JON BURKS MEETING WITH SEN. BLACK

January 24, 2006

Hey Guys,

I met with State Senator Diane Black today for about thirty minutes RE: DCS and Juvenile court system. Sandi was out sick so I had to go solo.

You may not know but Sen. Black was instrumental in getting Sandi's daughter back from DCS last year and took a great interest in Sandi's case.

I told her there were numerous people in the state and some around the nation who provided into what I should talk about with her.

I essentially gave her a short 3 page synopsis of what changes Sandi and I thought were needed after going through Sandi's DCS nightmare. I also added points provided by you guys including the Family Rights Amendment, which Sen. Black believed she had seen before, and the TFRA petition and signature list and comments.

In my brief time with her I tried to stress the need to raise (i.e. make constitutional) the threshold for emergency removals in TN and stress the importance in conducting proper preliminary hearings. We also touched on the fact that the state is still not complying fully with Brian A and not performing reasonable efforts in every case where they would be appropriate.

I also mentioned to her the possibility of forming more than three citizen review panels, instead perhaps having one for each DCS region. Also I mentioned forming citizen oversight committees and eliminating immunity for gross negligence and misconduct.

As for the courts, I discussed enforcing the set timelines for adjudication and disposition hearings for children in custody (TRJP 17 & 18) and only allowing the parents, not the state, to request a continuance. I also told her the juvenile courts should be opened at the family's request, at least to relatives and friends. Also, judges should be held to the "clear and convincing evidence" burden of proof for bifurcated adjudications.

Finally I showed her the Family Rights Amendment and explained to her that foster parents have more rights than do the parents from whom the children were removed and that parents need an amendment/T.C.A./policy something to protect their rights until they have used their last TPR appeal.

She seemed interested and receptive to most everything and broke out her highlighter a few times. I left her a large notebook pretty much supporting everything I told her with laws, policies, T.C.A., and case law and a few added scholarly documents for her to read as well concerning emergency removals, reasonable efforts, Brian A, and hx. of DCS reform in TN. She said she will read it once her schedule lightens up.

She was receptive to meeting or contacting (later on) those who are more experienced at this than I am (i.e. you guys). I told her about Laura being on the DCS advisory committee.

Her schedule is busy now, but she said down the road she will read what I gave her, do some research and see what legislation can realistically be proposed and passed. I was very encouraged by the entire meeting and believe this will be the first of many meetings with both her and other legislators with whom she will collaborate.

Hope to hear back from you all for thoughts and input. Thanks.

-Jon Burks

IMPORTANT NEWS!!

ALERT!!!

THIS SITE WILL DIRECT YOU TO INFORMATION ABOUT A LITTLE GIRL ABDUCTED BY HER FATHER. THE LAW IS DOING LITTLE, IF ANYTHING, TO BRING THIS LITTLE GIRL HOME. PLEASE VISIT THE SITE AND GET TO KNOW HER FACE. IF YOU SEE HER, CONTACT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HER MOM!!!

IT IS HIGHLY POSSIBLE THAT SHE IS IN TENNESEE OR LOUISIANA!

WEBSITE: http://www.savealexis.com/homesweethome.html

Tammy, our prayers are with you and we will do all we can to bring Alexis home to you. Laura (TFRA)

News You Can Use:

A parent has been able to argue and WIN a case regarding the violation of her Constitutional Rights to raise her children without government interference AND to find the caseworkers that lied in her case liable. For more information and updates, visit: http://www.morelaw.com/verdicts/case.asp?n=01CC02379&s=CA%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&d=32945

You'll be glad you did!

WALK ACROSS AMERICA

Kirk and Meredith Blanchette are walking across America to bring awareness to the national epidemic being perpetuated by Children's Services nationwide. As Kirk told me, "there is strength in numbers". The time for burying our heads in the sand has to end; otherwise, the matter will get worse and our children will be facing an even worse situation with our grandchildren.

Please visit their website: http://walk-across-america.com

Email and let them know you support their efforts: whcnorth@tds.net

April 12, 2006 and Kirk called me from Centerville, here in Hickman County, TN. They have walked here from Connecticut. Need I say more about the importance of their mission. If you are visiting, this site, I doubt you need anymore reason to get prepared for the next step. Everyone needs to stand up together so we can protect our children, grandchildren and future generations from the Gestapo tactics and Kangaroo court systems destroying our families.

Laura Profant-Smith

When asked, "Laura, why do you advocate and offer assistance? Your child isn't in the system and he never has been so why do you risk the exposure to CPS and DCS?", I direct them to this webiste: http://suncanaa.com/in_memory_ (Enter the site and select the In Memory of.. tab at the top)

OTHER SITES OF INTEREST TO VISIT:

http://www.nationalcpsrallies.co.nr/

PETITIONS

GO ONLINE AND SIGN PETITIONS AT:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/TFRA1/petition.html

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/474920559?ltl=1169058363

Current Initiatives

2008 Presidential Election

The 2008 Presidential Election will be here before you know it. I will be adding links to information about the candidates, including Blog sites. Please stress to our candidates how important the issue of out-of-control child welfare programs have become to upstanding American citizens, like us:

JOIN THE CLINTON BLOG:

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/action/firstpost/?sc=1

KEEP CHECKING BACK FOR OTHER LINKS.....

SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT TFRA

If you are interested in helping spread the word about TFRA and parents' rights, contact us at victims_of_dcs@yahoo.com or leave a message on the voicemail expressing your interest.