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A
A
B
My
name
is
Shelly
funky
fro-meyer
and
I'm
senator
from
District
24,
which
is
Campbell
Pendleton
Bracken
and
a
sliver
of
Kenton,
so
grateful
to
be
here
today
with
Christina
Libby,
a
mom
that
will
share
her
testimony
as
well
as
Dr
Ashley
Belcher,
a
psychologist
who
specializes
in
women's
health
and
just
by
way
of
introduction
to
the
bill.
There
is
a
sub
to
the
title,
and
I
did
confirm
with
the
bill
writer
this
morning
that
perhaps
you
didn't
get
that
far
enough
ahead.
A
If
you
don't
care,
let's
go
ahead
and
approve
the
committee
sub.
Okay,
please
I,
have
a
motion.
I
have
a
second
all.
Those
in
favor,
please
signify
by
saying
aye
aye
oppose
no
committee
sub
is
approved.
Wonderful.
B
And
and
then
Senator
Carroll,
we
also
have
a
title
sub
and
the
title
sub
is
to
acknowledge
mental
health,
focusing
on
perinatal
mood
and
anxiety
disorders,
though
I
think
it
says
perinatal
Mental,
Health,.
A
Okay,
we,
we
are
good,
go
ahead
and
proceed
with
the
committee
sub
and
then
we
will
adopt
the
title
Amendment
at
the
end.
B
B
But
in
making
this
change,
we
felt
like
the
language,
would
more
completely
Express
the
issue
and
reflect
the
actions
that
we're
proposing
to
help
resolve
and
I'm
grateful
for
Christina
Libby
I'll
turn
it
over
to
her
next,
but
I
do
want
to
acknowledge
that
this
bill
really
is
to
ensure
greater
access
and
information
resources
about
perinatal
mental
health
care.
We
really
understand
that
pregnant
mothers
and
postpartum
mothers
will
be
less
likely
to
suffer
from
pregnancy,
related
depression
and
other
pregnancy-related
mental
health,
with
a
greater
emphasis
on
this
need.
B
We
do
believe
this
is
wide
reaching
and
it
really
can
be
the
difference
between
life
and
death
for
Kentucky
mothers.
Kentucky,
sadly,
has
one
of
the
worst
maternal
mortality
rates
in
the
country
and
we're
looking
to
get
Upstream
of
that.
We
really
want
to
work
towards
a
solution
in
2017,
nearly
half
of
the
maternal
deaths
in
Kentucky
were
related
to
substance.
Use
disorder:
we
believe
that
over
90
percent
of
those
deaths
are
preventable.
C
Thank
you,
sir
chair
and
members
of
the
committee
senator
for
having
me
today.
Thank
you.
My
name
is
Christina
Libby
and
I
live
and
work
here
in
Frankfurt
I
was
asked
to
speak
today,
because
I'm
often
found
at
the
intersection
of
perinatal
and
postpartum
health
and
mental
health.
Sometimes
I'm
found
at
that
intersection
playing
the
role
of
traffic
cop,
navigating
new
parents
and
other
times
I'm
just
found
sitting
in
the
intersection
crying
I've
lived
with
mental
health
issues.
C
My
entire
life,
though
it's
only
been
over
recent
decades
with
the
very
intentional
destigmatization
and
awareness
that
I've
come
to
understand
this.
After
having
my
first
child
I
would
drive
45
minutes
to
a
place
called
the
diaper
fairy
Cottage
in
Louisville,
where
a
glorious
woman
named
Emily
McKay
ran
a
group
called
Afterglow.
C
It's
hard
to
explain
how
sitting
in
a
circle
with
other
new
moms
sipping
tea
and
simply
talking
about
how
simultaneously
glorious
and
horrid
new
Parenthood
can
be,
can
save
a
person,
but
it
it
did
and
in
large
part,
because
of
that
experience.
I
began
facilitating
a
new
mom
group
here
in
Frankfort
at
the
Paul
Sawyer
Public
Library
called
milestones
and
meltdowns
sitting
again
in
a
circle
of
new
moms
every
week,
hearing
their
roses
and
thorns
seeing
again
the
magic
of
being
in
community
with
other
people
who
got
it.
C
C
Depression
is
a
very
convincing
liar,
and
the
voice
in
my
head
was
certain
that
I
was
the
exception
to
all
of
the
platitudes.
I
had
a
friend
who
made
an
Excel
spreadsheet
of
therapists
in
my
area,
and
it
was
unfortunately
difficult
to
find
any
that
both
took
my
insurance
and
specialized
in
maternal
Mental.
C
But
thanks
to
my
own
many
years
of
therapy,
I'm
learning
to
accept
that
attempting
to
protect
my
mom
from
my
pain
is
as
useless
as
her
trying
to
prevent
me
from
experiencing.
It.
I
feel
like
as
Americans
we're
so
proud
of
our
rugged
individualism
that
we
forget
that
soft
and
vulnerable
Community
is
especially
necessary
in
a
time
of
healing
and
if
the
time
after
bringing
a
new
baby
into
your
life
is
anything
it's
a
time
of
healing
and
not
just
for
your
body
and
so
I'm.
D
Oh
sorry,
good
morning,
thank
you,
chair
Carol
and
vice
chair
Adams,
for
the
opportunity
to
present
information
on
sb135
to
you
and
members
of
the
Senate
families
and
children's
committee.
My
name
is
Dr
Ashley,
Belcher
and
I
am
a
licensed
clinical
psychologist
practicing
at
Commonwealth
therapy
Louisville,
where
I
treat
a
range
of
patients,
including
those
with
perinatal
mental
health
disorders.
D
I
am
representing
Kentucky
Psychological
Association,
whose
members
have
had
input
on
this
bill.
Since
2022
gender
General
Assembly
session
early
in
my
career,
I
became
determined
to
improve
the
mental
health
and
quality
of
life
for
children
through
working
with
children.
I
witnessed
the
Myriad
of
problems
that
growing
families
face
due
to
perinatal
mood
and
anxiety
disorders,
while
previously
working
in
primary
care
as
a
behavioral
health
consultant
I
saw
the
disparity
of
follow-up
care
for
those
in
the
postpartum
phase
compared
to
other
illnesses.
D
While
it
is
true
that
pregnancy
and
postpartum
are
not
illnesses,
it
is
nevertheless
a
delicate
time
period,
which
requires
attention
to
care
to
promote
the
best
outcomes.
These
clinical
experiences
ignited
a
passion
for
reducing
barriers
to
treatment
and
increasing
support
for
families
in
this
delicate
and
challenging
time
of
life.
D
Pmads
can
include
major
depressive
disorder,
generalized
anxiety
disorder
and
several
other
mental
illnesses
like
psychosis
or
bipolar
disorder
substance
use
disorders
can
also
be
exacerbated
by
the
perinatal
period,
while
these
illnesses
affect
can
affect
anyone
at
any
stage
of
Life.
The
perinatal
period
poses
an
increased
risk
and
creates
a
unique
presentation
with
regards
to
symptoms.
