Gold Dome Live

By ladythelvin

March 23, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

He should be looking into the courts on this too. Are they not the ones that make the rulings on some of the issues to protech these children?

By Parent

March 23, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

The only fix here is for all State officials to take a 40% pay cut until the system is fixed. The state is tired of all the promises and Dee Sims the State Advocate has dodged all the heat while keeping her job and others like Juanita Bount Clarke, Jim Martin and others have resigned and many more low-level workers fired…….Get a new Child Advocate..revamp the Juvinile Court system and employ more services to families in Conlfict..

By LD

March 23, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

It is time for a new director in Fulton DFCS. How long will the DHR commissioner and the governor ignore this fact? How many more children have to be abused and neglected before some REAL action is taken?

By Kris

March 23, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

Lady….Courts make rulings based on the testimony and evidence provided to them which mainly comes from DFACS. Judges have to obey the law and must find children deprived by “clear and convincing evidence.” Kids cannot be removed from homes if there is not adequate testimony that the children are in danger. Courts can’t go out and prove DFAC’s case on their own. It is not the Court’s job to prosecute, but to make rulings on what is presented to them.

By Parent/Former Employee

March 23, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

It’s all about management. There is more emphasis put on closing cases. Thw workers are not repected or appreciated. There needs to be a union of some sort to represent the workers. People dred coming to work and has little to no incentive to stay. Moral is very low and the pay is shameful for what all the worker has to go through(late nights, high case loads,unsupportive supervisors,depreciation of vehicle due to having to use your personal vehicle, Agency not standing up or backing the worker, and high turnover). People are tired adn the exodus of workers will grow if something is not done soon.

By When I Rise

March 23, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

Everyone is correct in that something needs to be done about the system set-up. However, this is not just in Georgia…it is Nationwide and the need is for an organization who will oversee the caseworkers in the decision making policies. I would like to start a campaigne to oversee state workers (release some of the load) and provide assistance with the investigations of allegations of abuse. Supervisors would then make the final decisions based on facts and case reviews for prior complaints. I would appreciate input on how to set up an office for the sole purpose of placing children with relatives who care and have requested to help. If someone would guide me in the right direction I would run with it yesterday. Otherwise, I will walk gracefully until I figure it out; hoping in the process we won’t lose another child during the wait. Brave soldiers stand tall…saving one while trying to save them all!

By Evelyn Norman

March 23, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this

The present crisis in Fulton Co.DFCS is real, and other county agency’s are in the same situation. As a recently retired DFCS employee (27 years with DFCS), I decided to retire on 1/1/07 rather than continue to work under the reign of terror of the present upper management. My county agency’s 10% turnover rate for 2006 was blown out of the water when upper management terrorized me and my entire staff. Since my exit on 12/31/06, 29 service workers and supervisors have resigned—some with no new job. More resignations are coming.The problem is the upper management…not just the Fulton Co. Administrator.

By Evelyn Norman

March 23, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this

The present crisis in Fulton Co.DFCS is real, and other county agency’s are in the same situation. As a recently retired DFCS employee (27 years with DFCS), I decided to retire on 1/1/07 rather than continue to work under the reign of terror of the present upper management. My county agency’s 10% turnover rate for 2006 was blown out of the water when upper management terrorized me and my entire staff. Since my exit on 12/31/06, 29 service workers and supervisors have resigned—some with no new job. More resignations are coming.The problem is the upper management…not just the Fulton Co. Administrator.

By Sylvia R. Williams

March 23, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

Its very sad that our children are being hurt so badly mentally and physcially by the sytem.

By Mark

March 23, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

This is what happens when you put blacks in charge.

By Dick

March 23, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

Democrats blame republicans, republicans blame democrats. For ONCE can’t our elected officials admit, yeh, we have a problem. I get so fed up and sick of every elected official blaming the other party. Wel, my opinion ain’t neither party worth talking about. If either party chareges $3.00 to join for lifetime, that is $3.00 too much. Come on adult leaders, grow up.

By Wurider

March 23, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

Having had worked in the county for two years I left a month ago. The said thing is that the stuff that is just now hitting the newspapers we knew about months ago. They should clean house at the state office as well.

By Roby

March 23, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this

Kris, well said!

By Social Worker

March 23, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

Here is a thought. How about having social workers doing social work. Require that CPS workers be licensed social workers and those critical, life saving decisions might be made by qualified, trained professionals. This would require competitive salaries and workable caseloads otherwise, just as I did, qualified, licensed social workers will leave DFCS as soon as another opportunity for employment is found.

By Ike

March 23, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

I didn’t know Sonny Perdue was Black.

By Jeff

March 23, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Another not suprisingly reason Milton County wants out of Fulton County…

By Strictly for Sylvia

March 23, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

Sylvia, sugar, surely you couldn’t be that much of a primitive thinker. Are you the least bit embarrassed by your hate-laced comment? I suppose if you mustered up the hoodspa to say it, probably not. My heart weeps for you. When people like yourself realize that we are not islands unto ourselves and we all need each other to survive, the racism will — or should — be curtailed, at the very least. Please employ a little common sense when figuring out what to add to this message board. I still have hope!

By Strictly for Sylvia

March 23, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

Sorry Sylvia…that was for Mark instead!

By Parent/Former Employee

March 23, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

This is not a black or white situation are children are suffering statewide. DFCS does tremendous work with familes but that is never shown on the forefront. I am a former empoyee of a DFCS office with all white management and the same situations has occurred. Workers are constantly over loaded due to high caseload as a result to contant turnover. A strategy need to be put in place to come up with something that will keep people in these positions.The children and workers are suffering statewide. Maybe this time the state and federal governemnt hear our cries. If not how many more children are going to have to die, how many more workers are going to have to be trained. Help!!!!!!!!!!! SOmebody hear our cry. It takes a special person to do the work we do.

By Teacher Of Many

March 23, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

This is excellent news!!! The level of violent crimes against children in this state is off the charts! If someone is reading this in legislature, please DO MORE TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM REPEAT SEX OFFENDERS AND GIVE DEATH PENALTIES FOR THESE NASTY PEOLPLE WHO ABDUCT, RAPE AND OR MURDER OUR CHILDREN!!!!

I AM TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM!!!!!

By Songbird

March 23, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

Let’s think about this and some recent headlines. Patients dying in state mental hospitals. Falls under DHR. Children dying under supposed DFCS supervision. Falls under DHR. Georgia Public Health in state of crisis. Falls under DHR. Anyone see a common denominator here? Maybe new leadership is needed at the top!

By Parent/Former Employee

March 23, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

The problem is not with workers being incompetent. The problem is being able to have sufficient time to conduct a thorough investigation with out being combated with cases constantly coming in and managment constantly on your back. We all received sufficient training and weather licensed or not know one can continue working under the circumstances which are problematic.

By Parent/Former Employee

March 23, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

The problem is not with workers being incompetent. The problem is being able to have sufficient time to conduct a thorough investigation with out being combated with cases constantly coming in and managment constantly on your back. We all received sufficient training and weather licensed or not know one can continue working under the circumstances which are problematic. There are competent doctors who misdiagnose medical conditions, therefore requiring workers to be licensed is not a solution either.

By Kimber

March 23, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

This reply is for Kris: DFCS can and does remove children without evidence of abuse or neglect. DFCS will push to keep a charge going without doing any investigation (which includes collateral contacts that is NOT optional), and they put children in danger every day whether it’s not removing abused kids or removing non-abused children and putting them in abusive foster homes.

