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Public safety
calls for major overhaul at bloated DSHS
By Rep. Kirk Pearson
It’s no secret the Department of Social and Human Services (DSHS) has
been an ongoing distraction in the state, and not in a good way. The
massive agency has been riddled with lawsuits for failing to adequately
supervise children in the Child Protective Services system, and to many
of us, has lost complete control of policies and the staff who
administer them.
Here are several examples that illustrate the need for change in DSHS:
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The case of
Shayne Abegg: He was only 25 pounds, about half the average weight
of a child his age, when finally removed from the home. He was
starved by his father and his girlfriend in 2007. A DSHS review of
the case found the agency missed a pattern of abuse and neglect,
failed to hold the adults caring for Shayne accountable for his
well-being. It also concluded DSHS failed to follow policy to ensure
the boy’s safety. The case was settled for $6 million.
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The case of
7-year-old Tyler DeLeon: He died of starvation in foster care. This
year, the state paid more than $6 million to former foster children
of Carole DeLeon. DSHS settled the case that accused it of failing
to properly investigate DeLeon’s background and that of another
caregiver in her home, and also failure to respond to numerous
complaints of abuse.
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Several weeks
ago, seven convicted sex offenders housed in the McNeil Island
Special Sex Offender Commitment Center, which is operated by DSHS,
were indicted on federal charges for possession of child
pornography.
Fast forward to the most recent incidents of two mentally-ill and
unstable individuals escaping while in the care of DSHS officials. I
consider this one of the largest breaches of public safety in our
state’s history. One escapee, Phillip Arnold Paul, had been committed to
Eastern State Hospital after being found “not guilty by reason of
insanity” for brutally killing an elderly woman. Mr. Paul escaped while
on a DSHS outing at the Spokane County fair. It amazes me that
chaperones of the patients let two hours lapse before calling local
authorities, giving Paul a large head start. This situation should raise
concerns and outrage at the highest levels of state government, namely
the governor’s office.
It is no surprise the public is rightfully shocked and angry to learn
these "outings" have been going on for years without their knowledge,
and despite critical safety concerns.
What are my solutions? First, the governor should take responsibility
for DSHS. After all, she appoints the secretary of the agency who
carries out her directives, policies and orders. Next, she should tell
the public what she intends to do to correct the misguided and
irresponsible policies that allowed a criminally-insane killer to go to
a public event, let alone one that hosts many families with young
children.
Finally, I believe the governor should take a look at a bipartisan
proposal I co-sponsored in the 2009 legislative session.
House Bill 2197 would have started the process of splitting up DSHS
into smaller, more manageable pieces. The break-up would allow for
better oversight of the many critical elements, such as Child Protective
Services and mental health facilities, housed under the agency’s
umbrella.
The department oversees too many critical services to be lumped together
in a way that no one agency can responsibly manage all at once. It’s no
wonder that every year DSHS has major issues that put children and the
public at risk. These inexcusable failures are eroding public trust that
we must fight to regain. Safeguards must be put in place, but with its
current bloated and complex bureaucracy it cannot be done in a way that
ensures accountability and transparency.
Policies handed down from the Legislature and the courts to correct the
shortcomings of DSHS are not working because the governor is failing to
enforce much-needed reforms. It’s time to think critically and take
action to fix the system.
This
isn’t a witch hunt. This is an opportunity to lay a foundation in our
state’s public safety and child protection agencies for a more
accountable and responsive state government. My hope is more thoughtful
solutions are brought to the table over the next several months. We
should take action in the 2010 legislative session to correct shortfalls
in DSHS and other corrections agencies that need to be addressed to
ensure greater public safety.
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Rep. Kirk
Pearson is the Republican leader on the House Public Safety and
Emergency Preparedness Committee. He represents Western Washington’s
39th Legislative District.
For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252
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