Great concerns to; Foster Parents; Arizona/Nation

• It is Unconstitutional

This Examiner believes it is urgent that foster parents in Arizona, as well as all across our Nation gain knowledge on this critical issue. Knowing how this can affect them but also, the well-being of their entire family is imperative.

Allow me to explain. Any licensed foster parent, issued by the state of Arizona/any state, who has an allegation filed on them, followed by an investigation. When the investigation is completed, if the determination is that the foster parent is substantiated (AZ) unfounded, or indicated, the name of the foster parents can then be placed on the State Child Abuse Registry.

Most of you probably are very much aware of the wording of Amendment 14 Section 1; of the United States Constitution, however just in case; it says; “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws”.

Let’s explore my concern, which is; Due Process of Law. I present to you the following explanation to declare this practice as unconstitutional, that is placing the names of foster parents on their State Child Abuse Registry. Most our readers are probably very aware of what it states, however just in case I submit to you a direct quote from the Declaration of the United States.

“Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security”.

I repeat; if a foster parent is determined substantiated, founded, or indicated depending on what terminology currently used in their particular state their names can be placed on the state Child Abuse Registry. 

•       This is without a trial, without due process. There has been no
•                    conviction, no trial; Hence, No Due Process.

However, how does this affect foster parents?

Allow me to explain; Most foster parents, where one of the two are employed outside the home in their chosen careers; in example, one person is the primary foster parent (caregiver). While the other happens to be a police officer. This police officers career is in danger.

You see, If placed on the State Child Abuse Registry he/she will never be able to work in law enforcement again, this is a fact; not just in Arizona, but Nationwide.

• Because, in order to become licensed foster parents, lives are examined carefully, both have had in depth background checks, then licensed by their State as foster parents. Therefore, whenever a future background check becomes necessary on behalf of their employer, they will find a record, a listing on the registry that states you are "child abuser".

Understand, if you are applying for any position that deals with children in any capacity, they must complete a background check on all employees prior to hiring. This is the case for nurses, nurses aides, day care workers, anyone employed by a public school; whether it be principal, teachers, school nurses, bus drivers, or janitors, they work in and around children, their careers are over.

• Expunging this information is almost impossible. The most shocking in this travesty of justice, this is the same Child Abuse Registry convicted child molesters, and pornographers, are on. The aforementioned individuals have been to trial, they have a conviction, they have had their DUE PROCESS, foster parents simply do not have due process, unless they have the dollar amount to cover the price tag that our Lady Justice wears on her sleeve.

                            A foster parent is on this registry ONLY because they dared reach out to a child who needed them.

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Foster Families Examiner; Marilyn Harrison

Parents, who have raised their children, find they are suddenly feeling alone, senior citizens suffering from a sense of loneliness, who are at this time in their lives vulnerable to the advertising they see on television, in magazines across the country, Arizona too.  In these ads we listen to pleas for help, possibly even seeing the faces of helpless child (ren), in need of love and someone to hold them.

Mature Americans are extremely country oriented;  usually responding to our State or Nations call for assistance. Bombarded with advertising using words like "empty nesters" we start thinking that we successfully raised our own children and this ad seems to understand that.   Missing your children that filled your homes with laughter, the challenges of parenthood, this loneliness is our vulnerability to someone wishing to fill your home for you.

Possibly, your living on a very tight fixed income, most find themselves challenged in this tight pressed economy, and your thinking about maybe supplementing your small income by doing something that you would want to do anyway, even helping a child at the same time.  Thoughts of children to care for again, filling these empty beds, filling these empty rooms with children who so desperately need someone.  You are needed after all! T his is exactly what this advertising is designed by experts to do.

• These ads make you feel like contributing again....your a loving person; you can still be useful to someone, your not too old to do it again.  Are any of these thoughts sounding familiar to you?

These thoughts are what make you vulnerable to a system that desperately needs foster parents.  The ads that are running are very convincing, even enticing, as all advertising is; that is what makes us all buy into their sales pitches. However, what about warnings on other advertising campaigns, do you see any on these?  How many people would buy into their programs if there were warnings? Read on!

http://www.examiner.com/x-46864-Phoenix-Foster-Families-Examiner~y2010m5d18-Did-you-know--Foster-Parents-needed-Empty-Nesters-Vulnerable-Part-1-of-2

In part one of this article we were exploring the need for foster parents and the advertising seen stating this need, Arizona needs foster parents too.

However, how many warnings have you seen following these ads?  Yes, the need is real, but should senior citizens come to the rescue?  

 Your early warning system is being activated in this article. 

• Beware of becoming a foster parent.  We understand that you are well intentioned however, there are things you need to be made aware of; one is the hurricane that can follow, storms that the advertising does not warn you about.

The agency will not tell you anything about the child (ren) that you are taking into your home because of the "Privacy Act". Social workers and agencies cannot inform you of these things. Many of these precious children are dealing with severe emotional and/or physical damage, and even medically challenged in other capacities.  You will have behavioral problems that you simply may not be up to, or want to deal with.

You are capable; it is not you, but the broken system, that is found incapable. The children that you would be dealing with have been traumatized, ripped out of their homes, (their biological parents homes), moved from one foster home to another, and as a result can be emotionally damaged.

You can however, assist in many other ways.  Number one educate yourself on the Foster Care System, become informed.  If you desire to help in this arena, do not allow yourself to be vulnerable to these enticing advertisements.  The source of information and an educational website is nfpcar.org