Want proof? Just come talk to me. I lived it for almost a year because of some psycho therapist intent on getting a sexual abuse charge when none occurred.

Yes, the juvenile courts only have what DFCS presents them, but in the court we, as parents, have no rights at all. The Constitution does not apply, and children are being removed and parental rights terminated without criminal charges or evidence by DFCS.

Harvey needs to go. Now. ALL those involved with DFCS need to be held accountable for not doing their jobs. The system is beyond fixing at this moment, and how many more children need to die or families torn apart before our government sees this?

By Nadia

March 23, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

I would like you to look at this serious crisis in my life.. It has been since Nov. 22-06. I’m homeless living at friends houses…

thanks. nadia www.nadiasindi.blogspot.com

This is one of the basic Human Rights of having a place to live in. I was stripped out of. because of my National Origin and Islamic Religion, Female. Our Rep. Bob Ackerman who forged my family’s signature hired Barnhar Associates Realtor to sell our Condominium with the cheapest price. Then, listed with higher price than he actually sold it. I wouldn’t be renting an apartment, if some one was watching for the corruption of our elected officials.. and covering up and be complicit with the system.

Regarding: eviction of Nadia Sindi

Jennifer Mingo, Manager Forest Hills Apartments 3950 Goodpasture Loop Eugene, OR 97401

Regarding: eviction of Nadia Sindi

Dear Ms. Mingo,

On behalf of Muslims in Eugene, Lane County and the Oregon Coast, we urge you to immediately re-rent an apartment to Nadia Sindi, whom you have made homeless without cause.

Because she has rented from Forest Hills since 1999, and because she reports always paying her rent on time and following the rules, we are puzzled that you would chose to terminate her lease NOW.

We can only conclude that you have thrown Nadia into the street because she is an Arab and a Muslim, that you gave her a termination notice because of hatred, bias or prejudice against our race and our religion. Such hatred is often fanned by the media but is completely unAmerican.

In our experience, most people who take time to get to know Muslims conclude we are just like anybody else: we have the good, the bad, and all sorts of in-between.

My wife and I have known Nadia for the last 12 years. She is a tireless champion of the weak and the misfortunate, advocating for what she believes is right in the best spirit of Islam and of the United States. As a single mother in Eugene, she raised a beautiful daughter, and now is a grandmother of five. A few years ago, Nadia received over 10,000 votes and nearly won the election when she ran for a seat on Lane Community College board of trustees. Is it not shameful to throw such a treasure to the community on the street like this week’s garbage?

All she asks is to be treated like any other tenant, with her hot water working and her toilet unplugged, and without harassment, in peace and harmony with her neighbors of all faith and ethnic backgrounds.

We notice by the newspaper ads that you continually have apartments for rent. Please reconsider your decision and find her a place in your complex right away.

Most sincerely,

Director Islamic Cultural Center of Eugene

By Dick

March 23, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

Unless you carry out death penalty it won’t do any good to sentence molesters to death.

By SCY

March 23, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

The governor doesn’t actively manage DFCS, that task rests with the DHR commissioner and the leadership within the central office of DFCS…the fact is quite a number of county offices around the state perform wonderfully and clearly have the best interest of children…but in other cases bureaucracy and other issues interfere as was apparently the case in Fulton County. There needs to be more opportunities for employees in the field to share their experiences and concerns with higher ups and those people must be able to act on those concerns

By alwaysone

March 23, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

Gee Mark, do you hate everyone that’s not white? I’ve never seen you post a comment without somekind of derogatory statement to one race or another…

By ntc

March 23, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

Dekalb county should be next.

By Citizen of Dekalb

March 23, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

There are so many workers in these state departments that have no idea as to what they are suppose to be doing. Most of them are rude and nasty and do not focus on the important issues. I hope that this situation has opened eyes, but children being abused before someone actually takes presidence is their job duties is absolutely ridiculous.

By Current Employee

March 23, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

There are many, many issues here. The upper management at 2 Peachtree St (DHR headquarters) have recently moved to Georgia; all of their experience is from another state. This group of people have been brought in and some have never done case management or worked in the field. The upper management is constantly on a man hunt to assign blame to the local offices. We live in constant fear of being fire and veterans are starting to doubt their decisions on cases. Another problem is the workers are not paid a decent wage and leave to find higher paying jobs. We receive a 2% raise (if we are lucky) while teachers receive much higher raises. And Georgia has the worst test scores! A third problem is the general public have no idea the issues we deal with. We go into dangerous situations and put our lives in danger on a daily basis. We receive no support from law enforcement, the media and the general public. We rescue children for deplorable homes while at the same time defend ourselves to the media.

By Wendy

March 23, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

The sad part about this whole situation is that it took the death of a child to get anyone out of their chairs to do anything. They should have been doing something before now, not afte the fact. Thats the government for you, always trying to sweep their mistakes under the rug.

By Ike

March 23, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Sorry to read about that Nadia. This blog is wrong place for your situation. Maybe you need to call DFACS.

By Ms. Writer

March 23, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Mark, You are an idiot, I guess the Iraq War is what happens when whites are in charge then? Don’t be stupid, Incompentance comes in every color…

As a former DFCS employee, I can stand on my soapbox and say that DFCS employees are ASTONISHLY unpaid and SEVERLY overworked…the entering salary is 23613, who can live off of that in the metro area? I am glad that I am out of that hell hole, working there was like being cursed my God like Job or something…DFCS workers come together and demand respect!!!!!!

By Dave

March 23, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this

Wow, is the AJC biased toward the Democrats. Instead of quoting outraged parents, they quote posturing, noisemaking donkeycrats.

By Deborah

March 23, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

The problem is when you have something that depends on government it is going to be crooked and bad…What i really want to know is why when children are taken from there parents because they are unfit and abusive, why cant the children be given to other family members instead of strangers..I;m sure other family members would take care of them instead of unfit GOVERNMENT taking charge…Also why we;re on the subject of government why is all these animals that molest and kill children still breathing..I say after there trial is over and they are found guilty KILL THE B******* that same day…I am sick and tired of out children being hurt and government not doing a damn thing…Our laws today are probably over 100 years old..We didnt have so many animals back then as we have today….Its time for a change……..

By sue

March 23, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this

I am so tired of hearing the horrific cases over and over in the news about yet another child dying because of something related to DFCS and their management styles. I am a manager and a psychologist. If I worked there, particularly in management, things would run much smoother.

By keri

March 23, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Kudos to comments made by social worker and by Evelyn Norman. As a former investigator (with an LMSW) and someone who worked under Ms. Norman for a time, she is right. On the front lines are capable, kind and committed workers. They are simply trying to protect children. There are wonderful supervisors (check in Athens-Clarke County) who genuinely care. But when upper level management comes in, managers with degrees in marketing and no front line experience, and then begin mandating ridiculous policy, things go awry. Such policies have little to do with protecting children and more to do with overburdening caseworkers with useless paperwork. I’m glad there is an overhaul in Fulton but to the AJC and to its readers, please commend your front line DFCS workers. They are horrible victims of an embattled system and need your support. They are the ones trying to do a difficult job in a horrifically difficult agency.

By M

March 23, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

Mark: You’re a stupid idiot.

Gov. Perdue: Prove you weren’t just saying what we wanted to hear in order to get elected. Make good on your promise.

