Fixing SRS

http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/44818692.html

Every year SRS gets 53-thousand reports of Kansas children being abused or neglected. In hundreds of those cases, the kids are taken from their homes and placed in foster care. Some families and state lawmakers are questioning the motives of the foster care program and whether it can be fixed.

State lawmakers inundated with complaints about the SRS foster care system want answers. A special committee has been set up to investigate as many families come forward wondering how their kids ended up in the system.

Kathy Winters brings her memories to the Kansas statehouse, pleading for help from lawmakers.
"I don't take anything for granted. I pray everyday that someone will listen to us." said Winters as she walked up the steps to the Capitol building in Topeka last week.

For more than a year Winters cared for two of her grandsons, Caleb and Wyatt after SRS removed them from their mother. Then last year SRS took the boys from Winters and placed them into foster care.

"It has devastated my family. It has torn us apart," said Winters.
SRS claims Winters lost the boys because of poor communication, not complying with visitation requirements and problems getting them proper medical treatment.
But Winters believes the foster care system is broken, a system she says is driven by greed.
"I feel the real reason is they make more money from the children if they do have them in foster care and if they adopt them out," she said.l

SRS contracts with private agencies to run the foster care system. According to SRS records the state paid $153,000,000 in 2009 to the contractors who place kids in foster care. There's also a monthly case rate paid for each child that is in foster care.

I'm hoping it didn't become a money making proposition on the backs of our children," said State Senator Julia Lynn of Johnson County.
Complaints from Winters and hundreds of other families got the attention of Senator Lynn and Representative Mike Kiegerl.

"There has been some progress made, but i still see some difficulties and I still get a lot of complaints," said Kiegerl.

They head the Childrens Services Committee, and they are investigating the complaints.
" I don't care what we spend, but if we are spending a lot of money and I'm asking what do you get for the money, and the answer the is things are better than they used to be, that's what the secretary told us last time, that's not good enough for me," said Kiegerl.

We too went to SRS Secretary Don Jordan for answers. He told us the number of kids coming into foster care has dropped 14 percent since January of last year. He says his goal is to keep all kids with their families.

"One of the things I'm proudest of, is something that we've achieved, is that in the foster care 91 percent of our children in foster care live in a family home, either with a relative or family resource home,"
said Jordan.
Jordan says the private contractors who handle foster care are subject to intense questioning before they are hired., and he says they are all not-for-profit agencies.
"If they demonstrated they were only in it for the money, they wouldn't be doing the job. That's why we measure their performance," he said.

Jordan says he's working with lawmakers on becoming better, and he welcomes the investigation. "I believe in us being as transparent as an agency and I welcome scrutiny, and we don't have anything to hide," Jordan said.

Winters is hoping her fight is not forgotten. Her goal is to not only get her grandkids back, but to send a strong message to all the families she's fighting for. "I will never give up. There is not one person in this world that will make me give up."

Lawmakers have already ordered a post audit report on Children Services. It's expected to be finished this summer. Already, committee hearings on foster care are scheduled for this fall. KAKE News will continue to follow this story and bring you the latest as it happens.


Watch "Fixing SRS"-Wednesday 5/13/09 at 10 p.m. on KAKE.

Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: $R$ victim on May 13, 2009 at 07:02 PM
Concerned mother-Greenwood Co,: I am so sorry that they are blaming you for your kids acting out after they see you. They are the ones that are causing your kids to act that way. Your kids are acting out because they love you very much and they want to come home, and they are desperate and don't know what to do, since asking to come home isn't working. They probably think that if the foster parents don't like the way they act, they will send them home. My kids are in foster care too and when our visit is over, they beg to stay and they try to hide, but they have to leave anyway. Then they go back to the foster home and wet the bed and act up at the foster home and school for a couple days. They do it because they are traumatized from being taken away from you. Please don't give up. Please KAKE don't give up on us and please continue to expose the system so that the kids that belong at home with their families that love them can come back ASAP.

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Posted by: Mary Location: Hutchinson on May 13, 2009 at 06:44 PM
Dear Greybeard - thanks for speaking the truth and helping the children return home. The foster family that had our three grandchildren were making big bucks... and in 10 months never bought the children any clothes or new shoes. The children were 3,5 &7... so they were growing. About a month before we were to get custody, my granddaughter complained her shoes hurt her feet. Foster mom told her, tell your grandma to buy you new ones. They also didn't have a vehicle large enough for their family and the foster children so they would buckle two children in one seat belt. If a parent did that - it would be child endangerment! They took the children to a religion that was very different from how they were being raised. For a long time, they were afraid that Satan was hiding, just ready to pounce on them! My 5 year old granddaughter called us one night while in foster care saying that she was "saved" so she could go to heaven. Who wouldn't when all they preached was hell fire?!