Unfortunately,
these
illnesses
often
go
undiagnosed
and
untreated.
D
For
some,
the
perinatal
phase
exacerbates
existing
symptoms,
but
for
a
large
majority,
symptoms
actually
begin
during
the
perinatal
period
for
the
very
first
time
in
a
person's
life.
This
leaves
individuals
without
an
understanding
of
what
they
are
experiencing
or
how
to
go
about
seeking
help,
and
they
often
feel
considerable
shame
for
experiencing
the
symptoms.
Every
year
more
than
400
000
infants
are
born
to
mothers,
who
are
depressed,
which
makes
perinatal
depression
one
of
the
most
under
diagnosed
obstetric
complications
in
the
U.S.
D
When
we
think
of
complications
in
pregnancy,
perhaps
we
think
of
gestational
diabetes
or
preeclampsia
or
gestational
hypertension,
yet
those
complications
occur
in
less
than
half
as
many
people
as
pmads
do
so,
you
might
wonder,
what's
at
stake
here?
Well,
if
left
untreated
P
bads
have
been
linked
to
increased
medical
costs,
increased
risk
for
inappropriate
Medical
Care.
They
are
linked
to
increased
prevalence
of
child
abuse,
neglect,
intimate
partner
violence
and
divorce.
People
struggling
with
mental
illness
are
more
likely
to
discontinue
breastfeeding
file
for
disability
or
unemployment
and
experience
Financial
hardships.
D
There
there's
also
a
correlation
between
pmads
and
adverse
effects
on
early
brain
development
in
children
and,
tragically
pmads
have
been
linked
directly
to
infanticide,
homicide
and
suicide.
Demographics
play
an
important
role
in
the
risk
for
pmads
and
racial
disparities
exist.
People
of
color
have
a
higher
maternity,
maternal
mortality
rate,
increased
prevalence
of
pmeds,
increased
teen
pregnancy
rates,
lower
rates
of
breastfeeding
and
poor
quality
of,
and
access
to
obstetric
and
Mental
Health
Care.
D
D
D
E
Yes,
Mr
chair,
thank
you
and
appreciate
the
testimony.
Many
members
of
this
committee
are
also
on
the
health
services
committee
and
we
had
Dr
Jeffrey
Goldberg
talk
about
this
various
subject
a
couple
of
weeks
ago,
and
this
is
a
continuation
I
believe
of
Senator
Rocky
Adams
efforts
last
session
with
Senate
Bill
95,
and
so
this
is
certainly
a
long
overdue,
but
very
enlightening
testimony
Dr
particular
guard.
You
said
that
men
suffer
from
this
as
well
I
guess
the
prevalence
isn't
near
what
the
women
do,
but
I
found
that
a
very
interesting
subject
in
itself.
D
Actually
been
shown
that
their
hormones
are
changing
as
well
in
the
in
the
perinatal
and
postpartum
phase,
and
so
we
believe
that
some
of
this
is
hormone
related,
but
also
there's
just
an
an
undeniable
amount
of
adjustment
that
must
be
done
to
become
a
parent
and
to
become
the
best
parent
that
the
person
can
be
and
I
think
that
the
stress
of
that
is
certainly
something
we.
We
need
to
take
into
account,
particularly
with
fathers,
and
they
have
a
unique
set
of
stresses
as
well.
D
There
are
times
when
men,
maybe
don't
feel
equipped
to
to
take
on
some
of
the
the
same
things
that
the
women
do
and
they
they
might
not
feel
like
they're
supporting
their
spouse
in
the
way
that
they'd
like
to
and
so
I
think,
because
they
have
their
their
own
set
of
stresses.
It's
important
that
whoever's
working
with
them
be
trained
in
in
addressing
and
listening
to
those
those
stresses
that
that
men
face
specifically
well.
A
Thank
you,
Senator
I,
see
no
other
questions.
Is
there
a
motion?
We
have
a
motion:
Senator
Adams,
second
Senator,
Westerfield
clerk.
Please
call
the
roll.
G
Senator
funky
farmer.
This
is
excellent
legislation
I
thank
you
for
bringing
it
I,
in
fact
co-sponsored
with
Senator
Rocky
Adams
95
last
year,
as
we
spoke
last
night,
I
told
you
that
I
had
a
concern
with
the
committee
sub,
removing
the
language
regarding
postpartum
care
and
I'm
happy
that
Dr
Belcher
has
explained
that
that
is
in
fact
covered
up
to
a
year.
Thank
you
very
much.
I
vote.
I.
A
9-0,
we
also
have
a
title
amendment.
Is
there
a
motion
on
the
title
Amendment?
Second,
all
those
in
favor
oppose
title
amendment
is
adopted
also
Senator,
funky
frohmeyer.
Congratulations,
look
forward
to
this
bill,
moving
forward
on
the
senate
floor
and
thank
you,
ladies.
So
much
for
being
here
today
appreciate
your
testimony.
B
A
Good,
okay:
the
next
item
on
the
agenda
is
for
educational
purposes.
For
this
committee
and
oftentimes,
we
hear
from
people
who
sit
in
offices
all
day
and
we
really
don't
hear
from
those
who
are
on
the
front
lines
of
various
issues.
So
today
we're
going
to
hear
from
those
who
work
the
front
lines.
We
have
four
social
workers
from
across
the
Commonwealth
that
are
here
today
and
and
folks,
if
you
all
would
please
come
to
the
table.
A
A
Just
to
kind
of
get
from
a
front
line
point
of
view,
the
struggles
that
these
ladies
have
from
day
to
day
in
their
jobs-
and
you
know
I
spent
many
years
working
with
with
social
workers
as
a
law
enforcement
officer
and
worked
side
by
side
on
many
cases
and
I.
Don't
think
that
a
lot
of
people
really
understand
the
struggles
that
they
go
through
each
day
and
balancing
the
needs
of
each
family
that
they
they
deal
with.
A
And
so
that's
why
we're
here
today
and
ladies
I
wanted
to
thank
you
so
much
for
being
here.
I
would
ask
each
one
of
you
to
please
introduce
yourselves
for
the
record
and
we
can
just
start
in
whatever
order.
You
all
would
like
and
ask
you
to
take,
maybe
10
10
minutes.
So
we
can
save
some
time
for
questions.
H
Good
morning,
thank
you
for
having
us.
My
name
is
Leila
Kingsland
I
am
from
Bay
County.
The
southern
Bluegrass
service
region.
I,
have
been
a
social
worker
with
the
cabinet
for
the
last
Almost
13
years
14.
If
we
include
the
year
of
the
year
that
I
was
a
student
within
the
same
office
I'm,
currently
on
a
veteran
team
focusing
on
all
of
our
adolescents,
so
primary
composition
of
our
case
load
is
13
to
21
youth
within
that
population.
We
have
a
lot
of
our
high
Acuity
youth.
H
Those
are
10,
those
tend
to
be
our
higher
needs.
Kids,
whether
it's
mental
health,
behaviors
or
whatever
may
be
happening
as
far
as
permanency
planning
or
being
able
to
provide
for
their
safety.
