Child abuse reporting changes move forward in Kansas House

Expanding the list of those mandated to report is good but useless if not enforced. I have searched many times and can only find one case of any Kansas prosecutor with the guts to file the criminal charge for failure to report. It was Paul Morrison as DA in Johnson County.

Existing legislation already provides for reprisal protection. Current legislation also already says " It is not a defense that another mandatory reporter made a report". K.S.A 38-2223

Legislators (and others) need to figure out how to enforce laws we already have instead of remounting the same flat tire.

February 22, 2012 at 7:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Bill would give certification to batterer intervention programs

They should have to pay a weekly meeting amount, not the entire fee up front. Their paying is a significant part of their accountability. The court backlog may be more a result of the untreated reoffending...with multiple partners...over many years. Then their children repeat the pattern. These programs will not change every person who attends. But for every person these programs change many partners, children and all they know and love will experience a better life. Solid and united families do not occur when battering is present.

February 9, 2012 at 10:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas to seek federal grant to promote marriage

Every child deserves someone to provide for their needs.

Even better if there are two people doing that. A healthy marriage can make that happen.

But the critical piece is the "healthy" part.

August 17, 2011 at midnight ( permalink | suggest removal )

Judge orders 30-year-old Lawrence man to stand trial on child abuse charges

Subjective = Social Work
Subjective - most of the reasons kids are taken into custody into the first place.
Subjective- the reasons used to allow or keep them from family placement.

And yes opinions are subjective. I base mine on considerable working experience from many perspectives within the child welfare system. I did not form that opinion in a 72 hour window nor do I base in on a isolated incident within a lifetime. Both things that social workers often do when forming opinions that will impact children for the rest of their life.

August 10, 2011 at 10:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Judge orders 30-year-old Lawrence man to stand trial on child abuse charges

Oh but I do.

August 10, 2011 at 1:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Judge orders 30-year-old Lawrence man to stand trial on child abuse charges

Having personally worked with hundreds of kids in state custody I find many social workers to have grown way too thick of a skin in this regard. I give them the benefit of the doubt that they cared or understood at any point in time. It is emotionally draining work. Social workers need more support and they also need to be held accountable when they veer off course.

August 10, 2011 at 1:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lawrence City Commission approves funding for SRS office

The state agency said they could save money and provide the services by closing the Lawrence Office. We have to reduce spending. Most communities are not happy to lose an employer. If Lawrence wanted something above and beyond what the state deemed feasible then they simply chose to pay the cost. It is going to happen more and more. It is about time that government looks to trim the fat. That being said I would also suggest that the new position for faith based initiatives is a position of investment to save money in the long run. Local communities should bear the largest part of the load in caring for its members. They will be better at finding long term solutions if they directly see they will be footing the long term bill. Faith Based Initiatives can do that.

August 10, 2011 at 1:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lawrence City Commission approves funding for SRS office

You are right ashamedof you. This was a decision made based on money but not money to go to the needy. It was about continuing to feed a greedy landlord and keeping jobs in Lawrence.

August 10, 2011 at 1:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lawrence City Commission approves funding for SRS office

Because they are charging too much.

August 10, 2011 at 1 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Judge orders 30-year-old Lawrence man to stand trial on child abuse charges

Good for grandma. Far too often family members look the other way. This was severe. Hopefully grandma or another family member can take the children. They don't deserve the abuse that being in stranger care brings. There are wonderful foster families out there but if there is family they can safely be with lets hope they get there immediately. The adult social workers at the Lawrence office have been having a fit over a change in their drive to work. Maybe they can amp that feeling up about a 1000 times and feel what kids feel when they are taken from EVERTHING and EVERYONE they know and love! Sometimes kids have to be removed from their home...but we can and should do a much better job of maintaining their connections.

August 9, 2011 at 9:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )