Editor’s note: This commentary is by Cyrus Patten, who is a licensed social worker and executive director of Campaign for Vermont, a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization. He lives in Monkton.
The Agency of Human Services and the Department for Children and Families have come under fire for recent events including the death of two children at the hands of irresponsible adults – unimaginable tragedies for most of us. But consider the hundreds of children whose lives are being irreparably harmed every day by a combination of poor parenting and a system that is failing to ensure their social-emotional wellbeing.
Research tells us the occurrence of “adverse childhood experiences” such as chronic abuse or neglect or violence in the home are strongly correlated with major adult health problems. (CDC — Violence Prevention) This landmark study has proven what people in the social welfare field have known for decades. Perhaps more impactful is the consequent realization that an effective child welfare system is EVERYONE’s concern. So where do we go from here?
Vermonters are calling for accountability (though notably missing is the voice of the so-called “advocacy groups” – most of whom depend on money from the Agency of Human Services). With such a ubiquitous call for change, why hasn’t anyone been held accountable?
We tend to seek scapegoats when accountability is actually a culture of leadership. Accountability is the connection (or incongruence) between our expectations and outcomes. And our top leaders have been thrown significant challenges of late.
Go ahead and call for the resignation of Secretary Racine, Commissioner Yacavone or his deputy. But don’t believe that will solve cultural problems that transcend them as individuals.
The community is raising concerns en masse about how DCF handles cases. Yet all we hear from leadership is stubborn defense of policies. When the people on the front lines are saying there’s a problem, they should be listened to. It would be nice to hear from leadership: “Gee, maybe there is something wrong here, I’ll dig deeper.”
Go ahead and call for the resignation of Secretary Racine, Commissioner Yacavone or his deputy. But don’t believe that will solve cultural problems that transcend them as individuals.
The real issue that can be remedied is the political practice of entrusting exceptionally complex state agencies to people without content expertise. Secretary Racine has an impressive resume, none of which includes managing a sophisticated and complex human services program.
This is cronyism and revolving-door politics.
That is not to say there aren’t qualified and talented people in state government. Most state employees I’ve met are exactly that. But no matter how connected you may be, there is no substitute for talent and experience.
Until we recruit qualified and experienced managers to lead our largest and arguably most important state agency with its $2.3 billion budget and 3,200 employees, we shouldn’t expect different outcomes.
Accountability is not a person; it’s a culture – one we desperately need in Vermont.
