DHS does all it can to help keep children safe

This is in response to the Department of Human Services series in The Gazette.

While I understand and sympathize with the plight of Victor Rodgers, not all of the stories start or end up like that. Most parents are given multiple chances to clean up their act and be responsible. They say that everyone “is out to get them,” especially DHS. The state is really pretty forgiving and allows the parents the benefit of the doubt.

The kids removed from the parental household are not removed on a whim. The majority of kids are removed mainly because of situations detrimental to their well-being. The parents get free counseling, lawyers, child care, schooling, medication, food stamps and state financial aid, while still being allowed to keep custody of their children and have visits with them.

Some parents continue to put the children in unsafe conditions with the presence of drugs, shady individuals and poor living conditions. They do the absolute bare minimum required of them, which drags out the situation, keeps the case active, and the children remain in limbo. Then when the state finally says enough, these parents are still clueless that their actions brought on the termination of their parental rights.

But, it finally allows the children some closure, to be adopted to a family with stability, love and safe living conditions. The real problem is after the children are removed, placed in foster care and adopted, the parents have more children. That's a cycle that needs to be stopped.

Lisa Cooley

Cedar Rapids