Those
those
kiddos
tend
to
be
on
our
caseloads.
Unfortunately,
we
have
had
to
in
recent
years,
had
to
spend
quite
a
bit
of
time
in
our
offices
begging,
calling
in
favors
trying
to
get
these
kiddos
placed.
So
that's
one
of
the
biggest
stressors
that
we're
currently
facing.
H
H
Like
I
said
I'm
out
of
Fayette
County,
so
Lexington
we
are
having
an
uptick
in
crime
and
we're
having
16
17
year
olds,
who
are
being
charged
with
murder
and
the
cabinets
being
asked
to
find
placements
for
them.
There
is
no
nice
way
to
spin
that
it
does
not
matter
how
wonderful
they
are.
It
does
not
matter
that
they
are
straight
A
students
and
on
the
football
team.
That's
something
that's
going
to
follow
them
and
it's
a
very
hard
sell
when
it
comes
to
finding
a
replacement.
H
One
of
the
biggest
struggles.
I
think
also
is
the
high
turnover
that
we've
had
both
as
an
agency,
as
well
as
as
a
county
on
average.
All
of
our
workers
are
carrying
at
least
35
cases.
Within
those
35
cases,
it
could
be
anywhere
from
45
to
60
to
80.
kiddos
that
have
to
be
seen
every
single
month
and
80
home
visits
in
a
month
with
travel
when
our
kids
are
placed
all
over.
The
state
is
near
impossible.
H
H
Most
of
our
Workforce
is
in
court
every
Monday
and
Wednesday
for
the
full
work
day,
while
we're
in
court
we're
doing
reports
for
the
following
week,
trying
to
schedule,
meetings,
doing
all
kinds
of
phone
calls
and
everything
else
to
try
to
squeeze
in
as
much
multitasking
as
we
possibly
can,
but
that
still
leaves
us
with
three
days
of
actual
work
days,
one
of
the
biggest
things
that
I
can
stress
since
I'm,
just
going
to
use
the
last
three
months
as
a
marker.
H
In
the
last
three
months,
weekends
included
I
have
worked
all
but
four
days
in
order
to
be
able
to
meet
the
criteria,
to
see
my
kids
make
sure
they're
okay,
make
sure
that
they
have
the
visits
that
they
need.
So
ultimately,
there's
just
not
enough
time
and
short
of
our
Workforce
doubling
I,
don't
know
how
we're
going
to
get
to
a
point
where
we
are
able
to
provide
effectively
provide
the
support
for
the
families
that
we
serve.
H
While
we
have
a
fantastic
Police,
Department,
we've
had
police
tell
us
that
they're
not
going
out
to
home
visits
with
us
because
of
the
neighborhood
that
they're
in
or
the
situation
that
we're
being
called
out
on
just
because
they're
not
coming
out.
That
doesn't
mean
that
we're
not
going
to
go
out
with
our
notepad
and
a
piece
and
a
pen
and
try
to
figure
out
what's
going
on
what
how
we
can
best
protect
the
family,
make
sure
the
kids
are
safe
and
figure
out
where
we
go
from
there.
H
The
other
thing
that
is
a
huge,
huge
concern
for
us
and
we
recently
were
reviewing
the
bill.
That's
on
the
I
believe
on
the
senate
floor
with
regards
to
telecommuting,
ending
those
are
those
tend
to
be
the
only
days
that
we
catch
up
on
paperwork
when
we
are
not
in
the
office,
because,
if
you
are
in
the
office,
chances
are
someone's
popping
into
your
office
someone's
asking
for
a
favor
hey.
Can
you
do
this?
H
It
is
extremely
concerning
that
that's
a
possibility
to
go
away
and
if
it
does
leave,
will
that
cause
half
of
our
Workforce
that
we
worked
really
hard
to
recruit
and
hire
with
all
the
pay
raises
that
we've
recently
received
and
are
appreciative
for,
will
they
leave
again,
because
then
those
cases
will
have
to
be
reassigned
and
we're
going
to
be
back
in
even
more
unmanageable
caseload
carrying
as
far
as
our
investigative
units,
our
ongoing
unit
in
Fayette
County
carried
cases,
regular
ongoing
cases,
as
well
as
took
on
investigations
for
the
entire
2022.,
because
we
had
a
total
of
five
investigators
for
the
entire
County
of
Fayette.
H
So
if
we
have
five
investigators,
five
to
ten
investigations
coming
in
on
a
good
day
and
20
to
30
investigations
coming
in
on
a
bad
day,
there's
no
way
for
that
to
be
manageable.
We
had
majority
of
the
year.
We
also
had
one
specialized
investigator.
The
specialized
investigator
is
the
person
who
investigates
near
Fatality
and
fatality
cases,
sexual
abuse
and
any
facility
abuse
cases,
and
still
she
is
over
100
cases.
Even
now
that
we
have
another
person
on
that
team,
it
is
an
unmanageable
workload.
H
Personally.
Why
I
do
this
I
love
my
job,
I
love,
my
kids
I
went
into
this
as
excuse
me.
I
went
into
this
because
it
was
an
easy
way
to
pay
for
college.
Right
have
I
was
a
pcwcp
and
for
those
of
you
who
are
not
familiar,
it's
the
cabinet
program
that
recruits
Social
Work
students
to
come
in
and
work
for
the
cabinet
for
two
years.
For
me,
it
was
a
great
way
not
to
be
buried
in
student
loan.
Debt
I
started
a
long
long
time
ago.
H
At
this
point
it
feels
like,
but
I
never
left.
My
two
years
came
up
and
I
fell
in
love
with
the
kids
I
go
back
to
oh
my
gosh.
This
did
not
happen
when
I
Was
preparing
this
one
of
my
very
first
cases.
On
my
first
day,
I
received
two
cases.
The
first
one
was
a
at
the
time.
15
year
old
girl.
She
was
in
a
residential
facility.
H
She
called
me:
I
had
not
even
gotten
to
the
file
because
again
my
first
day-
and
she
asked
me
if
I
could
come
and
visit
her
her
residential
facility.
Thank
you,
I
visited
with
her.
H
H
She
is
now
a
community
partner,
so
now
I
get
to
sit
in
meetings
with
her
and
have
the
collaboration
with
a
kiddo
that
I
worked
with
for
three
and
a
half
years,
seeing
that
full
circle
moment,
seeing
her
succeed,
seeing
her
take
a
child
out
of
the
foster
care
system
to
be
able
to
provide
a
stable,
nurturing
and
loving
home.
H
H
H
I
have
a
fantastic,
fantastic
supervisor:
I've
had
three
supervisors
since
I've
been
with
the
state
and
each
and
every
single
one
of
them
has
gone
on
to
take
on
higher
positions,
and
they
continue
to
be
a
support
for
the
front
line
staff
that
matters
the
fact
that
again,
I'm
on
the
battery
on
a
veteran
team
working
with
teenagers
who
give
you
so
much
reward
coming
back
with
all
of
their
successes,
whether
it's
graduations
proms
getting
into
college,
getting
their
driver's
licenses
or
whatever
it
is.
