More than a week after publishing an open letter in Le Soleil denouncing poor working conditions, Ms Boily-Grant told Noovo Info that it was crucial to show the population that “something is happening”.
During a long interview on Tuesday, the DPJ employee of the CISSS de Chaudière-Appalaches reported that almost 500 children are still waiting for services to apply the measures or to be assessed. This precarious situation has a direct impact on those involved, who question whether the children are safe at home, claims Ms Boily-Grant.
“I leave the house hoping that there won't be another episode of domestic violence, that the mother won't take advantage of me, or that the grandmother will really be there all night and that she won't lie to me,” she said.
Those involved are aware that there is no miracle cure for resolving the situation, which has unfortunately been on hold for a long time. “Otherwise we would have taken her with us when the little Granby girl died,” lamented Ms Boily-Grant.
“We have tried everything…”
-Karine Boily-Grant, spokesperson at the DPJ
For his part, Xavier Landry points out the lack of experience of staff within the DPJ since the Barrette reform, which led to the merger of the health institutions on April 1, 2015.
“Fifteen years ago we could count on experienced social workers. Since the merger, these people have all left,” criticized the specialist in clinical activities at the DPJ of the CISSS du Chaudière-Appalaches.
Following the publication of the open letter, Ms Boily-Grant said she had received positive responses from the Director of Child Protection at CISSS de Chaudière-Appalaches, Caroline Brown.
“She supported us and told us our approach was laudable,” Ms Boily-Grant added.
A job that “can make a difference”
Despite the difficult working conditions and the precarious situation, the DPJ workers do not leave the ship. For what?
“Our work is extremely valuable and can make a difference. We don’t talk about ourselves enough,” Ms. Boily-Grant responded.
Although missteps by the DPJ are often reported in the media, the speaker wants to show that there can also be good stories.
Fifteen years ago, Ms. Boily-Grant says, she accompanied a little boy. And recently, the same boy sent her a photo of his baby and asked her to attend his baptism.
“If you knew the feeling I had when he said to me, 'You made the difference'.”
Watch Lisa-Marie Blais' report in the video.