.
"Oak Tree" has been in foster care a couple years and will soon turn 18. He had a rough time. When they first took him he was 16, and was put in a "shelter." He wouldn't go to school or rather ran away from school any time he went, and had gotten into some trouble, so they put teenagers into structured programs instead of correctional institutions. His siblings were put into 2 foster homes.
At Christmas the social worker went on vacation and didn't facilitate visitation so he walked out. Mom called and got him returned. They put him into a mental institution, locked and restrained. Later they put him into a locked facility 5 hrs. away.
They have "levels" which they have to work up to, and they use family visitation as reward and punishment, which is against mental health laws. Under child welfare laws I think this is considered abuse. He never did well at this system.
His Mom said that when she had her first son she didn't believe in medicating him all the time, so he had behavior problems which are ongoing. So she decided to let them diagnose and medicate "Oak Tree" from an early age. I think he had 2 diagnoses - ADD and bipolar, which qualified him for disability. I think this is fairly typical for poor families - - an alternative type of family welfare, since SSI is considered family income to some extent. It also lines the pockets of the drug companies.
A couple months ago he was placed in an Independent Living facility back in this area. He called his Mom a couple times. She missed the team meeting for him because she was confused about the date, so I guess that eliminated any visitation at that place.
He had talked to his Mom earlier that day. He was all upset. The counselor told him that if he left the facility to visit his family when he turned 18, then they would not allow him to return to live there.
He doesn't want to be in the system after he turns 18 anyway. He has been counting the days for 2 yrs. until his birthday. The homes are supposed to be located near places where the kids can work, but they have not found him a job yet. It is in the county, nowhere near a bus line. He is supposed to have more freedom, but the phone there didn't work and he couldn't make phone calls freely.
There is no plan to help him transition back to his family. Nobody knows what he will have to go through to get his own disability or even if he can get it. We are assuming that if he stays there they will collect his disability income until he is 21.
I took his Mom to court to try to get Standby Guardianship for him. It was a desperate effort to try to get it set up so I could get his medical records, etc, without having to take her with me everywhere. When a parent signs a Standby Guardianship form, the designated guardian has 30 days to take it to court and file a petition. Or the parent can sign a consent and file the petition. The child will be 18 in less than 30 days, so I just wanted to see what would happen. At first she was going to file it, then we decided I should try to file it. We didn't know what to do. I do know that we didn't have to have a doctor's statement in order to file it.
Juvenile Clerk of the Court said to go to Circuit Court, they had never heard of it. I showed them the petition I downloaded which said to file it in Juvenile court. They sent me to Intake and Probation.
Intake had never heard of it. They didn't have the form in their system, never had seen the State form on the state website, gave me a "custody" form to fill out. She found somebody higher up to talk to me.
She determined that Mom was not "qualified" because the child was in foster care, even though "qualified" refers to the mother's medical status.
The man determined that 'Social Services' was the "Mom" even though they don't have physical custody of him, the group home does. They determined that there was no "triggering event," even though I had written "consent" which they never looked at, which can be the triggering event.
There is a provision on the form to indicate previous court involvement of the child, so they wanted to know all about the child's caseworker. I am sure they blabbed everything to her after we left. They asked Mom if she was getting medical and educational information about her child, and she said, No. The man said that she probably should be, but court orders vary.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... d+16.1-349
http://www.courts.state.va.us/forms/district/dc503.pdf
The man asked what we were trying to accomplish. I asked him why he was asking so many questions, why couldn't I file the petition. He said that His Honor would not be amused if a bogus case came to his attention, so they had to screen stuff.
I said the group home was not treating the boy right. We didn't know how to transition him out of the home. He thought the boy should stay in the home, and continue to try to achieve "levels" in order to earn the right of visiting his family.
At age 18?
Mom said that had never worked before.
I said I needed to help him get his medical records so he could get disability, and he could stay with me. A friend said he could work for her, which he has in the past.
Probation guy said the boy could get his own medical records, and pay 25 cents a page like he did. The boy can't drive, doesn't have a driver's license, and doesnt' have a car.
I said well I will just pick him up on his birthday.
He threatened me. He said, "I wouldn't do that. It will backfire." Mom didn't hear him say that, she was in the waiting room at that time.
When Oak Tree called , he said he looked up where we lived on mapquest, so evidently he has access to a computer in the home. I don't think he goes out, according to Mom.
I guess we are just supposed to wait for midnight and the beginning of his birthday, and wait by the phone for him to call somebody to pick him up somewhere down the road from the home.
Or maybe he will wait until morning and try to hitch a ride with someone, saying his car broke down or something like that.
This is awful.
If he stays there much past midnight, I am going to report adult abuse.
All of that made Mom realize that once Social Services has the child, trying to file a random petition for Standby Guardianship does not work, at least not in this particular case. "Interested parties" can approach the court for custody at scheduled hearings, according to the laws. Even then, social services has to give clearance.
I think that in a situation where the biological parent dies, the court would have to let someone file a petition if the deceased parent had left a Standby Guardianship consent form.
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Oak Tree's case - Independent living
Moderators: family_man, LindaJM
Oak Tree's case - Independent living
Last edited by Marina on Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
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I heard that Oak Tree's GAL or CASA is going to pick him up on his birthday and take him to his mother's.
He looked up where she lives on mapquest, so he knows how to get there.
Mom had an anxiety attack this morning and had to go to the emergency room. This is the second one she has had recentlly. She had trouble breathing.
Her daughter said she is worried about the son. His friends will give him work. There is some discussion about which person he will be working for. He likes one person and doesn't like the other person. He knows all of them pretty well, it seems.
.
I heard that Oak Tree's GAL or CASA is going to pick him up on his birthday and take him to his mother's.
He looked up where she lives on mapquest, so he knows how to get there.
Mom had an anxiety attack this morning and had to go to the emergency room. This is the second one she has had recentlly. She had trouble breathing.
Her daughter said she is worried about the son. His friends will give him work. There is some discussion about which person he will be working for. He likes one person and doesn't like the other person. He knows all of them pretty well, it seems.
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Last edited by Marina on Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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"Oak Tree" called. He said he was looking for a place to live. My husband and I said he could come here if he worked and helped with expenses. I asked him if I needed to sign anything before they release him from the group home.
I asked him if he wanted to stay in the basement or upstairs. He said upstairs. I said OK.
In court papers, they said he didn't want to take showers in the group home he was in before because the other kids looked at him. He has always wanted his own personal space, and wanted to keep it in order. In the first home he was in they accused him of being obsessive-compulsive about cleaning. I have read that children in group homes do that because that is the only way of being in control of anything.
I imagine he will like his room here because it will be fairly private.
In my heart, I know this was meant to be.
We are going to have a party for him here, and a birthday cake.
.
"Oak Tree" called. He said he was looking for a place to live. My husband and I said he could come here if he worked and helped with expenses. I asked him if I needed to sign anything before they release him from the group home.
I asked him if he wanted to stay in the basement or upstairs. He said upstairs. I said OK.
In court papers, they said he didn't want to take showers in the group home he was in before because the other kids looked at him. He has always wanted his own personal space, and wanted to keep it in order. In the first home he was in they accused him of being obsessive-compulsive about cleaning. I have read that children in group homes do that because that is the only way of being in control of anything.
I imagine he will like his room here because it will be fairly private.
In my heart, I know this was meant to be.
We are going to have a party for him here, and a birthday cake.
.
Last edited by Marina on Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:39 am, edited 1 time in total.
Marina,
You are my CNN Hero!!!
You are my CNN Hero!!!
**********************************
This is not legal advice;hopefully wisdom
To put it in simple terms…when the authorities ARE the perpetrators and the perpetrators ARE the authorities, there is no earthly justice or recourse, at the end of the day (unless the American people wake up).
Therefore, those who have achieved the highest levels of power seek to ‘enjoy’ the most grievous and extreme injustices. For many of those in the highest circles of power, the greatest statement of power is to perpetrate the greatest possible injustice…the savage, brutal traumatization and abuse of an innocent child.
http://themurkynews.blogspot.com/ MattTwoFour
"Ultimately, the law is only as good as the judge" --- D.X. Yue, 2005, in "law, reason and judicial fraud"
http://www.parentalrightsandjustice.com/index.cgi?ctype=Page;site_id=1;objid=45;curloc=Site:1
This is not legal advice;hopefully wisdom
To put it in simple terms…when the authorities ARE the perpetrators and the perpetrators ARE the authorities, there is no earthly justice or recourse, at the end of the day (unless the American people wake up).
