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Robin Scoins: Colorado
Robin is also past director of the Arizona Family Rights Advocacy Institute
Recent Drug War news items from Colorado
Robin was featured in the October 26, 2006 issue of The Phoenix New Times: Suffer the Children, By Sarah Fenske
March 31, 2006 - Arizona Daily Star (AZ)
Panel Oks Tougher CPS Rules For Removing Kids From Homes
Caseworkers Can Lie, It's Told
By Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services
PHOENIX - A House panel voted Thursday to make it more difficult for Child Protective Services to take youngsters from homes after a legislator testified that some caseworkers lie.
The measure would require the agency to prove to a court by "clear and convincing evidence" that it is necessary to remove a child. That is more difficult to prove than the current requirement to show by a "preponderance of the evidence" that the child is the victim of abuse or neglect.
The bill would require CPS to make "all reasonable efforts" to inform parents of their rights before taking a child.
Sen. Karen Johnson, R-Mesa, said the changes are necessary because of what she sees as some overzealous caseworkers.
"The fact that the mere work of a caseworker is the only actual proof needed to remove a child and place them in foster care is alarming," she said. Johnson said there is evidence caseworkers misrepresent information and file false reports.
She told the Judiciary Committee that some caseworkers distort facts "to paint a parent negatively before a court." The result of taking a child, she said, can end up causing more emotional and physical harm to children than leaving them home.
CPS lobbyist Herschella Horton said real harm could come from the requirement that caseworkers make efforts to find and notify parents before taking a child. She said that presents not only practical problems when a child is found abandoned but also could work against a youngster's interests and hamper investigations.
Horton, a former legislator, said parents who have time to speak with children before caseworkers intervene often tell children to lie. And she said abused children frequently obey, believing they have done something wrong "or they wouldn't be treated that way."
She said members of one family admitted to her they told their son not to say what happened because "they will take you away. You will never see your mother and father again."
Robin Scoins, director of the Arizona Family Rights Advocacy Institute, told lawmakers that CPS presumes many children living in poverty are the victims of neglect and should be removed from homes.
Janice Mickens, program administrator for CPS, denied that is the case. She said factors considered by caseworkers range from the injuries to the child and substance abuse by the parent to the ability of that parent to provide a "protective environment."
She said while caseworkers look at the availability of food and clothing, the law requires proof of "substantial risk of harm to that child" before removal. Mickens said it is more likely a caseworker will attempt to get help for a parent like job training or child care.
The legislation, which already has been approved by the Senate, now goes to the full House.
In a separate session, CPS representatives assured members of the House Select Committee on Government Operations, Performance and Waste there's no truth to suggestions or rumors the agency is keeping files on women who voluntarily gave up their newborns under a 2001 "safe haven" law. The law lets women leave infants at locations like hospitals and fire stations without identifying themselves and without facing prosecution, rather than harming or abandoning them.
© 2006 AzStarNet, Arizona Daily Star
A Peaceful Demonstration
Journey for Justice:
Phoenix, Arizona, September 20-26, 2003The Arizona Tour was pretty packed with events for Nora during the 6 days she was here. She was speaking at several different places, which were pretty far apart from each other. We were lucky to have a great organizer for Nora's schedule. Roma did an excellent job making sure things were all lined up, moving on time and even scheduled in perfect timing for getting to each event each day. Marcella did a great job too. She made sure all the signs, banners, flyers, and copies of the Razor Wire were ready to go on the day of the Demonstration, and drove Nora around town from one event to the next keeping to the schedule perfectly.
I would highly recommend that, in the future, any Demonstrations being held outdoors should be planned during cooler seasons in Arizona. September is not the month for walking outside for any length of time much less for a long distance. We planned to walk from Central to the Capital, which was only 16 blocks; but in September, walking from one side of the street to the other wears people out, even those of us who live here. The demonstration turned out to be a pretty good event; despite the hot and muggy weather. We stood on the sidewalk by the main Court Building which was close to the famous Sheriff Joe's Jail too.
I wanted to walk by the main jail, but those far more experienced than I decided that probably wasn't a good idea so we stayed a street away from the good ole boys at the mail jail for the day. We were closely watched though by the Sheriff's office, who had posted two men close by our small gathering of people that day. We were not confronted by law enforcement, but they were very interested in what we were telling people as they walked by and seemed to be taking a good look at the information we passed out.
Most of the people walking by were happy to take a flyer or copy of the Razor Wire as they went by; a few simply said, "No thanks" and kept on going. There were quite a few who initially just wanted to take the information and keep on going, making their gesture token trying not to be rude as they rushed by; only to glance at the flyer and then stop to ask questions or hear what else we had to say.
I was pretty surprised at the number of people who were actually interested in the cause, especially since the majority of those passing by were Lawyers, Prosecutors, and others in Law Enforcement. We did have a few cars go by and honk their horns, which was kind of cool. We were told not to give out anything to cars driving by, even if they were stopped at the light so we had to tell those passing by that wanted literature handed to them to pull over and stop off the main road so we could give it to them.
Many did pull over and get out to come and get a flyer or talk about the 4 that got away signs we were holding. It was refreshing to see so many like minded souls out here on the street. I admit that I had began to think after hitting so many closed minded roads in the state that there are too few willing to work towards change, and too many problems to ever tackle with much success.
The Peaceful Demonstration gave me renewed hope in the community, and a brighter outlook on raising awareness with effectiveness that would carry itself to the legislature and on to those in positions of power and authority to change the offensive tactics known as the "drug war" which has had detrimental effects upon so many families and extended into so many lives in the community.
I am very grateful to Nora and the supporters of November Coalition who made it possible for her to travel to Arizona to carry the message and special gift she shares with so many others she meets each day. She has touched my family in more ways that I can put into words, and certainly made a big impact on others who had a chance to hear her speak about issues that are so near and dear to her own heart.
The Demonstration and time spent with Nora will be a treasured memory I will never forget. I also have another reason to remember the time Nora spent out here with us too. My youngest son, Charles was born 9/27/03. Nora had to leave on a flight that morning only hours after he was born so she did not get to see him, but she did spend time with my other 3 children while I was at the hospital. I went into labor after the Demonstration and she stayed with my kids while I went to the hospital. I was very lucky to have her here and my children all want to come and visit Nora and Chuck now; so she had a pretty big impact on all of us while she was here, in only 6 very packed days, she certainly made a significant impact upon a lot of lives.
I hope she is planning to come out again; although I won't be having any more children even if she is here, I would love to be able to spend time with her and talk about the work she is always so passionately involved in that consumes her life. I can only hope that someday I am in a position to put my own life into the same kind of work she has dedicated herself to and that I have a chance to share it with others who are like minded and passionate about what they believe in.
- Robin
Recent Drug War news items from Colorado
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