Child Protective Services is an unreasonable, unresponsive and arbitrary agency. Whether they remove children from safe homes or leave children with dangerous caretakers, the common denominator is a lack of common sense. Until we get more specific legislation implementing the Safe Family Act, Gov. Gary Locke’s banner, “Children come first,” is an empty slogan.
When she was born 11 months ago, our first grandchild came to live in our home. We provided everything the baby needed for her first two months. A CPS caseworker, public health nurse and Snohomish Health District social worker made home visits, checking the baby’s welfare and the mother’s progress. We were the reason our grandchild wasn’t taken by the state at birth.
Unfortunately, the mother left, returning to a dysfunctional lifestyle. I pleaded with CPS for intervention and ongoing services, but was ignored, placated and told that mother and child were getting services in Pierce County. CPS closed the case.
Last December, our son reported the mother’s drug abuse and neglect. Central intake never got the report. The Monroe manager was dismissive, condescending and defensive about the lost report. I made my own report. I wrote to Olympia, asking for investigation and oversight. An investigation finally followed.
Last Monday I called the new caseworker, who informed me that my grandchild was taken into emergency foster care last Friday, 10 minutes away. I had never received a call.
We love our grandchild. Our home is in a good neighborhood, on a quiet dead-end street. We want to support her. Her crib awaits her, in her own room.
Why does CPS choose to pay foster parents when loving, financially secure relatives are willing to foot the bill? This is about CPS job security, maintained through blind adherence to the arbitrary rules of an uncaring bureaucracy. Our taxes paid for CPS to take our grandchild and place her with strangers!
Snohomish
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