Therefore, those who have achieved the highest levels of power seek to ‘enjoy’ the most grievous and extreme injustices. For many of those in the highest circles of power, the greatest statement of power is to perpetrate the greatest possible injustice…the savage, brutal traumatization and abuse of an innocent child.
http://themurkynews.blogspot.com/ MattTwoFour
"Ultimately, the law is only as good as the judge" --- D.X. Yue, 2005, in "law, reason and judicial fraud"
http://www.parentalrightsandjustice.com/index.cgi?ctype=Page;site_id=1;objid=45;curloc=Site:1
.
Thanks, but lets see what it is like in 6 months. I may wake up one day and flip out.
But the funny thing is that this sort of thing happened when I worked in daycare. I would walk into a place and hear about all the horrible children from the staff. Later the parents would approach me and ask me if their children were horrible.
I said, No, your children are absolutely delightful.
I guess Dr. Phil is right - - You teach people how to treat you.
I had a little girl who had temper tantrums all the time. When she had a meltdown, I would hold her and cuddle her for a long time. I patted her back at naptime. The lead teacher made nasty comments to me.
But by the end of the year, when one of the children made a negative comment about me, this delightful little girl defended me vigorously. By then she had stopped having temper tantrums.
I am sure all my buddies here will turn out to be delightful people.
.
Thanks, but lets see what it is like in 6 months. I may wake up one day and flip out.
But the funny thing is that this sort of thing happened when I worked in daycare. I would walk into a place and hear about all the horrible children from the staff. Later the parents would approach me and ask me if their children were horrible.
I said, No, your children are absolutely delightful.
I guess Dr. Phil is right - - You teach people how to treat you.
I had a little girl who had temper tantrums all the time. When she had a meltdown, I would hold her and cuddle her for a long time. I patted her back at naptime. The lead teacher made nasty comments to me.
But by the end of the year, when one of the children made a negative comment about me, this delightful little girl defended me vigorously. By then she had stopped having temper tantrums.
I am sure all my buddies here will turn out to be delightful people.
.
.
"Oak Tree" is out of foster care.
He was asleep when we got there early in the morning. He gave us a tour of the house, which was fairly nice. The home can have up to 8 boys. Everybody was pleasant. He hugged everybody. He waited for the woman counselor to come so he could say good-by to her.
His stuff filled up the trunk of the car. He got 4 or 5 trays of medicine, which had compartments for pills for each day of the month. He pointed to the trash can which was full of empty water bottles. That is what they are given to drink.
The staff on duty said we could come back later to get his pocket money, which I think is around $60. Later when we called they said they could not release the money to him because he was no longer a resident - they would have to send it to the Social Worker, who would forward it to him.
The house is not that close to businesses, as advertised. It would be a little distance to walk to a job, and the neighborhood is somewhat suburban. Oak Tree pointed to some woods along the road, and said he lost a pair of glasses there when he ran away one time. He was only there 3 months.
We stopped at the house where his mom is living, and he went in and looked around. Since it was early, some of the other adults around that he knows spoke to him also.
He liked his room here. Everybody says he is a Zombie from the meds. I didn't see him but a couple times in my life before now.
Oak Tree was very appreciative of having a place to stay. He wanted to talk to me a lot the first few days. Everybody tried to be real polite the first few days and let him do whatever he wanted to do.
He wouldn't eat anything at first. It turns out he didn't want to eat up the food here. I think we are getting beyond that. We had a birthday party for him, and his family gave him presents. He has been going around socially at various times.
It seems he is dependent on sleeping pills. One night he didn't take them and stayed awake all night.
He is supposed to be helping my husband around the house until he gets established in a job. My husband needs work on his social skills, so this got complicated real quick, as it usually does. "Tree" worked with my husband for part of the day one day. Then my husband asked Tree to do something else. Tree said, "Do I have to?" My husband said, "No, you can move out." So Tree did the work.
Tree is not used to the heat. He said he has been in air conditioning for the last 2 yrs. Yesterday, the heat made him sick. He is not used to being around smoking, and his eyes watered when he was someplace where they were smoking in the house. That is quite a change from several years ago. Our neighbor said they let kids smoke in foster care in his day.
Tree wants to watch video games all day. He asked if he could have girls over and visit with them in his room. My husband said he could visit with them on the porch. One day we let him use our computer, and later I saw someone had been on porn sites. He denied it. I told him not to go there because it ruined the computer.
We will have to see about getting him an ID, food stamps, disability, psychologist and Medicaid. This is something for others reading this to keep in mind. I don't know at what point these things are done in foster care, but it may be worth it to let it happen there before picking up a child from Independent Living.
His Mom gave him his birth certificate. He already had a social security card. His mother is concerned about his medicine. I think he has been on some medication for years. In an ideal world, he could go off of all meds.
But I had experience with my sweet little old aunt who had Alzheimers, and she got suicidal many days when she was in rehab after she fractured her hip and was under a lot of stress due to moving from place to place. The therapy even stirred her up. I went to get the nurse in charge of the medicine cart many times, and even pushed my aunt in the wheelchair up to the medicine cart and asked for medicine to make her feel better. I am not about to mess around with something like this that I don't know anything about. We have no idea what each medicine does, and what will happen if any of them are stopped.
I hear that Social Services will keep his case open for 3 months in case he wants to go back to the group Home. Somebody has to be on his case about taking his meds, getting him awake, getting him to take a bath, getting him to eat, getting him motivated to get out of the house, etc.
It is hard to tell how much of his situation is due to foster care, meds, habit, his personality, or his age. Any 18 yr-old just out of school can demonstrate extremes of behavior because this is a time of transition between being told what to do and making their own decisions.
One thing I read is that these former foster kids have to switch from living with federally-paid caregivers to living with people who are not paid to deal with him, but put up with him because they love him, want to help him, or want to employ him. He has to learn that he has to suck up to people in order to survive - there are no free lunches anymore. If this means sleeping on the floor of another room to keep cool, being evicted, being taken back to the Group Home, being fired, being hungry, etc, then that is what he has to learn.
But don't all 18 yr-olds have to do this?
.
"Oak Tree" is out of foster care.
He was asleep when we got there early in the morning. He gave us a tour of the house, which was fairly nice. The home can have up to 8 boys. Everybody was pleasant. He hugged everybody. He waited for the woman counselor to come so he could say good-by to her.
His stuff filled up the trunk of the car. He got 4 or 5 trays of medicine, which had compartments for pills for each day of the month. He pointed to the trash can which was full of empty water bottles. That is what they are given to drink.
The staff on duty said we could come back later to get his pocket money, which I think is around $60. Later when we called they said they could not release the money to him because he was no longer a resident - they would have to send it to the Social Worker, who would forward it to him.
The house is not that close to businesses, as advertised. It would be a little distance to walk to a job, and the neighborhood is somewhat suburban. Oak Tree pointed to some woods along the road, and said he lost a pair of glasses there when he ran away one time. He was only there 3 months.
We stopped at the house where his mom is living, and he went in and looked around. Since it was early, some of the other adults around that he knows spoke to him also.
He liked his room here. Everybody says he is a Zombie from the meds. I didn't see him but a couple times in my life before now.
Oak Tree was very appreciative of having a place to stay. He wanted to talk to me a lot the first few days. Everybody tried to be real polite the first few days and let him do whatever he wanted to do.
He wouldn't eat anything at first. It turns out he didn't want to eat up the food here. I think we are getting beyond that. We had a birthday party for him, and his family gave him presents. He has been going around socially at various times.
It seems he is dependent on sleeping pills. One night he didn't take them and stayed awake all night.
He is supposed to be helping my husband around the house until he gets established in a job. My husband needs work on his social skills, so this got complicated real quick, as it usually does. "Tree" worked with my husband for part of the day one day. Then my husband asked Tree to do something else. Tree said, "Do I have to?" My husband said, "No, you can move out." So Tree did the work.