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Posted by: single mom Location: ks on May 13, 2009 at 06:38 PM
im sorry but srs will never be fixed!...i have delt with the system for WAY TOO LONG and they are the reason i hate the state of ks!...only here until i can afford to leave...but again...srs is the reason im still here.....

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Posted by: Bill USAF Retired on May 13, 2009 at 06:35 PM
We fought WW2 to get rid of the Storm Tropers. Now they are with us again. They take babies and not let the mothers even see them. They kidnap,accualy steal small babies and sell them to the highest bidder.Not only that they have taken away the basic rites we have enjoyed up untill the past few years. I can not do any thing except see them as Nazi storm troopers.

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Posted by: Dee on May 13, 2009 at 06:30 PM
Concerned Mother, that is a common excuse they use. I've heard it so many times.. we do have visitation with our grands but, if they want to be particularly overbearing they will say, "don't prolong it once the visit is over, just leave". The last few times the kids misbehaved after you left. Well, yeah! It's Christmas and we just delivered their gifts to them!! I'd be a little hyper too!!!

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Posted by: Greybeard Location: ARK City on May 13, 2009 at 06:29 PM
(Acting out after seeing us) I have heard that in every case I have been involved in ..They must teach that phrase in their classes

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Posted by: greybeard Location: Arkansas city on May 13, 2009 at 06:26 PM
Dear Foster Dad - I was a foster parent who saw first hand how the system worked the workers made decisions about the kids and the parents without ever talking to them. They wanted us to adopt the children and take them from their parents over a dirty house and nothing more.Had they taken the time to talk to the parents they would have found out they were working two jobs to provide for their children. As it turned out SRS and St. Francis told the mother to divorce her husband to get her kids back.He had done nothing wrong but fall asleep while watching the kids while she was at work.Most foster parents are not in it for the money.We spent more on the kids then what was given to us by St Francis.We took in children because we cared about what was happening to the families.SRS and ST FRancis dont like it if you dont agree with them and do what they say you should when in court

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Posted by: Concerned Mother Location: Greenwood Co. on May 13, 2009 at 06:15 PM
I have been involved in a case where my children were removed from home and placed in foster care by SRS and TFI (like Youthville) of Butler Co. I have done every thing asked of me and yet I have had no visitation or phone calls for 5months. They say it is because my children are acting out after seeing us. They just want to come home and they don't understand why they are being punished for being victims in a situation I did not have control of at the time. Some one needs to help stop these people from destroying more childrens lives.

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Posted by: tanker Location: arkansas city on May 13, 2009 at 06:15 PM
i am a dad who pays child suppot every mounth for a kid i can,t even see my son is seven now the last time i seen him he was 1 but i saked srs to help they said they cant do nothing i need to hire a attoney and he told me he wont fight srs so its a lose lose on me

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Posted by: Genile Location: Pratt on May 13, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Foster dad! Get a clue! Scroll down and read Greybeards post!

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Posted by: Mary Location: Hutchinson on May 13, 2009 at 05:30 PM
Dear Foster Dad - Out West, I hope you enjoy your tax free income you get by being a foster parent. With the funds you receive, along with the case workers, the family support worker, the foster support worker, the therapists, and the pharmacies that get paid for all the drugs to keep children sedated... Maybe those funds could actually help families that need help to stay together. Many people fall upon hard times, thru no fault of their own. And often children are removed because of it. I hope you can sleep at night.

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Posted by: Foster Dad Location: out west on May 13, 2009 at 05:11 PM
Dear RP in Wichita Maybe if you would take care of your kids, you wouldn't have to deal with SRS "over and over and over again"

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Posted by: Mary Location: Hutchinson on May 13, 2009 at 05:01 PM
Dear anonymous, and until you walk in our shoes, you will never understand that there are children suffering because of the decisions that SRS, the court system and the foster care contract workers make every day. For every good social worker (and I know some) there are two that are in the wrong line of work or are just simply burned out. Until the system is changed - making it less financially beneficial to keep children in foster care than working with the family to improve their situation, there will be children who are worse off in foster care than they ever were in their own home. Studies show that even a dysfunctional family is better than foster care. Most of us didn't grow up in a perfect home - and we turned out OK. Foster care is the training field for turning children in to future inmates.

