Tuesday night at the forum hosted by the Children’s Action Alliance in central Phoenix, there was no lack of emotion. Former CPS caseworkers, social workers, even foster parents and various non-profit heads spoke at the CPS community forum.
It seemed as if they all believed that more money is the answer to what ails CPS, and its sister agencies. Many suggested it should go towards child abuse prevention, which had the investigations been conducted, child abuse prevention might have occurred.
It was no surprise to anyone in attendance that foster parent advocates said they are the doormats of the child-welfare system and need to have a bigger role in determining placement and the best interests of the children under their care.
The caseworkers said their workload is impossible to keep up with; their pay is low and they need emotional support. Gordon Hall, a former caseworker for 14 years, also wants some court reform because too much case worker time is wasted waiting for cases to be called. He told the audience of more than 300 people, that during his career at CPS, he did lots of reading on the government’s dime as he sat in court. He did not mention whether he even brought work with him to do while he was on the government (taxpayer) dime.
Dana Naimark, the executive director of the Children’s Action Alliance at one point asked the lawmakers in the audience to stand. Rep. Juan Mendez was the only lawmaker present in the audience.
One speaker, Beto Soto, riled up the crowd. Soto, who is with Citizens for a Better Arizona, called for Carter to be fired. Naimark said to admonish him, that the event was for ideas to solve CPS’s problems. Soto told her he had other points to make, and once again called for “new leadership.”
Director Clarence Carter announced that five senior staffers have been placed on administrative leave. He made it clear that this did not mean they would be terminated, but they would be on paid administrative leave while the investigation was in progress.
The forum clearly provided a venue for those with self interests to make self-serving pleas, while ignoring the fact that less than two years ago, the same situation existed and reviews were never done.
Last week, in an appearance on an obscure radio show hosted by former legislator John C. Scott, and Speaker of the House Andy Tobin said money was not the problem with CPS. He said the issue with CPS is systemic in nature and cannot be remedied with more money. Tobin noted that the Legislature has fully funded CPS for years. “We got more money over there. This problem is systemic,” he said. As for the democrats that were an immediate special session to provide more funding, Tobin said, “It was their budget. They gave CPS all the money they requested.”