Tree is not used to the heat. He said he has been in air conditioning for the last 2 yrs. Yesterday, the heat made him sick. He is not used to being around smoking, and his eyes watered when he was someplace where they were smoking in the house. That is quite a change from several years ago. Our neighbor said they let kids smoke in foster care in his day.
Tree wants to watch video games all day. He asked if he could have girls over and visit with them in his room. My husband said he could visit with them on the porch. One day we let him use our computer, and later I saw someone had been on porn sites. He denied it. I told him not to go there because it ruined the computer.
We will have to see about getting him an ID, food stamps, disability, psychologist and Medicaid. This is something for others reading this to keep in mind. I don't know at what point these things are done in foster care, but it may be worth it to let it happen there before picking up a child from Independent Living.
His Mom gave him his birth certificate. He already had a social security card. His mother is concerned about his medicine. I think he has been on some medication for years. In an ideal world, he could go off of all meds.
But I had experience with my sweet little old aunt who had Alzheimers, and she got suicidal many days when she was in rehab after she fractured her hip and was under a lot of stress due to moving from place to place. The therapy even stirred her up. I went to get the nurse in charge of the medicine cart many times, and even pushed my aunt in the wheelchair up to the medicine cart and asked for medicine to make her feel better. I am not about to mess around with something like this that I don't know anything about. We have no idea what each medicine does, and what will happen if any of them are stopped.
I hear that Social Services will keep his case open for 3 months in case he wants to go back to the group Home. Somebody has to be on his case about taking his meds, getting him awake, getting him to take a bath, getting him to eat, getting him motivated to get out of the house, etc.
It is hard to tell how much of his situation is due to foster care, meds, habit, his personality, or his age. Any 18 yr-old just out of school can demonstrate extremes of behavior because this is a time of transition between being told what to do and making their own decisions.
One thing I read is that these former foster kids have to switch from living with federally-paid caregivers to living with people who are not paid to deal with him, but put up with him because they love him, want to help him, or want to employ him. He has to learn that he has to suck up to people in order to survive - there are no free lunches anymore. If this means sleeping on the floor of another room to keep cool, being evicted, being taken back to the Group Home, being fired, being hungry, etc, then that is what he has to learn.
But don't all 18 yr-olds have to do this?
.
Last edited by Marina on Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
Perhaps if you looked up all of the medications it might help you to know a little bit more about his condition.
**********************************
This is not legal advice;hopefully wisdom
To put it in simple terms…when the authorities ARE the perpetrators and the perpetrators ARE the authorities, there is no earthly justice or recourse, at the end of the day (unless the American people wake up).
Therefore, those who have achieved the highest levels of power seek to ‘enjoy’ the most grievous and extreme injustices. For many of those in the highest circles of power, the greatest statement of power is to perpetrate the greatest possible injustice…the savage, brutal traumatization and abuse of an innocent child.
http://themurkynews.blogspot.com/ MattTwoFour
"Ultimately, the law is only as good as the judge" --- D.X. Yue, 2005, in "law, reason and judicial fraud"
http://www.parentalrightsandjustice.com/index.cgi?ctype=Page;site_id=1;objid=45;curloc=Site:1
This is not legal advice;hopefully wisdom
To put it in simple terms…when the authorities ARE the perpetrators and the perpetrators ARE the authorities, there is no earthly justice or recourse, at the end of the day (unless the American people wake up).
Therefore, those who have achieved the highest levels of power seek to ‘enjoy’ the most grievous and extreme injustices. For many of those in the highest circles of power, the greatest statement of power is to perpetrate the greatest possible injustice…the savage, brutal traumatization and abuse of an innocent child.
http://themurkynews.blogspot.com/ MattTwoFour
"Ultimately, the law is only as good as the judge" --- D.X. Yue, 2005, in "law, reason and judicial fraud"
http://www.parentalrightsandjustice.com/index.cgi?ctype=Page;site_id=1;objid=45;curloc=Site:1
.
Thanks.
He told me last night that he didn't want to stop taking medications because he has seen other people go into seizures. He said he doesn't know what all the medications are for.
He knows he is on Thorazine, which I think is common to give foster youths and prisoners.
http://www.sntp.net/drugs/thorazine.htm
.
Thanks.
He told me last night that he didn't want to stop taking medications because he has seen other people go into seizures. He said he doesn't know what all the medications are for.
He knows he is on Thorazine, which I think is common to give foster youths and prisoners.
http://www.sntp.net/drugs/thorazine.htm
.
Last edited by Marina on Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
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debbiescalese
- Posts: 460
- Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 4:55 am
- Location: WV
He needs to go to a real Dr. not a state one and have them eval the meds. Unless he is schophrinic which he probably isn't he shouldn't be on that even if he his they have new and better meds than that. Also if he goes off meds cold turkey there can be some big time issues he need to be weaned off the meds and it will probably be nasty for a while for every one involved but things should improve. They probably did just give him that to control him easier and make him more compliant. If you can prove that boy does he have a lawsuite!!! And he can get some shrinks in some big hot water there is a complaint board for that kind of stuff.
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debbiescalese
- Posts: 460
- Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 4:55 am
- Location: WV
There are a few options if there is no money. First a state medical card which comes with if he gets it disability. With a state medical card he can go to any doctor he chooses if they accept a medical card most drs do around hear at least. He if he is 18 can file for his own medical card if he shows he filed for disability he should get it. He might get what is called a spend down card at first where he is responcible for x ammount of dollars in bills the state pays the rest. He needs to go to the state welfare office and find out exactly what he qualifies for. sometimes they have a box to check if he was a "ward of the state" before turning 18 he will get more if he checks that (they do that with student aid too if he was ever able to go back to school and learn a trade) If he is 18 i don't believe CPS has any juristiction over him anymore so they can't do anything.
Second option here we have a few big name places that cater to psychitery. These places are staffed with therapists and doctors the appointments often take a few months to get in with a doctor but the doctors that go there usually have private practice and go there x ammount of times per week or month. These places usually operate on what is called a sliding scale fee. The less you make the less you pay if anything at all. I've not heard any more complaints about them than I have of any other dr in the area. With CPS not filing false "observations" with the shrink and that being taken into account there is a greater likelyhood that a proper dx will be made. At this point they are not there to make cps happy they are there to make him happy. I would be more likely to bet he is either suffering from post tramatic stress disorder, or adjustment disorder. To find one of these places open the phone book and look up psychatrists there will be places listed with words like "xyz community health" or "the x center" Start with those.
Second option here we have a few big name places that cater to psychitery. These places are staffed with therapists and doctors the appointments often take a few months to get in with a doctor but the doctors that go there usually have private practice and go there x ammount of times per week or month. These places usually operate on what is called a sliding scale fee. The less you make the less you pay if anything at all. I've not heard any more complaints about them than I have of any other dr in the area. With CPS not filing false "observations" with the shrink and that being taken into account there is a greater likelyhood that a proper dx will be made. At this point they are not there to make cps happy they are there to make him happy. I would be more likely to bet he is either suffering from post tramatic stress disorder, or adjustment disorder. To find one of these places open the phone book and look up psychatrists there will be places listed with words like "xyz community health" or "the x center" Start with those.
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"Tree" is taking Trazodone, not Thorazine as I thought.
I did a search for that + foster care, and this Texas article was quoted in a lot of other websites.
http://www.window.state.tx.us/forgotten ... s0502.html
The site is Window on State Government
Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
HHSC should create a Foster Care Medical Review Team to review the diagnostic services, medication, treatment and therapy delivered to Texas children in foster care.
Background
Texas’ foster children in all service levels receive psychotropic drugs—that is, drugs that affect the mind through action on the central nervous system—for depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), seizures and a variety of other conditions. Any caregiver, from foster families to residential treatment centers, may obtain these medications from the physicians treating their children.
DPRS exercises little meaningful oversight over these medications.
Many observers, including physicians, children’s advocates and foster parents, have expressed concern over the types and amounts of psychotropic medications prescribed to foster children.
...
.
"Tree" is taking Trazodone, not Thorazine as I thought.
