Lost And Found

Lesley Stahl On Efforts To Place Foster Children Back With Their Families

(CBS)  This segment was originally broadcast on Dec. 17, 2006. It was updated on July 8, 2007.

They've been called some of the loneliest people on earth: children who were taken away from their parents due to neglect or abuse, but were never adopted by new families. Stranded in the child welfare system, they move from foster homes to group homes. There are tens of thousands of these children. They have no one – not a single relative to visit on Christmas or their birthday.

As correspondent Lesley Stahl reports first reported last December, there are now several cities across the country that are trying something new. It’s called "family finding." The goal is to track down the families these children were taken away from in the first place to see if they can go home again.

---

Fourteen-year-old Samara has been in foster care her whole life and now lives at "Five Acres," a treatment center for troubled kids. Officials tell 60 Minutes she does well in school, but that she struggles with severe depression, despite years of therapy and medication.

Last Christmas, Samara admits she was in pretty bad shape and even tried to hurt herself. Asked what was going on inside of her, she tells Stahl, "'Cause the other kids. They used to go on visits with their family and all, and I was stuck at the house. Like for Christmas, everybody else was out."

Everyone was out with some relative but her.

"She was very suicidal, very self-harming," Marylou McGuirk, Samara's therapist, remembers.

"Is your analysis of her case that it was all stemming from the loss of her mother?" Stahl asks.

"I believe it was the loss of her family," McGuirk explains. "Not having a support system around her. And that trauma — was there was no healing process for that."

Kevin Campbell, who created and runs "Family Finding," went to Five Acres a year and a half ago to teach the staff how to find Samara’s family.

"If the situation was so bad that the state had to take a child away from that home, why under any circumstances would the state put them back into that home?" Stahl asks Campbell.

"We may not be ever considering placing the child back in that home. What I’m looking for is 'Does he have an aunt or an uncle or a great-aunt or uncle who’s safe with their kids and has done a good job and would be there for them,'" he says.

"What do you do when you find family members who say, 'No, I don’t want anything to do with him or her?'" Stahl asks.

"What we do is keep moving. You’re not done until you’ve found at least 40 relatives. Don’t stop," Campbell explains. "The minimum first step is 40."

That seemed like a long shot, since Samara was considered a "cold case." Not a single relative was known.

The search began with just a few details about her mother. "I have her first name, we think an accurate spelling, a middle initial and a last name. We think she was in Culver City, Calif. We think that she’s 27 years old," he explains.

That’s all they had. And yet, with the help of a company called "U.S. Search," they were able to find not only Samara’s mother, but a virtual family tree.

Within two hours, the search yielded 44 family members.

This is the family Samara knew nothing about, until Family Finding came into her life. There was a family reunion, with barbecue and music.

But unused to affection and belonging, Samara felt uncomfortable. She was taken away from her mother when she was only 10 months old on charges of neglect and now she was meeting the relatives she had yearned for, as if in a dream.

She met them all, including her great grandmother, grandparents, cousins, and aunts; for Samara, the hugging was overwhelming.

There were over 40 relatives in all.

"I was really, really scared, ‘cuz I get really scared around a lot of people. And like when I was walking up the stairs, I almost like threw up," Samara explains.

Through Family Finding, Samara also met her mother Lakesha. Three months before the barbecue party, she got a call from Family Finding asking if she wanted to see Samara.

"And I said, 'Of course. I’m like I’ve been wanting it for years you know,'" she remembers.

[trinireload]

I need a contact number for family finder. My 3 grandchildren have been in the foster care system since 2001 and we have been fighting tooth and nail to get them back home.

Someone please, please help us!

[dviav21]

Thank you for this segment. Having cared for young relatives myself, this is a very challenging situation for all involved.

I am concerned that states invest so little in helping families get the support they need to be successful(parenting training, mandatory counseling and follow up by court appointed child advoctes with consequences if the custodial parents do not make progress). This could surely be accomplished in cases where drug abuse or other factors do not prevent the parents from caring for their children.

Also, often the child advocates in both the state family service agencies and state juvenille courts are more concerned about clearing their caseloads and future political or judical aspirations than in caring for the children in their charge. This is a travesty that mostly goes uninvestigated (even when children die as recently happened in Georgia).

In most areas animal abuse gets more airtime than the horrors of the juvenile advocacy and justice systems. It is my sincere hope this article will be a trend in a new direction.

(please withhold my nem if this comment is made public. Thank you)

[silverk123]

I just watched the segment family finding. I can totally identify with with these children. I grew up not with my parents, both of which were drug addicts, wondering if there was really anyone out there that cared for me unconditionally. Watching Samaras story brought me to tears.

I want to know how can I help other children dealing with similar problems reunite with their families?

I can not find any information online in regards to family finding, I would like to work with children that are in my area. Provide support and hope that there really is someone out there that cares, let them know that they do belong.