H
A
Thank
you
and
I.
Thank
you
so
much
please.
If
something
has
already
been
said,
we're
gonna
have
to
hurry
for
time,
because
I
want
to
want
to
be
able
to
have
some
questions,
and
if
you
want
to
introduce
yourself
for
the
record
and
maybe
six
seven
minutes,
please
turn.
I
Right,
my
name
is
Ashley
dodsworth
I'm
from
Jefferson
County
I've
been
working,
I've
worked
with
the
cabinet,
twice
I
left
after
four
years,
and
then
I
came
back
and
I
slowly
came
back
because
it
was
a
job
that
I
knew
I'd
love
to
say
that
it
was
because
I
had
passion
and
I
was
in
love
with
the
job,
but
to
be
fair,
I
I
came
back
because
I
knew
I
knew
how
to
do
it.
I
I
currently
have
30
ongoing
cases,
17
active
investigations
with
65
children.
Each
of
those
children
has
at
least
one
parent
an
aunt
an
uncle.
They
all
have
their
own
providers
that
they
work
with
and
I
have
to
see
each
and
every
one
of
those
parents
and
each
and
every
one
of
those
children
each
month.
I
Currently,
because
I
am
one
person
against
65,
I
have
to
make
the
decision
each
month
about
whether
or
not
I
am
going
to
see
a
child
or
not,
and
so
there
are
kids
on
my
caseload
each
month
that
are
not
being
seen
because
I'm
one
person,
our
kids,
are
all
over
the
state
we
currently
in
Jefferson
County,
there's
at
least
one
or
two
workers
each
week
sleeping
in
the
office
with
a
child,
because
the
entire
state
of
Kentucky
has
said
no.
I
The
entire
state
of
Kentucky
has
said
no
to
a
kid
for
a
myriad
of
reasons,
but
the
majority
of
the
time
I'm
getting
reject
a
Statewide
rejection
is
because
a
child
is
13
to
18
years
old
and
you
and
we
are
tasked
as
workers
to
tell
a
child
as
we're
handing
them
a
pillow
and
a
blanket
to
sleep
on
an
office
chair
that
there's
nowhere
for
them
to
go
and
you're
trying
to
sell
it
to
them.
You're
trying
to
make
them
feel
loved
because
obviously
they're
they're,
a
foster
child
and
I've
had
kids.
I
Our
foster
parents
are
not
taking
our
teenagers,
they
refuse.
They
want
our
babies
that
are
quote
unquote,
Untouched
by
trauma,
and,
of
course
we
know,
that's
not
true
new
evidence.
New
scientific
evidence
is
showing
that
there
are
children
who
are
impacted
by
trauma
even
in
utero,
so
before
they
even
come
and
are
born.
They
are
impacted
by
trauma,
and
so
there's
no
such
thing
as
a
child
in
foster
care
period
or
a
child.
That's
involved
with
child
welfare
that
hasn't
been
touched
by
trauma,
but
our
foster
parents
simply
somehow
have
come
into
the
realization.
I
But
we,
of
course
we
take
that
on,
but
I'm
one
person
against
65,
kids
and
I
just
can't
I
can't
possibly
spend
hours
in
the
car.
Jefferson
County
has
court.
Three
days
a
week
we
have
10,
we
have
10
family
court
judges
and
oftentimes
we're
going
to
court.
You've
got
four
five:
six
seven
cases
in
three
different
divisions.
So,
while
I'm
sitting
there
in
court
juggling
four
or
five
cases,
I'm
also
answering
the
phone
I'm
trying
to
take
in
new
reports,
because
Jefferson
County
is
currently
we're.
I
We're
both
investigating
and
we're
doing
our
ongoing
cases
at
the
same
time,
which
is
why
I
have
30
ongoing
and
about
17
active,
invest
investigations
right
now,
so
unfortunately,
we
are
tasked
with
the
decision
of.
Is
this
kid
safe
for
now
or
are
they
not
safe
and
I
have
to
prioritize
the
kids
that
are
not
currently
safe?
I
So
the
reason
I
do
this
job
is
I'm
a
child
born
to
addiction.
I
was
lucky
enough
to
have
a
mom
that
decided
to
give
me
up
for
adoption.
I
have
a
half
sister,
who
is
not
so
lucky
and
unfortunately
was
in
situations
that
no
child
should
have
to
go
through.
So
I
do
this
job,
because
I
feel
like
I,
owe
it
to
the
kids
that
are
not
as
lucky
as
I
was
that
I
was
unfortunate
enough
to
be
able
to
avoid
being
involved
in
child
welfare.
I
So
I
do
this
for
those
kids
that
are
not
so
lucky
and
each
of
those
kids
are
my
kids
I
take
them
home
with
me
every
day.
My
husband
even
tells
me
all
the
time
you
care
too
much,
but
in
my
opinion,
you
can't
care
enough.
These
are
kids,
they
don't
deserve
to
be
a
part
of
this.
They
didn't
ask
to
be
a
part
of
this
and
so
I'm
going
to
work
every
day
and
I'm
gonna
show
up
even
on
the
days
that
I
am
tired.
We
are
drowning.
I
I
If
we
have
medical,
if
we
have
medical
leave,
if
we're
out
on
vacation
Etc,
my
65
kids
are
sitting
there
and
they're
waiting
for
me
and
when
I
get
back,
I
will
pick
up
all
65
of
them
again
and
I
will
put
them
on
my
back
and
I
will
carry
them
with
me
until
we
hire
more
workers
and
until
we
get
foster
parents
who
are
willing
to
take
our
kids
and
say
yes
to
Children,
then
we're
going
to
continue
to
take
on
water
and
we're
going
to
continue
to
drown.
J
My
name
is
Danielle
ever
so,
I
am
from
Eastern
Mountain
region.
Perry
County
I
currently
have
22
cases
that
sounding
manageable,
as
it
is,
those
22
cases
actually
result
in
about
42
home
visits,
because
you
have
to
visit
the
child.
You
have
to
visit
the
parent,
and
sometimes
the
children
are
split
between
relatives
or
foster
homes.
J
A
lot
of
these
visits
have
to
be
done
outside
of
our
regular
hours,
which
entails
over
time.
For
us,
it
takes
us
away
from
our
families,
even
more
than
we
already
are,
and
taking
away
that
ability
for
the
virtual
visits
would
alleviate.
Some
are
allowing
the
virtual
visits
to
continue
would
alleviate
some
of
that
problem.
J
I've
been
here
almost
eight
years,
I
have
seen
you
know
the
recent
staff
shortage.
It
puts
a
complete
it's
it's
a
ridiculous
amount
of
strain
on
a
worker
that
already
has
so
much
that
they
take
home
with
them
every
day.
There's
nobody
at
this
table
that
has
not
lost
sleep
at
night
over
a
child.
J
There
is
nobody
at
this
table
that
has
not
answered
a
phone
after
hours
that
has
not
went
above
and
beyond
what
their
actual
job
duties
are
to
ensure
that
a
child
has
what
they
need,
whether
it
be
at
the
time
of
the
removal
or
whether
it
be
six
months
out
after
the
removal.
