For the first time in the history of the State of Michigan the veiled functioning of Michigan Children’s Institute (MCI) is being addressed. Because there has been absolutely no administrative oversight since its inception in 1935, the time has come to present to the general public the arbitrary and capricious pattern of practice of the sole legal guardian of Michigan's children awaiting adoption as a result of termination of parental rights: William J. Johnson, the sole guardian of almost 8,000 children under the auspices by the state and is the legal representative for the State of Michigan of all children entrusted to the Michigan Children’s Institute.
As the legal representative for the State of Michigan of children, whose parents’ rights have been terminated, the Superintendent is neither appointed, elected, or a servant of the court. The position is classified as a civil servant, not a public official. The statutory standard of authority has been exhumed and reanimated without legislative review. The Social Welfare Commission grants authority to the position of the MCI Superintendent through appointment. Powers of appointment for the Social Welfare Commission hail from the Governor, with advice and consent of the Legislature, but in 1965, the Social Welfare Commission was abolished. This is the year of the last annual report of MCI. There has never been an audit of MCI.
The Superintendent has come to claim authority from the Supreme Court, under the supervision of the Chief Justice for the Supreme Court Administrative Office (SCAO). As a finial decision maker in the court process of adoption, the Superintendent simultaneously holds authority of review with membership of a citizen review board, Foster Care Review Board (FCRB).
Not possessing the proper licensing or education, as required by state law, the Superintendent practices certain areas of social work, including development of policy, in concert with the Supreme Court Justices. To date, the Supreme Court refuses to respond to the public question of the legitimacy of authority of the Superintendent of MCI in its refusal to review and hear any and all cases of child welfare. The Superintendent has never been held accountable for the deaths of children under his care, nor has he been held accountable for the malfeasance and misfeasance of his decisions.
The time has come to review funding, operations, and all decisions made under the illegitimate reign of the Superintendent. Omnipotence is not the criterion for the position of MCI Superintendent; it is the voice of the public, especially the cries of children and their families, and the children who age out of the foster care system.
I beseech thee, my fellow leaders of this state, stand down and refuse to recognize the legitimacy of authority of the Superintendent of MCI. Let the decision and assignment of guardianship be a multilateral decision of judges, children, parents, grandparents, extened family members, GAL, Judges, caseworkers, godparents, playparents, advocates, foster care givers...need I state more?
The individual caring for the child should have the guardianship.
Beverly Tran