Is there any information out there as to how I can help? Because if I can help one child so they dont have to go through what I went through, if I can help one child build there self of steam, I would do it in a heart beat.

Please contact me with information on how I can help.

To the children featured on the show today, please take it from someone who has walked in similar shoes, it does get better, but you have to want it. You have to want to become a better person than those you've seen or not seen. You are in charge of your future, surround yourself with those that are positive, and those that bring out the positive in you. Good luck with your future, and stay positively strong

keisha

[lin241]

not every child needs to know i am one of many that doesn't that side is never told i am fine and well adjusted why make every child feel that having that need to know is the natural and only way the specials are always on the side of news you aired tonight

[wordtrix]

I was in four foster homes as a teenager and I can tell you what got me through was my older sister who was in a separate foster home though we saw each other regularly.

Terri Rimmer
associatedcontent.com

[tleslie-]

To all of the young people featured in tonight's broadcast, as well as the many who were not, I applaude your courage and perserverance!! You are more than just a foster child, you are also chosen children of the Most High. Beverly: I was touched by your bravery and courage to speak out on camera. Your pain and anger were evident, but you still spoke up. I am a product of the foster care system, and i know the pain associated with feeling as though you were thrown away, and useless. I am here to tell you, You can do ANYTHING and be ANYTHING that you choose to do. Don't let anyone else tell you different. I am a academic counselor at a high school in my city. We have a girls group called The Circle of Women. It's made up of young ladies who have gone through some of the most horrific things, but STILL, they stand. We share each other joys and pain, and i tell you, We embrace you!! If you ever wish to connect with other young ladies just like you, who have survived the odds, then you may write us, or email us.
My name is Ms. Teresa Leslie-Canty
and i work for Kansas University
at Topeka High School,
Circle of Women
800 SW 10th St.
Topeka Kansas 66612

[e-mail]


Keep your heads up, young people!!

[tleslie-]

To all of the young people featured in tonight's broadcast, as well as the many who were not, I applaude your courage and perserverance!! You are more than just a foster child, you are also chosen children of the Most High. Beverly: I was touched by your bravery and courage to speak out on camera. Your pain and anger were evident, but you still spoke up. I am a product of the foster care system, and i know the pain associated with feeling as though you were thrown away, and useless. I am here to tell you, You can do ANYTHING and be ANYTHING that you choose to do. Don't let anyone else tell you different. I am a academic counselor at a high school in my city. We have a girls group called The Circle of Women. It's made up of young ladies who have gone through some of the most horrific things, but STILL, they stand. We share each other joys and pain, and i tell you, We embrace you!! If you ever wish to connect with other young ladies just like you, who have survived the odds, then you may write us, or email us.
My name is Ms. Teresa Leslie-Canty
and i work for Kansas University
at Topeka High School,
Circle of Women
800 SW 10th St.
Topeka Kansas 66612

[e-mail]


Keep your heads up, young people!!

[tleslie-]

To all of the young people featured in tonight's broadcast, as well as the many who were not, I applaude your courage and perserverance!! You are more than just a foster child, you are also chosen children of the Most High. Beverly: I was touched by your bravery and courage to speak out on camera. Your pain and anger were evident, but you still spoke up. I am a product of the foster care system, and i know the pain associated with feeling as though you were thrown away, and useless. I am here to tell you, You can do ANYTHING and be ANYTHING that you choose to do. Don't let anyone else tell you different. I am a academic counselor at a high school in my city. We have a girls group called The Circle of Women. It's made up of young ladies who have gone through some of the most horrific things, but STILL, they stand. We share each other joys and pain, and i tell you, We embrace you!! If you ever wish to connect with other young ladies just like you, who have survived the odds, then you may write us, or email us.
My name is Ms. Teresa Leslie-Canty
and i work for Kansas University
at Topeka High School,
Circle of Women
800 SW 10th St.
Topeka Kansas 66612

[e-mail]


Keep your heads up, young people!!

[tleslie-]

To all of the young people featured in tonight's broadcast, as well as the many who were not, I applaude your courage and perserverance!! You are more than just a foster child, you are also chosen children of the Most High. Beverly: I was touched by your bravery and courage to speak out on camera. Your pain and anger were evident, but you still spoke up. I am a product of the foster care system, and i know the pain associated with feeling as though you were thrown away, and useless. I am here to tell you, You can do ANYTHING and be ANYTHING that you choose to do. Don't let anyone else tell you different. I am a academic counselor at a high school in my city. We have a girls group called The Circle of Women. It's made up of young ladies who have gone through some of the most horrific things, but STILL, they stand. We share each other joys and pain, and i tell you, We embrace you!! If you ever wish to connect with other young ladies just like you, who have survived the odds, then you may write us, or email us.
My name is Ms. Teresa Leslie-Canty
and i work for Kansas University
at Topeka High School,
Circle of Women
800 SW 10th St.
Topeka Kansas 66612

[e-mail]


Keep your heads up, young people!!