We
are
the
only
consistent
that
some
of
these
children
have
in
their
lives.
J
They
can
be
removed
and
literally,
never
see
their
parent
again,
the
parent
walks
away,
so
we're
the
only
thing
that
they
consistently
have
in
their
life
positive
parts
of
the
job
that
makes
you
feel
really
good.
Sometimes
I
have
two
kids
that
will
call
me
on
Sundays.
J
They
FaceTime
me
actually,
and
you
know
whether
it's
about
their
jobs,
whether
it's
about
a
new
car,
whether
it's
about
just
their
week.
They
call
me
to
tell
me
that,
because
they
don't
have
anybody
else
to
tell
that
so
on
Sunday,
it's
a
guarantee
around
noon
when
they
roll
out
of
bed
they're
going
to
call
me
and
tell
me
about
their
week,
and
that
is
something
that
keeps
me
here.
J
Another
thing
that
keeps
me
here
is
just
these
are
my
kids,
like
they've
said
these
are
my
kids
I
refer
to
them,
as
my
my
boys
or
my
girls,
or
you
know
it?
Is
you
develop
an
attachment
to
these
kids?
You
see
them
go
through
the
worst
or
the
worst,
and
you
have
to
like
Ashley
was
saying,
reassure
them
in
the
worst
of
times
that
no,
there
is
nothing
wrong
with
you,
the
state
of
Kentucky.
Nobody
wants
you,
but
it
is
not
you.
There
is
nothing
wrong
with
you
as
a
child.
J
J
J
My
mom
says:
I
have
a
really
good
retirement
so
when
I
started,
I
started
in
2015,
but
I
had
previously
done
some
super
some
substitute
teaching,
so
it
grandfathered
me
in
as
a
tier
one,
so
I
think
that's
a
lot
of
the
reason
that
we
don't
recruit
or
retain
the
workers
like
we
did
in
the
past,
because
previously
you
know
people
would
work
for
the
site
for
less
money
because
the
retirement
was
so
good.
J
You
know
you
worked
because
you
wanted
that
retirement,
and
you
know
that
is
that's
kept
me
from
leaving,
or
it's
been
a
factor
in
keeping
me
from
leaving
on
two
occasions
and
I
may
have
said
this
already.
I,
don't
another
reason.
I
can't
leave
is
because
I
can't
deal
with
the
guilt
from
leaving
the
kids.
You
know
I'm
I'm,
the
consistent
I'm
I'm.
J
What
they've
known
since
that
day
of
that
removal
and
I
can't
I
can't
walk
out
on
them
like
everybody
else
has
I
have
to
stay
before
I
finish
the
fact
that
you
have
us
here
the
fact
that
you're
asking
us
questions
the
fact
that
we
have
been
heard.
J
As
far
as
the
raises
and
just
the
acknowledgment
that
you
don't
know,
you're
not
aware
of
what
we
do
you
you
need
to
dig
deeper
to
find
out
what
all
we
do
on
a
daily
basis,
and
you
know
unless
you're
there
for
an
entire
week,
and
you
see
and
there's
so
much.
We
don't
even
give
our
sales
credit
for
that.
J
We
do
so,
but
just
the
fact
that
you're
asking
just
the
fact
that
you
want
to
know
just
the
fact
that
you're
interested
and
you're,
showing
that
I
am
so
appreciative
of
that
and
I
know.
Everybody
else
is
too
I'm,
so
grateful
that
you
know
it
is
finally
brought
to
attention,
and
there
are
it's
aware
that
there
are
issues
and
you're
trying
to
address
those
issues
and
you're.
Trying
to
you
know
it
didn't
break
overnight.
A
Thank
you
very
much.
Last
but
not
least,.
A
K
K
My
primary
Duty
station
is
in
Todd
County,
but
as
it
goes
with
the
entire
State
and
my
comrades
here,
wherever
we're
needed
is
where
we
are
so
that
may
mean
that
we
handle
specialized
investigations
in
Christian,
County
and
Jefferson
County,
wherever
we're
needed
is
where
we
are
I've
been
with
the
cabinet
for
roughly
about
five
years
prior
to
that
I
service
social
work
with
the
U.S
military.
My
reason
for
coming
here
was
I
was
telling
my
comrades
was
for
a
challenge.
K
I
definitely
have
over
seeked
that
challenge
my
challenge
being
in
Dr,
Martin,
Luther
King
said
something
that
stuck
with
me
throughout
my
internship,
and
it
was
simply
life's
most
urgent
question
is
what
are
you
doing
for
others
and
while
working
with
the
military
I
couldn't
answer
that
question
adequately
and
the
reason
I
couldn't
is
because
our
resources
were
ever
so
present.
It
was
easy
working
with
the
cabinet.
It's
not
always
that
way,
and
it's
sad
to
say
that
over
the
five
years
that
I've
been
with
the
cabinet,
it's
still
that
way
in
Western
Kentucky.
K
Some
of
the
biggest
challenges
we
have-
and
it's
over
been
overly
stated
today-
is
our
staff
shortages.
Our
staff
shortages
currently
I
carry
a
caseload
between
an
average
of
35
to
40
cases
of
those
35
to
40
cases.
One
case
itself
could
have
three
children
of
those
three
children.
One
could
be
placed
in
Jefferson
County,
which
in
a
day's
drive
for
me
to
see
that
child
is
a
six
hour
trip
in
the
car,
and
then
mine
add
on
the
time
that
I'm
actually
spending
with
that
child
during
the
visit.
K
So
you
might
say
about
a
seven
to
eight
hour
day
with
no
lunch,
sometimes
I've
left
home
before
the
start
of
my
day
and
I
definitely
get
home
well
after
the
end
of
my
day,
and
so
you
think
about
that
times.
Five
cases
it
amplifies
our
time
outside
of
the
office,
my
county
in
specific
over
the
last
two
years,
we've
offered
rated
at
less
than
50
percent
for
the
last
two
years
over
the
last
year.
Of
that
I
was
the
only
worker
in
the
office
outside
of
my
supervisor.
So
what
does
that?
Look
like
there's?
K
No
more
teams!
Our
comrades
have
stated
today
that
there
may
be
an
ongoing
or
investigation
I'm
clustered
into
all
of
it.
So
I
may
have
an
investigation,
but
then
one
of
my
kids
who
have
I
Acuity,
meaning
that
they
may
have
specialized
mental
health
needs
or
behavioral
needs,
or
it
just
may
be
a
specialized
case
all
within
itself.
K
I
have
to
stop
what
I'm
doing
go
to
that
child,
be
there
for
them,
because
I'm
their
ever
present
help
and
then,
while
helping
that
child
I
may
get
another
email
that
says,
hey
you've
got
a
four
hour
investigation.
You
need
to
boot
it
back
to
the
county
so
that
you
can
make
time
frame
and
if
those
time
frames
are
not
met,
then
we'll
definitely
get
an
email
or
we'll
definitely
be
met
by
the
metrics
that
have
been
set
before
us.