I did a search for that + foster care, and this Texas article was quoted in a lot of other websites.
http://www.window.state.tx.us/forgotten ... s0502.html
The site is Window on State Government
Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
HHSC should create a Foster Care Medical Review Team to review the diagnostic services, medication, treatment and therapy delivered to Texas children in foster care.
Background
Texas’ foster children in all service levels receive psychotropic drugs—that is, drugs that affect the mind through action on the central nervous system—for depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), seizures and a variety of other conditions. Any caregiver, from foster families to residential treatment centers, may obtain these medications from the physicians treating their children.
DPRS exercises little meaningful oversight over these medications.
Many observers, including physicians, children’s advocates and foster parents, have expressed concern over the types and amounts of psychotropic medications prescribed to foster children.
...
.
.
"Oak Tree" is still trying to get adjusted to civilian life. He was supposed to go to work last week, but he was so sunburned he was sick.
Things are gradually settling down, with eating, sleeping, medicines, socializing, room furnishings, showers, organization, etc. There are still problems in each area, but small victories each day.
He has been going around quite a bit with family and friends, and has seen old friends and neighbors. He had an anxiety attack over the week-end while away with family, and they almost called for help. His family was there, and he gave them quite a scare. It may have been from not taking medicine properly. He was physically affected. It made him realize the importance of professional help, and being around other people who can help him.
He got swimmer's ear, and felt bad, so didn't want to go out today, but later decided he needed to get going on business.
Last week we called Social Services to ask about how to transition him to benefits. The City man hit the ceiling when he found out that the County Home discharged him without any papers, referrals, or anything. He said that Tree had Medicaid, and could go to any doctor. He said that Tree was on his mother's case, and had his mother's social worker in her neighborhood. He said that the social worker should set him up with benefits, and an ID.
They went to the Neighborhood Social Servics and the social worker was nasty. She said Tree hadn't been on Medicaid for several years. His Mom said he has been in the custody of Social Services for a couple years. The worker said she couldn't help him, because he wasn't 19 and wasn't in school. She sent them packing, perhaps referring them to another place.
Mom made some more calls, and another day we went to another neighborhood where their camera worked, for his photo ID. It took all day. They were going to set him up with benefits. They sent him to a Family worker, and she said he needed an adult worker, and they don't have one at that location, and anyway, he was in the wrong neighborhood. He needed to go downtown or back to the original neighborhood.
They said he could get set up for food stamps there, but when they looked in the System they found he was still in the County System, as they were keeping his case open for 3 months in case he wanted to come back to the Youth Home. They referred him to the County Social Workers and gave a phone number. They have to transfer his case to the City.
Nobody wants to talk to his social worker, if that is who he is supposed to talk to. His family won't talk to the social worker as they don't like her. Tree said that previously the caseworker would never return his calls. She hasn't mailed him his allowance money yet either.
Mom decided that Tree should get the medical attention he needs before they contact the County Social Services, quick before they pull the plug on his Medicaid. So we have to find someone to take him to, quick before his meds run out and he goes into unknown withdrawal symptoms. They did give him his Medicaid #.
According to one lady they talked to, he may be able to get food stamps, perhaps rental assistance for the first month, bus tickets, clothes, and I don't know what else.
Tree said he had an ID in foster care but they took it away from him and said the kids weren't allowed to have it.
.
"Oak Tree" is still trying to get adjusted to civilian life. He was supposed to go to work last week, but he was so sunburned he was sick.
Things are gradually settling down, with eating, sleeping, medicines, socializing, room furnishings, showers, organization, etc. There are still problems in each area, but small victories each day.
He has been going around quite a bit with family and friends, and has seen old friends and neighbors. He had an anxiety attack over the week-end while away with family, and they almost called for help. His family was there, and he gave them quite a scare. It may have been from not taking medicine properly. He was physically affected. It made him realize the importance of professional help, and being around other people who can help him.
He got swimmer's ear, and felt bad, so didn't want to go out today, but later decided he needed to get going on business.
Last week we called Social Services to ask about how to transition him to benefits. The City man hit the ceiling when he found out that the County Home discharged him without any papers, referrals, or anything. He said that Tree had Medicaid, and could go to any doctor. He said that Tree was on his mother's case, and had his mother's social worker in her neighborhood. He said that the social worker should set him up with benefits, and an ID.
They went to the Neighborhood Social Servics and the social worker was nasty. She said Tree hadn't been on Medicaid for several years. His Mom said he has been in the custody of Social Services for a couple years. The worker said she couldn't help him, because he wasn't 19 and wasn't in school. She sent them packing, perhaps referring them to another place.
Mom made some more calls, and another day we went to another neighborhood where their camera worked, for his photo ID. It took all day. They were going to set him up with benefits. They sent him to a Family worker, and she said he needed an adult worker, and they don't have one at that location, and anyway, he was in the wrong neighborhood. He needed to go downtown or back to the original neighborhood.
They said he could get set up for food stamps there, but when they looked in the System they found he was still in the County System, as they were keeping his case open for 3 months in case he wanted to come back to the Youth Home. They referred him to the County Social Workers and gave a phone number. They have to transfer his case to the City.
Nobody wants to talk to his social worker, if that is who he is supposed to talk to. His family won't talk to the social worker as they don't like her. Tree said that previously the caseworker would never return his calls. She hasn't mailed him his allowance money yet either.
Mom decided that Tree should get the medical attention he needs before they contact the County Social Services, quick before they pull the plug on his Medicaid. So we have to find someone to take him to, quick before his meds run out and he goes into unknown withdrawal symptoms. They did give him his Medicaid #.
According to one lady they talked to, he may be able to get food stamps, perhaps rental assistance for the first month, bus tickets, clothes, and I don't know what else.
Tree said he had an ID in foster care but they took it away from him and said the kids weren't allowed to have it.
.
Last edited by Marina on Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
.
The following is long but interesting to me.
Oak Tree is slow getting motivated.
He tried working with my husband a couple times. My husband is not management material, and Oak Tree is not a self-starter. So it has been very slow going. My husband is a very competent jack-of-all-trades, so it is unfortunate that the chemistry has always been lacking when it comes to my husband working with kids, even his own.
Every once in a while I have to intervene to get something going. My husband doesn't think it is his place to go upstairs and wake up a renter and tell him to brush his teeth, take a shower, get dressed, eat something and come to work. And Oak Tree doesn't feel like getting going until somebody does all that. Finally my husband bought an alarm clock for him and put it on his tab.
His CASA Worker took him out to lunch for his birthday, and to the mall to get him a birthday present. His sister kept asking me to take her somewhere but I really didn't want to leave until the worker got here. I thought it was a man, and I didn't want him snooping around and drawing my husband into a conversation.
I didin't realize until she got here and I recognized her that it was the same CASA worker who was assigned to his siblings and nephews who have been lost to the system. Then I felt bad about not leaving in time. She caught us in the car, and wanted to look at the baby. I didn't blame his sister for being anxious.
After he got home, he said that the CASA seemed to know all about what was going on in this house. Evidently she was given the city file to read and was sent here to spy. Oak Tree thinks she is cool because she buys him stuff and speaks out against his social worker. But she started asking him questions about his family.
His sister's Stabilization Worker said for him to go to the County Agency and close out his case in person, and open up a new case in the city. This is different than what we were told at the DSS where he got his ID. They said to have his case "transferred." His Mom was afraid he would lose his MEDICAID in the process. She wanted him set up with appointments and more medicine before we had it transferred.
His Mom has not been consistent about trying to see about getting him social services.
She finally told me to start making some calls. Everything always comes back to his social worker. He doesn't like her. His family doesn't like her.
Oak Tree called her and asked her if she had his spending money which the group home owed him. She denied having it and didn't offer to help him get it.
His Mom called a MEDICAID toll-free customer service number I gave her, and they wouldn't talk to her. She had his MEDICAID # which DSS had given her. They asked her what his last address was, and she told them the name of the group home but she didn't know the address. We need an approved list of medical providers to pick from.
I finally found someone at the state level who works in the Independent Living division. He was real helpful. He said the first thing to find out is whether he is still in "foster care." I asked how he could still be in foster care if he was living in my house. Evidently somebody is still making money off his case, whether the agency, the group home, the caseworker, etc.