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Posted by: SRS/CPS Documented Illegal Seizure of Children from Families over Last Decade on May 13, 2009 at 04:51 PM
SRS/CPS History Briefing: Year 2000 Secretary of SRS said, "We have failed these kids", "thousands of Kansas children have been taken from their homes and communities and inappropriately placed in state custody and foster care over the years…" AND "SRS Admits Too Many Children Taken From Families" Year 2005 SRS/CPS Social Workers said, "Employees often are told to disregard State and Federal Regulations" Year 2008 SRS/CPS Secretary said, "In Sedgwick County often times we end up writing things because it's what our Social Workers get bullied by the District Attorneys office into writing. They really have no belief in what it says" SRS/CPS HAS A DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF ILLEGAL SEIZURE OF CHILDREN FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND NO ONE HAS DONE ANYTHING TO STOP THIS!

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Posted by: Genile Location: Pratt on May 13, 2009 at 04:50 PM
No the decision is NOT left up to the courts anonymous!! If you think that you are sadly mistaken. The court is only as good as an SRS/CPS/contracted caseworker report. And if it's falsified, the judge doesn't know anything else. Law enforcement has nothing to do with it! It's SRS's game and they are responsible for the mounting numbers of abuse stories you are hearing! Do you honestly think all the posters so far are pulling this stuff out of the air? Go to grandparent's.com and read about grandparents who are not allowed to adopt their grandkids for a multitude of idiotic reasaons. And yes, many do get things from the state they shouldn't. Like a known sex offender we know who recieved his disability in a short 6 months despite the fact that he is able to work!! My own daughter, who is bi polar, fibromyalgic, insulin dependent diabetic has been trying for 7 years!! She is unable to hold a job! The system is totally screwed up!! And needs to be overhauled..

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Posted by: Nancy Location: Wichita on May 13, 2009 at 04:49 PM
6 police officers, 1 SRS worker 1 Youthville worker. 1 baby in a carrier not abused or neglected.= 6 months foster care now with family. Baby not in immenent danger per the law. ====$$$$$$$$$$$

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Posted by: melody Location: wichita on May 13, 2009 at 04:45 PM
I am one those parents that was suckered in when it came to the srs and youthville. I was forced to sign my rights up because i didn't divorce my ex husband soon enough for them. I had everyone in the court that was in the court when i was a child. I was convicted before i even went into court. The attorney was off in left field and didn't even believe in me. Only because i have a mental disorder i was a danger to society. when the judge told the court i had to sign my rights up i wasn't mentally focus and they took advantage of that. All I want is to have my son back. Its okay for youthville to abuse our kids but if i got upset and threw a lighter i get told i abused my child. how messed up is that.,

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Posted by: greybeard Location: Arkansas City on May 13, 2009 at 04:40 PM
WE were foster parents about a year ago and took in 3 children which we adored The proble was SRS and ST FRANCIS didnt want to let the kids out of the system even after the parents meet all the guidelines We even went to court and spoke up for the parents.They even asked us to adopt the kids before the courts made any decision. By fighting them with the parents we got the kids back home with their family.We no longer are foster parents because we fought them on this.They were just after the money not whats right for the kids and the family

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Posted by: CINCS kinda like NARCS on May 13, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Kansas needs CINCS kinda like NARCS which is the equivalent of a government agent or detective charged with the enforcement of laws in regards to Child In Need of Care cases. CINCS

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Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita on May 13, 2009 at 04:22 PM
For those of you who want to only bash on SRS social workers you must remember there are several other departments of SRS than just Child Protective Services. What about the people who use and abuse their benefits they receive from the state. You know who you are!

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Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita on May 13, 2009 at 04:16 PM
For all of you that want to bad mouth SRS workers then I challenge you to walk into the dangerous situations that many social workers face. SRS doe not pride itself on removing children we pride ourselves on protecting children from their abusers. SRS workers have limiations that the public is not aware of. Also SRS social workers do not make the final decison on removal of children from homes that is left up to law enforcement and the courts. So to the many of you who think SRS workers just drive around looking for kids to remove you really should think a little harder and realize there is a lot that actually goes into not returing a child back to their homes. I support SRS social workers and the hard work and hard decisions they have to make. I challenge you to walk in their shoes for just one day!

