MISTREATED KIDS
DFCS is too focused on reuniting families
I have followed with interest your recent coverage on the fate of Georgia’s young children in state custody. My husband and I have been court-appointed special advocates for neglected and abused children for five years, and have been involved with DFCS in two counties.
I have come to the conclusion that the main problem is the predominant emphasis placed by DFCS on reunifying the family. This is resulting in many wrong decisions that are harming children.
It seems to me that it’s time we admit that parents who have neglected or abused their children seriously enough to have them taken into DFCS custody just might not need to be reunified with them. You can throw therapy, anger management classes, substance abuse classes, parenting classes and whatever else you can think of at these parents, and they’re probably not going to change a lot.
The primary concern of DFCS — and all of us — should be what is best for the child. If reunification of the family is not in the child’s best interest, it shouldn’t happen. And, yes — as has been stated in the AJC — there needs to be more transparency. DFCS has too many secrets.
SHIRLEY GUHL, MONROE
Charge official who ignored abuse cases
Congratulations to the AJC for the story, “DFCS screened out girl’s abuse report” (News, Nov. 8).
This deplorable situation has existed in this state for years — yet nothing is ever done to protect our most vulnerable. One statement a tipster told DFCS was particularly troubling: that Emani “appeared to be underfed.” How quickly and easily could that have been confirmed or denied?
I recommend that they discover who signed off on the most blatant and egregious “corporal punishment” cases, and that he or she face criminal charges.
JIM HOPE, DORAVILLE
COMMENTARY
Columnist better when he broadens his scope
I recently read Leonard Pitts’ opinion on privacy and helicopters (“Now I’m worrying about men in black helicopters,” Opinion, Nov. 7).
I was reminded once again that he is really a good writer when he isn’t bogged down in one-sided issues of race and the “great divide.” Can we have more like this from Mr. Pitts? Where can we find his books?
ROBERT REDMOND SR., TUCKER
Too many elephants; you’re getting boring
Has Mike Luckovich forgotten how to draw satire without drawing pictures of elephants? These same old elephants are getting boring.
DOUG CRANE, JOHNS CREEK