Kenneth Joe: A job working with machines would be a better fit for you. Day to day human contact doesn’t appear to be your thing. You must be a short man.

All GA Politicians: Stop acting like children pointing fingers and playing the blame game. You’re grown men & women and you work for us. Do your job. Less talk more action. Right now.

By Current State Office

March 23, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

This is a damn shame. Why would you remove one part of the problem and not remove them all. I believe BJ has something on Sonny. Because if this was a regular person they would have been out the door. Whats really going on.

By Aerin

March 23, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

“Suffer not the little children.” Suffer not Humankind, period.

By Ms. Writer

March 23, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

Sue: They wouldn’t pay you what you are worth!!

M: Ditto!!

By Don

March 23, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

Some of you should know the facts before you speak. True, DFCS is not a pefect system, however the agency does a lot more good than it does bad. I don’t see anyone writing articles about parents when their children commit a murder or rallying for teh removal of a President who has killed thousands of soldiers because of oil. For those of you who wish to criticize, when was the last time you stepped in to help someone in need. When was the last tim you stopped and said “excuse me Miss, I see you are struggling, can I help you or your family”. You probably have not. You complain about the system, what are you doing to help. When was the last time you stopped by the local DFCS office to offer a donation or help a foster parent? When have you called your senator and asked them to advocate for teh staff and the children? You have not and you know not. Thats what is wrong with some og us Americans. And for you who said “thats what happens when you put blacks in charge”, I too pray for your soul.

By State Employee

March 23, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

I work for the state but for a different agency that works closely with DFCS Most of you do not have a clue as to the agony these workers endure. Ninteen hundred dollars a month for a position that requires a four year degree and two years experience. Go figure.

By Case Manager

March 23, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

There should be an overhaul and Fulton DFCs needs to be restructured. How can Mary Dean Harvey and Commisssioner Walker continue to uphold this man and his nonsense. he should not be allowed to work any where near children. If he was anybody other than the Guard son of Ms. Walker, he would have been terminated. All three of these people should be held accountable. People should initiate a petition and call for their resignation. In addition to this, all Georgians should flood the Governor’s telephone requesting the letter. I feel like these were my children and I am taking it very personal. I need to go now… have to find numbers for Governor and White House.

By Out-of-State Surf-by

March 23, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

From reading the comments, it sounds like Georgia’s DFCS is broken at the top. Now the top has two jobs, when the proof is in Fulton County that she couldn’t handle the one she already had. It is now also her state job to supervise her own job performance at the county level.

If I could wish something into existence, it would be an almost cabinet-level child protective services “czar” capable of swinging a rescue team of some sort into action to help Georgia immediately, requiring that a certain number of workers are professional social workers, for example (reading this board convinced me of that need), attacking the 300-case backlog as the emergency its represents, and at the same time reviewing and updating every single child’s case files.

Surely there is a federal child advocacy group to which it would be appropriate to appeal. Where’s the “faith-based” help on this? I just know there is an overflowing list of “faith-based” homes eager to foster parent when that is appropriate, enough in an entire county to handle those who need that out of only 300 kids.

By Case Manager

March 23, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

I am currently a DFCS worker. I have worked in two counties and I can agree with some of the others in saying that the problem is all over. We have had three different case managers covering the same case load within 4 months in the office I’m at now. The turn around rate is out of this world, and it’s not because the workers are incompotent (we go through six weeks of very intense and costly training) but it is because the case loads are extremely high and the management doesn’t really care about their workers. I have been told about an administrator at Gwinnett DFCS who would tell his workers “There’s the door. You are expendable. We can replace you” when they complained about the case loads. He still works there throwing his weight around. Some of the workers are afraid to say anything because they fear they may loose their jobs. We should not have to work in fear. I wrote Gov. Perdue on his “Sonny Do List” and explained how we are under paid, over worked and how high the turn over rate is resulting in low morale. He never answered me. I am not justifying the actions of the workers at Fulton Co. DFCS, but when your director tells you “all that matters are the numbers, make sure you get those cases closed, reduce the number of children in foster care or else”, yells at you, belittles you etc. you are going to do what he tells you…and this is the outcome. I heard that Mr. Joe was being transfered to another DFCS office. Why would Ms. Harvey put him in another county to bring about the same distruction? I don’t understand it. You don’t smack someone on the hands for this. He needs to be straight out FIRED!! Maybe he knows people in high places…like Commissionor Walker….hmmmm

By A Social Worker

March 23, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

I worked at DFCS immediately after completing my Master’s Degree. I was young, energetic, I wanted to help the children. I left after two years, the workers were burnt out and underpaid, the supervisors were only concerned about assigning cases and gave very little supervision, nor did they offer insight. The overall management was uncaring in terms of the children and families that we served. But the worst were the judges, they over rode our input and recklessly sent kids back to horrible situations. The children nor parents did receive the therapy they needed - so I was any real change expected? It was a farce! I could not work there in good conscience. But while they are investigating, check out DJJ it is just as bad.

By GA Foster Parent

March 23, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

Kudos to Mary Dean Harvey. She is once again stepping in and cleaning up a mess that our State Commissioner created by bringing Kenneth Joe to Fulton from Richmond County. His hiring was rejected by Mary Dean and her staff but the Commissioner went against her and hired him anyway. I think the Governor needs to take a hard look at what exactly our Commissioner is doing for the children of Georgia. Her “relative placement” over foster placement isn’t working. What else is going to have to happen to our children before drastic measures are taken?

By James

March 23, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

Right!!!!!! This is not a black/white/hispanic/asian issue; it’s a HUMAN issue! My Gosh, I can’t believe the idiot above “Mark” has the brains to even turn on a computer with that kind of comment!!! Then again, it could be a person of color that said IT to try and stir the rest of us up. Either way….DUMB, DUMB, DUMB!!!

By Jqueen

March 23, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

So many of you have it all wrong when it comes to the front-line workers in the county offices. They have an incredible amount of responsibility (human lives) and most of the case managers (esp. in Metro Atlanta) are barely 30 years old!! On top of that, these workers are doing this job with the added burden of financial pressures b/c they don’t make enough!

Alot of you readers are raging over a system you truly don’t understand. Go to your local county office and ask the Director to tell you what’s really going on before you make rash, ignorant statements.

Mark: The depth and level of your ignorance knows no bounds. As an American, we’re ALL living in a system that is broken down due to the incompetence of whites, who are only focused on helping the wealthy and to he!! with the rest of us. Incompetence has no color and exists on all levels. You just proved the incompetence of anyone who ever tried to teach you anything about human relations.

So, get your mind and your heart right and stop acting like a n!_ _ er.

By Gary

March 23, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

As a childcare worker for a children’s home we have known these issues for a long time. The two people who need to be fired is BJ Walker and Mary Dean Harvey. Your Govenor, not mine and I am Republician, is were the most blame lies. He has gave free reins to Walker and let her run this system in the groud on the backs of children. She is the one mandating that they be with families even if they are thugs. Your Govenor let’s this go on and he knows it goes on and is defensive of this practice. Sidenote: Mrs. Walker was an Adminisrative Assistant in Chicago when she was given this job.

By Steve Skelton

March 23, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

As a school teacher, I sometimes have to deal with situations that involve DFCS. There is nothing more sad in the world than to see or hear about children suffering. If our government can’t fix DFCS, then what CAN they do. Seems to me that helping our own children would be MUCH more important than meddling in that mess over in Iraq. As for Mark and his idiotic comment, I pray that you’ll be healed of your blatant racist attitude. By the way, I am white!

