Letters to the Editor: The all-too-familiar story of Anthony Avalos and DCFS failure (via latimesopinion )
noted that the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services “never made an attempt to remove the children from [the mother’s] custody and no DCFS employees have been disciplined in connection with the case.”
Having lived for three-quarters of a century, I can’t tell you how many times I have wept at this horrific story. It’s always the same: A helpless child is murdered by the parents or someone else, after the protection agency ignored multiple signs and warnings of abuse or torture. There is no accountability for the agents who failed to do their job.
What will it take to stop this endless train of tragedy? More money for more social workers? Better training and supervision? New laws enforcing accountability for social workers’ neglect?Alas, no amount of money or training or legislation can instill common sense and compassion in an agent who does not already possess it. When will we, the people, ever care enough to demand that something instead of nothing be done? Shame on us all.
I was a social worker in L.A. County from the 1960s to the 1980s, and I found the caseloads were high then. They are a lot worse now. If The Times really wants to help, why doesn’t it write more about how inadequate the pay is for the high caseloads? Why not identify all the good work done over the years in a county where thousands of children are protected every single day?
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Letters to the Editor: March 7Letters to the Editor for March 7.
Read more »
Letters to the Editor: Only a single-payer overhaul can fix America's ailing healthcare systemPhysicians and other medical professionals discuss an op-ed article on the high costs, drug shortages and access problems plaguing U.S. healthcare.
Read more »
Letters to the Editor: Is there any way Fox News can fix the damage it caused?One reader's suggestion: Require Fox News hosts to record an apology for spreading the 'Big Lie,' and air it on the channel for months.
Read more »
Letters to the Editor — SMU football, Lewisville ISD, Asian Americans, ChatGPTWow, flashback time! Behind Jerry LeVias and Michael Granberry in the photo on Page 1 of Friday’s Metro section is a reproduction of, I presume, a program...
Read more »
Letters to the Editor: March 8Letters to the Editor for March 8
Read more »
Letters to the Editor: How to turn those old RVs into a solution for homelessnessInstead of trying to get RV dwellers into permanent housing, L.A. should build RV campsites where residents could safely obtain services.
Read more »