My.Kidjacked.com

Starring at a blank page can be a little intimidating – trust me – I know all about that. So, I’ve decided to post some tips that should help you when putting on your face to the world. I will update the list as I think of more.

Getting Started – First you need to think of a name. The name should be short, creative and expressive. The title must be less than 55 Characters, excess characters will be discarded.

Write so visitors will read – As a blog owner, you hope that others will take the time to read about your ordeal and hopefully avoid making the same mistakes you did. So, make it readable.

1. Keep paragraphs short, long paragraphs are more difficult to read online, so be sure to break up the text often.
2. Be sure to use sentence case. Reading text in all lower case letters or in all CAPS isn’t fun. Did you know that writing in all caps is considered shouting? No one likes to be yelled at.
3. Use your spell checker to help avoid spelling mistakes.
4. Lastly, be sure to proof read your posts. Are they clear and complete thoughts? Will a reader be able to understand the points you are trying to make?

Share – We were all taught to share in school and at home when we were young. Send a link to your blog to family and friends. Encourage them to post their comments. Sharing not only helps you but other bloggers and it will help keep our stories alive.

Read and Comment – Be sure to read other blogs and give your comments. Some of the stories you find will surprise you, make you angry and you just might learn something to help with your own case.

More tips coming soon! Happy Blogging

Apparently, this concerned doctor simply doesn’t realize just how poorly run the DCFS is and how all that money is cheating children our of their family, friends and home. If we really want to help children, we will prosecute abusive parents in criminal court, where the laws of evidence and procedure have a much better chance of getting to the truth.

We must stop this witch hunt that is destroying the very fabric of this nation — the family!

Support abused children by supporting income tax increase

June 16, 2009

As physicians who have spent our careers providing care for one of societies most vulnerable populations – abused and neglected children – we are horrified to learn of the proposed 50 percent cut to the Department of Children and Family funding.

We must speak out because raped and injured children don’t vote and are often forgotten.

As many children die from child abuse as from cancer every year, but the only funding to combat the “deadly disease” of child abuse is from the state. It is imperative the public understand the proposed cuts involve not just the $460 million in state funding to DCFS, but will also result in a loss of an additional $92 million in federal funding. The agencies that rely on these funds to provide necessary care and preventive services to these children and their families already operate on shoestring budgets.

There are viable alternatives to the current proposed budget sitting on Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk.

We urge the legislature to consider the long overdue need for a modest increase in the currently low state income tax and also to re-prioritize the amount of money allocated for capitol improvement projects. The bridges and roads will look beautiful — but at what cost?

- Michele Lorand, MD, FAAP Chair, Division of Child Protective Services, Department of Pediatrics
- Jill Glick, MD, FAAP Medical Director, Child Protective Services
- John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County

Do take note of who is paying the good doctor’s salary.

In these hash economic times we need to cut spending where we can and I can’t think of too many better places to slash spending that at all our CPS offices, not just those in Illinois.

Today in Hawaii Helen Altonn reports, "Thwarting meth use is goal of project."

Oahu Family Court Judge Michael Broderick says he is convinced methamphetamine addiction is the greatest issue facing Hawaii because of the health, economic and social consequences.

From Alaska, we find, "Good news for kids: Mentors will help show the way."

"After a traumatic youth, many young people in foster care are set adrift when they age out of state care in their late teens. Some disheartening statistics: Nearly 40 percent of Alaska foster care alumni interviewed in a 2005 study became homeless for a time as adults. By age 19, half were parents themselves. After graduating from state care, 30 percent were jailed for some period."

Doesn’t anyone see the irony in this?

In Hawaii, a statewide project will spend a boatload of money on a children’s media campaign against meth. In Alaska, they want to help the poor foster children learn how to live in the real world.

Give me a stinking break! I’m sure the people who brainstormed these ideas were well intentioned but good intentions won’t get you very far toward solving a very real problem.

If people are so darned concerned about these children, maybe they should back up a few paces and change courses. Where are the programs to help drug addicted parents. Those same parents who are loosing their children to the state and being placed in long-term foster care.

We don’t need mentoring programs; we need to stop reacting and start being proactive. Treatment programs needs to be made widely available to parents who want help. We need to work harder at making and keeping families together and strong.

As the family goes – so goes the nation and from where I sit, it’s a downward spiral.

The family is the fabric of society. You can’t uproot a child by removing them from every thing they know and love and expect them to ever be whole again. Yes, some children come out if the trauma and manage to pull together a life for themselves but that is not the norm. Far from it.

The statistics don’t lie. But the solutions being offered up will never work. Any chance for a future lies in strengthening the family unit, helping parents learn how to keep a house clean; learn how to budget their money; learn how to shop; and most of all, learn how to care for their children.

There simply is no substitute for an intact family.