By Almost Speechless

March 23, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

There are a lot of things wrong with DFACS, yes workers are overworked and underpaid, however you knew that when you took the job. If you don’t like your job; quit. While you are there do your job and stop talking about how much money you are lacking. If people really cared about the children then they would be sure that they came to work and had the children’s best interest at heart. Place children in homes with family members who care instead of strangers who abuse and only want money also. Don’t open cases that should not be opened and your backlog would not be so great. If I am not mistaken there is an investigation(that usually has to have a finding within 1 week or so) that takes place before DFACS decides to open a case. Neglect/Abuse was substantiated is usally the term that is used, however that’s it, no reason as to why and a case is open. After a year of follow ups and interruptions in one’s life you realize this parent should never have had a case open. DFACS has wasted a year on a case that should not have been opened when that time could have been spent SAVING a children who was clearly ENDANGERED. There is no standard when caring for the children, think of the families you claim you are helping, come out and get to know the families and the issues they are having, help out and move on.

By Mark II

March 23, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

The problem is sorry parents - black and white. If you have a child, you have a moral and legal responsibility to raise him or her. We should not even need this governmental agency.

By DFACS Advocate

March 23, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

Ladies and Gentleman, All of the comments posted here place blame on someone other than the parents. We would not have a need for expanded DFACS services if our country was more proactive than reactive. Allowing any random couple with functioning reproductive organs to have children without counseling and pre-parenting classes is what has brought about these issues. Perhaps our leadership needs to focus on preventative actions. Let’s provide real sex education in schools, provide “life skill” classes to people before they find themselves in need of DFACS assistance. Once an unstable person is informed they are pregnant, the training needs to begin then.Let’s work with the parents to provide the skills needed to be productive parents, it takes nine months for the child to come, that’s plenty of time to educate.
As for the children already in the system, more does need to be done to help them, but let’s put the responsilibility where it lies..with the parents. An increased workforce with superior training will not solve the problem if people continue to neglect there children. Throwing bodies at the issue is not going to fix the system long term. Caseloads will continue to increase as long as incompetent and ill prepared people continue to give birth.

By Current employee

March 23, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

What is not being told is Fulton is better now than it has ever been. I have worked for fulton for 4 years and I know how workers would miss court without anyone making sure they didn’t do it again. I have not always agreed with Mr. Joe, but he cared about the children and families. Thats what he talked about all the time. it’s funny that commissioner Walker and director Harvey would turn there back on him when he seem to always support them. It’s fnny how things go. Mr. joe I am sure regrets the support he gaves to those two!!

By Cutty Eubanks

March 23, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH FULTON COUNTY DFCS WAS THE THE DHR COMMISSIONER BJ WALKER HIRED HER UNDERQUALIFIED GOD SON KENNY JOE TO RUN FULTON COUNTY AND WHEN HE GETS IN HE BRINGS ALL OF HIS UNDER QUALIFIED FRIENDS WITH HIM. FOLKS THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE END IN FULTON COUNTY—NEPOTISM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BLOOD THAT STAINS THE HAND OF DFCS.

By ladyotm

March 23, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this

I was an eligibility worker in Richmond County under Mr. Joe. He was an arrogant little man. But in some respects some improvements were made. But people were humiliated and fired. DFCS policy needs to be revisted and written by people who have done the work…RECENTLY. As an eligibility worker a case was judged right based highly on the amount and type of documentation I wrote, rather than on if the benefit amount was right. There is constant repetitive and boring trainings that benefit no one, only waste time that should be on used working on cases. While the CPS workers job is important, their documentation should be much more important than an eligibility worker. But their decisions and gut feelings on cases should be considered. Supervisors overstepping the caseworkers recommendations should not be allowed without showing cause. I agree that education is important, but Mr. Joe has a masters and is an a*. Having realistic goals and expectations and developing the tools to get the job properly done is a good start. If you expect for a CPS worker to accurately do their job with an unrealistic caseload of 100 cases it’s time for your replacement. Give these people the tools and time to do their jobs right and Georgia’s children will be a lot safer.

By Almost Speechless

March 23, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

There are a lot of things wrong with DFACS, yes workers are overworked and underpaid, however you knew that when you took the job. If you don’t like your job; quit. While you are there do your job and stop talking about how much money you are lacking. If people really cared about the children then they would be sure that they came to work and had the children’s best interest at heart. Place children in homes with family members who care instead of strangers who abuse and only want money also. Don’t open cases that should not be opened and your backlog would not be so great. If I am not mistaken there is an investigation(that usually has to have a finding within 1 week or so) that takes place before DFACS decides to open a case. Neglect/Abuse was substantiated is usally the term that is used, however that’s it, no reason as to why and a case is open. After a year of follow ups and interruptions in one’s life you realize this parent should never have had a case open. DFACS has wasted a year on a case that should not have been opened when that time could have been spent SAVING a children who was clearly ENDANGERED. There is no standard when caring for the children, think of the families you claim you are helping, come out and get to know the families and the issues they are having, help out and move on.

By Former DFCS SLAVE

March 23, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

All these Counties lack more than the basics to maintain. I just resigned from Gwinnett County DFCS and they are no better than any other Counties. The Director herself is less than what anyone would expect as a “DIRECTOR”. The upper Management don’t appreciate or respect the employees enough, not to mention the pay is an straight and direct insult. I can sit here and say that in less than a year I’d seen 18 employess or more rotate the Gwinnett County DFCS doors,including myself in the rotation. That in itself should be a serious wake up call. I’m waiting and anticipating the day that the Director of Gwinnett County DFCS, make AJC news, in regards to receiveing her walking papers and all the sheep to carry to follow. It’s a sad day for our kids and now more than ever we need to be turning to the Lord, DFCS is merly the temporary fix for the constant issues of the families.

By Quite an experience

March 23, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

To Mark: You are beyond being an idiot and racists. Jerks like you make me embarrassed that you are of my race… Regarding 2 Peachtree St., I work there…Commissioner and her entourage only care about not spending money…at the cost of children’s lives, disabled people’s quality of life, domestic violence victim’s safety, HIV/AIDS funding has been cut back…every dept. and program in DHR is being ran into the ground, along with the employees, because of no accountability. Do I think privatizing is the answer? No, look at Halliburton! It is about the people holding law makers and leaders in gov. accountable and watching what they do and do not accomplish. Go to www.state.ga.us/gachildadvocate it is the web site for Office of the Child Advocate, then click on “Annual Reports” then click on “Reports” at the top, then click on “Fulton County Audit 2007” you will learn some truths regarding the Commissioner and her Yes people. Directors of some counties were handing out the “Zero” candy bar to workers who were getting people off TANF because the Commissioner’s and Sonny’s goal were to be at “Zero TANF” I have watched the Commissioner put people down and call them out in G-9 meetings for their TANF numbers being too high. Clarke county, the poorest in our NATION, per capita, at one point very recently only had 28 people receiving TANF. READ THE REPORT on the Office of the Child Advocate’s web site!!! BE INFORMED!!! Trouble like this always comes from the top…

By case manager

March 23, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

Call for the resignation of BJ Walker, Mary Dean Harvey and Kenneth Joe.

Contact Gov. Perdue… 404-656-1776

Lt. Governor Casey Cagle 404- 656-5030

If need be, we re willing to initiate a petition. Respond if interested.