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Posted by: R.P. Location: Wichita on May 13, 2009 at 04:16 PM
As a parent caught in this corrupt system who has seen this crazy stuff over and over and over again, I would gladly sign and be part of a class action lawsuit brought against the whole SRS System and the people they hire these cases out to.

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Posted by: I don't understand on May 13, 2009 at 04:01 PM
I don't understand why all the comments that have been written within KAKE Guidelines are not being posted::: no names, no web links, no documents, etc...are not being posted here.

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Posted by: Kids for Sale! on May 13, 2009 at 03:24 PM
And REALLY, putting pictures of children up on Youthville and The KS Children Service League websites, etc...is really tasteless. Everyone knows how these kidnappers are selling Kansas Children for Profit. But do you think maybe these so called Non Profits could treat these children with some dignity? They are not dogs where you pick there breed, color and temperment which theses Non Profits so readily provide on their websites. They are children with feelings and most of them have been illegally taken from their parents. It's disgusting!

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Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita on May 13, 2009 at 03:24 PM
After watching the people in this broken system I have come to the conclusion that most of them - the ones that I have dealt with - don't actually like children. I believe that most of them have come from dysfunctional families - their life wasn't so good and they don't think that a child should have it any better than they did. The reason that I believe this is - why would someone working for a system that was created to protect children and families get so much enjoyment out of the pain that is caused? - It's a control issue. They are finally in control of someone else's life - they were never in control of theirs.

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Posted by: Broken System Location: Sedgwick County on May 13, 2009 at 03:19 PM
They are picking and choosing the outcomes of cases without following the law. As favors - not what you know - but who you know. For the incentives paid by the federal government to remove children. Falsified documents - by the DA's offcie, law enforcement, Social workers - anything to get money. Placing children in foster homes where they are abused and raped. These indidvudals don't care about the chidren - they are growing a crop for income. 80% of foster children end up in prison. How is this in the best interests of the child? Best interests of the state for the money - time for a change.

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Posted by: Leave the State? on May 13, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Local Attorney has gone so far as to tell parents they need to leave the State of Kansas in order to get their children out of SRS/CPS custody.

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Posted by: god help us all Location: sg county on May 13, 2009 at 02:58 PM
i agree with joe dont start a story then drop it prouving that money talks You started this investigation so when it gets tough dont give up on the children and run like all the others that reported before you stand strong behind the thousands of people these monsters hurt for money not love and it needs to be stopped now not in a year or 2

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Posted by: Mary Location: Hutchinson on May 13, 2009 at 02:53 PM
Just two words for SW in KS... Adam Herrman.

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Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2009 at 02:40 PM
SO SW SAYS:"You can not comment on this system, until you've worked in the system." I certainly can and will comment on the criminal acts by "spurrious" officials from SG County,a corrupt judge named Pilshaw,and the criminal SG County actors I endured for multiple years. You see this is the America I defended including three tours overseas in war and peace. You see this is the America I was disabled in service to protect,you see this is the America where government for the people,by the people,and of the people should not perish from the earth. I have earned the RIGHT TO COMMENT AND TESTIFY when criminal officials violated the laws and Constitution they were sworn to uphold and protect. Go back to your corrupt taskmasters and tell them that the day will come when those who have called evil to be good will have to account for their actions and if your have violated the law and rights of others I pray you will suffer a similar fate.

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Posted by: chess Location: wichita on May 13, 2009 at 02:23 PM
SRS UMY = terrorists. Terrorising families one child at a time. All in the name of greed. UMY another good Christian organization.

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Posted by: It Doesn't Matter on May 13, 2009 at 02:22 PM
For Some of These Workers It Doesn't Matter That: Children are 11 times more likely to be abused in state care and 7 times more likely to die as a result of abuse in the foster care system.

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Posted by: It's A Pharmacaust! on May 13, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Children are being medicated by the State to receive federal funding. No psychiatrist needed to evaluate the mental "needs" of the child. The ARNP will conveniently label the child with a mental disorder and prescribe psychotropic drugs based on the amount of time spent in foster care. These irresponsible medicated services are being offered through Youthville. These drug lords should be required to have psych evals themselves since they are forcing drugs on little children like candy. It's a Pharmacaust!

