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	Caregivers Learn about FLDS Ways By Brooke Adams Salt Lake Tribune May 4, 2008 http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_9148959 Avoid red toys and clothes. Give them useful chores. Don't take offense at any prejudicial comments or attitudes. Those are among tips caregivers received from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services two weeks ago as it moved about 460 children from a polygamous sect to group homes and shelters. They got a second round of advice this week in a two-day workshop crammed with experts on cults, child abuse, trauma, foster care and critics of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. "We are developing a range of services to meet therapeutic needs of the children with a greater understanding of their culture, religion and family and looking at ways to incorporate those elements in ongoing service planning," said Mary Walker, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. The state's approach has angered the FLDS, who accused Texas of turning to "hate groups" for advice. Willie Jessop, an FLDS spokesman, said attempts to offer DFPS information about the children's schooling, dietary habits and medical treatment preferences have all been spurned. Texas officials say the FLDS have had more-than-normal involvement with their children given that this is an ongoing abuse investigation. But John Walsh, a religious studies scholar who is an expert in fundamentalist Mormons, said his overtures to help were rejected. "CPS wasn't interested in even talking to a Texas resident with a Ph.D. with special expertise on fundamentalist Mormonism," said Walsh, who testified at a two-day hearing earlier this month for an attorney representing FLDS fathers. "If I was investigating a Roman Catholic family for child abuse, I think I personally would be more interested in a Ph.D. for background information than I would in someone who had been molested by a priest." Among those who gave presentations at the workshop: Shannon Price, executive director of the Diversity Foundation in Utah, which helps teens and women leave the FLDS sect. The foundation has helped some teens sue the church and its leader. Another workshop presenter: Carolyn Jessop, ex-plural wife of Merrill Jessop, who runs the YFZ Ranch. She wrote a scathing memoir about growing up in the church and her 18 years as Merrill's wife. One of two guides provided to caregivers notes that the FLDS have a "deep, instilled fear of the outside world," view Warren Jeffs as a "persecuted martyr," and distrust outsiders. "The children appear to cooperate but may not," it says. "They will demonstrate politeness but may disclose little and/or contradictory information." Boys, it says, "have made derogatory remarks to staff of color" and children have made "negative comments concerning women wearing jewelry" and that "men are not clean shaven and are not wearing long-sleeve shirts." FLDS men and women follow a strict clothing style that requires the body to be completely covered and, other than simple wedding rings, women do not wear jewelry. Jeffs, drawing on early Mormon teachings that blacks were cursed, has preached that anything to do with black culture, music and dress in particular should be avoided. Contact: brooke@sltrib.com
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