[Rev. Randy Blai]

The system feeds on its own...

www.michiganvictimsofcps.org

Rev. Randy Blair

[Jensboys]

Just wanted to say your website is very sad, and very informative.

I will say a prayer for those lost children.

Jen

[Gryph]

Rev.
Though I support your intentions, I do not particularly like your methods here or your comment. Why are you telling perspective foster parents to beware that the system will feed on them? Like all the foster/adoptive parents I know, my intentions are genuinely altruistic. Not one of the children entrusted in my care has been lost.

As you look towards improving "the system" in any state, be careful to recognize what some hard working people do well.

[gclvaruba]

Agree with Gryph here...you are preaching to the "choir". The type of people who post on this site are looking out for the best interests of these children...WE are on YOUR SIDE!!!

[Lisa3NY]

Rev,
Most foster parents I know are in it as they see it a "calling" to help children. And laws have made it easier for children to be adopted quicker thru the foster care system. Remember, we are taking in kids already PROVEN to have been abused or neglected by their biological parents... so if they run away, we already know that they are hurting inside.

For some reason, the media loves to harp on the bad stories regarding foster care. Just when we are making a good name for ourselves, and teaching people that foster care is not a four letter word, another story comes out... or another website. I find your website a step in the wrong direction for children in foster care.

[Kate1129]

Originally Posted by Lisa3NY

I find your website a step in the wrong direction for children in foster care.

I agree!

As a minister are we not told:

Matthew 7:1

1“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

How can you come here and judge us! We are called to love these children. If you see an injustice in the system you should be going about it the right way. Coming here and posting as you are, is wrong.

May God have mercy on you!

[Rev. Randy Blai]

Whoa there, folks! Let's not get too riled up here.

I said the SYSTEM feeds on its own. You guys are just as much the victims as bio parents are. That's my point. They sell you a bill of goods to make you BELIEVE that ALL these kids have been abused/neglected. But, in fact, the facts are that over 60% of parents are FALSELY accused.

It's not YOUR fault, it's the SYSTEM that needs changing, and that's what I (and a lot of folks in Michigan) are going to do.

Sorry if I gave anyone the wrong impression.

Rev. Randy
www.michiganvictimsofcps.org

[reandruss]

Just a tip: Your website looks like a site advertising the new fad weightloss miracle of the week. If you want anyone to take you serious, I would consider having someone help you make it look more serious. Most high school kids could do that for you. I wasn't even sure what to click on when I got there. I don't want to seem as critical as I am being. I just want to help you in your endeavors and I could not seem to point that out without being blunt and cruel. If you let your love for God, the children, and the foster parents guide you, you will begin to go about it the right way.

[Rev. Randy Blai]

What would you suggest?
The website thing is a solo deal, and I am nary a webmaster, to be sure. Do you know of anyone who can help PRO BONO?

Rev. Randy
www.michiganvictimsofcps.org
blairs@ameritech.net

Originally Posted by reandruss

Just a tip: Your website looks like a site advertising the new fad weightloss miracle of the week. If you want anyone to take you serious, I would consider having someone help you make it look more serious. Most high school kids could do that for you. I wasn't even sure what to click on when I got there. I don't want to seem as critical as I am being. I just want to help you in your endeavors and I could not seem to point that out without being blunt and cruel. If you let your love for God, the children, and the foster parents guide you, you will begin to go about it the right way.

[liznew]

Dear Rev.
May I ask? where you got that figure of 60%. I would be interested in seeing it.

[zews]

So what you are saying is that ONLY persons with a MA in social work should work in foster care? Well I must disagree. I have a MA in counseiling and work in foster care and adoption. I took in account of how the child was doing and how the parents were doing as well as the foster parents. Yes I had to ask the court to terminate parents rights, after 12 months of working with them. Some parents are just not able mentally or emotionally able to care for their children. So before you Preach about how MSW are the ONLY ones qualified to work in fostercare do you research of the other degrees out the LLPC's, LPP's.

[Gryph]

Rev.
By its very definition, foster care is temporary. We know that the state will attempt to reunify children they place with us and we work with them in that regard. We also work with the state when reunification is not in the best interest of the child. The system isn't perfect but it's far from the predatory description you make of it. How many foster parents do you know? Some of us have several advanced degress, too, not that it's required or even necessary. Feel free to visit our humble web site at http://www.cvfapa.org/.

[zews]

thank you gryph for caring for the children in foster care . foster parents are the most important people in the children's lives until they can return to their parents. The system is not perfact but it is trying to help the children and the parents get their lives back in order.

[Lisa3NY]

Rev,
It seems to me that this is all just misinformation. My highest level of education is a bachelors degree and my husbands is a masters degree. I my area, I know of a lawyer, a docter and two special ed teachers who are foster parents.

From my understanding from all of the parents in my local support group, there is not ONE foster parent who feels there kids were removed wrongfully. Matter of fact, it appears that the system takes too long to remove them... they first work with the parents... having someone check on them...help them take the kids to docters appointments, ect. THe LAST resort is fostercare. Once these avenues are exhausted, and there are no relatives who can help out, they have to resort to foster care.

I can't imagine that the 60% figure is correct. Where did you get that figure?