I started mentoring a brother and sister largely due to Diane Sawyer’s “Calling all Angels” piece.  I had absolutely no exposure to the foster care system prior to this, and WOW!  what an emotional journey it has been.

 

The kids have been bouncing from home-to home-to home…Only one out of the six foster families that I’ve dealt with, so far, have been in it for the right reason. Without a doubt, five of them are in it for the money.   None of the homes has had less than 6 foster children in them, and one of them had as many as 12 children. (None of them are Group Homes either). Basically, I've been witnessing incompetent foster parents bilking a system full of kid warehouses. The kid’s basic needs have been met in all of the homes, which are a step up from their biological family. But, because their basic needs have been met--the emotional abuses are overlooked by the caseworkers. The emotional abuse includes such things as unfair treatment between biological and foster children, and moving from homes/schools without notice. I believe that the emotional abuse is what facilitates the heartbreaking statistics that “Calling all Angels” highlighted: prison, suicide, homelessness, teen-pregnancy…

 

I question the ability of any parent, while currently raising biological children--that bring foster children into their home to live. I realize this is a bold statement, but I don’t understand parents who are willing to jeopardize their biological children’s welfare by introducing a grab-bag of potential problems into the equation. It’s not that I don’t think that they can be raised together successfully, but it’s the willingness to jeopardize a biological child’s welfare that bothers me. It bothers me because I think if a parent is willing to risk their own child’s welfare, than the probability of protecting a foster child’s welfare is at an even greater risk.

     My two darling grandchildren were stolen from our family in 2005. Since that time, I have done everything in my power to try to get justice, but when you're not rich, justice is not available. For the life of me, Ill never understand why there are no overseers for these corrupt and incompetent  social workers and family courts. Stark County, Ohio is a nightmare if you ever become involved with their Children's Protective Services. I made the horrible mistake of asking these people for help.  I urge everyone to never call these people unless you want your families torn apart forever.  It might have been different if we'd lost legally, but they don't work that way.  We never were sent anything in the mail. For over a year, I was led to believe that I was getting temporary custody until my daugfhter could get back on her feet. I remodeled a room. We had the house checked by the fire inspector. We were fingerprinted. The entire time, they were secretly taking permanent custody. We couldn't fight something we knew nothing about. I wrote and called constantly and they always lied. They took permanent custody in March but didn't let us know until May. We were finally offered an attorney in June. The following January we were told that nothing could be done. And through it all, we have not been sent one piece of mail. I've lived here for 24 years so they know where we live. I am suffering. My daughter is suffering. But worst of all, Jamie and Jacob are suffering. Where are their rights? Does nobody care about their happiness and well-being?  If these people thought they had a case against us, why not fight us in court instead of secretly and one-sided?  My son sent them a letter and it was sent back unread because they didn't allow us any voice at all.  If it's the last thing I do on this earth, it will be to expose these horrible, evil criminals. There is no justice in Stark County. And there is no happiness left in our hearts. If anyone out there cares and can offer help, please contact me. My name is Joyce Elifritz and I stand by every word I say.