Parent questions child subsidies

Woman finds Huntingdon County foster, adoptive payments cover only 360 days per year

Kathy Hawk, a former foster parent and now an adoptive parent, was hoping earlier this month to hold a three-minute meeting with the Huntingdon County commissioners to discuss a problem with the fees being paid by the county's child welfare agency.

When her attempt at a meeting fell through, Hawk protested and now her issue has become a major confrontation that involves lawyers, a possible investigation by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, an argument over citizen rights under the Sunshine Law and a crusade by Hawk to assure Huntingdon County Children and Youth Services "makes things right" with the county's foster and adoptive parents.

Hawk and her husband, Benny, who until recently lived in a large house near Orbisonia, served as foster parents for 15 years and culminated their efforts by adopting three young girls.

The family now lives in Rocky Mount, N.C., but the Hawks receive a daily stipend through Huntingdon County for the care of the children.

Hawk said she was planning her budget in June and she noticed that the payments for the children didn't add up correctly based on fees of $21 a day for two of her youngsters and $25 a day for the third child.

In seeking to resolve the apparent discrepancy, she learned that the per-day fees are actually paid on the basis of 30 days a month for 12 months, which means Huntingdon's foster and adoptive parents are paid annually for 360 days, not 365 days.

Not being paid for five days a year may seem like a minor problem, and one that, until Hawk's discovery, didn't particularly bother her.

She realized that over a period of years, and when dealing with multiple children, that minor problem totaled thousands of dollars.

She also discussed the problem with a friend who adopted a 15-month-old baby born addicted to drugs and, the mother claims, has received no fees from the county for 15 years -- not even a medical card.

Hawk estimated that the loss to her friend is well over $100,000.

And finally, Hawk, upon adopting her children, had her daily subsidy reduced for two of the children from $25 to $21 that was being paid by Pressley Ridge, a foster care and adoption agency with offices in Altoona.

Huntingdon County children's services upon bringing foster care and adoptions under its wing, informed Hawk the agency paid only $21.

When it came to the third child, she insisted she receive the $25 subsidy.

The Huntingdon child welfare agency delayed the adoption for two months -- until it received permission from the commissioners to pay the additional $4 a day.

These were the fiscal issues that Hawk wanted to discuss in early July with commissioners.

She was initially going to address that board at an early July meeting but was asked what she wanted to discuss.

Hawk sent an email to County's Chief Clerk Heather N. Fellman explaining she wanted to discuss subsidies.

She reported, "I found some issues and believe they are wrong. I asked (child welfare's fiscal department) about it and was told to talk to an attorney and let them explain." But before doing that, she thought, "this affects all adoptive/guardianship parents, not just me. I do not need an attorney to tell me they are wrong," she said.

Fellman replied saying items for the public meeting agenda are typically items of business that need to be voted on by the commissioners.

"For issues like what you are describing, I typically would schedule a private meeting," offering to schedule one, Fellman wrote.

Hawk agreed to a Zoom meeting with the commissioners for July 11, but it was canceled.

On July 10, she sent an email to the county asking, "How is that fair? I came to you & you dismiss me. As a (foster parent) for 15 years we were always told the commissioners were in charge. Now I come to you & you won't even listen to what I have to say? ... I want my 11 am Zoom tomorrow with the three of you."

The scheduled discussion on July 11 was subsequently canceled.

Commissioners Chairman Mark Sather understood that Hawk was threatening legal action against the county, and he explained that possibility brought further conversation to a standstill.

The commissioners then referred the issue to their solicitor, Lawrence L. Newton.

Hawk was convinced the commissioners' reluctance to hear her story was a violation of Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act and she sent a communication to the county's district attorney.

She also consulted an attorney but said no court-related action is being planned at this time.

Hawk took yet another step by placing an advertisement in the Huntingdon daily newspaper asking foster and adoptive parents to call her, noting they had been "lied to" concerning their subsidies.

The ad was removed after two days, but Hawk received five phone calls.

During the past week, Newton answered Hawk's complaints.

Newton stated Hawk believes she has been "short changed" because Huntingdon County adoption assistance is paid by the month for 360 days annually rather than for 365 days.

He reviewed the money she receives from the county for her three adopted children and points out that she received an annual evaluation from the county.

One of the questions was, "Would like a change to the adoption assistance agreement currently in effect?"

On Jan. 27, she answered, "No."

The explanation that she has an agreement with the county -- and earlier this year appeared satisfied with it -- is not the reason she is angry, according to Hawk.

She is primarily concerned with the way county authorities have treated her by refusing to let her speak.

On Wednesday, Hawk responded to Newton by stating, "I assume you know, I am not letting this go."

She ended her communication with a comment: "Funny thing about all this is that all I wanted was my three minutes to talk to you in a public or executive session. I just wanted to be heard & assumed you would do the right thing, look into it and get back to me.

"You dismissed me like a piece of trash. I wanted to go up the chain of command. I started with CYS. They blew me off.

"You dismissed me, so I kept climbing the ladder," Hawk said.

Hawk has filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, and she maintains the state agency is investigating the matter.

When asked, DHS spokesperson Brandon Cwalina replied, "DHS cannot confirm or comment on specific investigations."

For 15 years, Hawk and her husband served as foster parents, caring for more than 70 youth and for most of that period, she was paid through two agencies, Adelphoi Village and Pressley Ridge.

At one point, she had six children in the home and had kids enrolled in several different schools, requiring her to travel daily from school to school. She also worked. Life was hectic, but it was one she loved.

When the Hawks stopped being foster parents, they adopted three girls who are now ages 11, 12 and 13.

"They are happy and well-adjusted," she said of the children.

She has developed a great respect for caseworkers.

"They have a hard job that works on their minds and hearts," she said.

Placing a child in a foster home is something the child never forgets.

She wants every adoptive parent to get their due.

"I want CYS to acknowledge they made a mistake. I want the commissioners to feel the need to listen to people who have issues in Huntingdon County," Hawk concluded.

As for her never before questioning the subsidies she received, Hawk said, "We signed (the contract with the county) with our hearts."