Journalist Uses Media to Spur Foster Care Reform
Some time in 2006, while Daniel Heimpel was getting a graduate degree in journalism, he met someone whose story fired his passions and set the course of his fledgling career.
The person he met was a high school kid named Chris, a foster child, who was playing on a lacrosse team in South Central Los Angeles. Heimpel, a lacrosse player himself, had heard about a team comprised of Latino and African American kids and had gone to investigate. He became intrigued by the team and by one player in particular – Chris – who told Daniel that he didn’t have any parents and instead was living in a group home.
Heimpel began mentoring Chris and another teenager also in foster care, and the experience gave Heimpel a window into the foster care system – and inspired him to document what he observed. He wrote a series of stories about the team for Inside Lacrosse Magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle. And he wrote about Chris, and the realities of being a foster kid in urban Los Angeles, for LA Weekly.
“I wanted to cover this subject matter very badly. I kept following this story because I was passionate about it,” he said. “Every job I had, I tried to write about this subject. It opened up every door.”
In the years that followed, Heimpel continued writing articles about the foster care system, what happened to kids while they were in the system, and when they got out. And he wrote about the effect of a broken system on the children, their families, and society. The articles appeared in a wide variety of publications, including the Los Angeles Daily News, Newsweek, the Seattle Times, the Huffington Post, Current TV and the San Jose Mercury News.
But it soon became apparent to Heimpel that simply writing about the system was not enough; he wanted to try to change it.
“When I first started looking at the system, my initial reaction was that it was messed up,” he explained. “But then I realized that the gap between what was wrong and making it right was not insurmountable. … I realized that I had to do something about it.”
That something is Fostering Media Connections, a nonprofit media organization that is trying to change the narrative about foster care and spur reform. Heimpel created FMC with the help of a high school friend, videographer Eytan Elterman, who has a background in social action documentaries and media relations. Together, they have produced scores of print and video stories in small and large news outlets throughout the country.
Through FMC, Heimpel and Elterman are making it easier for journalists to cover foster care issues by literally handing them the stories, the context, and the data. The hope is that when people read about the realities of the system, they will start to care, Heimpel says. And when they care, they will push their lawmakers to make needed changes.
The peg for Heimpel and Elterman’s efforts is a new federal law called the Fostering Connections to Success Act, one of the most significant pieces of child welfare legislation to come out of Washington in more than a decade. It seeks to improve the outcomes for foster youth and increase access to adoption by ensuring permanent placements with relatives, increasing incentives for adoption, maintaining sibling ties and other family connections, extending foster care to age 21, and increasing access to federal funding to promote better outcomes for Native American children. Although the act is a federal law, implementation is left to the discretion of individual states.
Heimpel and Elterman have identified 14 media markets where they want to educate journalists and place stories with the hopes of generating support for the implementation of the act on the state level. So far, they have traveled to California, Washington state, and Maryland, and they are now working in Massachusetts. California recently passed local legislation, AB 12, to implement the Fostering Connections to Success Act, and it appears likely that Washington State will do the same.
FMC uses roughly the same method in each market it visits: Heimpel uncovers stories and presents them to journalists, while Elterman documents FMC’s work through video that FMC then gives to media outlets.
“The first two weeks are spent mining the community for stories,” Heimpel said. “I then package them up and meet with people. So by the end of every media market, I give them a menu of stories which are really substantive, fleshed out, structured and basically done.”
Although the Fostering Connections to Success Act contains a number of provisions, FMC’s work has focused on the extension of care until age 21, educational stability and kinship. Even though Heimpel currently writes and packages stories, he wants to get other journalists involved and interested in the issue and expand the number of journalists providing continual coverage on foster care.
“The main goal is not for me to write, but to someday create an army of journalists willing to accept that they are not powerless anymore and can actually inspire dramatic change for kids in foster care,” he said.
Since the inception of FMC, the project has received more coverage than anticipated, and often journalists continue covering foster care even after Heimpel and Elterman have left the scene. Although he is happy about FMC’s success, Heimpel said he will not be satisfied until the federal law is implemented nationwide and foster care is a leading national issue.
