The involvement of the Department of Human Services (DHS) in my family's life is a story that speaks to the complexities and challenges that can arise when government agencies interact with vulnerable individuals, particularly children. While DHS plays a crucial role in safeguarding the well-being of children, there are instances where the system falls short, as in my case. I'm hoping that my story can shed light on the importance of a robust child welfare system and the need for continuous improvement. 

DHS, in most countries, is responsible for protecting children from abuse and neglect, ensuring they have safe and stable living conditions, and advocating for their best interests. However, the effectiveness of this system can vary, and the experiences of individuals like me, highlight the gaps that exist in child protective services. 

So basically, my mother dropped us off at my grandmother's, and DHS became involved to ensure our safety and well-being. While the agency's intentions were undoubtedly good, the way they handled our situation was flawed AF. It is not uncommon for child welfare agencies to face overwhelming caseloads, understaffing, and limited resources, all of which can hinder their ability to effectively address the complexities of each case. 

 But in many ways our case was different. We were abused children, I mean speaking for myself and with how my folks raised me, I was scared of authority figures! Before I even spoke to DHS, my grandmother let me know who they were, they are the people that can take us and separate us. That is all I thought about when we were in the presence of those people and my grandmother knew that I would do anything to keep us together, that included keeping my mouth shut and basically putting on a show. My grandmother spoke for us, and my uncle physically put a DHS worker out of our home, and I remember praying that they would investigate the incident and question me individually. 

I'm almost sure that a “normal” person would find it deeply troubling to hear that the abuse within my grandmother's home was overlooked by DHS. My goal here is to show how its oversight represents a grave failure in the child welfare system. The consequences of this failure are profound, impacting the lives of myself and my sibling. This time of my life left some vicious, long lasting emotional and psychological scars. And we are not alone in this, there are so many others that’s story is just as troubling, Instances where child protective services fall short underscore the need for more comprehensive training and increased resources for caseworkers. They also highlight the importance of encouraging transparency, accountability, and constant improvement within child welfare agencies. 

I'm hoping that my story can be a reminder of the need for a strong support network for children in vulnerable situations. It underscores the importance of individuals, teachers, neighbors, and friends in recognizing and reporting signs of abuse. Together, we can play a vital role in holding child protective services accountable and advocating for the safety and well-being of every child. 

In light of my experience, it was essential to seek healing and support. AND I DID! Therapy and counseling provided a safe space to process the trauma and the goal is to aim for a more hopeful future. Now if my story could serve as a call to action, emphasizing the urgency of reforming child welfare systems to ensure that no child's suffering goes unnoticed and unaddressed. Then I will feel like being so vulnerable and personal here was for a purpose and then I will feel as if I have accomplished something with this.