He gave me someone in the county to call. She called back and asked if he had a MEDICAID card. She asked if we wanted one mailed to us. I said Yes. She asked to speak to Oak Tree. He had a hard time talking to her. The lady took the information and is supposed to get back with us.
I started thinking. His case is open for 3 months after he left, supposedly. Evidently the county DSS still has legal custody of this kid. I have physical custody. The County is his legal guardian. They are most likely collecting his Social Security income payments. They are the representative payees.
His Mom couldn't collect on it after Oak Tree turned 16 because he wouldn't go to school. That is one reason he went into foster care. Being drugged, restrained and locked up for a year and a half was their idea of being educated. And now I am babysitting him, so I guess he is still in "school?"
The county is evidently still legally responsible for his housing, food, transportation, clothing, and health care. I am providing his housing and transportation, and he is limited in what he can eat because his sister is on food stamps. Yet he can't get food stamps for himself, emergency rent assistance, clothing allowance, bus tickets, etc. from the City until the County transfers his case.
I think the County owes me a month's rent and reimbursement for transportation. And when he does go to the doctor, they need to send a MEDICAID taxi or van to pick him up.
I am incensed. The more we see what is going on here, the madder we get. This kid can't function because he is on heavy doses of sleeping pills. He is afraid to be alone, and we and his family are afraid to leave him alone. I have tried to encourage him to learn to ride the bus but he does not like the idea. Frankly, I am afraid for him to ride the bus alone.
My husband and I both came to the conclusion this morning that he should go back to the group home. It has been almost a month, and he is getting a little too comfortable here. We are poor, and have always been so. My car is overheating. We just can't afford this. My husband told him to pack his bags he is taking him back in the morning. We heard this flurry of packing upstairs, and later he asked me about buses to his Mom's. My husband had finally told everybody that rides are a $1 a mile, to cover our time.
Well, Oak Tree had a miracle cure of his "bus phobia." I rode with him on the bus. It is a good thing I did because I was confused about the bus route. As I rode the bus home, I saw him working - - there is plenty of work to be done.
I happened to be out this afternoon, so picked him up. He had been paid for 4 hrs. work. He moved furniture and boxes all day. He is not used to doing anything except playing games, so the work made him sick and he threw up. He also has an ear infection.
His Mom asked me to stop at Blockbuster on the way home so he could rent a DVD. He can't pay rent but he can rent a DVD ! I forgot all about it - - I took him home along the bus route so he would know how to get home on the bus, as the bus returns a different way coming than going. He was afraid to go back into the house. He looked up at me and asked if he could spend the night here another night. I said Yes, as long as he continues to make an effort.
He said it was illegal to take him back to the group home because it would be trespassing. I said, Yes, they may have given his room to somebody else, we would have to call first. He said nobody is allowed to call there.
I called him downstairs and whispered to him that it might be a nice gesture to pay my husband some rent money for the day's rent. $20 per work day is expected, but he could think about it and decide how much he wanted to give, and ask for a second chance. He said, How about $8? I said, OK. He said he needed change for a $20. Later I told him he should give $10. My husband grumbled and said he wanted $20, and wouldn't take it. I pleaded with him to take it, until Oak Tree could work his way up to $20, so he threw it on the desk.
Oak Tree said he would walk to work in the morning to work, to save bus fare. It is a pretty rough route, even on the bus. We will see. If he doesn't get himself to work, he will be looking at going for a ride down to the county DSS.
His Mom insists he is very sick, can't work, and needs to be on disability for the rest of his life. And she wants to be in charge of his disability income check. She spends enough on cigarettes every month to pay rent, even if she has to sell blood to pay for it.
Welcome to Welfare Reform. It isn't enough to be poor anymore - - One must be diagnosed with mental illness and take enough medicine to support the drug companies in order to receive Welfare nowadays.
If the government wants him to take drugs for the next 5 years, then the government can send the Care Van to pick him up and take him to the psychiatrist.
And I don't feel like taking him to apply for Social Security Disability either, at this point.
In my opinion there is nothing wrong with this kid. He is polite and well-mannered and is capable of working.
.
The following is long but interesting to me.
Oak Tree is slow getting motivated.
He tried working with my husband a couple times. My husband is not management material, and Oak Tree is not a self-starter. So it has been very slow going. My husband is a very competent jack-of-all-trades, so it is unfortunate that the chemistry has always been lacking when it comes to my husband working with kids, even his own.
Every once in a while I have to intervene to get something going. My husband doesn't think it is his place to go upstairs and wake up a renter and tell him to brush his teeth, take a shower, get dressed, eat something and come to work. And Oak Tree doesn't feel like getting going until somebody does all that. Finally my husband bought an alarm clock for him and put it on his tab.
His CASA Worker took him out to lunch for his birthday, and to the mall to get him a birthday present. His sister kept asking me to take her somewhere but I really didn't want to leave until the worker got here. I thought it was a man, and I didn't want him snooping around and drawing my husband into a conversation.
I didin't realize until she got here and I recognized her that it was the same CASA worker who was assigned to his siblings and nephews who have been lost to the system. Then I felt bad about not leaving in time. She caught us in the car, and wanted to look at the baby. I didn't blame his sister for being anxious.
After he got home, he said that the CASA seemed to know all about what was going on in this house. Evidently she was given the city file to read and was sent here to spy. Oak Tree thinks she is cool because she buys him stuff and speaks out against his social worker. But she started asking him questions about his family.
His sister's Stabilization Worker said for him to go to the County Agency and close out his case in person, and open up a new case in the city. This is different than what we were told at the DSS where he got his ID. They said to have his case "transferred." His Mom was afraid he would lose his MEDICAID in the process. She wanted him set up with appointments and more medicine before we had it transferred.
His Mom has not been consistent about trying to see about getting him social services.
She finally told me to start making some calls. Everything always comes back to his social worker. He doesn't like her. His family doesn't like her.
Oak Tree called her and asked her if she had his spending money which the group home owed him. She denied having it and didn't offer to help him get it.
His Mom called a MEDICAID toll-free customer service number I gave her, and they wouldn't talk to her. She had his MEDICAID # which DSS had given her. They asked her what his last address was, and she told them the name of the group home but she didn't know the address. We need an approved list of medical providers to pick from.
I finally found someone at the state level who works in the Independent Living division. He was real helpful. He said the first thing to find out is whether he is still in "foster care." I asked how he could still be in foster care if he was living in my house. Evidently somebody is still making money off his case, whether the agency, the group home, the caseworker, etc.
He gave me someone in the county to call. She called back and asked if he had a MEDICAID card. She asked if we wanted one mailed to us. I said Yes. She asked to speak to Oak Tree. He had a hard time talking to her. The lady took the information and is supposed to get back with us.
I started thinking. His case is open for 3 months after he left, supposedly. Evidently the county DSS still has legal custody of this kid. I have physical custody. The County is his legal guardian. They are most likely collecting his Social Security income payments. They are the representative payees.
His Mom couldn't collect on it after Oak Tree turned 16 because he wouldn't go to school. That is one reason he went into foster care. Being drugged, restrained and locked up for a year and a half was their idea of being educated. And now I am babysitting him, so I guess he is still in "school?"
The county is evidently still legally responsible for his housing, food, transportation, clothing, and health care. I am providing his housing and transportation, and he is limited in what he can eat because his sister is on food stamps. Yet he can't get food stamps for himself, emergency rent assistance, clothing allowance, bus tickets, etc. from the City until the County transfers his case.
I think the County owes me a month's rent and reimbursement for transportation. And when he does go to the doctor, they need to send a MEDICAID taxi or van to pick him up.
I am incensed. The more we see what is going on here, the madder we get. This kid can't function because he is on heavy doses of sleeping pills. He is afraid to be alone, and we and his family are afraid to leave him alone. I have tried to encourage him to learn to ride the bus but he does not like the idea. Frankly, I am afraid for him to ride the bus alone.