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Posted by: Joe Location: Iowa on May 13, 2009 at 02:13 PM
I have all the evidence anyone would ever need to put officials from the Kansas SRS,SG County DA,and the 18th Judicial District under criminal indictment. The evidence is court and official records which evidence wrongful acts and falsely sworn oaths under the color of law completed knowingly,criminally,and with malice. The main difference with my case is that I DEFEATED THESE CRIMINALS OFFICIALS UNCONTROVERTED AND ON THE COURT RECORD. The filthy Goliath of SG County and the SRS defeated by one person they thought insignificant and a slave to their corruption. The facts are undisputed and well known...just how brave is KAKE in the face of manifest injustice and vile corruption by the SRS,SG County and the 18th Judicial District? Public Hearings under oath and publication of the crimes they have comitted is the answer,how about it KAKE will you go the distance? I have all the evidence and I WON in COURT,are you real journalists or is this the powderpuff league?

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Posted by: Sedgwick County DA Bullies Social Workers on May 13, 2009 at 02:06 PM
On March 18, 2008 the Secretary of SRS/CPS stated that the Sedgwick County DA bullies Social Workers into falsifying documents to remove children from their homes. This has been on the news and documented. These are crimes being committed against children and their families. No one has investigated these allegations.

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Posted by: Mary Location: Hutchinson on May 13, 2009 at 01:52 PM
Dear SW of KS (Social Worker?)I believe that all employees of SRS and the foster care contractors should have mandatory drug testing like they expect of their clients. And the general public CAN comment on this system. You don't have to work there to know that things aren't right. Yes, there are times that children need to be removed - but certainly not at much higher percentages than the national average. And then kept out longer than other states average. Because KS has privatized the foster care system, people have no where to turn. SRS washes their hands of it - and the agencies feel like they can do what ever they want. And you are right, the court decides to remove the child... but the judge reads the SRS reports and thinks all of them are prepared by competent social workers, which most of know is not the case. There are good social workers - and I hope you are one - but there are those who abuse the power just because they can.

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Posted by: Broken System Location: Sedgwick County on May 13, 2009 at 01:52 PM
SW - SRS has not been in compliance to receive Federal Funding for many years. Many children are removed without being in "imminent danger" simply because an SRS social worker has quotas to meet and goes with law enforcement to remove the child. Families are not treated with respect. An SRS social worker pointed and laughed at a mother after her child was given by a worthless judge to the man that the child had said sexually abused them. The only thing the mother did wrong was report what the child had told her and a therapist. SRS does remove the child - the judge just rubber stamps it - ask Judge Burgess. You're obviously an SRS worker spouting your brain washed junk.

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Posted by: Editor Location: KAKE on May 13, 2009 at 01:52 PM
NOTE...comments with links to other publications, documents or websites will not be posted. Thanks

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Posted by: Kids for Cash on May 13, 2009 at 01:43 PM
There is NO respect for families or their children. SRS steals children with the help of the legal system. It's called child trafficking or Kids for Cash. As long as the State receives bonuses for keeping children in foster care and adoption, the workers will never tell it like it really is. It's all about money.

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Posted by: SW Location: Kansas on May 13, 2009 at 01:15 PM
You can not comment on this system, until you've worked in the system. SRS does everything possible to maintain children at home. SRS does not ultimately want to remove children, however if the child has been harmed or is in imminent risk of harm, the agency must step in to protect. Children need to be protected, because they can not protect themselves. Every effort is made to treat families in a respectful way, as they have rights too. SRS does not remove children without sufficient evidence. And what most people do not know, is that SRS does not make the decision to remove children, the court does.

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Posted by: CPS Abuse Alive & Well in Kansas on May 13, 2009 at 01:11 PM
Contractors such as Youthville are supposed to "reintegrate" children back into the families and they do not. They lie to families, withhold visitations and destroy children. The children are doped up with psychotropic meds that are not approved by the FDA to give to children which is against the law. There is a law suit going on right now in Alaska for illegal drugging of children in foster care. The DA's office holds our children captive on falsified records and the Judges do not require evidence to place a child in State Custody. Contact KSForTheChildren@gmail.com and we will put you in touch will several people who are fighting this corrupt system.

