child’s biological parents.

Currently, the Child Safety Department permits guns in foster and group homes. However, the laws presently stipulate that the weapons must remain unloaded with some form of trigger lock and that ammunition must be kept away and locked up.

Opponents of this bill state that it increases the state’s liability if a child were to be injured in a gun-related incident. Additionally, something that must be kept in mind, many of the children in foster homes have traumatic incidents in their pasts and high rates of suicide. When you remove the gun from the home, you decrease the chance that a troubled child might get their hands on such a weapon

We know the foster care system isn’t perfect and that laws around the system can cause a great deal of frustration. But the law can do better, and understanding the different situations in which foster families find themselves can provide guidance.

We, Kathey and Rob Raskin, aim to stop DHR corruption throughout America. If you have a complaint, file it on our home page right away. Then, contact your local representatives here to make a greater impact.

We’re Kathey and Rob Raskin of Las Vegas and we care about children throughout this great nation. State senators Erin Houchin and Travis Holdman of Indiana publicized the presentation of Senate Bill 123 on Wednesday. This bill would increase the accessibility of newborn safety incubators, usually called “baby boxes.”

Staying with Indiana’s Safe Haven law, Houchin united Holdman in co-authoring the bill to grow the use of baby boxes in their state by permitting fire departments with a 24-hour staff to install these boxes. Baby boxes are security incubators where people can anonymously surrender their newborn children. The padded, climate-controlled incubators are would be placed on an exterior wall of the fire station.

The boxes are armed with a security system which alerts emergency employees when a baby is placed inside. Emergency responders can be there within minutes. Right now, Indiana only has two of them. Growing this program is voluntary, so each fire department can choose whether or not to participate.

The Indiana Safe Haven Law allows an individual to anonymously give up an unwanted infant without fear of arrest or prosecution, but only if surrendered at a hospital or a site staffed with emergency medical services.

Under the law, the Indiana DCS takes these infants into custody via Child Protective Services and places them with a caregiver.

“[When] parents feel they can[‘t] care for their newborn, […] we would prefer […] the child to be placed [with] another individual, [but] these baby boxes can protect infants from […] what could otherwise be fatal circumstances,” stated Houchin. “By ensuring […] a safe, anonymous way to surrender their child, this […] will reinforce our commitment to the well-being of children.”

Holden added, “Baby boxes allow women to give their baby a chance for a better life. Encouraging fire departments that are staffed 24/7 […] to have baby boxes will positively benefit more infants […] by increasing the number of locations [they] can be installed.”

Children must be kept safe and these boxes, while a not perfect, could give abandoned infants a better chance.

If you’ve seen a child care concern, please report it on our Kathey and Rob Raskin Stop DHR webpage. Do so now, and do your part to inspire your state officials to give our children at chance for a better life.

Hello, we’re Kathey and Rob Raskin of Las Vegas and we care about what happens to children in the foster care system. And, Idaho has serious gaps. Children are lacking representation in protective services cases, according to a report by the Office of Performance Evaluation.

The OPE report found, “Gaps exist in Idaho’s system of representation for children […] in child protection cases. We found a portion of children […] did not have […] court-appointed representation.”

OPE assessors studied 207 cases, a sample of about 3,300 statewide child protection cases from 2017. In about 33%, children in a child protective services case, which frequently results in the removal of a child from a parents’ house, did not receive representation of either a guardian-ad-litem, a court-appointed advocate, or a public defender.

Idaho requires all children to receive this representation, and the OPE found without it, children are less likely to achieve permanent placement or have an effective voice in the cases.

OPE evaluator Amanda Bartlett stated, “Having a single person you can […] trust […] to advocate for your interests is […] key.”

Lack of state funding for child advocates and an inadequate number of private volunteers are contributors to the issue. There is also no entity charged with overseeing how frequently children go without representation, and OPE has suggested its creation.

Idaho’s guardian ad litem system differs from some states, where the ad litem may be a court-appointed attorney. Here, each judicial district has a chosen, private nonprofit entity which arranges and assembles training for volunteers who serve the best interests of kids in child protection cases.

Evaluator Bryon Welch testified, “They’re […] able to invest in those children throughout the life of their case.”

The report quoted an unidentified state judge who stated representation is most successful when children receive both a guardian ad litem and a court-appointed attorney. PDs have large caseloads, limiting the time they can spend on each case. However, their legal training makes them effective in court. Guardians ad litem can more time gaining a detailed understanding of the child.

Evaluators stated the present level of state funding isn’t adequate to manage the program’s costs, so the nonprofits spend a substantial amount of time fundraising. This trades off with the amount of time a smaller staff has to enlist volunteer guardians ad litem. In most cases, there aren’t enough volunteers to manage the caseload, so staff often volunteer, further straining inadequate resources.

OPE assessors suggested working to organize the services of guardians ad litem and attorneys to offer effective representation, expanding training for PDs regarding child protection cases and classifying some entity to monitor and coordinate the numerous players in child protection cases. The committee asked for a follow-up statement next year on development toward those goals.

We know the foster care system isn’t perfect and changes must be made. Proper representation can help kids stay safe and be heard. Idaho and many other states must do better. We, Kathey and Rob Raskin, aim to stop DHR corruption throughout the county. If you have a complaint, log it on our main page now. Then, contact your local representatives here to make a bigger impact.