My husband and I both came to the conclusion this morning that he should go back to the group home. It has been almost a month, and he is getting a little too comfortable here. We are poor, and have always been so. My car is overheating. We just can't afford this. My husband told him to pack his bags he is taking him back in the morning. We heard this flurry of packing upstairs, and later he asked me about buses to his Mom's. My husband had finally told everybody that rides are a $1 a mile, to cover our time.
Well, Oak Tree had a miracle cure of his "bus phobia." I rode with him on the bus. It is a good thing I did because I was confused about the bus route. As I rode the bus home, I saw him working - - there is plenty of work to be done.
I happened to be out this afternoon, so picked him up. He had been paid for 4 hrs. work. He moved furniture and boxes all day. He is not used to doing anything except playing games, so the work made him sick and he threw up. He also has an ear infection.
His Mom asked me to stop at Blockbuster on the way home so he could rent a DVD. He can't pay rent but he can rent a DVD ! I forgot all about it - - I took him home along the bus route so he would know how to get home on the bus, as the bus returns a different way coming than going. He was afraid to go back into the house. He looked up at me and asked if he could spend the night here another night. I said Yes, as long as he continues to make an effort.
He said it was illegal to take him back to the group home because it would be trespassing. I said, Yes, they may have given his room to somebody else, we would have to call first. He said nobody is allowed to call there.
I called him downstairs and whispered to him that it might be a nice gesture to pay my husband some rent money for the day's rent. $20 per work day is expected, but he could think about it and decide how much he wanted to give, and ask for a second chance. He said, How about $8? I said, OK. He said he needed change for a $20. Later I told him he should give $10. My husband grumbled and said he wanted $20, and wouldn't take it. I pleaded with him to take it, until Oak Tree could work his way up to $20, so he threw it on the desk.
Oak Tree said he would walk to work in the morning to work, to save bus fare. It is a pretty rough route, even on the bus. We will see. If he doesn't get himself to work, he will be looking at going for a ride down to the county DSS.
His Mom insists he is very sick, can't work, and needs to be on disability for the rest of his life. And she wants to be in charge of his disability income check. She spends enough on cigarettes every month to pay rent, even if she has to sell blood to pay for it.
Welcome to Welfare Reform. It isn't enough to be poor anymore - - One must be diagnosed with mental illness and take enough medicine to support the drug companies in order to receive Welfare nowadays.
If the government wants him to take drugs for the next 5 years, then the government can send the Care Van to pick him up and take him to the psychiatrist.
And I don't feel like taking him to apply for Social Security Disability either, at this point.
In my opinion there is nothing wrong with this kid. He is polite and well-mannered and is capable of working.
.
Last edited by Marina on Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
.
I got Oak Tree's Medicaid card and a list of his medications from his social worker, with his consent. She finally contacted him, after we made calls all over the place.
Then she had the nerve to deny to my face that she knew where he was until that day, when we went to court for his mother's case. This was after the social worker had just called him the night before and left a message on my recorder.
- - After he gave the group home my phone number and address so they could mail him his money. - - After he called her 2 weeks ago asking where his spending money was that the group home forwarded to her. - - After she sent the CASA over here almost a week ago to snoop on him, and she made the appointment to see him some time before that.
Then she had the nerve to say that he had told her he wanted to stay in foster care. That was right after she said he walked out of the home and went missing. By the way, he is still in foster care, even though I am supporting him.
I asked her if he could still have MEDICAID after the case was closed. She said he could get it until he was 19. Later her supervisor told us that MEDICAID would be cut off when the case was closed.
I asked his social worker if she would give him food stamps. She said No. I asked for bus tickets, emergency rent assistance. No No. She said he walked out of the program so he couldn't get anything. And they don't do that anyway. I said, well call him for his consent and transfer or close his case out so I can take him to the city DSS that afternoon and get him some food stamps, and she said No, I have to talk to my supervisor.
I said, well you still have legal custody of him and you are responsible for paying for his food and housing and transportation, and that would be me. She said No, she does not have legal custody. I asked if she was his guardian and she said no. I asked if she was his representative payee for Social Security and she said he doesn't have SS because he is 18 and not in school. She said, Well if you can't support him, why did you take him to your house?
She said he still needs to be in foster care. I said, What for? She said so he can still get benefits. I said, What benefits? He's not in school. She never could tell me.
I was hot when I left there.
We started in on trying to get him doctor's appointments. She called the Medicaid customer service, and they wanted to know his last address.
This is important.
We got his last address off of the paperwork the social worker had given me, which is a P.O. Box # with the Department, to then get his Medicaid information from the customer service #.
Previously they had refused his mother information because she did not know his last address, even though she had his Medicaid #. She was telling them the name of his group home, but that wasn't right. His address is listed as DSS.
Another social worker had previously told us to take him to the Post Office and let him personally change his address.
We asked for an approved Medicaid provider list, which they said they would mail to him.
We called the psychiatrist listed on the medication records. They asked how soon he needed an appointment. We said they were going to cut off his medicaid next week. They told us to just walk in with him immediately then, which we will do next week.
He is on a lot of medications.
This is totally reckless, dangerous and irresponsible - - for a group home to let a foster child walk out without a medicaid card, and not even with a list of medications. What if he got hit by a bus and the paramedics asked him if he was on medications?
When I asked the social worker who his doctors were, she said to ask the boy. I told her he couldn't remember.
This is Adult Abuse and Neglect !!!
.
I got Oak Tree's Medicaid card and a list of his medications from his social worker, with his consent. She finally contacted him, after we made calls all over the place.
Then she had the nerve to deny to my face that she knew where he was until that day, when we went to court for his mother's case. This was after the social worker had just called him the night before and left a message on my recorder.
- - After he gave the group home my phone number and address so they could mail him his money. - - After he called her 2 weeks ago asking where his spending money was that the group home forwarded to her. - - After she sent the CASA over here almost a week ago to snoop on him, and she made the appointment to see him some time before that.
Then she had the nerve to say that he had told her he wanted to stay in foster care. That was right after she said he walked out of the home and went missing. By the way, he is still in foster care, even though I am supporting him.
I asked her if he could still have MEDICAID after the case was closed. She said he could get it until he was 19. Later her supervisor told us that MEDICAID would be cut off when the case was closed.
I asked his social worker if she would give him food stamps. She said No. I asked for bus tickets, emergency rent assistance. No No. She said he walked out of the program so he couldn't get anything. And they don't do that anyway. I said, well call him for his consent and transfer or close his case out so I can take him to the city DSS that afternoon and get him some food stamps, and she said No, I have to talk to my supervisor.
I said, well you still have legal custody of him and you are responsible for paying for his food and housing and transportation, and that would be me. She said No, she does not have legal custody. I asked if she was his guardian and she said no. I asked if she was his representative payee for Social Security and she said he doesn't have SS because he is 18 and not in school. She said, Well if you can't support him, why did you take him to your house?
She said he still needs to be in foster care. I said, What for? She said so he can still get benefits. I said, What benefits? He's not in school. She never could tell me.
I was hot when I left there.
We started in on trying to get him doctor's appointments. She called the Medicaid customer service, and they wanted to know his last address.
This is important.
We got his last address off of the paperwork the social worker had given me, which is a P.O. Box # with the Department, to then get his Medicaid information from the customer service #.
Previously they had refused his mother information because she did not know his last address, even though she had his Medicaid #. She was telling them the name of his group home, but that wasn't right. His address is listed as DSS.
Another social worker had previously told us to take him to the Post Office and let him personally change his address.
We asked for an approved Medicaid provider list, which they said they would mail to him.
We called the psychiatrist listed on the medication records. They asked how soon he needed an appointment. We said they were going to cut off his medicaid next week. They told us to just walk in with him immediately then, which we will do next week.
He is on a lot of medications.
This is totally reckless, dangerous and irresponsible - - for a group home to let a foster child walk out without a medicaid card, and not even with a list of medications. What if he got hit by a bus and the paramedics asked him if he was on medications?
When I asked the social worker who his doctors were, she said to ask the boy. I told her he couldn't remember.
This is Adult Abuse and Neglect !!!
.
Last edited by Marina on Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
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anxiousmom
- Posts: 526
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:18 pm
Marina,
The run around that the social worker & other agencies are giving you & Oak Tree is just ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!