[drpinrome]

Great story. Everybody needs to belong to a family. Family can be mom or dad or aunts, uncles, cousins or grandparents. My congratu-
lations and thanks for the fellow who started this program and working with finding families. Belonging to a family is better than letting them belong to a gang. We have an adopted 12 yr old daughter who is a blessing to our family and wish we could have more. Again, great story and keep up the good work finding families for kids.

[rpratt16]

I congratulate all the children on their efforts to establish relationships with their families. I wish there was such a program around over 50 years ago when I was placed in foster care at the age of 6 months. I remained in foster care until I turned 18. I was not fortunate enough to know my parents while I was in foster care and grew up as a very angry youngster. However, I was able to turn that anger into determination and as a result I was able to graduate from college and lead a productive adult life. It is so important to help these children when they are young, my brothers and sisters were not as fortunate as me nor were many other foster children I knew. I wish there was a way to get involved in this program in my home town. Rita

[wilsonmakes7]

Recently watched this story on "Family Finding". I think the whole segment is PATHETIC! I am the biological mother of 5 children. Ages 9 to 20. One of which was born with Cerebral Palsy. There is no excuse for what I saw on this program. Pregant at 14? It's a joke. Try having morals. Melvin with 10 kids and never paid a penny for any of them. Try working 2 jobs, three if you need to. But he doesn't have to because they're all in Foster Care courtesy of the state and the working public. You're Welcome. Why hasn't this man been sterilized yet?? It is easy for these losers to have ***, make a child with no regard to the lifelong commitment that goes with it. We are making it too easy for them. As a community we are paying the bill for these idiots while they ruin their kids lifes.

[pmason--2008]

I have never had a family. I grew up in the child welfare system, &, I immigrated to the USA (from Nuremburg) w/ my mother (Monika S. Braun, maiden name) when I was 3yo. I was taken from my mother (1969) 4 child abuse about a year after immigrating 2 the USA in Santa Barbara. She lived w/ her american boyfriend named "William (Bill) Lee". Now 41 yo, I still want 2 find a family member-- any family member. About a year ago w/ the help of the internet (Craigslist.org), I did find my mother via the help of someone who contacted me that works at a credit reporting agency), but my natural mother has totally ignored my letters & phone calls (mom's last known address in Santa Barbara, CA--- 706 W. Isley St.). I also know the name of a relative, half-sister, her maiden name (unable to find her though-- "Sabine Scheider" -maiden name-, of Munich, Germany); I also found a former co-worker of my mother's from Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara (Gina Syslo, who also called my mom and left phone messages on the answering machine, but my mom has ignored her also). My natural mother holds the keys 2 any relatives I have anywhere, including my natural father (Italian-- name "Vincenze (Vincent) Romano". I know my natural mother's current tel # & mailing address in Sheridan, Wyoming. My natural mother's last husband died about two years ago. But, my natural mother has totally ignored me. She does not answer her phone, only an answering machine does. [e-mail]

[douse3]

THE STORY WAS WELL DONE. A CHILD IN FOSTER CARE AT 14 HAS A BABY. HER BABY IS PLACED IN FOSTER CARE DUE TO NEGLECT. CAN WE BREAK THE CYCLE? WHERE WAS GRANDMOTHER? WHERE WAS GREAT GRANDMOTHER? MOM IN THIS FAMILY HAS NOT DONE THE CORRECT THING FOR YEARS. AGAIN, CAN WE BREAK THE CYCLE?

REPEAT THIS STORY DURING BLACK HERITAGE MONTH!


SHARON DOUSE FLORIDA//PHILLY,PA

[tonnea21]

Loved the story.........I'm just sad that the Social Service System does not do more to reunify the families and help the parents to become more accountable......it would me much cheaper than having a child raised in the foster care system. I know every case is different but Social Services has been known to just snatch kids up, destroy families, and the futures of alot of children. Seems someone needs to think on the lines of helping the mothers and fathers be parents when the kids are first taken away....instead of just taking the kids and not doing a more indepth job of trying to reunify the family.

[mariet58]

I watched with avid interest this segment as it impacts me daily. I am a social worker at a public child welfare agency in the midwest. Currently, I have a caseload of 15 children who range in age from 15 months to 20 years old. Ten of the children are over the age of 11 years old. I beg the families of children who are in foster care to take an active interest in either pursuing custody of your young relatives or support their parents. Children in the foster care system long to be with their families and due to this anguished longing, they are self-destructing. Many of them are likely to be involved in the juvenile justice system, engage in sexual activity in order to create a child, a relative; frequently runaway to see their relatives. These same relatives who open their doors to visit for a day and then send them back to foster care. It breaks my heart as I recall a 6 year old said to me one day, "why is it that people who say they love you never keep you."

