Caseworker move problematic
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Editor,
According to the Missoulian, March 7, Montana Child and Family Services will be moving caseworkers in Lake County (Polson office) to Missoula and Kalispell by May 1. Caseworkers are those who directly serve children and families by investigating allegations of child abuse, working with families and law enforcement to protect children, placing children in foster care when necessary, and working with families, service providers and foster children to meet these children’s needs. In the case of Lake County, state caseworkers also work with the Tribes’ social services office. Caseworkers serving our local community will no longer be working from an office within our community. I have seen no mention of this in our local papers.
We live in a high-risk community where these services are important for the safety and well-being of our children and thus all of us. I believe there is much value in having a local office where caseworkers are based. As a foster parent, I’ve experienced first-hand the value of having an office where birth family, foster parents and others involved in the lives of at-risk children can stop in and talk with someone directly about needs, questions and concerns. The Missoulian article cited, “a need for more personnel in the two larger counties,” but I am wondering what this means for Lake County and how the needs of our community will best be met. I believe that all residents of Lake County need to be aware of this decision and have the opportunity to voice their concerns to state administrators and representatives.
Janene Lichtenberg
Ronan