It shows that they do NOT care about HIM!!!!!
*Someone* is most likely STILL getting funding for him-----which is FRAUD!!!! It needs to be reported & anyone or the group home, etc. receving said funding without his being there need to be held responsible.
It's just ridiculous that they didn't get him set up properly to still be getting medicaid, his medicines, disability, food stamps, etc. When the boys move out, do they NOT do this for them???
You should of told her that you let him move in because you CARE about HIM & are a decent human being trying to do a good thing!!!!
I can't believe all of the medicine he is on. I'm wondering if he actually needs the sedatives---that was probably just to keep him in a zombie state. No wonder he is sleepy & not very motivated. But, I wouldn't recommend taking him off of any of his meds 'til a doctor sees him.
I've always heard that disability takes a long time to get on & is a long process. Best to get the process started. I think you do it through the social security office. SS office offers 2 different types of disablitly & with one of them you can work some----can only make so much & I'm sure his earnings would be under the limit.
You wrote earlier that you don't think there is anything wrong with him & that he can work. I always respect everything you say, but I do disagree with this. I say this with total kindness, but you are not qualified to evaluate whether or not he is mentally able to work. Mental illnesses are on the list of approved disabilities that one can get disbaility for through the soical security office.
And, by the way, I have never been on disability, nor have I ever applied for it-----although I have anxiety & it is listed as one of the mental illnesses on the social security list that you can get disablity for. I work.
Again, I APPLAUD you for all of the work & love & practical help that you are giving this family!!!!!!!!
I also am so impressed by your willingness to be SO HONEST here about the process----and about how difficult it is for your husband in relating to Oak Tree, etc.
I'm sure you will feel burned out at times, inconvienanced & even feel "used" sometimes.
PLEASE try to pamper yourself some......have time for yourself to do things you enjoy doing. Spend time with your husband. Learn to say "No" when you can't do something.
The goal is to get all of the people in this family & that other lady your helping living as independantly as possible.
You really are an inspiration. You inspire me to make a difference in other peoples lives.
Take care!
The run around that the social worker & other agencies are giving you & Oak Tree is just ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!
It shows that they do NOT care about HIM!!!!!
*Someone* is most likely STILL getting funding for him-----which is FRAUD!!!! It needs to be reported & anyone or the group home, etc. receving said funding without his being there need to be held responsible.
It's just ridiculous that they didn't get him set up properly to still be getting medicaid, his medicines, disability, food stamps, etc. When the boys move out, do they NOT do this for them???
You should of told her that you let him move in because you CARE about HIM & are a decent human being trying to do a good thing!!!!
I can't believe all of the medicine he is on. I'm wondering if he actually needs the sedatives---that was probably just to keep him in a zombie state. No wonder he is sleepy & not very motivated. But, I wouldn't recommend taking him off of any of his meds 'til a doctor sees him.
I've always heard that disability takes a long time to get on & is a long process. Best to get the process started. I think you do it through the social security office. SS office offers 2 different types of disablitly & with one of them you can work some----can only make so much & I'm sure his earnings would be under the limit.
You wrote earlier that you don't think there is anything wrong with him & that he can work. I always respect everything you say, but I do disagree with this. I say this with total kindness, but you are not qualified to evaluate whether or not he is mentally able to work. Mental illnesses are on the list of approved disabilities that one can get disbaility for through the soical security office.
And, by the way, I have never been on disability, nor have I ever applied for it-----although I have anxiety & it is listed as one of the mental illnesses on the social security list that you can get disablity for. I work.
Again, I APPLAUD you for all of the work & love & practical help that you are giving this family!!!!!!!!
I also am so impressed by your willingness to be SO HONEST here about the process----and about how difficult it is for your husband in relating to Oak Tree, etc.
I'm sure you will feel burned out at times, inconvienanced & even feel "used" sometimes.
PLEASE try to pamper yourself some......have time for yourself to do things you enjoy doing. Spend time with your husband. Learn to say "No" when you can't do something.
The goal is to get all of the people in this family & that other lady your helping living as independantly as possible.
You really are an inspiration. You inspire me to make a difference in other peoples lives.
Take care!
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anxiousmom
- Posts: 526
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:18 pm
Also, have you ever found out what happened to the spending money he had while at the group home? I think you said it was about $60 & that they sent it to the social worker. It NEEDS to be given to him ASAP! That is ridiculous!!!!!!
I would call the home & find out who they gave it to & call that social worker. Send registered letters in the mail if need be. He needs that money.
I would call the home & find out who they gave it to & call that social worker. Send registered letters in the mail if need be. He needs that money.
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Frustrated
- Posts: 3916
- Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2005 11:15 am
- Location: Canada
- Contact:
That sounds familiar and similar to a news-story from Toronto where a Social Worker stole money from a Child through a debit card (the child's mother had send money and gifts for her son and dropped the money/gifts at the CPS office) and the Worker got caught and criminal charges were brought onto her and I think she went to Jail for it. That's why they called her the Grinch because it happened around Christmas. It was posted on Canadacourtwatch.com under "The Grinch who stole money from a child".
If they stole money and it should be directed to the child, it is called stealing and it is a criminal offense and charges should be brought on the workers. If they are stealing money, you should report this to prosecuting D.A. in your State to see if there can be criminal charges for them abusing the state funds.
If they stole money and it should be directed to the child, it is called stealing and it is a criminal offense and charges should be brought on the workers. If they are stealing money, you should report this to prosecuting D.A. in your State to see if there can be criminal charges for them abusing the state funds.
It is easy to steal from poor people. But don't do it. And don't take advantage of those poor people in court. The Lord is on their side. He supports them and he will take things away from any person that takes from them.~ Proverbs 22:22
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Oak Tree is in the hospital with a temporary condition
When I went to visit him, he was the perfect host. His Mom got him something to eat from downstairs, so he offered me his hospital lunch. He treated me like an absolute queen and VIP.
He offered to let me sit on his bed, which they had just changed, so I could reach the tray. He kept offering to get me drinks from the curtesy refrigerator down the hall. He kept asking me how I liked the food. He asked me if I wanted to watch TV, and which channel. He showed me how to work the remote.
He said, I guess you never expected to get a free hospital meal when all you did was give my family a ride up here. His Mom said he had "separation anxiety" when we left, as he followed us down the hall to the exit. She said all her children did, as she pampered them so much and took care of them, which she really does.
His social worker denied knowing anything about his spending money when I talked to her last week. Yes, we need to call the home and confront them.
It is a huge problem in all states for children aging out of foster care. There are huge gaps in services for people exiting any institution.
http://forum.fightcps.com/viewtopic.php?t=7091
Here is something from Virginia:
One keyword is DISCHARGE PLANNING.
http://www.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov/docume ... ntryA4.pdf
page 1
Treatment foster care providers must have a comprehensive plan 30 days prior to children leaving their care.2
DMHMRSAS requires all its licensed providers to “make appropriate arrangements or referrals” in the discharge plan, prior to release.3
Treatment foster care providers must have a comprehensive plan 30 days prior to children leaving their care.2
DMHMRSAS requires all its licensed providers to “make appropriate arrangements or referrals” in the discharge plan, prior to release.3
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.
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http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... 30-130-940
Virginia Administrative Code
12VAC30-130-940. Discharge from care.
A. A discharge summary shall be developed for each child and placed in the child's record within 30 days of discharge. It shall include the date of and reason for discharge, the name of the person with whom the child was placed or to whom he was discharged, and a description of the services provided to the child and progress made while the child was in care. Written recommendations for aftercare shall be made for each child prior to the child's discharge. Such recommendations shall specify the nature, frequency, and duration of aftercare services to be provided to the child and the child's family.
B. The summary shall also include an evaluation of the progress made toward the child's treatment goals.
C. Discharge planning shall be developed with the treatment team and with the child, the child's parents or guardian, and the custodial agency.
D. Children in the custody of a local department of social services or private child-placing agency shall not be discharged without the knowledge, consultation, and notification of the custodial agency
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.
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Yes, people with disabilities do not perform up to our expectations. I have seen personally how medicines can affect someone even long after they stop taking them.