“There has been some success, but I don’t have Oprah talking about this stuff,” he said. “I don’t have Anderson Cooper talking about this stuff. So until we get to that level, we are not there yet.”
The project will wrap up in December 2011, but Heimpel hopes to use the same methods to tackle other critical social issues. Although FMC will end, Heimpel believes FMC’s approach of turning the media into a tool that informs the public and empowers journalists to instigate social change can be used for other social battles.
“We are establishing a beachhead into the greater battle for social justice,” he said. “Fostering Media Connections will die after its 14 media markets, but I don’t think the paradigm will.”
See the original article posted at the National Center for Youth Law website here.
Vicki Lambou
I wanted to tell you briefly about a horrible tragedy that my family is experiencing with the Department of Family Services in Las Vegas Nevada. I have been an foster/adoptive resource for over three years now.
In June 2008 two sibling boys... Two and five years old at the time were placed with me! Neither was potty trained, both were under weight and had developmental delays. Both had deep seated scars and fears related to abandonment and neglect.
Early into it I feared maybe I was in over my head. Maybe the damage done was too great and I was not equipped. I shared this with the biological mothers therapist outside the courtroom one day. She admonished me to hang in there and to just be consistent. Children are resilient and just want to be loved she said. She confided to me that she had been fighting for this placement for over a year and was so relieved that I had them.
I was struck with the fact that I did not have the instant bond of mother child as I had with my birth son. I repented and prayed to God every night to give me a mothers heart for these boys because I knew they deserved that. He gave it to me and I was determined to remain committed to the children as I was horrified at the revolving door of placements that children have to endure.
So I clung to her admonishment and prayer and yes she was right...... I saw tremendous progress and nothing short of miracles over time with the boys. They went from being unable to function to normal busy active boys!! I became extremely busy with the demands of so called "special needs" boys and with all the requirements of the DFS, doctor appointments, counseling, tutoring, reliable babysitting, and a working single mom! Whew! But live was full and good.
It took one year to terminate parental rights. At the 11th hour of moms parental rights being terminated I offered an open adoption agreement and she agreed. Her rights were technically relinquished.
I thought of a live in nanny and one was recommended from one of the agencies that work with children in foster care. We agreed to a trial training period with the understanding if it worked out she would be a live in nanny help. After a very short period of training with pay I felt uncomfortable with her presence around the children and I told her it was not going to work out. She stayed in my home for three weeks until she could arrange for another place to stay. I did not leave her alone with the children. Being vindictive she turned me in to CPS with many false outlandish allegations against me on or about March 17th.
March 17th my presence was requested at the children's status hearing check and my adoption packet being done I had been ready for quite some time. I was waiting on the DFS to move. The Hearing Master Femiano stated that the adoption had to take place by June of this year or multiple ASFA fines would incur against the DFS. After that hearing we began picking out our new last names and planning for an adoption party. The therapist was also preparing the children for adoption.
Friday March 18th CPS investigator Deo called me at work and wanted to know where the children were. I cooperated. He took the little one from his preschool and took him to his office. I called the caseworker and told her I am getting mixed messages here. She reassured me I had nothing to worry about. Every allegation has to be investigated. The little one told me later that he was scared to leave his preschool with this strange man but he was nice because he gave him candy and then had him pee in a cup!
March 24th, one week after the last status hearing CPS removed the children from my home with out any explanation to me! I was so traumatized I did not work or go home for three weeks. After the initial blow I slowly regained strength to fight back. They had not even done an investigation and refused me any contact with the children!
I pushed for an investigation and on May 11 a month and a half later although most of the allegations were found not substantiated they substantiated child abuse "substance misuse" and I was registered as an offender threatening my nursing license. I had one week to apply for an appeal or would forever forfeit that right to appeal and would remain a registered child abuser. I got my appeal in and then waited for the hearing date to be set.
Originally it was set for July 20th but I believe at my obnoxious pushing I had my hearing pushed to an earlier date on June 15th.
