Dear friends and colleagues,

I write to share this upsetting, sad, unsettling correspondence from one abused in foster care, and our subsequent conversation, still in process. The comment was made on my personal face book page. I believe that many of the tragedies in foster care and elsewhere have happened when non-social workers and non-health care professionals are hired to do work they are not prepared for or trained for. And that the press, in covering tragic situations, refers to those working with our most vulnerable populations social workers (or caseworkers – who usually are thought of as social workers, which they are not. I welcome your thoughts and feedback.

Many thanks, SaraKay

- Kim Sherwood: I was in the foster homes and severely abused. It was amazing how some foster parents could trick the social workers. First they were forewarned of the visit so after week in and week out of spending 5 or 6 hrs in a corner afraid to ask for water, getting the belt for no apparent reason, sitting on the floor (my back to the tv)forced to rub their feet. I could go on and on with much worse.......But 2 days before social workers visit....I was aloud to sit outside. I was given ice cream.....Then the visit...social worker to me: how are you? Me: oh I'm good I got ice cream.....little kids forget fast. Sorry I just don't want to share more now. Wheww

- SaraKay Smullens: Dear Kim, Thank you for this important sharing. I know this happens and I am horrified. I hope you will write about this and publish it. Perhaps a commentary in your local newspaper. I so life has been easier for you now, The leading cause for my book on burnout is that my colleagues and mentors said they were burnout out by the services offered by so many resources that were there to supposedly protect children. I am wondering: did those who were so easily conned by those who never should have been allowed to be foster parents workers will an actual social work degree? Or did you have no way of knowing, as they were called "social workers." Please let me know how you are, and if you are comfortable, where you live. I so hope you are well and safe, and thank you so much for reaching out to me.

- Kim Sherwood: I thank you for responding. I believe I could come up with some questions for the kids when visited, they can help a social worker see through the temporary (I'm ok) coming from a child. I'm crying now as I remember me in 1 corner my younger sister in the other. Our foster parent walked in and both my self and sister asked to use bathroom. The parent said it was a plot. She slapped my sister hard in the face knocking her down. My sis got up and grabbed a plastic picnic butter knife. She was scared to death. The parent grabbed a metal spatula and using it edgewise held my sister's hand on the counter and proceeded to bloody her tiny hand......I haven't ever shared this but now I'm 68 yrs old. These incidents happened when I was 8...I turned out to be a very intelligent and very friendly person I'm very creative and try to do a random act of kindness each day........thanks bye for now.

- SaraKay Smullens: I am so sad that this happened to you and yours sister, Kim, and I have deep respect for your persistence and resilience. Do you have any idea if those called "social worker/s" who so let you and your sister down were degreed social workers, or were they employees of an agency who were referred to as "social workers." I would like very much to know the questions you would recommend, and anything other you wish to share. If you are comfortable telling me where you live and the agency who employed those who visited your foster homes, that would be helpful. I can give you a private address to reach me, if you prefer. Above all, thank you so much for reaching out and writing.

- Kim Sherwood: I so thank you for caring and letting me share. Somehow I feel a bit relieved to tell someone. Please give me a little time. I will try to compose some things that might help you. Again I thank you. And God bless you.