Outside Bethlehem's Public Library sits an interesting sculpture of three children holding hands. It's title? "The Future Lies in the Hands of Our Children." People like Kevin Dolan understand that very well.You probably have never heard of Kevin. He heads Northampton County's Children, Youth & Families Division. That office serves one of government's most noble roles - caring for children in crisis. Kevin is a dedicated public servant with a very tough job. Diagnosed with a weak heart many years ago, he started running. If you follow any of the local foot races, you've probably seen him. He never wins. But a few weeks later, you'll see him again somewhere else, giving his all. He understands that victory is in the effort, not the race times. Whether he's running a marathon or his own office, no one has ever accused him of giving less than 100%.
Until now.
I'm certain Kevin is more disgusted than any of us by the recent arrest of one of his own caseworkers, Jose Huertas-Aponte, who supposedly molested a 14 year-old boy all the way back in 2003. But unlike the pols, his concern is about the kids, not the political fallout.
Northampton County's solicitor office and other unnamed officials (presumably including Kevin) are awarded an Express Times turkey this week because they've refused to answer questions about this incident.
[O]fficials have refused to answer basic questions, including whether a thorough background check was done, how many children Huertas-Aponte might have come in contact with on the job, and whether the county has been in touch with the families of those children since the arrest. The need for some secrecy is warranted, but this stonewalling is bad practice.Let's look at these questions, one by one.
1. Was a thorough background check done?
Yes. Former Director R. Nancy Haley's letter to the editor, published the same day as the turkey award, makes very clear that caseworkers must (1) have a child abuse clearance from the state's childline; (2) submit fingerprints to the FBI; (3) agree to a state police criminal records check; and (4) submit references from former employers. Ms. Haley also makes clear that the state annually audits these records. Other counties take similar precautions. I believe the county could state its general practice without violating any confidentiality obligation to Huertas or the children he saw.
2. How many children did Huertas Aponte see?
According to the county, Huertas was hired December 3 and resigned June 24, the day of his arrest. He only worked six months but also worked part-time as a counselor for the Valley Counseling Group in Bethlehem. I believe the county could and should discuss the caseload of a Children & Youth caseworker so long as it stays away from specifics.
3. Has the county notified families seen by Huertas?
Because the Children, Youth & Families Division exists "to prevent neglect, abuse and exploitation" of children, it has an obligation to notify those families who came into contact with Huertas. The public does have a right to know whether that has occurred.
4. Has Huertas abused any children in Northampton County?
According to a Northampton County deputy sheriff, Bethlehem police are investigating an incident at the counseling agency where Huertas worked part-time. Public disclosure of those details would likely jeopardize the work being done by Bethlehem police.
No criminal investigation of child abuse by one department (Bethlehem police) should be publicly discussed by another (Northampton County Sheriff). The county does have an obligation to protect the confidentiality of both its employees as well as the children it protects. But the county could easily state its current procedure on criminal background checks without getting into specific cases. It could state the number of families seen by Huertas and the steps it has taken to protect them without violating the confidentiality it owes to these families. Northampton County parents do have a right to know that people like Kevin Dolan are doing all in their power to help. People like Kevin should be able to tell us what I already know - he is doing his job.
I thought you were like the nY Sun and only go to press Mon-Fri.
ReplyDeleteWhats with the increase in Weekend posts?
Not like I mind.
As an employee of Northampton County Children and Youth, I wish to thank you for sticking up for Kevin. Kevein probably has the most thankless job in the county government. He does an excellent job overseeing the Agency. We all wish we could say more about this unfortunate event than we actually can. the majority of the caseworkers for CYF are wonderful, dedicated employees. It is sad that people will think of us all in negative terms because of one employee who only worked there for six months.
ReplyDeleteManagement has been letting things slide for some time. This is about sloppy procedures and haste not about personalities.
ReplyDeleteChildren were put in dsanger by the very agency that is charged with protecting them.
This demands a full investigation by the County Council. Unless of course it gets brushed under the rug.
The employees work hard and deserve better. The union represnetative could help but he is to busy hanging out with his administration buddies.
Kevin is a good guy but this has nothing to do with Mr.O'Hare liking Kevin, Marcus or Stoffa. This incident should be reviewed to ensure it never happens again.
Not the first problem at Valley Counseling, they have had more than a few.
ReplyDeleteNot a place I would refer anyone.
http://www.courts.state.pa.us/OpPosting/Superior/out/s70023_03.pdf
Management has been letting things slide for some time. This is about sloppy procedures and haste not about personalities.
ReplyDeleteWhat sloppy procedures? And who will be heading up this witch hunt?
Maybe the same people who investigated past administrations and the Election Office.
ReplyDeleteThe same types of investigations you always supported to enhance safe, good, clean, open and accountable government.
Lenny
Lenny,
ReplyDeleteThere never was any "investigation" of previous administrations by the county itself.
As far as the elections office is concerned, what was convened was a citizen advisory panel, but that body did not have to review sensitive files concerning children. Its report went to the exec, not council.
Frankly, I don't think members of council or any citizen group jave the legal right to insert themselves into sensitive matters involving children. County officials in C&Y have no legal authority to discuss specific cases. I do agree the county should be more forthcoming in general terms concerning its procedures.