On June 14th one day before my hearing I was given a copy of their supposed evidence and charges against me! June 15th I sat in at my Hearing and I defended myself and provided my evidence.
(Our three year anniversary was June 16th.)
June 21st the child abuse charges were overturned by Hearing Master Heather Kemp and the DFS was ordered to remove me from the offender data base immediately!
June 23rd I showed up children's next Hearing Status check and Hearing Master Femiano allowed me in the court room. I sat opposite the DFS/DA and I was allowed to speak. I told her that it had been a very rough three months and that the children and I were denied and contact with each other for the first time in three years.
She agreed indeed because the children had been separated from each other and filtered through five different placements in a three month period!! I was horrified! After three years of stability and progress who does this to children!?!
The caseworker, did not show and had a stand in with her written notes stating that she was happy to report that the children were doing extremely well! (really?) And that I was to be contacted for therapeutic visits and a safety plan was to be placed and the children were to be returned to me. The Hearing Master inquired as to why visitation and safety plan....? The stand in stated because of the allegations made against me. The Hearing Master stated....I don't want to hear that.....those were overturned....why not just place them back???
The D.A. then spoke and said that the DFS communicated to her that there was uncertainty if they could re-instate my Foster License. I clarified to the Hearing Master that my Foster License was not suspended or revoked but the renewal was put on hold pending the outcome of the investigation and appeal! I also stated that I disagreed with the DFS decision to remove the children traumatically and that I would like to get back to our lives and proceed with our original plans of adoption. Hearing Master Femiano told me that she could not force the DFS to return the children to me but that she could put pressure on them to place them in an adoptive resource as they have not been in one since they were removed from me. There was no more mention of "ASFE" fines! She set the next status check hearing for six months later in December.
On June 19th a friend and I went to the Commissioners meeting and sat there from 9am to 3:30pm until comments from the public were allowed. I thought my heart was gonna beat out of my chest but I briefly told them of my experience with the DFS and the children being filtered through five different foster homes. The Commissioners Stated that they would look into it.
July 21st we were granted a "therapeutic good bye visit"! Our first contact in over four months! I refused to say goodbye and stated that for the record to the DFS, the therapist, and my attorney. I also stated that I disagree with the D.F.S. decision to remove the children traumatically and now to not place them back in our home and that I am refusing to say goodbye to the children.
July 21st I was also informed that they now they were re-investigation my foster license. I called Patricia Peal to inquire why are they re-investigating my license? I was told that I was misinformed by Richard Nelson the original investigator because he is just a "very nice person"! Ms. Peal stated that this is a continuation of the original investigation put on hold pending the outcome of CPS investigation and my appeal. She stated they would have a decision for me in two weeks. (I believed that they were just looking for another way to disqualify me in order to justify their removal of the children).
I was re traumatized after seeing the children and hearing the horror of their experience. They were separated from every thing that they had come to know and expect as home and family. The older one was labeled a sexual predator stemming from the false allegation against him and I. He was separated from his younger brother. Kicked out of multiple homes and sent to St. Judes Ranch with other labeled offenders. His medication and bowel training that we worked so hard on for three years went all together ignored and he began to soil his paints again! He was ridiculed and humiliated for soiling his pants and ran away to find me! He was caught and sent back to Child Haven. He told me that his life has been ruined! (He is only 8 years old!) He also told me that his heart feels like a toilet that is plugged up. While he was in my presence he said it has gone down but when he leaves me it will be plugged again. He stated that he began cursing again because he is so angry at what has happened! Me too baby...I told him. He asked me “How are we going to stay connected as a family mom?” I pointed to my heart and then told him I was banging on the gates of heaven!! He described the removal of his brother and he from me and our separation from each other right before our adoption as a bomb that blew us all up!!! .....It does feel like an act of terrorism!
Tuesday July 26th Janice Ridondo Community Liason for Commissioners had set up a meeting for me to meet with the Director of the DFS Tom Morton on Friday July 29th. It was then overturned by the Assistant County Manager Jeff Wells stating that since I am in the midst of a "best interest determination" it would be inappropriate for the county to step in at this time. Jeff Wells then communicated to me that he told the DFS that they could not investigate my foster license until they had done a best interest determination.