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Posted by: Mary Location: Hutchinson on May 13, 2009 at 01:09 PM
People really need to know the statistics about foster care. It is not a miracle place to heal abused children. They are much more likely to be abused in foster care than in the home. Children in foster care are more likely to die than children left in homes. They also suffer from PTSD at alarming rates - even higher than returning soldiers that have been in active duty. Troubled families could receive help with family preservation - but the agency would not get the big bucks that foster care guaranties them! It costs about $4,000 a year per family for family preservation. But foster care is usually 10 times more expensive per child than helping the entire family! This is your tax dollars at work!! Many people won't think twice about a child in foster care - but maybe they will care how their tax dollars are being spent! One way or another - people need to be aware of this cash cow called SRS and private foster care contractors.

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Posted by: Broken System Location: Wichita on May 13, 2009 at 01:03 PM
Double standards- the children are illegally removed on falsified doucments and placed in foster homes where they are abused and raped. Nothing is done to the foster parent that abuses and rapes the child. The CPS(law enforcement, SRS, Youthville, gauardian ad litems,judges, and the worthless therapists that give their non-scientific opinions. They all need to go and so do the legislators for watching and knowing that the social workers were being told in 2005 to ignore the federal and state laws. Time to march on the topeka capital - join together to demand an outside special prosector to investigate and prosecute.

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Posted by: Mary Location: Hutchinson on May 13, 2009 at 01:01 PM
I am shocked that there are so many people commenting here- and the story hasn't even aired yet! One problem with SRS - is there isn't a separate agency that you can go to with complaints about the agencies they contract with to run the foster program. If you call SRS and try to leave a message with someone about wrong doing - they notify the people handling your case. There is no safe place to go to try to get things straightened out! They know you have complained, and things are usually worse! Two days after writing the governor... I got a call from the head of the local SRS office who then mentioned my letter to the governor! I was told that the SRS policy and procedure manual was just a "guideline" that they didn't have to follow! They act like they are above the law! There are no repercussion to the case workers who are unethical. Children should never be used as a source of income. Once they get children, they will keep them as long as possible with no regard for the child.

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Posted by: craven on May 13, 2009 at 12:57 PM
These parents are bad if you spank your kid you should be taken to jail. if you sit your kid in time out that should be like a speeding ticket. I cant have kids cause of birth complications but i sure know how to parent one its really not that hard idk what all you people are complaining about parenting a kid. quit whinning and do something with your lives GOD!!!

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Posted by: Recovering Liberal on May 13, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Another inefficient, bloated and dangerous government bureaucracy.

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Posted by: Caring Location: Wichita on May 13, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Citizen was correct when saying others do the work for SRS. In the Wichita area families usually deal with DECCA; The Farm, Inc.; and Youthville instead of SRS. It's still the same problem. No one watches over these people to ensure they are doing their jobs. The children I know in foster care would have been much better off living with their mother. This was not a case of abuse or neglect by the mother, but a naive mom who didn't realize family could hurt her children. The children are the ones who have continued to be abused by the system: foster parents, TFI, their child advocate. The entire process is broken.

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Posted by: Tammy Location: HILLSBORO, KANSAS on May 13, 2009 at 11:59 AM
The only way to fix this is for all of us to band and stand together. Keep fighting, keep your stories in the news. Write to congressmen and women & govenors. E-mail, E-mail, E-mail, call, call, call. Save copies of letters, and emails, keep journal of phone calls and who you talked to, find a lawyer. Send your stories to every news station and newspaper across the country and keep sending them. The more we keep this in the public eye and ears, the better chance that Kansas SRS and St. Francis will be brought to justice for the trauma they are causing to children and their families.

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Posted by: Tammy Location: Hillsboro, Kansas on May 13, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Good morning, I just had to respond to the story I saw this morning about the SRS. We too are fighting for our grandchildren. The trauma being caused to these children borders on abuse in my opinion. And no you can't get anyone to listen, return calls or use by any stretch of the imagination any common sense. You would not beleive what the St FranciS group (does SRS WORK FOR THEM) does to keep children in the system when there is family that are willing to provide care for the children. Whats more the children want to be here. We have been stiffled by judges and shunned by SRS and the St. Francis group. I too have said and beleive it is a way for counties to keep money coming in. In the meantime the children caught up within these two groups are being traumatized on a daily bases with what appears to be no end in sight. I have even written to the govenor only to be redirected immediately to SRS. No win situation. Who can help the children? Who will honestely investagate these organizat.