Need to contatc White House? 202-456-1111 or email: comments@whitehouse.gov

V. President Cheney @ vice_president@whitehouse.gov

By Concerned

March 26, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this

Commissioner Walker, You have fired and threatened to fire, employees for less, why are you keeping this man employed with DFCS after all of this. God Son or not. Will he make 22,000 a year like all the other Admins. for DFCS. Gov. or somebody. PLEASE Investigate Ms. Walker’s other “relative” placements within DHR, and how many employees have been “let go” to fill these positions with her “Chicago” Croney’s. Why should the employees be subjected to a “Leader” that doesn’t care about them and shows this by turning her nose up at them on the elevators, or in passing when they speak to her. Talk to everyone at DHR, not just the DFCS issue. It is a problem agency wide, with the Commissioner, and her “Managerial” style.

By Concerned Citizen

March 26, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

Concerned Citizen

I cannot believe the statments coming from Commissioner B. J. Walker in the recent article of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The statement she made about Kenneth Joe age 37 said he “was not mature”. That is a ludicrous statement by a professional Manager/Administrator. From what I have read she should have stated that he was not qualified or capable to do the job he was hired to do in Fulton County.

Another thing I cannot believe is that the Commissioner stated that this person Kenneth Joe was to do administrative work now at the State Office. Did they create an obsure job for him there? Is he still making a six (6) figure income? (Bet he is) why was he not fired immediately like anyone else would have been? Is he more to the Commissioner than an employee? Is he related to her? If not related, is he a close friend? If so in either case that is nepotism and or cronyism. Either one of these offenses appear to be severe violations of the Governors Code of Ethics and is a firing offense. So if the Commissioner is guilty of nepotism and cronyism why has the Governor not stepped in and fired Commissioner B. J. Walker?

What about other hires made by DHR? The Governors Office needs to look at all of the new hires of the top level management at DHR and DFAC. I bet the nepotism or cronyism will show up there and it will not be hard to find. Why are so many of these new hires coming from other states and other countries? Why are people being hired that are not United States Citizens? While the Governors Office is looking at the new hires they should look to see if they meet the qualifications for the jobs they hold. I bet when they look at Kenneth Joe’s the Governors Office will see that Kenneth Joe should never have been hired.

My final statement is why did Governor Perdue hire B. J. Walker to do this job. What were the criteria he used to make the selection which took over a year to do? I bet if someone looked at the qualifications of B. J. Walker some answers would be there as to how this State Agency went so quickly bad and was kept under raps until the immature 37 year old Kenneth Joe incident occurred and has now brought focus on the Department. I just question why this focus was not there before now. Governor Perdue was warned before now of the problems and mess this Agency has and is in

By Ted Holloway, M.D.

March 26, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

Unfortunately, the Fulton County DFCS Office problems are not the result of one bad manager. They are the result of the management style and direction provided by the DHR Commissioner, B.J. Walker. Under her direction, DFCS procedures were changed to minimize the number of cases that were opened by diverting them to “community services”. Not only has DFCS suffered under her intimidating and capricious leadership, she is currently on a mission to dismantle the county Public Health service delivery system across the state. She has directed the Division Director of Public Health to force health departments to get out of service delivery despite widespread evidence that the private medical care system does not have the capacity to pick up the slack. The investigation of what went wrong must not stop with Mr. Joe. It should go right to the top of the leadership of the Department of Human Resources. I hope a complete inquiry into what lead to the deplorable situation in Fulton County DFCS will be conducted.

Ted

Ted Holloway, M.D.

Route 1, Box 247

Hoboken, Georgia 31542

By Concerned for State Employees

March 26, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

For the record, DHR/DFCS is not the only agency where top managers mentally, verbally, and emotionally abuse its staff. DHR/DFCS is not the only agency that hires under qualified employees, engage in nepotism, and threaten to fire employees (especially if they don’t agree to support unethical practices). “Over zealous” management styles are statewide. Review the management styles of the commissioners of DOR, DJJ, and Corrections and also the State CFO. Also, review the management style of a manager (Accounting) at DJJ who have been allowed to go from agency to agency with the same ruthless behavior. Maybe her skills are so “off the charts” that State government can’t function without her.

About Kenneth Joe (KJ): Kenneth Joe displayed that same outrageous behavior in the Richmond County (Augusta) DFCS office. While he was in Richmond County, BJ Walker went to Augusta to personally let the employees know that she had KJ’s back. Whether or not she knew about his “over zealous” management style is questionable. Maybe KJ was emulating her management style that the managers and directors complain about at DHR. Kenneth Joe has been known to fire someone because he was told that the person talked behind his back. He has been known to “party” at night clubs with his loyal supporters (including his secretary). He has been known to play records (Backstabbers by the O’Jays) in his staff meetings to send messages to employees he did not trust.

The Governor should allow employees from all State agencies to evaluate management (not just immediate supervisors) with a promise of absolutely no retaliation. Managers in State government are known to retaliate against employees in one way or another for making complaints against them. The retaliation will definitely happen even if the retaliation is getting support from other managers at different agencies to not hire certain employees.

By Devil Dog

March 26, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

The entire system is sick and has needed help for years. I worked in that system for 14 years and left because of the ongoing unfulfilled promises, blatant lack of regard for the people DFCS services, shortage of workers and supervisors, pay cuts, lies, etc. TEAR IT DOWN AND REBUILD IT! It will take time, but not one thing has made a difference in the last 15 to 20 years, so do something different. By the way, if Sonny thinks things have improved, he’s not thinking clearly.

By Historian

March 26, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this

The fact that Mr. Joe was placed in an adminstrative position at the state office rather than being fired is the usual practice in DFCS. There are several former and current high level state administrators (one even became acting state director) at DFCS who were placed in those positions after being removed from their management positions in county offices for unacceptable actions.

By Beatrice Stephens

March 26, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

Mr. Schneider: I see you’re continuing to write about DFCS. I still hold on to the emails that I sent to you regarding my grand children. Hopefully one day I will be able to post them in the news. Why does it take death or something evil to happen before you write. As a writer you could have really helped my four grannies but you chose not to. One day soon I will tell my story about DFCS and how I came to you for help and you totally disregarded me as a person that you could have helped. What’s the use in continuing to write if you’re not willing to help people that come to you with a problem. As you already know, I am a black woman that could not get any type of assistance from you. Thanks.

By Emily

March 26, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

And…let’s not forget the other high level official in Fulton DFCS that commissioner BJ Walker brought from Chicago. Her name is Cylethia Clark and she is second in command in Fulton. Yes, she is the one charged with child cruelty for allegedly whipping her daughter 34 times with a belt. She still has her job too! How is that?? After a news story where she shows pictures of the welt marks she admitted to leaving on her childs back and arms. Leaving welts is one part of the definition of phyical abuse,yet she still leads the largest child welfare agency in the state. What is going on here Governor. This is outragious!!!

