Have you ever called a government agency for help only to be chuckled at and made fun of? Then chances are you have never had to contact the Cocke County Department of Children Services (DCS) located on Heritage Street in Newport , Tennessee.
Such was the case on Monday, July 6, when Renée Lynn, Editor-in-Chief of “The Knoxville Journal,” needed to discuss a dire situation with KimRamsey , a case worker at the Cocke County DCS. Mrs. Lynn tried numerous times to reach Ms. Ramsey or anyone in the department to no avail.
Finally, Mrs. Lynn got in touch with Ms. Ramsey to converse about a very serious issue concerning information relevant to two foster children under their jurisdiction. Apparently the information was ignored.
When asked very pertinent questions about the care of these children, Ms. Ramsey began laughing over the phone along with other employees. They just kept on laughing. Ms. Ramsey made no effort to correct her rude behavior with an apology. Mrs. Lynn then informed Ms. Ramsey that this was not a laughing matter, but was a grave set of circumstances. Again Mrs. Lynn was met with snickering.
It just so happened that Mrs. Lynn’s telephone was on speaker phone and at least one other person witnessed the outrageous behavior of Ms. Ramsey.
Mrs. Lynn commented, “It is a sad day when upstanding citizens are being subjected to such disrespect from government employees.”
This is not the first complaint lodged against the Cocke County DCS. This reporter knows of at least one other incident in which the Cocke County office has overstepped their bounds.
Ms. VickiHodge , supervisor of the Cocke County DCS did return a call to Mrs. Lynn on Tuesday, July 7, but did not apologize for the offensive conduct of her employees.
If you have any information about the Cocke County DCS you would like to share, please call Myra Wheeler at The Knoxville Journal at (865) 546-5353.
http://www.theknoxvillejournal.com/inside/pages/news/Cocke-County-DCS.html
I am sure they would be interested in all the stories in TN, give it a shot.
Such was the case on Monday, July 6, when Renée Lynn, Editor-in-Chief of “The Knoxville Journal,” needed to discuss a dire situation with Kim
Finally, Mrs. Lynn got in touch with Ms. Ramsey to converse about a very serious issue concerning information relevant to two foster children under their jurisdiction. Apparently the information was ignored.
When asked very pertinent questions about the care of these children, Ms. Ramsey began laughing over the phone along with other employees. They just kept on laughing. Ms. Ramsey made no effort to correct her rude behavior with an apology. Mrs. Lynn then informed Ms. Ramsey that this was not a laughing matter, but was a grave set of circumstances. Again Mrs. Lynn was met with snickering.
It just so happened that Mrs. Lynn’s telephone was on speaker phone and at least one other person witnessed the outrageous behavior of Ms. Ramsey.
Mrs. Lynn commented, “It is a sad day when upstanding citizens are being subjected to such disrespect from government employees.”
This is not the first complaint lodged against the Cocke County DCS. This reporter knows of at least one other incident in which the Cocke County office has overstepped their bounds.
Ms. Vicki
If you have any information about the Cocke County DCS you would like to share, please call Myra Wheeler at The Knoxville Journal at (865) 546-5353.
http://www.theknoxvillejournal.com/inside/pages/news/Cocke-County-DCS.html
I am sure they would be interested in all the stories in TN, give it a shot.
1 comments:
Part of the Letter to Represenative Eddie Yokley as a result of dealing with Cocke County DCS.
Honorable Representative Eddie Yokley, what I would like to see now is by far not a new idea. I am simply asking for protection and preservation of Civil Rights of families under investigation of Child Protective Services. A basic law is needed that requires the reading of rights to a family by Child Protective Services. A signature waiving the family’s rights must be obtained before Child Protective Services can enter a home. This signature must not be obtained by coercion, threats or promises of any kind. Families need to understand their rights and Child Protective Services should not be allowed to operate in the shadowed areas of Constitutional law by use of deception or fear of loosing a child.
If Child Protective Services is doing things correctly and lawfully, informing families of their rights and obtaining a signature should not be an issue for this organization.
I propose that a family rights law simply inform families that they have protection under the Constitution from illegal searches and the right to deny entry into their home. Families need to be informed that if they allow Child Protective Services into their home anything can and will be used against them in court. Also, the family needs to be informed that if they do not allow entry into a home denial of access will not be used against them in court. Further, Families need to be informed they have the right to have an attorney present.
If there are circumstances that Child Protective Services and Police needs to enter a home a warrant can be issued if probable cause is proven. This will help protect children and require Child Protective Services to operate within Constitutional law.
I believe upholding the Constitution, educating the public of Constitutional rights and protection of American Families is the noblest causes an American Politian can embrace.
“Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy”
-Proverbs 31:8-9
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