
To the Editor:
Andrea Neal’s recent column about the state’s Department of Child Services (DCS) highlighted the very concerns that worry so many of us who are disturbed about the agency and other departments under this administration.
More specifically, we are concerned that this column continues to advocate a delivery of services promoted by this administration that runs contrary to DCS’ goal of protecting the safety of children.
By describing these concerns in simplistic terms that reduce them to complaints that range from “DCS is taking too many kids†to “DCS is not taking enough kids,†the administration prefers to simplify issues rather than understand the root causes of the problems that so many of us have with this agency and its leader.
When the common refrain of “standardizing services†is used to explain changes made to any state department – be it DCS or the Family and Social Services Agency (FSSA) or the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) in its handling of unemployment insurance claims – what it truly means is that experienced, trained local departments are being ravaged in order to bring all resources to a centralized location in Indianapolis.
This control means two things. It gives leadership a better chance to keep an eye on all workers and keep a lid on opinions and actions that run contrary to the company line, and it gradually erodes the decision-making away from the local officials who have the hands-on experience and expertise to deal with problems at the local level.
This philosophy of management runs completely contrary to the missions these agencies should follow. There is no trust, no training and no investment in local officials to make important decisions. Rather, the approach is “Take it to Indy and we’ll hope for the best.â€
What is the result?
At DCS, an inefficient, ineffective hotline that hurts kids.
At DWD, a system that requires out-of-work Hoosiers to wait more than 8 weeks to get their first check.
At FSSA, continued mismanagement that causes sick Hoosiers to lose benefits through no fault of their own.
In so many ways, our state government is failing to live up to its responsibilities. All of us who serve the people of Indiana need to recognize that fact, and work to truly improve services.
Gail Riecken
State Representative
Indiana House District 77