By john doe

March 26, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

There are some dedicated employees that really care about working to make children and families safe. Unfortunately, we are the ones that are not allowed to advance into leadership positions. It seems that incompetence is rewarded within the DFCS division. They supposedly got rid of the “good ol’ boy system”, but it has been replaced with the “good ol’ gal system”. It’s all about who you know. None of the key officials have prior child protective services experience. The training unit claims that they are the best of the best, but most of them don’t even have child protective services experience. Ask Ms. Harvey if she has ever done a CPS investigation. How about Ms. Walker? Don’t forget Isabel Blanco. (By the way, I think the tax payers have been paying for her to travel back and forth from Georgia to her home in Illinois.) It’s no coincidence that Ms. Blanco and Ms. Walker know each other. Ms. Walker also brought her good friend Dr. Cynthia Tate from Chicago to do some consultant work. She flew back and forth from Chicago to Georgia on a regular basis…… There are so many county offices that are having lots of problems right now. Ms. Evelyn Norman from Henry county (prior Director that posted earlier) needs to remember that she was part of the problem as well. She let her management get away with all kinds of poor practice. Her supervisors accumulated several hundred CPS cases that were never reviewed by management. Lots of safety issues and concerns have been found. The Henry county management is still in bad shape. We have a lot of well intentioned people within the division, but there are just some poor managers. Georgia has the potential to get turned around. There are capable people within this state that can get the job done. They just need to be given a chance.

By happy former employee

March 27, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

I was wondering when the end to this terrible regime would begin. Fortunatley, I left prior to Mr.Joe coming on board to Fulton County DFACS. Friends have to whisper on the phone for fear of him and his friends listening. How did a caseworker show up to work and by the end of the day have a huge pay raise and “new” UNADVERTISED position that only answered to Mr.Joe? People are missing another part of the puzzle that needs to be critized and reviewed- The Fulton Co. DFCS Board Members! These local board members, appointed by county commissioners, are another level of accountability that appears to have let this abuse of employees continue. Why have these boards in every county if they cannot advocate for the less fortunate- be it employees, families, or children?
The local media should now review all of the tips received in the past 8 months about the 37 year old maniac brought in by his fairy “godmother”. I am sure that there will now be lawsuits brought by those supervisors who were humiliated and demoted, only to be replaced by Mr. Joe’s fraternity brothers and his friends.
It is interesting to note that BJ Walker is now doing to Mr. Joe what she has done to other employees after the media catches wind of a problem- taking away her support and placing blame soley on his shoulders (broad shoulders at that).
He should be humiliated just as he did supervisors, and demoted back to an entry level position. He should be fired, not promoted to a position at the State level. Any job requiring effective communication with humans, is toooo much for him.

By Pamela Garnett

March 27, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

Why, one may ask would BJ Walker and her entourage continue to coverup the continuous mismanagement and illegal acts that continues to occur in the County DFCS office. For example, for some reaseon they start in Richmond County. Kenneth Joe first assignment was in Richmond County DFCS after the removal of the County Director Carolyn Beard for violated the Federal Wage and HOur Law and admitted publicly for doing so . Was she fired no she was removed in June 2006 to another position in another County DFCS office. Myra Josey, Program Director of Social Services and Adell Moore,Deputy Director were pubilcly removed for mismanagement, were they fired - no they were also removed to other offices. Sounds famaliar. Myra Jopsey also fired in excess of 25 Black Case workers - in vestigation was done by state office staff. Obviously, there is something to be said for the method in which persons are promoted by BJ WAlker and Mary Dean Harvey - because again why would you promote an individual to a higher position to now perform the same questionable and illegal acts. Yes Myra Josey has just been promoted by the state to the Director position in Washington County. Look out Washington County you are nex. Take a good look at what is happening in FUlton County.

By john doe

March 27, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Look out Fulton DFCS workers. Looks like Mary Dean Harvey is being demoted to the county director position at Fulton. How can she expect staff to respect her when she refused to listen to them and acknowledge the problems that existed with Kenneth Joe? BJ is setting her up to fail. Not that she has the CPS skills or knowledge to resolve the issue anyways.

What makes it worse is that Fulton DFCS staff are being allowed to do an abbreviated form of an investigation in an attempt to get caught up. Hope they don’t miss anything now that they don’t have to do as thorough of a job. Lets see: New “director” without much practical CPS experience, plus less thorough investigations equals disaster.

By Fulton County Case Manager

March 27, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

In response to Ms. Pamela Garrett’s comment. It’s ironic that you would mention the Federal violations that occurred in Richmond County. Maybe, if they had terminated the person in Richmond County, it would have served as a deterrence for Kenneth Joe because he came to Fulton County and committed that same illegal acts.

But know that I have beeen e-mailing State Legislatures and Senators requesting that these matters be investigated.

We should all be contacting our state representatives, and the Governor to request that action be taken.

By Case Manager

March 27, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Mary Dean Harvey held a meeting on yesterday with Eligibilty workers on yesterday. She is such o joke. All of a sudden, she is going to hire more workers. Why? Did she not state that we are not experiencing a mass exodus? Do she not you that Mr. Joe says “there is a hiring freeze in Fulton County.” Mary Dean Harvey is using this “hiring more workers” in an attempt to calm Eligibility workers down and to keep them quite. Keep in mind workers that this ascept of the agency has not even been investigated yet. It has not been made public that things that has went on here: demotions, high turnovers, closing cases to make sure the numbers do not reflect what really going on.

By Fulton County Abused Case Managers

March 27, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Governor Purdue, We would like to be added to your “Sonny Do List”. We have some concerns that require your immediate attention.

By caring person

March 27, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

Your description of Kenneth Joe’s managment style - dictatorial and threatening, is exactly like that of BJ Walker. DHR employees do hard work and they need tools and support, not threats from BJ and intimidation. Also, Cindy Tate and Isabel Blanco are not the only friends who are flown in from Chicago at taxpayer expense. Check out highly paid hourly employees and you will find others. I guess the weather is too cold in Chicago. It is amazing that an agency that is cutting services is footing the bill for Chicago friends and relatives of BJ!

By Richmond County Experience

March 27, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

The experience at Richmond County DFCS under Kenneth Joe leadership was the worst in my entire life time. Whatever happened to the investigation in Richmond County with him being intimate with female employees. Some even followed him to Fulton I heard (Kim Lee) you had to be in the right (inapproiate) position in order to advance (or) be able to rest assure that your job was safe. This man should reap what he has sown…He didn’t have respect for anyone…veteran workers, white workers, black workers, female workers, or male workers. Only if you were a part of his “group”…Give him what he deserves and send him packing back to Chicago.

By brenda brown

March 28, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

I am a Richmond Co Employee who has been there over 20 years. Richmond County saw more forward movement under the direction of Kenneth Joe than I had ever seen in the past. I am apalled that a fellow employee would name names without absolute proof, which I am sure was not available. Personal business should remain so-whether true or not, I am sorry that Fulton will not be able to reap the benefits of what Mr. Joe can do. His methods are not for the “faint of heart” BUT if someone would look at what happened in Richmond during his tenure there, it would be seen that his methods WORK.

By A concerned citizen

March 28, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

When asked, any successfully leader will say that they owe their success to their employees. Treating employees with dignity and respect is the hallmark of any forward thinking and successful organization. Unfortunately, Georgia DHR/DFCS is lead by two individuals that either lack this knowledge or refuse to embrace this fact. With over three decades of service to the families and children of Georgia, I have never seen a more tyrannical and anti-employee mentality as demonstrated by Commissioner B.J. Walker and DFCS Division Director Mary Dean Harvey. These women treat the tenured, seasoned employees of DHR and DFCS with total disdain and as if we were their indentured servants. The people of Georgia should demand that Governor Perdue replace these women with true child welfare professionals that can be equally concerned with the mission and goals of the department/division, while taking care of their most valuable resource, their human resources. While he is at it, Governor Perdue should replace these women with native Georgians and not another cadre of out-of-state administrators.

The citizens of Georgia and particularly Fulton County owe the Office of the Child Advocate, Dee Simms and her staff a sincere debt of appreciation for her report concerning conditions at Fulton County DFCS. Immediately following the release of her report, we saw that Administrator Kenneth Joe was removed from the helm of Fulton DFCS. What has not been reported is that the Office of the Child Advocate’s report strikes at the heart of the Federal Consent Decree issued by Federal District Judge Marvin Shoob in October 2005 that mandates child welfare operations in Fulton and DeKalb counties. A law firm out of New York, known as Children’s Rights sued Georgia and DHR/DFCS on behalf of a class of children in the care and custody of Fulton and DeKalb counties. The lawsuit lead to the lengthy Kenny A consent decree comprised of multiple stipulations that micro manage case management practice in Fulton and DeKalb. The irony is that Ms. Simms’ found that many of the stipulations mandated by the Kenny A consent decree are not being met. Further, as a part of the decree, two accountability agents were named to monitor compliance. Those two people are Sarah Morrison and Jim Demas. In their first report to Judge Shoob and the plaintiffs, Children’s Rights, Ms. Morrison and Mr. Demas noted none of the abysmal conditions existing in Fulton County. An even greater irony is that Jim Demas is an old colleague of Commissioner B.J. Walker. Mr. Demas worked for B.J. Walker in Chicago. It has always been a mystery to me as to why Children’s Rights did not see Mr. Demas serving as an accountability agent was not a conflict of interest based on his history and past working relationship with B.J. Walker.

Children’s Rights, under the leadership of Seventh Avenue New York lawyer, Marcia Robinson Lowry present themselves as advocates for children. But, one has to wonder is it not extremely financially advantageous for Ms. Lowry and her colleagues to travel around the nation suing states and counties over child welfare issues as a very profitable enterprise? As a native Georgian, and taxpayer, I am offended that this silk stocking firm out of New York is earning a substantial income off the backs of the children of Georgia. Further, as a taxpayer, I realize that Georgians are not only having to pay for this useless litigation, but we are having to pay for the services of the accountability agents that live in Maryland and fly back and forth to Georgia on a bi-weekly basis. All of this, while the poor DFCS caseworkers make just a little higher than minimum wage, and of course who suffers the most, but the children the Division is charged with protecting and serving. If any one is interested in writing to Children’s Rights, their address is, in care of Marcia Robinson Lowry, President, 330 Seventh Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10001.

The final irony is that Kenneth Joe is sitting in a cube on the 18th floor at Two Peachtree earning his $103,000 a year salary. Any rationale person should be asking why, why has this man not been fired? Why is he still employed and paid his six-figure income. It is indeed a travesty.

By Concerned Citizen

March 28, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

Concerned Citizen

Where did Joe go?

Way to go Mr. Schneider. I am glad someone is looking into DHR and DFCS upper management or lack of management. From what I have read on the mess at DHR/DFCS management is very much needed. It appears that Commissioner B. J. Walker does not have a clue how to be an effective manager.

This is highlighted by the incident with Kenneth Joe. Kenneth Joe has made the statement that he only reported to the Commissioner several times in both places he was assigned to work at. He stated that he was there to clean house. Well if that is the case then Kenneth Joe was doing the Commissioners bidding and in so doing, with a few quirks of his own, he completely messed up the Richmond County and Fulton County offices. If he was only answering to the Commissioner then the Commissioner was as responsible for the mismanagement of both Offices. So therefore, the Commissioner is as responsible for the problems that have come to light and should be held accountable.

The knee-jerk reaction to solve the Fulton County problem was to send Ms Harvey to take over the office. I think that in time Ms Harvey will fail in this assignment also. The primary reason is that she will be following the directive of the Commissioner who does not have a clue as to what it will take to fix the Fulton County office or the problems at DHR/DFCS. Good managers surround themselves with good qualified people and let them do their jobs. The Commissioner has not been able to do either, which is highlighted with the Kenneth Joe situation. That is where the nepotism and cronyism will kill you every time and the upper management that has been hired by the Commissioner are not qualified to do the jobs they were hired to do.

The Commissioner is now trying to hide the embarrassing Kenneth Joe in the administrative offices of DHR/DFCS and he is still making the six figure income doing some created obscure administrative job that a $30,000 person could do. This fiasco with Kenneth Joe is only the tip of the iceberg with this Commissioner. Further investigation will show that there are a number of violation in hiring have been made to include people being hired that are not qualified for their position and discrimination.

Where is the Governor? Why has he not taken action on this Commissioner? I regretfully voted for Sonny Perdue. He now is hurting his political party by not being decisive and taking action on these problems. Is it that he does not know what to do? Or, is it that he does not want to own up to making a very big mistake in bringing this Commissioner to run this State Agency?

By Kerri

March 28, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

We have been fighting the Gwinnett Co. DFCS for over a year and a half. We reported that a child very dear to us had been abandoned by his drug addicted mother. We thought the child’s safety would finally be addressed when he entered the DFCS system but we couldn’t have been more wrong!! He had a new case worker every month who was clueless as to who he was or what his mother is capable of. She was gone for a year and half and all it took for DFCS to return him back to her was 3 months in rehab. He NEVER received his day in court or his protection despite our hardest efforts to offer it to him. He has now been returned to his mother’s care and she is once again using drugs! We are outraged as DFCS has closed his case and won’t reopen it. We are determined to be heard and find safety and justice for this child. What a shame we have to go about this all the while fighting the system that is meant to protect him! We are looking for whatever help we can get and we will not stop!!

By Quite an Experience

March 28, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

Where did Mr. Joe go? I heard he is at 2 Peachtree St. on the 18th floor in a cube with a nice view of downtown…making his same salary. No one knows though, what he is doing for that hefty salary he is making. Maybe Sonny knows????!!!!

By ladyotm

March 29, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this

brenda brown from richmond county, i can’t belive you. you expect those people whom he did wrong to defend him. are u crazy? did somebody make you make a comment. you would be gone were you and 2nd in charge there not members of the same church….it’s a revolving circle, it comes back around and he is getting his…he always wanted to be big, bet he never thought he’d be this big….he’s all over yahoo and google now!

By songbird

March 29, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

All the talk is about DFCS, but the fact is that ALL of the agencies the Commissioner manages within DHR are floundering. The morale is lower in EVERY agency than it has ever been. She has puppet people as Division heads - people who won’t stand up to her for what’s right. Public Health lost a great director in Kathleen Toomey all because of her. She simply is not qualified nor capable of doing this job and poo-poos everyone beneath her with good insight and years and years of experience. Did you all know that DHR actually prides itself on being able to hire mass amounts of DFCS workers at the lowest salary in the pay grade? In fact, they are so proud of it that the process has been implemented in Public Health. Someone doesn’t remember the old adage, “you get what you pay for…” State mental hospitals are in a mess too. Another division managed by BJ Walker. I guess more children are going to have to die, more patients are going to need to die in mental hospitals, and we’re all going to have to suffer major outbreaks in schools or a flu pandemic before somebody does something. BJ needs to go and so do her Division heads. They do not value their employees except with the rare lipservice.
The report was true - management is done by numbers alone. It’s a tyrannical environment. People are expendable if they disagree or don’t spew out exactly what is deemed the party line.

By Don

April 2, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

I attempted to post following the $-2-07 article on Child Advocate Dee Seems. Can these comments to that blog?

State Child Advocate Dee Simms is one of the most courageous individuals in State Government. As she has written, and others have said, her report on conditions at Fulton County DFCS is only the tip of the iceberg. Dee Simms did more for the children of Georgia and Fulton County in her report on Fulton County than anyone else has done in many years. She had the strength of character, integrity and veracity to speak the truth. Commissioner B. J. Walker and DFCS Division Director Mary Dean Harvey are not interested in the children of Georgia; they are not even Georgia natives. They are only interested in building their respective reputations. Both are disingenuous in their remarks regarding conditions in Fulton County. They use numbers and statistics to mask the truth instead of looking at individual children and their needs. If conditions had improved in substantially in Fulton as Walker and Harvey claim during Kenneth Joe’s tenure, why did the Atlanta police find three children in a crack house surrounded by used needles, a loaded handgun, festering sores on their bodies and cocaine exposed? As Ms. Simms’ pointed out, Fulton DFCS knew about these children and the case had been closed.

It took the Child Advocate’s report to get the Commissioner and the Director to act and remove from office the tyrannical and abusive Fulton County administrator Kenneth Joe, although I have serious doubts that Mary Dean Harvey will do any better. Considering conditions in Fulton, it is highly probable that another child will die during her 90-day watch. What is even more amazing is that the Commissioner in her arrogance claims within only one week, conditions have improved at Fulton DFCS under Mary Dean Harvey. Yes, any backlog will disappear if you pull case managers and staff from other counties to address the county in crisis. But when you steal from Peter to pay Paul, conditions deteriorate elsewhere.

It would be a great disservice to the people and children of Georgia if Dee Simms were not reappointed to the Office of the Child Advocate. If Governor Perdue does not reappoint her and instead appoints another one of his lackeys like Commissioner Walker, then he and the First Ladies’ claims to care for children will be nothing more than a blatant lie. It takes a great person to be willing to take a critical look at his or her own house, and that is exactly what Dee Simms did in Fulton County and she is willing to do elsewhere in the state.

The Children and Families are not being well served by Commissioner Walker and Mary Dean Harvey. I know, I work in the state office and see them routinely. They are both aloof and condescending, treating others as if they were second-class citizens or indentured servants. The arrogance and disdain that they hold for the employees of DHR/DFCS is simply mind boggling in 2007. Their respective management styles are to threaten and intimidate. Why did Governor Perdue have to appoint important Department and Division leaders form other states? Is there no credible talent in Georgia Governor Perdue needs to do right by the children of Georgia? He needs to reappoint Dee Simms to the Office of the Child Advocate, and he needs to fire Commissioner B.J. Walker and Director Mary Dean Harvey and all of their out-of-state appointees and cronies. There are competent native Georgians that can serve as Commissioner and DFCS Director.

By ladyotm

April 2, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

I agree with you Don. I just read the article on Dee Simms. We need more people like her. I wish she could be over DHR but I think she serves more good and reaches more people through her current appointment. If Perdue does not reappoint him, he will have lots of questions to answer and more problems to deal with.

By john

April 3, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

I have heard that 45 case managers have quit Henry County as well. This is another example in the reign of terror by BJ Walker and MD Harvey. Kenneth Joe is receiving $97,000 and a promotion to the State level of DHR. BJ Walker sure showed him she means business, this is nepotism at its worst. I voted for Perdue and I am ashamed. He publicly boasts of Georgia’s talent and we do have experienced and skillful talent in GA, however he goes out of state to offer good job opportunities to people who do not reside here. As an Africian-American I am proud to see our people succeed in government, Condelezza Rice and Colin Powell are great examples to name only two. BJ Walker and MD Harvey are no Condi Rice. I am disgusted with their behavior, lies, favortism and corruption.

By Nelda

April 3, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

I have been following the series in the AJC on Sunday’s. I lost my daughter 2-25-97. She was scalded to death by her caregiver. She was living in a grouphome in Clayton County. Her caregiver was never proscuted or held responsible for her actions. I am sad to see this kind of abuse still goes on in institutions and grouphomes.I don’t think administration or authorities care about children or person’s with disabilities. They don’t vote or they treat them like secound class citzens.Your punished more if mistreat animals than if you mistreat someone who can’t defend themself.Too many individuals have died because nothing has been done to protect them.How many more will have to Die?

By K. Wolf

April 3, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this

Bold: Our Government is Out of Control ! DFACS should stand for Destroying Families and Children. Nation wide they steal thousands and thousands of children every day and it is getting worse. Pretty soon they will have all of the children in State custody. God help us! Please go here and read about the kidnappers http://www.geocities.com/rachel7.geo//CASA.html

By Concerned Citizen

April 3, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

Where did Joe go?

Mr. Craig Schneider you need to pursue the open records request for the salary of Mr. Joe and others. You will need to dig deep. I think you will find that Mr. Joe is still making a six figure income. Someone is not telling the truth.

Where did Joe go? Sounds like he went to a made up job and receives a six figure income that a $30,000 employee could do. Does this sound right to you? Dig.

By disappointed

April 4, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Kenneth Joe didn’t care how he treated anyone. His attitude is,as if he’s God himself. He thinks he’s untouchable. I remember his bullying in Richmond County. Little short man with the big purple car. Why is he still employed by the State of Georgia?

By A disgruntled State Employee

April 5, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

A big thanks to the Maureen Downey and the editorial board of the AJC on her “Our Opinions” column regarding Dee Simms, the State Child Advocate of April 5, 2007. Ms. Simms has done more for the deprived and neglected children of Georgia than any other single individual. Ms. Downey is correct, Dee’s report may cost her the advocate’s job. If it does, it will only further validate how Governor Perdue does not care about Georgia’s most vulnerable citizens, our deprived and neglected children. He is only interested in keeping his out-of-state appointees in their positions of power in DHR and DFCS.

Then in the metro section today is an article by Craig Schneider wherein he writes that Perdue is offering Ms. Simms the director’s job Fulton DFCS. This is simply amazing. What better way to shut Ms. Simms up than to offer her a job working for DHR Commissioner B.J. Walker and DFCS Division Director Mary Dean Harvey. This is political game playing at its best. Simply unbelievable.

Of course when Dee turns the job down, she will be hyper criticized for not stepping up, but everyone should know that Dee is a Macon resident, married to the Bibb County District Attorney, and is the mother to two children. It would be very difficult if not impossible for Dee to maintain her life in Macon and run Fulton County DFCS. The Governor most know this and is trying his best to back Ms. Simms into a corner. The Governor should do the right thing, and reappoint Dee Simms to her position at the Office of the Child Advocate.

Further, he should immediately fire Commissioner B.J. Walker and Division Director Mary Dean Harvey and reappoint Georgians to these most important positions. Until the Governor acts, the tyranny at DHR and DFCS will continue.

By Disgruntled

April 5, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

Just a postscript to my prior comments just posted. Instead of reappointing Dee Simms to her job as the statewide Child Advocate, Sonny Perdue should fire B.J. Walker and appoint Dee Simms DHR Commissioner. That would be an honest and truly corageous act on his part. Such an appointment would demonstrate that the Governor is serious about the welfare of the children of Georgia. And more importantly, Dee Simms would make a great DHR Commissioner.