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Posted by: Nicole Location: anonymous on May 13, 2009 at 11:31 AM
I was in the system for nearly 2 yrs and let me tell u srs is SCREWED up!!! they even took my sister away because of false accusations that people called in!! just because they were mad at my mother.. its ridiculous, they should be worried about kids who really need help and out of there homes!

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Posted by: Kathy Location: Sdg. Co./Wichita,Kansas on May 13, 2009 at 11:24 AM
17 months ago;my grand daughter was taken into custody,because I sent her to preschool with a bruise on her cheek that a 4 yr. child had given her hitting her with a toy car. She didn't even legally have to be in school yet since she was only 3 yrs. old. I didn't know that our laws allow the powers that be to kidnap our children first and ask questions later! They have never charged me with any kind of abuse or neglect,because I can prove that I didn't give her the bruise unequivacably,but instead of getting unsubstanciated by SRS which is meaningless since they can continue to use the alleged crime against you whether it's true or not. At least if I had been legally charged with a crime,, I would have had the chance to clear my name and be found not guilty by the domestic courts or criminal courts or any other court than the kangaroo courts we call the cinc Judge Harold Flaigle! That is who we need to protect our children from!

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Posted by: Mary Location: Wellington on May 13, 2009 at 11:12 AM
As a 74yr old great grandmother of a once happy, beautiful little girl that was kidnapped by these uncaring people, after 16 months of mental torture,angony and depression our beautiful great-grandaughter is still not back with her loving family. Her mother has complied with each demand the court has ordered, every time she has met these demands they come up with another. My Great-granddaughter was playing with her 4 year old cousin that threw a toy at her leaving a bruise on her face, the SRS accused her grandmother of hitting her. The grandmother never had a chance to defend herself against these false charges, knowing my ex-daughter-in-law for 24 years I have never seen or heard of her hitting a child, as she is a very loving and compasionate person. It so unblievable that some Americans have become so greed-driven that these corporations will destroy children and whole families for the love of MONEY.Please help us!!

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Posted by: kansas Location: ks on May 13, 2009 at 11:09 AM
It's about time someone was heard! SRS DO NOT PUT THE CHILDREN FIRST. It has always been about the MONEY...I pray daily for the children that were taken into custody and given to strangers..FIRE THE STAFF SHUT THE DOORS..NEW LAWS ARE NEEDED BADLY "NOT MORE LOOP HOLES"...THOSE OF YOU THAT WORK FOR SRS HOW IN THE HELL DO YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT KNOWING YOU HAVE PUT A CHILD/CHILDREN IN DANGER!

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Posted by: Chris Location: Wichita on May 13, 2009 at 10:49 AM
They tried with my 4 girls but it didnt work, SRS will never be fixed.. to many issues besides the child protection, get rid of it and start over.

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Posted by: Marc Location: Wichita on May 13, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Over the last 10 years I have watched as 3 of my relatives as foster parents have had child after child cycled through their homes every year. I know with these people these children are being taken care of. But how many in other homes aren't? From what I have seen and been told SRS does very little to keep families together. They can take the children out of the home and put them in foster care instead of helping the families. Most of these children that I have seen in the system are from poor families. Families that don't have the money to attend all the classes and pay for all the things that SRS wants them to pay for to get the children back. What I think SRS is doing should be considered a crime. I personally consider it kidnapping. I have watched over the last 1 1/2 years as my neice has jumped through hoops and done everything to get her child back. Her daughter was taken on an accusation without proof. The accusation was against the grandmother not the mother.

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Posted by: Angel8 Location: Wichita on May 13, 2009 at 10:20 AM
I hope that this article will finally shed some light on what is really going on here. After being in Topeka several times and speaking with legislators, Senators and screaming about the problems perhaps they are finally going to listen. My family was also a victim of these agencies and while our situation had a favorable outcome it was not without consequence. Lots of money, time energy spent fighting them. Loss of time from work not to mention the Attorney at $200.00 per hour. They do not favor families. They allow lies, false records and keep children in the system too long. They have been told over and over that there a blatant violations of the law, including criminal violations that the average person would go to jail for. There has been proof provided including documents, and tape recordings. I pray that this will bring the house of cards down. Sometimes you can run from the truth but you can't always hide.