From what one deputy sheriff told the ET, we know the Bethlehem police are investigating one allegation. I'm sure Bethlehem police are just delighted about that. But that's where it belongs for now.
Stoffa had a similar but far more tragic track record in Lehigh County.
ReplyDeleteI see. This is all about Stoffa. Please make the Bethelehem police aware of all the crimes he has committed.
ReplyDeleteCYF has a policy of thorought background checks on all employees. The truth is that there was *nothing* on this guy's record to even suggest he was a pedophile - this is apparently the first time he has been caught.
ReplyDeleteHow would anon 3:11 do it better - the county would appreciate the advice, I'm sure.
The whole thing just turns my stomach Bernie. You see, my husband has an out-of-state relative and boyfriend who enjoy calling Children & Youth on our family at least yearly with false allegations. There is nothing we can do about that. They haven't laid eyes on my children in over 5 yrs so they have NO CLUE as to how we are raising them.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the investigators (as they should) go to my son's school without notifying us and pretty much have carte blanche to do whatever they want with our children. The last time, the investigator removed my son from class twice on EXTREMELY vague allegations and spoke with him "privately." Can you imagine if this had been Mr. Aponte? I also believe the investigators and caseworkers drive children around to appointments for counseling and services, completely unsupervised.
Even though 80% of cases reported to Children & Youth statewide are determined to be UNFOUNDED (almost every case I know was a retaliatory call from a neighbor, family member, or spouse in process of divorce), many of the investigators/caseworkers treat the parents and children like garbage - like everyone is a (my son included - obviously she didn't believe him the first time since she returned again to school, severely embarrassing him in the process...) The investigator then issued a veiled threat to my husband that our family was "On the radar screen" - even though the anonymous 'complaints' were completely unfounded. Best of all, we consulted an attorney, who said there is nothing we can do about any of this. Nice huh?
Someone SHOULD be in charge of policing this agency in all aspects of their operations. I wanted to provide feedback but was afraid of some kind of retaliation, so I did not.
I will say that the first time someone called we got an investigator/caseworker named Erick. He was absolutely a GEM - really talked thoroughly to my son and to us in a nonaccusatory way and tried to understand my son's special needs as well. Northampton County needs more like him. I'd love to tell his boss that, but again - I want NO contact with Children & Youth, KWIM?
I had no idea who Kevin is/was and am very glad to hear that he is such a concerned department head. If you talk to him, tell him Erick is an asset to his department.
anon 11:11
ReplyDeleteSpend less time on the internet and more time doing your county job and these things may not happen.
old school.
Anon 7:31,
ReplyDeleteHeaven forbid that we might actually hear from someone who works in C&Y. They might tell the truth and blow all your silly theories away. How do you know this person is even working today? How do you know this person is not taking a break. I welcome anonymous comments from the NC workforce. I'd prefer that any day to the political spin from people just trying to make Stoffa look bad.
KarenEMT,
I'd agree with you that because of the immense powers given to C&Y caseworkers, they need close supervision. I am glad you had a good experience with Erick. I hope he is still there.
Kevin Dolan is a dedicated professional who really cares about people. We're lucky to have him, as we were lucky to have his predecessor.
What do Mr. Stoffa problems in Lehigh County have to do with this? Nothing. That was the past.
ReplyDeleteCouncil has a duty to investigate this and should do so immediately.
ReplyDeleteIt should also be done publically. They need to ask basic questions like," How did this happen and what the hell do we need to do to see that it never happens again. period!
Well, let me say this about that.
ReplyDeleteKevin is in fact a dedicated guy, no doubt, but the agency itself is broken, and Kevin does not have the authority to fix it.
The fella above Kevin made an attempt at bribery to an employee to keep that person quiet about a certain case, and it was thwarted. Politics runs the agency, not the idea of keeping children safe, which is what they are charged with doing.
This once again, is not some attempt to sully the names of politicians, but in fact real life, concerning a REAL case.
A case in which any one that knows the details says "Oh my God."
Yes folks, it is that serious.
We won't even get into the immunity issue.........
It sounds like Kevin understand the true intent of the Children, Youth and Families Services Purpose, Scope and Objectives. But he is still responsible for the actions of ALL employees under his command. There is no passing the buck here. These children our our future which makes it everyone's responsibility to get involved or think outside the box to get the Federal as well as CYS Objectives accomplished.
ReplyDeleteOMG. After reading these statements from resource families who have dealt with NC CYS, I now understand why I can NOT get an honest answer from a caseworker or their supervisor. Your comment is correct. You are 100% right about tighter control on their behavior, especially how they treat relatives who step up to the plate to jump through all the hoops to become Certified Foster Homes/Adoption Resource Families and then are treated like crap especially if you ask a question or need some understanding to the CYS Processes. Not only did George Bush sign the Act 160 of 2003 but Governor Rendell signed the new inititavie requiring CYS Agencies to find the relatives within 30 days and expeditiously get these abused and neglected children placed with a relative in order to establish a permanency in their lives. However NC CYS appears to be above the law and does whatever it wants under some sort of aledged confidentiality agreement at the expense of the children's best interest and welfare. Our court system was designed with "Checks and Balances" so why are there no systems in place to control NC CYS.