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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Intro Kassidy Return to index of stories... |
A bipartisan group of legislators and child protection advocates are backing a new bill aimed at better protecting children from abuse. The Kassidy Bortner Child Protection Accountability Act is named for a young girl murdered two years ago. Kassidy Bortner died even though the state's division of children, youth and families had been notified that she was being abused. The proposed leglislation would enable caseworkers to respond more quickly and make DCYF more accountable when mistakes are made. We'll discuss some of provisions of the bill in a few minutes, but first we have this report by Richard Ager. |
| Kassidy Bortner Return to index of stories... |
Track: February 4, 1999 was a happy day for Jacqueline Conley. That's the day she welcomed her new grandaughter Kassidy into the world. But Kassidy's parents did not stay together and the little girl would eventually end up in an abusive home, where her mother Amanda would fail to protect her. Standup: Bortner newser tape 12:18:51 Kassidy was 21 months old when she died as a result of blunt force injuries to her head and abdomen. Her mother's boyfriend, Chad Evans, was convicted of the murder and is serving a sentence of 28 years to life. Amanda Bortner is now serving the maximum two-year sentence for failing to protect Kassidy from the abuse that took her life. bite: 10:47:43 I found out during Chad Evans's murder trial that at least a dozen people thought kassidy was being abused. People need to get involved, but they also need to know someone will respond and protect the child if they do. It breaks my heart that none of them called me. We would have saved Kassidy. Track: To try and prevent similar tragedies, Jacqueline Conley agreed to lend her grandaughter's name to a new law. Bite; 10:46:37 My family and I support the Kassidy Bortner Act because we believe it will make a difference. It will save children from being beaten and killed by people who don't care about them. As you know, Chad Evans killed Kassidy and was convicted of second degree murder. Eight days before she died from her injuries, New Hampshire's Division for children, Youth and Families was told that Kassidy was being abused. No case worker ever came to see her swollen face, her broken bones, or the bruises that covered her body. Bite: Bortner Newser tape 10:33:30 New Hampshire's child protection system is not doing enough to protect children. Track: Senator Andre Martel is the new chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. He is also the prime sponsor of the bill, which aims to change how the state protects its most helpless charges. Bite: 10:34:11 We know the Child Protection Act is a good set of laws. We know the child protection workers at the Division for children, Youth and Families are hard-working and committed tohelping imporve the lives of Hew Hampshire's children and families. But we need to know more. Many people believe DCYF needs more funding and more case workers, and that may be so. But - and this is particularly true as we face a large and growing budget deficit - how do we in the Legislature and the Governor's office know that funding and those case workers will be put to good use? How do we know we're getting the best value for our child protection dollar? Track: To answer that question, a task force of child welfare advocates and legislators worked over the past year to develop the new bill, which must balance the interests of all parties. Bite: Bortner newser tape 10:40:15 Lawmakers frequently hear from parents who feel they have been wronged by the system, and about children who are not adequately protected, but there is no way to know if the state acted appropriately, since there is no place they can turn for a professional and independent assessment of DCYF's staffing, policies and practices. Track: Among other measures, the new bill would provide for accreditation through a regular review of DCYF by an independent agency. bite: 10:41:22 Now what does accreditation measure? It sets standards for all areas of management and practice, including rights and responsibilities, financial management, training and supervision, staffing requirements and quality assurance - and holds the agency to them through regular monitoring. Having such standards will prevent New Hampshire from falling into the trap, which has ensnared some states, of throwing large sums of money at their child prtection systems only to be frustrated by the lack of review and accountability. Track: The Kassidy Bortner Act would also increase accountability by making more information public about DCYF responses to fatal or near fatal cases of abuse. The legislation does not ask for further funds, but it does require DCYF to submit an annual accreditation plan to the legislature - and at that stage, most of the bill's sponsors agree, more funding will be called for to reduce caseloads. Bite: Bortner Newser tape 10:48;23 My most fervent wish is that this never happens again. My wish is that no parent or grandparent ever again experience the loss and the devastation of losing a child to abuse. Track: These measures come too late for Kassidy Bortner, but her grandmother says they will help others like her. Bite: Bortner Newser tape 10:46:04 She was fun and full of love and that's the best way I can describe Kassidy. That's why I'm honored to have Kassidy's name on this bill. She mattered and I want the world to know she mattered. She was a very important person and she deserves to have her name on a bill as important as this one. Track: For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. |
| Intro Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Joining us to talk more about the Kassidy Bortner Act and it's impact here in New Hampshire Sen. Andre Martel, prime sponsor of the bill, Jacqueline Conley, Kassidy's grandmother, and Steve Varnum of the Children's Alliance of NH. |
| Intro Dartmouth Return to index of stories... |
Next we take you to Dartmouth College. It's a lesson in how to mobilize support and not take no for an answer. Max Pearlstein takes us to Hanover, where students and alumni worked together to secure a future for the swim team. ***PKG*** Outcue: "In Hanover, I'm Max Pearlstein for NH Outlook." |
| Dartmouth Swim Return to index of stories... |
Max Pearlstein takes a look at the efforts of students at Dartmouth to keep their swim team funded when it was in danger of being cut due to budget concerns. |
| Tag Swim Return to index of stories... |
As Max reported, the College last week reversed itself and created a fund to accept pledges to keep the swimming and diving teams in the water. But some officials have expressed concern that College supporters may now start giving targeted donations to programs and not to the institution's overall fundraising efforts. |
| Intro Benson Return to index of stories... |
If you were in downtown Manchester Sunday night - you might have seen an unusual site. Men and women dressed in formal attire - making their way into the Verizon Center. It was the first of two Governor's Innaugaral Celebrations complete with music, food, and some words from Governor Benson. |
| Benson SOTVOSOT Return to index of stories... |
tape 2 SOT 8:I5:20 I've got a lot of comments about my innaugaral conversation on Thursday. Comments have been varied but one thing taken away from it that NH has taken notice that there is a new sheriff in town. Among those attending the event. there were, of course, Republicans and Democrats too. sot Sen. Lou D'ellasandro Manchester 6:27:55 Everyone tries to start off the political season in correct manner and in a bipartisan fashion. He's the gov now and you should honor the office and obviously this is a festive occasion and we all try to be here. 6:28:05 |
| Tag Benson Return to index of stories... |
The North Country will host the second Governor's Innaugaral celebration on January 18th at the Mount Washington Hotel. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - Dairy farms bring over $50 million dollars in revenue to the state. We'll look at the future of dairy farming in the Granite State. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of our program. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, I'm Ally McNair. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| founders Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |
| WEB PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. The future of dairy farming in the Granite State. Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| gov intro Return to index of stories... |
If you were in downtown Manchester Sunday night - you might have seen an unusual site. Men and women dressed in formal attire - making their way into the Verizon Center. It was the first of two Governor's Innaugaral Celebrations complete with music, food, and some words from Governor Benson. |
| tag gov celebration Return to index of stories... |
The North Country will host the sexond Governor's Innaugaral celebration on at the Mount Washington Hotel. |