[charlyn11]

This organization, family finding is unbelievable. It is the best thing that can happen to the children of the system. I need to know how I can reach them. I have a daughter who is in foster care, she is almost 16 and has been in since she was 5. She was placed in care because of the man I was married to, he was a convicted child molester and since I did not leave him them took my children.I know I should have left know, I believed in him, he told me he was set up by an ex and only took a plea bargain because her family would testify for her and they had cops as family members. I believed him, I later found out he was a predator and have done everything in my power to lock him up. I graduated high school and I am a full-time college student in my last semester. My other babies were adopted but my 1 daughter was a mommys girl and gave everyone a hard time, so she was considered unadoptable and has been bounced back and forth. DSS will not tell me much and say I need a lawyer to get her back. I want her home so desperately, I have a beautiful home, with an extra bedroom, I have 2 healthy sons and I now volunteer at the domestic violence center, helping other abused women. If you can help please do, give me any info to reach family findings! Thank you! Charlyn Wright [e-mail]

[mariet58]

As to the comments made by DIVAV21, "..often the child advocates in both the state family service agencies and state juvenille courts are more concerned about clearing their caseloads and future political or judical aspirations than in caring for the children in their charge. This is a travesty that mostly goes uninvestigated (even when children die as recently happened in Georgia). Not every child advocate is concerned about reducing their caseload or pursuing political and/or have judicial aspirations. For committed child advocates, its about insuring that foster children's needs including emotional ones are met. Typically, the only constant in these children's lives are their workers. We work hard to assist these children in making good choices and preparing them for the day when they are emancipated from foster care. If their families are unavailable to them now what happens when they turn 18 years old?

[kayelbee]

I am a therapist who has worked with children in Foster care ans seen first hand what their lives are like on a daily basis. It is important for messages like your tonite to increase public awarenes, so that these children can have some measure of belongiong to a family even if they don't live with them. The sadness, lonliness,and emotional deficits caused by being in Foster Care for years, is palapble, as was shown tonite. I would appreciate it if someone would assist me in contacting Family Findings,60 Minutes is my only hope or someone who knows where they are located. Hoping to find out soon.
*posted by Kayelbee

[douse3]

THE STORY WAS WELL DONE. A CHILD IN FOSTER CARE HAS A BABY. HER BABY IS PLACED IN FOSTER CARE DUE TO NEGLECT. CAN WE BREAK THE CYCLE? WHERE WAS THE GRANDMOTHER AND GREAT GRAND MOTHER. MOM HAS NEVER TAKEN A PROPER ROLE. AGAIN, CAN WE BREAK THE CYCLE?

SHOW THIS STORY AGAIN DURING BLACK HERITAGE MONTH!

[kwalters7]

I THUGHT YOUR REPORT TONIGHT WAS VERY GOOD.

I HAVE NOT SEEN MY MOTHER SINCE I WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD AND HAVE NO IDEA WHERE SHE IS. MY BROTHERS AND I HAVE ALL BEEN SEPARATED FOR MANY YEARS AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHERE SHE MIGHT BE, I DO NOT HAVE HER SS. NUMBER ONLY HER FIRST NAME AND HER BIRTH LAST NAME.. CAN YOU HELP ME FIND HER. I`M 44 YEARS OLD NOW, AND HAVE SUFFERED FOR MANY YEARS SEVERE DEPRESSION.
AND HAVE BEEN IN SEVERAL MENTAL HOSPITALS AND GROUP HOMES THROUGH OUT THE YEARS.

THANK YOU. FOR ANY KIND OF HELP.

[a09212005]

As A nearly retired Socialworker (LMSW in NY State) I would like very much to contact Kevin Campbell of Family Finding to offer my support and experience. Andy McPherson

[adrian_r]

Kevin Campbell is actually my first cousin, and although I have been aware that he has been working with children on some level for years, to be honest, until seeing this segment on the most respected news journal program in the history of media, I was clueless as to how revolutionary and amazing his years involved with creating this program for kids has become. To say I am proud and honored to have him as a member of my family is putting it mildly. There is nothing harder in this world than to be born into it without a nurturing environment to start with, and with no one willing to raise you in this life. To see a member of my own family creating such a program, and helping to change so many children's lives, in fact giving them the help needed to actually have the chance for a life, makes me so proud! Way to go Kevin, you are a great man, and I am so honored to have you in my family!

[adrian_r]

Kevin Campbell is actually my first cousin, and although I have been aware that he has been working with children on some level for years, to be honest, until seeing this segment on the most respected news journal program in the history of media, I was clueless as to how revolutionary and amazing his years involved with creating this program for kids has become. To say I am proud and honored to have him as a member of my family is putting it mildly. There is nothing harder in this world than to be born into it without a nurturing environment to start with, and with no one willing to raise you in this life. To see a member of my own family creating such a program, and helping to change so many children's lives, in fact giving them the help needed to actually have the chance for a life, makes me so proud! Way to go Kevin, you are a great man, and I am so honored to have you in my family!

