While traveling down the road of the Triple A Approach, one might come to a fork. Here he will “see something” and then have the tough choice of “saying something”. One route might appear more comfortable for the moment, but the other could improve a child’s comfort for a lifetime. Part of following Christ’s call to serve the Bluebonnet Children could mean making a call to the Department of Children and Families.
It is tempting to leave this dark work up to the “professionals”. It is common to think someone else will say something. It is convenient to turn the other way, pray and feel that will suffice. Don’t give in. Don’t lower that standard. Don’t miss out on an opportunity. Even if the call does not go as you expected-you still made …show more content…
According to the well-intentioned woman on the other end of the line, this was not enough evidence. Patrick shared story after story of abandonment, emotional abuse and the occasional physical abuse. He spoke of pill bottles and smaller cigarette-looking-thingys. These seemed of little importance to her. She wanted the names of both of his parents, their address, and who had custody. This information could not be found in the tense moment. I was beginning to lose hope in “the system”. Patrick was taken out of state that night. My phone call seemed irrelevant; for the child I called about and anyone related to him was no longer in my state. Sadness overwhelmed me.
Then something miraculous happened. The office of Child Protective Services called me the next day and asked me for more information. They then called the office in South Carolina, where Patrick would be attending school. A social-worker was sent to Patrick’s father’s house (yes-states away!). Not too long after, Patrick went to live with a much more stable aunt.
If only I knew then what I know now, this attempt to help would have looked a little differently. May this guide from the Kansas Department of Children and Families equip us as we
It is tempting to leave this dark work up to the “professionals”. It is common to think someone else will say something. It is convenient to turn the other way, pray and feel that will suffice. Don’t give in. Don’t lower that standard. Don’t miss out on an opportunity. Even if the call does not go as you expected-you still made …show more content…
According to the well-intentioned woman on the other end of the line, this was not enough evidence. Patrick shared story after story of abandonment, emotional abuse and the occasional physical abuse. He spoke of pill bottles and smaller cigarette-looking-thingys. These seemed of little importance to her. She wanted the names of both of his parents, their address, and who had custody. This information could not be found in the tense moment. I was beginning to lose hope in “the system”. Patrick was taken out of state that night. My phone call seemed irrelevant; for the child I called about and anyone related to him was no longer in my state. Sadness overwhelmed me.
Then something miraculous happened. The office of Child Protective Services called me the next day and asked me for more information. They then called the office in South Carolina, where Patrick would be attending school. A social-worker was sent to Patrick’s father’s house (yes-states away!). Not too long after, Patrick went to live with a much more stable aunt.
If only I knew then what I know now, this attempt to help would have looked a little differently. May this guide from the Kansas Department of Children and Families equip us as we