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Posted by: Mother Location: Kansas on May 13, 2009 at 10:19 AM
I see all the comments about SRS and it being broken. I agree somewhat but what is even more broken than SRS is the Juvenile Court System and the attorneys who supposably represent the children's interest. These attorneys that are called Guardian Ad Litem half of the time do not even communicate with the children so how are they representing their best interest. How can an attorney represent their client if they make decisions based upon petitions filed and word of mouth. When my children went into state's custody a counselor told me that wording in a petition can be changed to make the situation look worse than maybe it was so that the petition can be filed in juevnile court. Meanwhile families are being broken up and kids traumatized by a system that is supposably supposed to protect children. The system is traumatizing the children more than the worst abuser could imagine then the children are given back traumatized and broken.

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Posted by: sad papa Location: wichita on May 13, 2009 at 10:18 AM
my beautifull grand daughter has been in the system 17 mo they cant tell us why and she is growing so fast i wisw there was a way to express the anguish i have endured at the hands of these stormtoopers they dont care about the children or there famlys just money UMY is so cold lies about everything in there reports i wish i could tell you my story contact me at my e-mail address and i will give you my number that i can be reached at

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Posted by: Sandy Location: ElDorado on May 13, 2009 at 09:59 AM
I agree the system is broken. I know of a family who had no heat or hot water for about 2wks. They couldn't take baths, wash their dishes, cook or keep warm on these cold nights. The kids are all in state custody yet nothing was done to help them obtain adequate housing.

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Posted by: Megan Location: Wichita on May 13, 2009 at 09:42 AM
I was one of unfortunate that had to deal with the numbskulls at SRS. they claim they are trying to watch out for our children, but while my duaghter was in custody, she was molested by her foster family. Tell me again SRS, how the hell are you protecting our kids again?

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Posted by: Genile Location: Pratt on May 13, 2009 at 08:42 AM
My family is yet another one that has dealt with this system. Fixing it is going to be a huge undertaking. We've fought for 4 years to bring home 2 of our grandchildren after they were put in the system. The first adoptive family abused them so badly they were charged with child abuse and intnetional torture. The woman is doing 3 years in prison. We tried many times to tell our caseworkers and the CPS director that we were seeing abuse and they totaly blew us off. Our attempts to adopt them have failed after over a year of battling with these people. They have it all neatly wrapped up and they know we can't possibly fight them forever. And yes, we can raise them! Hopefully with this intervetion someone will listen. Because not only are tax payer dollars being spent to line their pockets, but they are breaking up families that could otherwise raise these kids!!

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Posted by: cliff Location: wichita on May 13, 2009 at 07:40 AM
my sister used to work for srs in wichita, she had a job finding welfare cheats. she was too good. they told her to stop looking so hard or they would loose some of their budget.

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Posted by: Mary Location: Hutchinson on May 13, 2009 at 07:30 AM
I will be watching this segment with interest tonight. We had to fight tooth and nail to get custody of our grandchildren several years ago. They spent a year in foster care when we were willing and able to have them placed with us. The general public does not have a clue how this agency works until they have the unfortunate circumstances that lead to a child or grandchild placed is this unending nightmare.

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Posted by: D Location: ICT on May 13, 2009 at 06:32 AM
Falsified documents,subcontractors fraudulent claims filed to the federal government,youthvilles hiding abuses in foster care, youthville not following the direction of the juvenile courts, the court ruled they weren't making reasonable efforts, and the DA connection in sedgwick co,In our case they all overstepped there bounds. and we have proof.

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Posted by: Citizen Location: Kansas on May 12, 2009 at 10:09 PM
I work with an agency that very unfortunately has to work closely with SRS. SRS is broken. Period. You wanna fix the state budget deficit? Close their doors - law enforcement and other agencies do the majority of their work for them anyway.

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Posted by: Anonymous on May 12, 2009 at 10:02 PM
part of the reason is they do not investigate into real calls. we went through a custody battle and the other parent who did not have the the child decided to call srs to get us in trouble for her false accusations. they wouldnt even listen to us, even though we had evidence against the other parent of abuse. how many other families have had to go through this? yet i called in a case of children being beat and locked in a room, police went and found these kids locked up and living in deplorable conditions and they got a 3 day notice of srs coming out and never once got their kids taken away. they had even got charged with having meth in the home and still kept their children something has to be done. not to mention the misuse of foodstamps and cash assistance. they live better than those of us who work for a living. (the ones living off of assistance and not even trying). its frustrating all the way around.. stop assistance and start over. get welfare reform in place today!