[gnaler]

Being blessed to grow up in a 'traditional' home, I cannot EVEN begin to understand how parents can do this to their children. It has to fall on the society that harbors this feeling that 'oh well, the state will take care of them.' Its way past time for us to say NEVER AGAIN in my family. Only then will the cycle stop.

[adornoh]

THIS STORY TOUCHED ME VERY MUCH-BECAUSE ONE OF MY YOUNGER SISTER HAD HER FOUR CHILDREN TAKEN AWAY.(BACK IN EARLY 90'S).AND THE STATE DIDN'T GIVE THE FAMILY A CHANCE..AT THE BEGINING OF THE PROBLEM MY MOTHER WAS TAKING CARE OF THEM N THE STATE CAME INTO THE APARTMENT N RUSHED THE CHILDREN OUT..(MY OLDER NIECE WAS ABOUT 6-7 YEARS OLD)BECAUSE THE SOCIAL WORKER ASKED HER QUOTE "HOW'S YOUR GRANDMOTHER TREATING THEM N SHE RESPONED" SHE PUTS US TO SLEEP EARLY" COULD YOU BELIEVE THAT?? THAT WAS A CRIME.
MY OTHER SISTER N HUSBAND BOTH PASTORS - THE COURT SAID 'NO BECAUSE THEY COULD ABUSE THE CHILDREN, TOO !..
I ALSO TRIED, BUT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHO I WAS - (I'M THE OLDER SISTER FROM MY MOTHERS' 1ST MARRIGAE) BUT THEY NEVER TRIED TO INTERVIEW ME MORE N REALLY KNOW WE ALL WANTED TO HELP OUR NIECES N NEIFEW - BUT THE STATE SAID 'NO' ..
TO MAKE THIS STORY SHORT - THESE CHILDREN HAVE SUFFER SO MUCH THAT YOU JUST CAN'T IMAGED.. THE STATE PLACED THEM IN HOMES OF FAMILY- SOME NICE BUT OTHERS HAVE ABUSED THEM.
AND WHERE IS THE STATE FOR THESE CHILDRENS.
I THINK THE STATE JUST KEEP THESE CHILDREN FOR MONEY ONLY...
MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL THESE CHILDREN IN THE U.S.A. THAT HAVE TO WAKE UP A NEW DAY IN A DIFFERANT HOME AND NOT WITH THEIR LOVED ONES..THAT REALLY DO CARE.

IT'S A SEASON TO BE JOLLY, BUT WHAT REALLY IS THE STATE DOING TO BRING HOPE TO THESE CHILDRENS.

[bettyhey]

Over the past 9 years I have dedicated myself to working with foster kids and biological familiees. For all who ask where were their families let me tell many were there, only to be ignored and chastiesed by the system. I have worked with grandparents who have spent many thousands of dollars on a fixed income in attempt to bring their granchildren into home. Good people whose children may or may not have gone astray.

Certanly there are those who should who do not care, whose children are actually throw aways. Those kids are in the minority.

Today's system is a big industry, with counselors earning over $100 per hour, there are numerous non profits making millions, anger management, paranting, drug assessment, just to name a few. In many states non profits have taken over the system receiving up to several hundred dollars a day for one child depending upon the problems gemerally caused by an out of control system.

I have been a foster mom and held a child at night as they cry for their family. I have witnessed a young lady of 16 who had been prescribed by one mental placements seven serious psycho tropic drugs, taken at the same time. A good kid in my home.
They talk about child abuse by the biologicals what about child abuse by the system.

Check out our web site at www.allkidzcount.com. reply at [e-mail]

[juliehg-2009]

And...pray tell, where is Oprah for these children?

[juliehg-2009]

Wilsonmakes7

Bet you voted for GWB -- right?

[hermit22]

Back in Los Angeles there were these 2 little southern girls with their Vanna White good manners and their Grandma wanted to get them OUT of the system. She lived in a lovely appartment but the powers that be insisted Grandma get a house with a yard. ALL the homeless in Los Angeles and the airheads insisted Grandma's lovely apt wasn't good enough....they ran that Grandma through all sorts of crazy hoops....it came apparent to me that "the Home" would rather get paid $4000 a month to take care of two little Vanna Whites rather that actually having to work to earn their pay by taking in some tough little nuts from Los Angeles in the same bed spaces!If its $60,000 a year now, I can just imagine how good the little southern, well mannered "vanna whites" look these days!

you need to lay off the drugs snflwr4real.

[dontnoitall]

My heart goes out to these children. Having an adopted grandchild myself, I have seen the damage not knowing your family does. My daughter and her husband have tried to be a good family to the child but got him at 7. He still has memories of his family. I do not agree with my daughter that he should see NO ONE in his biological family but I am not the boss. I feel that one day, he will find them and it may not be a good situation. I do feel that SOMEONE in that family misses him and loves him.

[bluestardad]

Foster care is just another Government program feeding on itself. It lives by keeping children in it and families distroyed.

[m53lofton]

Thank You 60 Minutes for airing this.

The break-up of the traditional law abiding family for profit has been going on for years in the Black community.

http://africanamerica.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/64170254/m/231708101/p/1

http://africanamerica.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/79160213/m/2461000262

Having spent over three years of my life in foster care in my youth, my sisters and brothers to, one sister remain in foster care from the time that she was a toddler until age 18.....

....and mind you neither one of my parents have been convicted of being criminal, found to be unfit, and/or otherwise.....

......namely because of greedy, and unfit Black preachers, incompetent social workers, self-serving elitist elected Black leaders, and/or unfair judicial decisions within Los Angeles County....

The message as shared by 60 minutes is very real.

Sincerely,

Michael Lofton

[m53lofton]

Thank You 60 Minutes for airing this.

The break-up of the traditional law abiding family for profit has been going on for years in the Black community.

http://africanamerica.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/64170254/m/231708101/p/1


http://africanamerica.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/79160213/m/2461000262


Having spent over three years of my life in foster care in my youth, my sisters and brothers to, one sister remaining in foster care from the time that she was a toddler until age 18.....

....and mind you neither one of my parents have been convicted of being criminal, found to be unfit, and/or otherwise.....

......namely because of greedy, and unfit Black preachers, incompetent social workers, self-serving elitist elected Black leaders, and/or unfair judicial decisions within Los Angeles County....

The message as shared by 60 minutes is very real.

Sincerely,

Michael Lofton

[m53lofton]

Thank You 60 Minutes for airing this.

The break-up of the traditional law abiding family for profit has been going on for years in the Black community.

http://africanamerica.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/64170254/m/231708101/p/1


http://africanamerica.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/79160213/m/2461000262


Having spent over three years of my life in foster care in my youth, my sisters and brothers to, one sister remaining in foster care from the time that she was a toddler until age 18.....

....and mind you neither one of my parents have been convicted of being criminal, found to be unfit, and/or otherwise.....

......namely because of greedy, and unfit Black preachers, incompetent social workers, self-serving elitist elected Black leaders, and/or unfair judicial decisions within Los Angeles County....

The message as shared by 60 minutes is very real.

Sincerely,

Michael Lofton

[msrandle928]

This story really inspired me. I have worked in the child care field and I am an active volunteer of C.A.S.A which helps children and families cope with one another and have healthy family lifesytles. Is this program located anywhere else in the U.S., such as N.Y.? I would like to become involved with this and help as much as I can with families and children who need it. It is ashame that children and parents have noone to turn to in a time of need.

[psds08]

NOBODY WILL LISTEN
I DON'T ENEN GET A LETTER SAYING THEY GOT MY LETTER!
MAYBE YOU WILL?

This is a Grievance against State Employees of Michigan Family Independence Agency
Funded by both state and federal monies.

I am filing a formal complaint against:

The Social Worker:
The Supervisors:
The Foster Parent,Now Adoptive Parent:
The County Director:
All involved with the Department of Children and Family Services


Name of person making the complaint: D
Address of person making the complaint: _ ___________________________________________
Phone number of person making the complaint:
____ ____________________
E-mail address of person making the complaint: _____________

2. Person making the complaint is:
____Foster parent ____Region Supervisor __X__Social Worker
____FP Liaison __
X__Other (identify role)_GRANDFATHER ___________

3. County involved: _


4. Children involved:
Full Name _________________________ _____________________________

5. Your complaint deals with:
X__Safety : __CHILD ENDANGERMENT
X__Other, : _ABUSE OF POWER_______

6.Summary of my complaint

I worked for Michigan FIA for 30 yrs here in .
With people who knew and trusted me and my love for children for 30 yrs.

[psds08]

"THE SAD FACTS"
www.stacilauskas.com

I WORKED FOR A STATE SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY FOR 30 YRS

I HAD HAD HEARD STORIES,BUT ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY CAME FROM DISGRUNTAL PARENTS THAT THE STATE HAD TAKEN THEIR CHILDREN SO I DIDN'T BELIEVE THE STORIES.

BUT AFTER ATTENDING A CHILDREN'S WORKER'S TRAINING I WAS SO SCARED FOR MY CHILDREN THAT I WENT TO TALK TO A LAWYER FRIEND OF MINE!

