The Mesa County Department of Human Services would like to take this opportunity to offer some points of clarification related to the recent child abuse story in the media.

The department is bound by strict confidentiality restrictions so we cannot go into specific details of this or any other case. However, it is important to note the fact that from the very first referral we received on this specific case, we took every necessary step to ensure the highest level of safety for the children.

In every child protection case, information is gathered, facts are reviewed and we work diligently with law enforcement and the courts to ensure the safety of child abuse victims. This case was no exception. DHS staff acted quickly to ensure that the children involved were immediately placed in a safe environment. They remain today in a safe environment and are doing well.

One of the main goals of the department is to offer services and resources to families in our community who have been impacted by child abuse and neglect. As the director of Human Services, I am proud to be part of a team of professionals dedicated to protecting children in our community.

If you suspect child abuse or neglect, please call the Child Protection Hotline at 242-1211 or 911.

LEN STEWART, Director
Mesa County Department of Human Services
Grand Junction

Thanks to The Daily Sentinel for its excellent coverage April 25 and 26 regarding the child-abuse case that involved the handcuffing, beating, withholding food and extreme emotional abuse to two teenagers. And kudos to District Attorney Pete Hautzinger and his staff for taking the time to build a case that can be prosecuted.

As in all horrific cases of abuse, most people’s response is to ask, how could this happen and/or how could it have been prevented?

Since the Town Hall meeting in October, the “How are the Children?” initiative, spearheaded by Mesa County Commissioner Janet Rowland, has formed an executive board and four committees and is working to prevent child abuse and neglect in Mesa County.

The group is composed of professionals from the Department of Human Services, District 51, the Health Department, Hilltop, Latimer House, Ariel (which provides foster care services), child care workers and a variety of other groups, as well as many interested and caring community members. We believe that child abuse is a community problem that requires a community response. By working together, we believe we can help families that are at risk, as well as improve the support services needed by families where abuse and neglect have occurred.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. As it ends, if any of you think you could find time to help the “How Are the Children?” group, or if you just would like more information about our work, please feel free to contact Janet Rowland at 244-1606 or myself at 639-2224.

We hope to someday be able to say, the children are well in Mesa County.

DONNA BENNETT
Community Co-Chair
How are the Children?
Fruita

I just read an article in the ”You Said It” column that blew me away. Basically, it said that Republicans spend more than Democrats. How childish can you be? We must look like two children in the back lot trying to convince each other of who’s right or wrong.

As long as we have people who can control their own destinies then greed and abuse are going to happen.

I’ve just completed reading a book about the Fair Tax proposal, HR25 in the House and SR 1025 in the Senate, which would give us complete transparency to government spending. I suggest you read it.

Part of being an adult is being proactive and rather than gripping about it do something about it. The book is entitled Fair Tax written by Neal Boortz and John Linder. It’s available at the library or you can buy it on line at FairTax.org or at a local bookstore.

We live in a great world and in a great country lets make the best of it!

CHRIS CAMERON
Grand Junction

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