Our
SLP
is
currently
aligned
with
KRS,
but
sometimes
there
are
blurt
lines.
K
We've
talked
about
going
to
court,
sometimes
in
court.
It
makes
our
stance
very
difficult
in
court.
We
have
to
testify
between
the
facts
that
we
found
out.
This
is
the
reason
you're
honor
as
to
why
we
removed
that
child.
But
when
we
look
at
KRS
the
lines
may
be
blurred
as
to
hey
I'm.
Sorry,
this
is
not
legally
standing,
but
then
we're
looking
at
it
as
the
social
worker
to
say,
but
this
is
what's
going
to
keep
this
child
safe,
and
so
at
that
point
we've
got
an
overturned
conviction,
I'm,
trying
to
figure
out
okay.
K
K
Our
staff
has
also
been
the
resources
within
our
region.
You
think
about
our
other
regions
that
are
represented
here
today,
because
there
are
larger
cities.
There
are
larger
resources.
There
are
larger,
you
know
places
where
people
can
get
substance,
abuse
help
or
mental
health
abuse
help
in
the
what
in
our
region,
they're
a
little
to
none
or
if
there
are
resources
there
are
of
like
adversary
towards
the
clients
that
we
service
when
I
think
about
our
job.
It's
a
job
of
inclusive
diversity.
K
Diversity
goes
beyond
race,
it
goes
beyond
culture
right
as
I
look
around
this
room,
we're
all
Diversified
in
whatever
way
of
life
you
come
from,
and
so,
whereas
our
goal
is
always
reunification.
Sometimes
that
goal
is
to
be
blatantly
honest:
unreachable,
because
I'm
trying
to
reach
this
family
culturally,
where
they
are
and
where
they
are,
may
not
be
the
metrics
that
have
been
set
before
me
to
make
them
Reach,
because
that's
just
not
where
they
were
to
begin
with
I'm
just
trying
to
help
you
get
to
a
safer
point
for
you
and
your
children,
children.
K
But
to
do
that,
that
means
that
I
need
you
to
drive.
Two
hours
away
once
a
week
every
week
for
mental
health
counseling
knowing
well
good
and
well
that
you
didn't
have
gas
money
to
get
your
child
to
school
when
they
missed
the
bus
when
I
removed
your
child.
So
these
are
some
of
the
faith
challenges
that
we
Face.
We
talked
about
it
earlier
about.
Sometimes
we
don't
have
the
support
of
law
enforcement,
no
shade
Senator,
but
sometimes
our
you
know,
law
enforcement.
K
They
don't
see
the
dire
need
that
we
do
right
and
we
can't
ask
them
to
have
the
same
passion
that
we
do,
because
we,
although
we
are
aligned
our
Creeds,
are
different.
For
me.
My
passion
of
staying
here
was
simply
because
this
job
is
Ministry
first
paycheck,
second
or
else
I
really
would
not
be
here.
I
can
remember
the
day
that
I
had
to
spend
the
night
in
the
office
with
a
17
year
old,
runaway
juvenile
African-American.
He
had
needed
ADA,
accommodations
and
everywhere
in
this
state,
systemically
it's
so
broken.
K
We
could
not
find
a
place
for
him
to
go
and
I
lost
it.
I
emailed
my
sraa
Renee,
Buckingham
and
I
said
you
can
have
it
I'm
done
because
out
of
all
all
the
millions
of
dollars
that
we
pay
federally
all
the
millions
of
dollars
that
we
pay
at
a
state
level
for
all
these
places,
these
facilities
you're
telling
me
that
systemically
there's
not
one
place
that
can
take
this
child
just
because
he's
in
a
wheelchair
we
went
to
court
the
next
day.
Our
judge
had
the
same
song
and
sermon.
K
You
mean
to
tell
me:
there's
not
one
Detention
Center
in
this
state,
that's
willing
to
take
this
young
Ming
just
because
he
has
to
be
accommodated
by
a
wheelchair.
Those
are
restraints
that
we
can't
fix,
but
what
we
can
fix
are
things
that
are
I,
think
that
you
know
what
there's
nothing
worth
fighting
for.
If
there
isn't
a
challenge
and
I
think
that
each
of
us
show
up
each
day
to
fight
that
challenge,
there
are
things
that
are
working.
K
It's
not
all
bad
things
that
are
working
is
that
we
have
received
the
raises
and
we're
so
appreciative
of
those
that's
been
very
enticing
to
other
social
workers
everywhere,
to
be
able
to
show
them
that
we
can
pay
you
for
your
internship.
We
can
work
it
out.
I
know
that
when
I
talk
to
people
that
I
know
hey
come
over
to
the
Stateside
leave
government
for
a
second
I
tell
them
about
the
teleworking.
Well,
if
that
goes
away,
I'm
not
sure
how
that's
going
to
work
out
all
right,
because
that
creates
life.
K
Work,
balance
we're
human
too,
whereas
we
are
power,
source
of
support
for
these
children
and
their
families.
We
need
sanity
too,
so
to
work
from
home
from
some.
Sometimes
lets
me
breathe.
Lets
the
school
not
call
me
and
disrupt
my
day
to
say:
hey.
Can
you
come
out
here?
I
got
a
situation.
Law
enforcement
may
call
hey
I!
Need
you
to
do
a
welfare
trick
with
me.
The
judge
may
call
hey
I.
Need
you
to
run
over
to
the
courthouse
real,
quick
I
need
you
to
do
something.
K
K
We
were
talking
about
our
virtual
visits
being
able
to
see
those
children
who
may
not
be
of
high
Acuity
on
a
video
screen
as
ideal
as
it
may
not
be
it's
working
right.
Our
numbers
went
successfully
to
a
very
high
success
for
it
over
the
last
two
years,
just
being
able
to
see
a
kid
over
the
computer
screaming.
It
also
allowed
us
to
maintain
our
attachment
to
that
kid
right
when
you're
in
a
car
for
six
hours
a
day
and
you've
got
three
kids
I
did
it.
K
Last
night,
before
we
came
here,
I
spent
six
hours
in
the
car
going
to
go,
see
my
kids.
Well,
those
visits
get
shorter
and
shorter,
because
I
know
I've
got
to
get
to
the
next
kid
right,
and
so
you
lose
that
bond.
That
attachment
finding
out,
what's
really
going
on
their
head,
find
out
how
they're
really
being
affected
by
the
different
things
that
they're,
having
in
faith
and
out
of
Home
Care
but
being
on
a
virtual
screen.
K
I
can
spend
a
little
bit
more
time
because
I'm
not
having
to
worry
about
booting
it
back
to
the
county
to
be,
you
know,
be
there
to
handle
whatever
I
need
to
say
in
short,
I
feel
as
though
we're
making
great
changes.
I
feel
as
though
we're
making
great
progress
but
no
shade
to
anyone
here.
You
can't
possibly
understand
what
we
do
or
make
the
decisions
based
upon
what
we
do
unless
we
continue
to
have
these
type
of
conversations
to
understand
where
the
holes
are
understand,
how
to
plug
them,
how
to
fix
them.
K
How
to
soothe
the
wounds?
I'm
very,
very
grateful
to
know
that
we
are
mending
that
one
of
the
staff
shortage,
which
I
think
will
assure
a
lack
of
apathy
that
we've
had
over
the
past
because,
let's
face
it,
burnout
is
a
real
thing
when
you've
got
a
higher
caseload,
just
because
I'm
having
to
fill
of
shoes.
K
If
on
a
team
that
should
be
four
and
it's
only
one
person,
you're
gonna,
get
burnt
out,
you're
gonna
get
tired
you're
going
to
lose
the
compassion,
compassion
fatigue
is
also
a
real
thing,
so
I
think
that
we're
training
in
a
great
way
but
I'm
grateful
to
know
that
you
guys
cared
enough
to
know
exactly
what
we
do
so
that
we
can
try
to
get
to
a
better
progress.
Thank
you.
E
Thank
you,
chairman
Carol,
but
first
just
a
couple
of
comments.
First,
thank
you
for
bringing
this
to
the
table
today.
Ladies
I've
been
here
seven
years,
and
this
is
probably
the
most
powerful
heartfelt
testimony.
I
have
ever
heard
and
I.
Thank
you
for
that,
and
sharing
that
experience,
you're
right.
We
have
no
idea,
we
only
guess
but
I
hope.
We've
evidenced
to
you
what
we
did
with
the
last
budget
cycle
and
that
you
have
our
attention,
but
also
we
took
this
action.
E
What
you're,
seeing
today
to
split
our
Health
and
Welfare
committee
into
Health,
Services,
Family
and
Children's
Services,
because
we
know
that
we
have
put
these
issues
on
the
back
burner
for
too
long
again.
I'll
come
in
chairman
Carroll
for
this
change
as
well.
We've
worked
on
this
to
make
sure
that
you
get
the
attention
that
you
need
and
I
appreciate
your
comment
that
this
is
not
going
to
be
solved
easily.
It's
not,
but
please
know
that
we
are
committed
to
address
this.
E
You
know
we
don't
have
an
extent
that
you
folks
do,
but
we're
tired,
too
of
seeing
the
aftermath
of
all
this
and
I
just
commend
you.
So
much
you're,
truly
Heroes
and
on
behalf
of
the
Commonwealth
in
Kentucky.
Thank
you.
You
truly
are
angels
walking
on
the
face
of
the
Earth,
and
we
could
have
more
of
you
and
again,
chairman
Kara
I,
appreciate
you
bringing
this
to
our
agenda
today
and
look
forward
to
our
continued
work
in
the
future
on
these
matters.
Thank
you.
Thank.
A
You
Senator,
and
you
know
so
many
times
in
these
committees.
We
get
packaged
presentations
that
that
really
is
they're
designed
to
make
us
think
everything
is
great
within
certain
programs
and
that's
not
the
approach
this
committee
is
going
to
take
from
from
its
Inception
and
I
appreciate
your
your
emotional
role,
emotions
and
your
responses
and
your
honesty.
We
don't
get
that
a
whole
lot
and
and
I
want
to
thank
secretary.
Friedlander
I
had
a
conversation
with
him
the
other
day,
and
he
he
made
it
clear
to
me.
L
Chairman
I
I,
don't
know
where,
to
start
so
I'll
say
thank
you
for
having
the
testimony,
because
I
think
you're
exactly
right.
Hearing
from
front
right
front
workers
is
so
important.
Two
kids
are
worth
fighting
for.
So
thank
you
for
fighting
for
kids.
Thank
you
for
choosing
to
do
it
as
a
Ministry
out
of
love
and
care
and
not
for
a
paycheck.
You
would
there's
no
way
you
would
do
what
you're
doing
for
that.
L
The
emotional
toll
the
physical
toll
is
in
meds
and
so
I
just
want
to
say
thank
you
for
you
and
everybody
you
work
with,
for
your
compassion
and
for
your
love
for
kids
as
a
mom
of
a
15
and
11
year
old
I
cannot
imagine
telling
a
kid
that
no
one
is
taking
them
in
I.
I
cannot
imagine
those
are
conversations
that
are
heartbreaking
at
the
basic
and
have
a
long
time
trauma
not
to
mention
what
they've
already
been
time
been
through.
So
I
have
several
friends
actually
who
who
have
been
Foster.
L
Families
and
I've
walked
with
them
a
little
bit.
You
know
through
their
Journeys,
and
we
have
a
lot
to
fix
from
just
hearing
their
stories
and
trying
to
do
what
they
think
is
best
listening
to
what
you're
going
through
I
know,
Lexington
Police
don't
do
that
by
policy.
You
know
it's
nothing
to
do
with
the
neighborhood.
They
just
don't
do
it
by
policy.
That's
a
separate
conversation.
L
The
need
is
great.
The
challenges
are
immense,
but
I
think
everybody
that
I
know
who
does
this
work
cares
about
kids,
they
care
about
kids
and
we
do
too,
and
so
I
I've
taken
a
lot
of
notes
that
I'm
committed
to
continue
working
towards
fixing
it
and
making
it
better
and
making
every
kid
in
the
Commonwealth
feel
like
they
matter
and
they're
loved
and
they
have
a
future
and
we
need
to
do
whatever
we
can
to
do
that.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
Thank.
A
We
have
some
policy,
that's
going
to
be
coming
forward
and
during
my
research
for
that
group,
I
read
an
article
that
said:
if,
if
states
do
not
look
at
the
population
that
you
all
serve
at
the
same
time,
we're
looking
at
Juvenile
Justice
issues
we're
making
a
huge
mistake,
because
it's
the
same
population,
and
so
we
need
to
as
we
move
forward
in
looking
at
DJJ,
Senator,
Westfield
and
I
spoke
about
that
this
morning.
Some
things
that
we're
looking
for
for
long-term
digging,
really
deep
into
the
weeds
to
to
look
at
this.
A
But
we
have
a
long
way
to
go
folks
and
and
I
the
passion
that
you
all
have
that's
the
passion
that
I
remember
from
13
years
ago,
working
with
our
social
workers
back
home
and
and
they
fought
literally
fought
for
their
kids
every
day
and
that's
what
it's
all
about,
and
we've
got
to
remember
that
and
we've
got
to
make
sure
this
profession
that
we
show
them
the
respect
that
they
deserve,
whether
that
be
pay
benefits
whatever
it
is
to
ensure
that
they're
successful,
because
with
them
that's
where
our
problems
start
and
if
we
don't
address
it
at
that
level.
A
That's
why
we
have
the
problems
we
have
right
now,
so
we
we
really
do
need
to
focus
on
this
area.
I
want
to
try
to
summarize
a
little
bit.
Ladies,
if
you
don't
mind
so.
Obviously
the
Staffing
is
an
issue
and
that's
related
to
pay
benefits
and
just
getting
more
Staffing.
So
there's
not
so
much
overload.
Do
you
all
just
just
a
simple
yes
or
no?
Do
you
all
see
that
getting
somewhat
better
with
the
pay
increases
within
your
particular
areas?.
H
A
Okay,
so
slowly
improving
in
that
area,
Okay
and
then
having
facilities
to
take
kids
that
need
to
be
in
in
homes
or
and
then
and
also
with
foster
care.
That's
an
issue.
Yes,.
A
The
the
Telehealth
issue
being
able
to
see
it
are
there
issues
with
that.
Are
there?
Are
there
the
quality
of
you
all
the
follow-ups
that
you
do
doing
that
through
through
Telehealth
or
televisions.
H
K
A
Then
the
telework
and
I
you
know
I've
had
some
pretty
strong
feelings
on
that
that
but
I
I
know
in
my
organization
I
have
case
managers
I
have
allowed
them
to
continue
working
from
home.
It's
worked
the
problem.
We
have
I
think
with
the
state
and
we're
going
to
wrap.
This
up
is
a
lot
of
the
customer
service
positions
within
the
state
and
I'm
not
talking
just
with
you
all,
but
that's
that's
been
negatively
affected.
E
A
Remote
working
and
I
that's
my
concern
that
bill
that's
moving
forward.
There
are
positions
that
I
think
can
function
from
from
home
very
effectively.
There
are
some
that
can't
that
really
need
to
be
in
the
office
and-
and
you
all
kind
of
affirmed
that
for
me
that
there
is
a
place
for
that
and
and
with
all
the
the
burden
that
we
place
on
you
all.
We
need
to
give
you
some
options,
so
am
I
missing
anything
that
that
you
all
feel
like
that
that
we
can
address
that
might
help.
J
I,
don't
know
if
you
could
address
the
law
enforcement
piece
where
we
we
struggle,
sometimes
to
just
have
I
mean
we're
going
out
into
these
homes
that,
like
she
had
said,
law
enforcement
doesn't
want
to
go
to
DV
situations
which
make
me
incredibly
nervous,
but
we
have
to
go
I
mean
we
have
to
go
and
there's
times
that
we
will
wait
three
and
four
hours
for
law
enforcement
to
go
with
us.
J
You
know
and,
like
Layla
said,
we're
taking
an
ink
pen
and
a
piece
of
paper
in
where
you
know
if
it's
a
situation
where
it's
a
law
enforcement
called
out
they're
going
in
fully
armed.
So
if
I
don't
know,
if
it's
something
that
you
can
address
for
support
as
far
as
you
know
them
law
enforcement
in
general.
Just
you
know
supporting
us
when
we
have
to
go
out
for
air
safety,
because
that
is
one
of
the
bigger
concerns
that
I
do.
You
know,
I
worry
what
am
I
going
to
walk
into.
J
You
know
when
we
get
when
we
get
these
reports.
You
know
I
I'm
sure
I
could
probably
speak
for
everybody
at
the
table
that
we
walk
into
homes
where
there's
needles,
loaded,
there's
Firearms
out
they're.
You
know
it's,
it's
a
bad
situation
to
be
in
there
alone
and
once
you
get
in
there
and
you're
alone,
it's
you
know
questionable.
Sometimes
you
think
how
am
I
going
to
get
out
of
this
situation
without
you
know
me
being
directly
hurt,
or
you
know
how
can
I
get
out
of
here
and
get
back
to
my
kids.
J
I
Shortages,
there
aren't
enough
people
you're
going
by
yourself
right
right.
There
are
not
enough
workers
to
go
under
so
I
had
to
call
police,
because
I
was
my
life
was
threatened
on
Friday
during
a
home
visit
I
had
there
was
literally
an
aunt
and
a
father
physically
fighting
each
other
I
had
to
use
my
body
to
protect
the
child
to
get
him
into
his
bedroom,
because
the
aunt
was
threatening
the
child.
I
I
had
my
pen,
I
had
a
notebook
I
had
my
lanyard
and
a
cell
phone
I
called
police,
they
showed
up
45
minutes
later
after
I'd
already
calmed
everybody
down,
and
she
looked
at
me
and
she
threatened
me.
She
called
me
every
name
under
the
book
and
threatened
me
and
I
had
to
use
my
my
voice,
because
it's
the
only
thing
I
had
and
I
was
able
to
talk.
I
Everybody
down,
but
police
showed
up
45
minutes
later
with
there
were
three
of
them
and
they
all
had
their
their
stuff
and
I
just
kind
of
laughed,
because
at
that
point,
I'm,
like
little
too
late,
I've
I've
already
been
threatened.
She's
already
threatened
my
child
and
everyone
is
safe
now,
but
I
was
by
myself.
My
supervisor
said
just
just
leave:
I
can't
leave.
There
is
a
child
at
risk
and
I'm
not
going
to
leave
that
child
on
to
at
risk.
I
My
whole
job
is
child
protective
services,
and
that
meant
I,
I
use
my
body
and
I
did
and
I
I
was
fully
prepared
to
take
punches.
Luckily
it
didn't
get
to
that
point.
I
used
my
charm
and
my
wit
to
get
out
of
it,
but
I
I
was
ready.
I
was
like
come
come.
Let's
do
this,
because
I
wasn't
going
to
leave
that
child
no
matter.
K
What
Senator
Carol
just
real,
quick,
if
I
may,
on
the
western
side,
a
biggest
obstacle
for
us
are
resources
like
we
literally
do
not
have
enough
resources
to
combat
the
growing
substance,
abuse
issues
to
assist
these
families
like.
If
our
goal
is
going
to
be
reunification,
it
makes
it
more
difficult
and
more
difficult
to
get
to
that
goal.
A
And
we're
going
to
have
to
go
and
I
apologize
for
all
my
colleagues
leaving
we
had
other
committees.
This
keep
you
all
all
day
asking
you
questions,
but
I
won't
do
that
yes
or
no
on
adoptions
and
reunification.
A
From
the
law
enforcement
side
and
I'm
not
making
excuses
for
anyone,
but
I
know
the
Staffing
shortages
that
they
have
I
know
the
call
volume
it
hasn't
always
been
that
way.
You
know
when
I
back
when
I
was
on
the
streets,
social
worker
needed
us.
We
were
there,
but
it
was
a
different
world.
Then,
and
I
try
to
be
sensitive
to
that.
A
So
but
I
I
know
that's
an
area
that
we
could
do
better
on
and
hopefully,
staffing
issues
within
law
enforcement
will
get
better
too,
and
you
know
things
everything
will
come
back
around.
Thank
you
all
so
much
for
being
here.
Thank
you
for
being
honest
and
saying.
What's
on
your
heart
and
again,
like
Senator
Meredith,
said
on
behalf
of
this
Commonwealth,
we
cannot
thank
you
and
all
your
colleagues
enough
for
the
work
that
you
put
in.
Thank.
A
Okay,
we
will.
The
next
committee
will
be
next
Tuesday
February
28th
at
nine
o'clock.
In
this
room.
We
stand
adjourned.