I WAS TOLD THAT CHILD SOCIAL SERVICES WORKERS ARE PROFESSIONALS AND WOULD NOT DO THIS
[SEE WEB SITE ABOVE]

BUT THEN THEY MY FELLOW FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS "STOLD" MY GRAND CHILDREN!

PROFESSIONAL MEANS THEY GET PAID!

"THE FIA GAME"
www.stacilauskas.com

PLEASE E MAIL ME FROM MY WEBSITE
THANK YOU

I can relate to certain aspects of this story. My earliest memories are those of living at the Oakland County Childrens Village in Michigan. Unfortunately sometimes the worst thing that can happen is adoption. I was placed in a very physical and mental abusive environment that has forever haunted me. I fought hard and many years to overcome my situation, but my biggest fear has always been what experts predict as behavior as a result of abuse, and not knowing what to expect from myself has forced me to fear relationships and isolate myself. Not knowing where you come from or why, and if you have any relatives only magnifies the loneliness. And even though I am 48 years old, the pain still endures. I fear there are millions of others in my same predicament or much worse.

[racquet24]

I resent the fact that you make it sound so
easy to locate someone- In my case, it is my
birth parents-
I have been searching thru OmniTrace for quite
sometime-and not a clue has arisen-
It is not simple nor inexpensive-to say nothing
of the emotional stress incurred-

Marjorie A. Garten

[dfales0356]

Over 2.1 million children live in families headed by relatives. Nearly 2/3 of these caregivers are grandparents. These number are rising and grandparent and other relatives are stepping up to the plate to provide safe and stable homes full of love. Legal standing is not a priority. Many relatives spend $20,000 or more to save a child as well as a year or more in court.

What we need is Court Reform, as well as a joining effort with many state CPS. Each of us can make a difference in every child's life.
Debbie
you can leave a message at [e-mail] Foster Care or Court Reform

In 2004 518,000 children were in the U.S. foster care system. Most children are placed in foster care temporarily due to parental abuse or neglect.
A record 304,000 children entered the system in 2004, according to one study. Due to use. About 40,000 infants are placed.
Children have on average three different foster care placements. Many have been separated not only from their parents, but from their siblings.
More than 20,000 children each year never leave the system b" they remain in foster care until they "age out."
Thirty percent of the homeless in America,25 percent of those in prison were once in foster care.
Cost of foster care $40,000 a child, nation wide $22 billion a year, foster care system is still overcrowded and with problems, about 520,000 children end up in foster care each year.

[cctillett]

Dear all,

Great story.You have only just begun to tell it.

Child stealing is BIG BUSINESS and the American taxpayers are footing the bill for this MONSTER that destroys our families.

They operate in secret. You have no rights in a civil court.PUBLIC PRETENDERS represent you, are paid for by the state.

You are court ordered to do services, then they say you make no progress. They pile on more services. You do them all.They still terminate your parental rights and steal your kids for profit.Then adopt them out to strangers when there is family.

All kids taken from their parents need therapy because they were jerked from loving homes.This creates another "CASH COW" These vendors as they are called do not want to upset their "SUGAR DADDY" DSHS. So they go right along with what they are told to say in their "FALSE REPORTS" to the court.

They tell husbands and wives to divorce each other or they will never get their kids back.(Sick)

They have to much power and it is time to reign these "***" in for all you politicians out there. They prey on poor people. I thought slavery went out with the Emancipation.

I know case workers that lie and give children that they steal from familes to their friends.

This government to still for the people and by the people.

Go to your local Juvenile court and sit in.

Our families are all we have. Are we going to sit on our ARSES and watch this happen.

LET'S ROLL
CC Tillett/VP/Washington Families United

[janeedwards-2009]

Great reporting!

Suggest two follow-up stories: The irony that the government will spend $$$$ to deal with problems caused by putting children in foster care but 0 to keep families together.

The unfairness of sealed adoption records that prevent adoptees from connecting with their birth families.

[becki626]