Tuesday August 2nd went to Commissioners Meeting and I spoke again to request a “Special Meeting” concerning the DFS. I was told yes by the Commissioners I was told to get with Jeff Wells again to set that up.
August 4th an "Emergency Hearing" for the boys set. Amy Jaffe and Patricia Peal stood in for the DFS. Also Tamiko Carter Henderson current case worker and Richard Nelson Foster License Investigators, Darcy Spears Chief Investigative Reporter for channel 13, Anita Stephens former president of CCFAAPA. Sylvia liberty and Shelly Alfaro, long time friends on mine. The biological grandmother was also there in the audience.
This time The DFS stated in court that they are planning on placing the children back with biological grandmother before school starts this year. (They removed the children from the the biological grandmother three years ago and placed with me for adoption). They also stated that they are investigation my foster license again. And that the Investigation was not complete at that time but Patricia Peals stated that she would have to say they are probably moving towards revocation. (To justify their criminal actions!) Amy Jaffe stated that they would grant me visitation if the children were to ask for me. (They have been asking for their mommie since their removal!)
This hearing in no way resembled a "Best Interest Determination" but was placed on calendar as and specifically called a “status check”. Biological grandmother told the hearing master that I disobeyed court ordered visitation with bio mother. (I have an open adoption agreement giving me discretion with visitation so that I could act in children’s best interest). Also there was still no more mention of "ASFE" fines promised if the children were not adopted by June of this year!
Friday August 5th Darcy Spears Chief Investigative Reporter for Channel 13 interviewed me in our home.
Tuesday August 9th I email-ed and called DFS administration and my attorney that I had no intentions of ever having a Foster License again! That I would have it and did have it only to adopt my precious boys.
Friday August 12 I email-ed and called the County Managers Office about the DFS refusing to speak with me. I was told Jeff Wells was on vacation and Rose who answered the phone called the DFS for me she was told that DFS would not speak with me if I had council so immediately I released my attorney and cc’d that release email to DFS administration.
Monday August 15th I Called DFS for visitation again and was told that they could not speak with me because I had an attorney and I clarified that I released him and had forwarded that release notification to their office! I also spoke briefly with Donna Coleman Child Welfare Advocate about getting CAP Attorney for the children. Email-ed Tabitha Fiddyment Child Welfare Attorney and I spoke and faxed all documents pertaining to my boys and their case to Bill Grimm Lead Council for National Youth Law....he is looking into it.
August 16th I spoke again at the Commissioners Meeting. I was told by Don Burnette Clark County Manager that the new interim director Lisa Ruiz-Lee would speak with me now as he had directly spoke to her office about it.
August 17th Lisa Ruiz-Lee did email me back and stated that she would be in contact with me shortly to schedule a meeting for the week of the 21st. I requested more visitation with the children since their was no transition and the children are still very traumatized. She stated that she would discuss that issue with me at our meeting! (In other words.....NO.....and still no transition for the children or me.)
August 26th Friday. I received a phone call from Senator Hellers office. A Ms. Brittany Sandler told me that she had read my letter in its entirety and she wanted to assure me that Senator Heller was appalled. She told me that Senator Heller was writing a letter on our behalf along with my letter attached to the Attorney Generals Office, Governor Sandoval’s office, and the office of The Department of Health and Human Services requesting an investigation in this matter and a response back from those departments to him as to their action taken.
The children and I have been used and then discarded like trash by a corrupt system paramount to human trafficking and slavery. Millions of dollars are at stake and the children pay the price! I can no longer remain silent to this evil system that betrays the children entrusted in their care!
Please see my petition and contact me about this case and be a voice for the voiceless!
https://www.change.org/petitions/department-of-family-services-do-no-harm
Vicki Lambou
6916 Little Brook Street
Las Vegas, Nevada 89131
vlambou@gmail.com
“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
—Mark 10:13-16
Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. 14If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Esther 4:13,14.
August 28 at 11:34pm
