Letter from the Co-founders;
The old adage that it is more about the journey than the destination is only partly true in our case. It is instead the destination that has defined our journey. The strangeness lies in how our destination has changed by virtue of the journey. Let me explain:
As pre-Parent Guidance Center history dictates, we began as the usual “child-savers” wanting to help those poor abused and neglected children who were in foster care. Namely, we were “child advocates” with all the accompanying glory that comes with that title. However, for some reason, providence possibly, it did not take us long to see something, that others did not, in what was going on with the families involved with Child Protective Services. Thus, Parent Guidance Center was born in an effort to help the low-income families who make up the majority of the cases in the System. Unbeknownst to most people, Child Welfare has more to do with poverty that results in neglect than it does with actual abuse and child protection. Although studies have shown that minorities DO NOT abuse their children at higher rates, literally MILLIONS of your tax dollars have been spent trying to figure out why there is a disproportionality problem in the System. If ever there was an underdog in our society that needs a champion, look no further than biological PARENTS involved with Child Welfare Systems. They sit alone in court proceedings, often denied any representation or even the knowledge that they have a right to it. They are the Forgotten Stakeholders in Child Welfare Reforms and they are being torn apart when they really need HELP! (Remember, kids just want to go home. Safely, but still home.)
This group of people has been so demonized and spat upon by their fellow man. Most, if not all, persons we have ever spoken to about this (save the parents themselves) seem to believe “they must have done SOMETHING!” They still deserve a chance to change. We can think of NO other supposed crime (child abuse/neglect) where the justice system so blindly assumes guilt; but, with this accusation there is never really any exoneration. Innocence is not even temporarily granted. The assumption lies, with little or no necessary proof. (By the way, Child Welfare Systems of America usually enact their damage by way of a Civil Court action so in actuality there simply is no real crime, no due process, only the punishment for parents and children alike.)
It is our belief that the mass separation of poor families in our country is so damaging to the fabric of our society that sweeping reforms must take place before it is too late. The permanent psychological damage that is occurring, by way of the trauma of needlessly separating children from their parents, has such far reaching effects in society that it is tantamount to psychological genocide and castration of a population of people. True Prevention, True Family Preservation, and True Reunification are paramount, but underfunded, because our Federal and State laws dictate that money is better spent on adoption as a form of permanence instead of preserving and repairing families. One needs only to look at the statistics of the prison population and the internet postings of destroyed families trying to find each other to know whether this is true or not. Numerous studies have repeatedly shown that former foster children have a higher proportion of homelessness, joblessness, drug use/abuse, depression, poverty, and criminality. Did the System actually protect these kids from something or did it psychologically sentence them to this life?
And who is following up on the families destroyed by TPRs (Termination of Parental Rights)? No one. The destroyed "parents" (remember folks, its neglect-to the tune of 72% in 2007 Texas statistics-for which we are terminating parental rights!), who tried in vain to get their children back, live every day in punishment with only memories and nightmares of the fight they fought for the return of their children....the lies that were told....the multiple false reports that no one would stop....the papers they didn't understand and were forced and coerced into signing....the service plans that kept changing....their crying children begging to come home at every visit....the judges who wouldn't listen to them....the attorneys who were making deals behind their backs....the hatred they faced at every meeting....the Child Advocates who liked the foster parents better....the multiple caseworkers they had to keep retelling their stories to because of turnover....the jury who was denied the other side of the story....the due process that didn't exist....the RTC they kept reporting because their child was being drugged and restrained but no one would listen....the jobs they kept losing because of all the required appointments....crying themselves to sleep every night....living with the fear of CPS coming for their new family. Destroying families instead of preserving and repairing them is abuse. Child Welfare has a dirty little secret that we have witnessed personally, multiple times, and continue to witness as professionals in this field. There is another side to the story that is NOT reported. It is the Parents' Perspective and it is in "the best interest" of the children for it to receive attention so that the current System can change for the benefit of families.
We are asking society, mothers, fathers, children, legislators, politicians, activists, helping professionals, families, foundations, individuals, corporations, and anyone who dares to think for themselves to help us reverse this trend against families by looking at the ignored VOICE of the biological, natural parent involved in Child Welfare Systems. We invite you to become a champion by supporting our organization with your finances, your information, your stories, your opinions, your successes, your mistakes, and your prayers! After all, Child Welfare Systems of America is just a phone call and knock on your door away. Think about it.
Sincerely,
Johana Scot and Judy Powell
Parent Advocates