irwindale, Tulsa (11/11/2009 2:32:59 PM)

Where are the priorities here in Oklahoma?

born okay the 1st time, tulsa (11/11/2009 2:47:44 PM)

priorities here are in getting a 10 commandments exhibit, pretty shiny office buildings & ballparks, pay raises for DHS before cutting off seniors, and screeching that gays are more of a threat than terrorists. What did you think?

007, Tulsa (11/11/2009 2:51:03 PM)

This report fails to mention all of our beautiful churches we have on ever corner in this state, full of God fearing republicans who are so pro life.
This report is just too one sided.

Thunder196, Tulsa (11/11/2009 3:08:23 PM)

What is going on. We are always at the wrong end of any lists. Good lists at the bottom. Bad lists at the top. We need to reverse that.

osupokie, Tulsa (11/11/2009 3:28:36 PM)

To all the harpies that scream, cry and preach against abortions. You save the babies life bet then forget about them after they are born. This is what happens to them. Where are you now? What? You only care about the fetus and to hell with them after they are born? Classic!

Faith, (11/11/2009 3:35:31 PM)

Dappy hit this on the nailhead and don't look to the Republicans in this state to fix it. This is a low priority for the GOP Administration.

what 007 posted.

born okay the 1st time, tulsa (11/11/2009 4:05:09 PM)

Well spoke dappie, I wish I was in a position to offer foster care.Id do it in a heartbeat.

fld11, (11/11/2009 4:12:26 PM)

We all know the good old boys at DHS have no clue about anything and are so unresponsive that they shouldn't even exist as a state department. We all the old saying is true: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach work for DHS".

acaringmom, (11/11/2009 4:17:49 PM)

This report may have a postive response...Our society doesn't realize the need for good foster homes until something like this is published. People don't really think about how many children and teenagers are living in the shelters and group homes. Perhaps some will consider foster care and help out a few children. I alot of people say, "I'd get too attached...I don't know if I could do foster care..." but it isn't about you, it is about helping families in need. Many of these children just need a good home while their parents work on whatever they need to do. It breaks my heart to hear about kids being abused while in foster care, more of us need to step up and take care of our future!!!

TulsaLdy7, (11/11/2009 4:57:45 PM)

The report's suggestions should reasonable, but does not address the problems of very low pay for social workers, even though a degree is required, and heavy turnover because the job is so stressful due to long work hours, little appreciation shown, and emotional overhaul. If the caseloads are limited, who will pick up the slack? Perhaps others without degrees can be hired at an entry level position to assist, as long as they have proper training and a mentoring type on-the-job until they are competent.

Ignatz, A nice place where Democrats hold every office in the County. (11/11/2009 5:02:05 PM)

..and silence from the usual commenters. Trying to figure out how to mention their hatred of the President in a remark I suppose.

Fighting Irish, South Bend (11/11/2009 5:07:03 PM)

maybe the Obama "civilian army" could step in and help.

ol feller, Small Town (11/11/2009 5:42:38 PM)

This problem existed 20 years ago when the Dems were in power so blaming the Repubs won't work. I spoke to a few elected Reps about some DHS problems that I saw while I was in law enforcement. I got the standard "we'll look into it" brush off. DHS is autonomous. Any investigation will get the run around until the "investigator" either runs out of funds or gives up in disgust. Two years ago I spoke to two former DHS employees who left because they knew that DHS could not continue to sweep their problems under the rug much longer and both feared that the conscious employees would be "sacrificed" so DHS management could remain in power. This has been in the making for a long time people, it's not going to be over tomorrow. To those who are so critical and wish to point fingers, why didn't YOU do something about the problem? Or do you, like most liberals, just want to lay blame?

ol feller, Small Town (11/11/2009 5:45:56 PM)

"but the truth is that this state is embarrassing." dustyoutlaw

I40 runs East and West. I35, North and South.
Take one and leave, you'll raise the IQ of the state.

007, Tulsa (11/11/2009 7:07:49 PM)

ol feller,


You are ignorant. This state lead's in everything that leads to this problem, cultural christianity is the BIG ONE, and I am Christian. The attitude had been well your not trusting Jesus enough, then you deserve what you get, however we will PRAY for you.

I know so many wonderful Christians' who would give you the shirt off their back, from Methodist, Catholics, Mormons', Baptist etc...however this situation in this state is not acceptable.

DavidM F, (11/11/2009 7:21:07 PM)

There are other people in this state who see the problems that are going on. Every time I hear someone say if you don't like than leave, and thing I understand who causes some of the problems... those who what you to leave. Oklahoma is embarrassing in a hand full of areas, Parenting, parenting, parenting 1st... Obama could always make worse, just call and ask... You must 1st stop the bleeding, before you could fix the problem... Join obama's new health care plan, I'm sure theirs something about DHS. I'm not aiming at the employees of DHS, but there leadership... Big Brother

Brittany, Tulsa Metro, (11/11/2009 11:37:30 PM)

Rather than complain become a foster parent. Tulsa's children need good loving, safe homes. According to OKDHS at the end of last year, only 578 households in Tulsa County were foster homes.

I agree that OKDHS has numerous internal problems, but why do we leave it to the State to take care of our community's most vulnerable. Also, note that the State allocates approximately $4 million a month to the foster care system.

I believe that there are few good Tulsans, 578 to be exact, that could resolve this issue. Stop being dependent on the government to handle our community's social issues. Take social responsibility to address the needs within our community, especially as it relates to children. NO child should be in harm's way.

aint missbehavin, .. (11/12/2009 2:20:58 AM)

My gosh,air those drawers out would ya,If this is true is says to me that,maybe the DHS.is over worked,under paid and understaffed,and probably in some cases underqualified....who suffers,well its the children.I seen where these couple lost their children when in fact their might not have been a reason for it,maybe,the state needed to intervene and clean house,and take care of the children that was in their custody insted of sweatin the small stuff,do the investigations and if need be for all possible reasons,the child might have to leave their home,but in the past,Ive heard many complain about how DHS stepped in when there was no reason for and Ive also seen where they should have.I personaly think they ought to take care of the children thats already in the house and stop relying on dead beat half witted foster parents to raise the children that the state has taken away from natural parents.Ive only met one set of foster parents I can honestly brag on.I went to school with a lot of misfortunate children,some have turned out really nice.They lived rough,but did ok.

aint missbehavin, .. (11/12/2009 2:24:54 AM)

eeeee,it makes me sick to even think about that,what the kids have gone through.

peladac, Sand Springs (11/12/2009 2:54:50 PM)

Poor baby Kelsy Briggs comes to my mind. Can't some just keep politics out of this. Some heads need to roll big time and severe punishment for some. This should not have happened. To say that a republican doesn't care about kids is an ignorant statement. This is not a political issue, this is an issue of our kids being beaten, some killed by some terrible people. It also lies in the hands of judges too. Kelsey Briggs is a perfect example of a FAILED system.