Tuesday, July 27, 2010

It Should Be Raining Cats and Dogs In Michigan

Murder of foster child leads to state investigation





GAINES TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZZM) - Five-year-old Emily Meno and her twin Tiffany were placed in the care of 30-year-old Joy Heaven several months ago. The placement was arranged by Bethany Christian Services, a private organization licensed by the Department of Human Services for foster care training and placement.

"There is an investigation going on with both the state and some of the licensing process," said Senator Mark Jansen, (R) Gaines Township. Jansen is a member of the Department of Human Services Committees.

DHS and Bethany Christian Services both say they cannot answer any questions regarding the case because of child protection laws, which are in place to ensure the child's privacy.

"Myself as a Senator can't ask to see really all of the files," Jansen said.

Here ya go, precious.

MICHIGAN BUREAU OF CHILDREN AND ADULT LICENSING INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS ON BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES

License Information
License # Status
License Effective Date
License Expiration Date
Facility Type
Capacity
CB410200976 REGULAR
9/29/2008
9/28/2010
Child Placing Agency-Private
N/A

Jansen says he will review what is made available from the DHS investigation. Jansen also says an oversight committee will also look into the case...more

 [Enters "The Fixer" and "The Eliminator".]

 The worst part of this entire scenario is Bethany Christian will be put on First Provisional Licensing.

"What's that?", you ask.  Well, allow me to tell you the story of Michigan's contractual non-debarment policies.

See, Michigan does not have open bidding for child placing agency contractual services, but there is a good reason why.

There are only so many child placing agencies who pay their dues to the State created, state funded, independent, quasi-governmental-lobbying organization/partnership which gives them their seal of approval with accreditation to operate in Michigan.

"Did you just say that I am contradicting myself?  Well, of course I am, that is the way Michigan has structured its child welfare operations, silly!"

If Michigan was actually federally compliant to funding mandates, it would not be operational.  Imagine the entire state being shut down by ending child welfare fraud.

If the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Justice were really executing its statutory duties, Michigan's entire child welfare system would be under federal administrative receivership. But whose going to stop a racket when everything is shrouded in secrecy.



* Note that the number of deaths in foster care was omitted from the fact sheet. 


UPDATE:  Bethany Christian will have its license renewed. 

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