What to do when children need help Some says CHINS petitions have flaws

“If we want to provide a consistent level of care across the state to our kids and families, it has to be coordinated by a larger organization to hold all of the agencies accountable”

When her oldest daughter's drug problems spiraled out of control five years ago, Cheryl Marino knew she needed help fast. via Lowell Sun

[CHINS]

Yes ??? They say the court is involved. Then why does the foster chins kid up the street run away everyother night.Then comes back when she wants to.14 yrs.old and free as a bird. She should be removed from that home as it doesn't seem to be helping.

[Bellingham]

Five years ago the hardest thing I ever did was pull a CHINS on my daughter. I stuck to all the rules and called the local police when she broke the rules. About a year later my daughter called me at work to thank me for everything that I did for her and her life and for sticking by her when she needed the help. My heart just about broke. Tough love really is tough but if you stick by your child and really love them it is well worth the pain. Not a day goes by now that I do not get a hug or told that "I Love You Mom". The school and the courts were not going to let her fall through the cracks, everyone helped us.
Thank you for a program that worked and for sticking by my daughter.

[CHINS is Broken]

The system is antiquated and does not work. The kids know there is no real "teeth" in the CHINS law. Often all that happens is the child goes into DSS custody, and DSS is already overburdened - and besides, why would a foster family have more ability to get a kid to school or stop them from running away than their own parents would? Spilka's bill is a start, but does not address where the money will come from for these services, which already do not exist.