fOSTER CARE MARE BE THE DEVIL BUT ADOPTION IS THE DEMON'S STEPBROTHER. ADOPTION IS NOT THE CURE ALL FOR PARENTLESS CHILDREN. I WAS ADOPTED THRU A PRIVATE LAWYER IN 1960 BEFORE ABORTIONS AND BIRTHCONTROL WERE LEGAL AND THERE WERE PLENTY OF HEALTHY WHITE BABIES(COMPARED TO NOW).
SOMEHOW MY ADOPTIVE PARENTS FLUNKED OUT OF ALL THE ADOPTION AGENCIES IN IOWA BUT WERE STILL ABLE TO PROCURE ME THRU THIS LAWYER. GUESS WHAT? MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF MY ADOPTIVE SISTER, PROCURED THRU THE SAME LAWYER 4 MONTHS LATER, WAS LIVING HELL. THESE PEOPLE WERE UNFIT TO SAY THE LEAST TO RAISE US. MY ADOPTIVE MOTHER IN PARTICULAR WAS SO BITTER AT GOD AND WHOEVER FOR MAKING HER INFERTILE SO WHO DO YOU THINK SHE TOOK IT OUT ON?? MY ADOPTIVE DAD, AGE 45 WHEN WE WERE BOUGHT, WAS AN ALCHOHOLIC WELDER AT A LOCAL FACTORY WHO WAS DRUNK AND PASSED OUT ON THE COUCH BY 6:00P.M. SHARP EVERYNITE. WE COULDN'T EVEN SIT ON THE COUCH WHEN HE WASN'T THERE BECAUSE OFTHE PERMANENT *** AROMA.
IT TOOK 4 PEOPLE TO SCREW UP MY LIFE:
THE GUY THAT KNOCKED MY MOM AND DESERTED HER...
MY MOTHER THAT LET ME BE ADOPTED THRU LAWYER INSTEAD OF AGENCY-MORE LUCRAIVE FOR HER...
THE LAWYER THAT SPECIALIZES IN SELLING BABIES TO UNFIT PEOPLE THAT ARE REJECTED BY REPUTABLE AGENCIES...
THE SELFISH PEOPLE THAT KNEW THEY WERE UNFIT BUT JUST HAD TO HAVE A BABY OR TWO TO MAKE THERE LIFE 'COMPLETE'....
AM I FOR ABORTION AND BIRTH CONTROL?
YES YES YES
BEATS THE LIVES OF THE CHILDREN YOU HAVE PROFILED AND MYSELF!!

[mimiparis-2009]

I watched this segment with great interest, as I grew up in the "system." People ask me frequently if I want to find my mother. I used to, and sometimes I still do. Sometimes I do not.

What most people fail to see is that finding one's parents is not an "Oprah show," in that the endings are not all happy ones.

There is no way anyone can control the outcome, so the foster child/adult must be prepared for any eventuality.

You must know that the effects the reasons for being in the system and the horrible events that occur in the system never, ever are erased.

"Finding your parents" is not an antidote.

Do continue these kinds of stories, as we need to be heard and understood!!

MiMi Paris
www.mimiparis.com

[vinceps-2009]

The 60 Minutes report on re-uniting foster care children with family or relatives was excellent and very enlightning. What struck me was how racially biased it seemed. All of the children and family members covered in the report were black which gave the appearance that this is a black issue. Statistics don't bear that out. The larger percentage of children in foster care are white/caucasian (39% and increasing) versus black/non-hispanic (35% and decreasing)(Source Child Welfare Information Gateway.)Moreover, the report seemed to be trying to perpetuate a stereotype by sensationalizing the cases that were chosen such as the 15 year old mother and the father that has 10 additional children. You can do better than that 60 Minutes!

[weeden50]

I am originally from St. Louis Mo. where I was introduce to CASA. I thought it was a great idea so I took thier classes. The classes were great. Before I got a child I moved to Baltimore, MD. I decided to join the Casa in Baltimore. The classes was completetly different from St. Louis, it was extremly negative. I got my first child, she was 14 years old and had been in the foster care system since she was 10 years old. Using the training I recieved from St. Louis, I was able to find her grand-mother and other families members. My goal was to introduced her to her family members and work with her and her family. Even if no one "took" her in at least she knew she had a family. I was took off her case because one of her foster mother told her social worker that the child depended on me to much. Within days the social worker called CASA and told them to take me off the "case", to my shock and heart break, CASA took me off and kick the child out of the program. I called the Social worker supv. and was told that I care about the child to much. As one of the child's foster mother told me - this was her job. Because I demand service for the child, I was causing problems. Next thing I knew I was gone. I tried to fight the system and I lost.

[grandmamom2]

I stepped in to raise my granddaughter before the state took her away from her mom & dad who were unable to care for her due to substance abuse issues. Since I stepped in before the state did I do not get the same support and resources as that given foster parents OR foster children. The child I am raising not have access to the same support for her higher education that orphans or wards of the court receive! So, now that I have complained I'd like to say that I am forwever grateful that I don't have the state and social service agencies meddling in my grandchilds life!

[samarasmom]

Gnaler I am glad that you was so blessed to not have had gone through what we have gone through. That's the main reason you have no right to speak on this subject because you have never dealt with it and don't understand it. And Mrs. Wilson I'm guessing because you have 5 children and I know you have been married since before you lost your virginity. Where are my morals? They are with your BIBLE. God's laws also said not to judge others. I know what you saw but only a fool speaks about something he knows nothing about. What comes out of your mouth defiles you. We are all sinners everyone makes there mistakes and I know with everything God's going to make it right not Kevin or anyone else. I learned a lot from this and I went through this so someone else doesn't have to and for someone who's going through it can get through it a little easier.
God bless you ALL and I'll pray for ALL of you including you sinners.