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Oak Tree is in the hospital with a temporary condition
When I went to visit him, he was the perfect host. His Mom got him something to eat from downstairs, so he offered me his hospital lunch. He treated me like an absolute queen and VIP.
He offered to let me sit on his bed, which they had just changed, so I could reach the tray. He kept offering to get me drinks from the curtesy refrigerator down the hall. He kept asking me how I liked the food. He asked me if I wanted to watch TV, and which channel. He showed me how to work the remote.
He said, I guess you never expected to get a free hospital meal when all you did was give my family a ride up here. His Mom said he had "separation anxiety" when we left, as he followed us down the hall to the exit. She said all her children did, as she pampered them so much and took care of them, which she really does.
His social worker denied knowing anything about his spending money when I talked to her last week. Yes, we need to call the home and confront them.
It is a huge problem in all states for children aging out of foster care. There are huge gaps in services for people exiting any institution.
http://forum.fightcps.com/viewtopic.php?t=7091
Here is something from Virginia:
One keyword is DISCHARGE PLANNING.
http://www.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov/docume ... ntryA4.pdf
page 1
Treatment foster care providers must have a comprehensive plan 30 days prior to children leaving their care.2
DMHMRSAS requires all its licensed providers to “make appropriate arrangements or referrals” in the discharge plan, prior to release.3
Treatment foster care providers must have a comprehensive plan 30 days prior to children leaving their care.2
DMHMRSAS requires all its licensed providers to “make appropriate arrangements or referrals” in the discharge plan, prior to release.3
.
.
.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... 30-130-940
Virginia Administrative Code
12VAC30-130-940. Discharge from care.
A. A discharge summary shall be developed for each child and placed in the child's record within 30 days of discharge. It shall include the date of and reason for discharge, the name of the person with whom the child was placed or to whom he was discharged, and a description of the services provided to the child and progress made while the child was in care. Written recommendations for aftercare shall be made for each child prior to the child's discharge. Such recommendations shall specify the nature, frequency, and duration of aftercare services to be provided to the child and the child's family.
B. The summary shall also include an evaluation of the progress made toward the child's treatment goals.
C. Discharge planning shall be developed with the treatment team and with the child, the child's parents or guardian, and the custodial agency.
D. Children in the custody of a local department of social services or private child-placing agency shall not be discharged without the knowledge, consultation, and notification of the custodial agency
.
.
.
Yes, people with disabilities do not perform up to our expectations. I have seen personally how medicines can affect someone even long after they stop taking them.
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Last edited by Marina on Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Summary - Oak Tree may stay with some long- time family friends for a while. The lady wants to get his disability.
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Oak Tree was in the hospital 5 days. He is still pretty weak.
We are still having trouble getting him services. His social worker finally called, after we had called her supervisor and someone else high up in the local Agency. She only talks to him, so we are not sure what she tells him, or what we are supposed to do. She called back and left a message to go to the City agency and apply for services in person.
We called Downtown to make sure the case was transferred, and they said to go to our local agency and get food stamps if the kid was hungry, regardless of whether the case was transferred.
We went over there and they said his case wasn't transferred, and he could not get food stamps. We said we just talked to someone downtown and that person said he could get them. So they called the county, and someone said Go ahead let us apply. We were there 3 hours. They said it would take effect in a few days. Now we are finding out it won't take effect until the first of next month, nearly 2 months after he was discharged.
The social worker's supervisor called and talked to me, and said that they had to close out the case, they couldn't transfer it. He thought they could transfer it originally. He said that the transfer of his Medicaid had to be coordinated. I asked about his disability. He said that had to be coordinated also.
One of the top ladies at the Agency called me back and said it was Oak Tree's fault that the Agency didn't follow discharge protocol!!!
This is a licensed mental health facility!!! He has 4 mental conditions and is on 7 medications. Because he left the facility at 6:00 in the morning, which wasn't true, we got there at 7 and didn't leave until 8 or 8:30 because he waited to say good-bye to his counselor. His mother asked for discharge papers and they said there were none.
His social worker had told me that she didn't know he had left care. She said he told her he wanted to stay in care beyond his birthday. I started thinking, she testified in Circuit Court at his Mom's TPR trial that she conducted a "closure" visit with his siblings before he left care. So much for her not knowing he was leaving.
The social worker called back the next day and said that Oak Tree now had to go to the City Social Services and apply for Medicaid. She didn't mention disability. I listened in on the phone extension that time, because he has no idea what to do after she talks to him. She asked him if he wanted her to explain it to his sister, and he said yes, so the social worker called back and left a messge on the recorder. I can't believe it. Not confidential or anything.
By this week-end he was starting to run out of medicine. We were going first thing Monday. But Oak Tree went over to the family friend's house for the week-end and has not come back.
Mr. & Mrs. K are the ones who let his mother stay there after she lost her trailer. They have a son about his age and a younger daughter.
The 2 moms have been friends since childhood, so Oak Tree has known Mrs. K all his life. We went over there about a month ago, and he walked right in the house without even knocking. He hadn't seen them in 1 1/2 yrs, but he said he was allowed to walk in without knocking.
Mrs. K is now telling his mother that Oak Tree wants to live over there and she is going to take care of him and collect his disability. She has an appointment with a psychologist. She agrees that he is on too much medicine. His Mom says she will take good care of him and maintain his medical care.
But his Mom is having a meltdown. She wants her son to get the disability in his own name and let him decide how to spend it. Or let me be his representative payee, since I have let him stay here for 6 weeks.
She had told me sometime back that Mrs. K had taken in several people in the past and gotten their disability. One was an old lady. She kept getting more and more medicine for this lady until she finally had to be institutionalized.
She wanted Mom to go into a treatment facility herself so she could get on disability so Mrs. K could become payee. Mom was afraid to do this, as she did not want to become another mental patient. She has heard horror stories of people in institutions - - they are afraid to go to sleep at night because they are afraid of being molested. That is why she got jobs and went to work when she lived there instead of applying for disability.
Another thing is that Mrs. K has been on good terms with the social workers for 15 years and has been on good terms with Oak Tree's social worker. She has even gone out to lunch with her. She will help Mrs. K get him on disability, etc.
Mrs. K was allowed to call Oak Tree when he was in foster care. One time his mom called him, and they refused to let her talk to her son. They said she could only talk to him when the counselor was there, which was during the day and she didn't have access to a cell phone for long distance during the day. The counselor denied that she had anything to do with it. So someone else called the facility and identified herself as Mrs. K. They let her call go through then.
Her mother was so distraught.
And I hope Oak Tree will find his way. He will still be able to freely visit his Mom any time, so it is not the end of the world. And I can offer to take him places, just as I have taken his Mom on errands every week for almost a yr. now, even while she was staying at Mrs. K's place.
Mrs. K does not smoke or drink, and goes to church. She has a lot of health problems, so she is really being generous by offering to help. Her son can drive, and he is close to Oak Tree's age so they will have more in common than he has with his mother.
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Summary - Oak Tree may stay with some long- time family friends for a while. The lady wants to get his disability.
.
.
Oak Tree was in the hospital 5 days. He is still pretty weak.
We are still having trouble getting him services. His social worker finally called, after we had called her supervisor and someone else high up in the local Agency. She only talks to him, so we are not sure what she tells him, or what we are supposed to do. She called back and left a message to go to the City agency and apply for services in person.
We called Downtown to make sure the case was transferred, and they said to go to our local agency and get food stamps if the kid was hungry, regardless of whether the case was transferred.
We went over there and they said his case wasn't transferred, and he could not get food stamps. We said we just talked to someone downtown and that person said he could get them. So they called the county, and someone said Go ahead let us apply. We were there 3 hours. They said it would take effect in a few days. Now we are finding out it won't take effect until the first of next month, nearly 2 months after he was discharged.
The social worker's supervisor called and talked to me, and said that they had to close out the case, they couldn't transfer it. He thought they could transfer it originally. He said that the transfer of his Medicaid had to be coordinated. I asked about his disability. He said that had to be coordinated also.
One of the top ladies at the Agency called me back and said it was Oak Tree's fault that the Agency didn't follow discharge protocol!!!
This is a licensed mental health facility!!! He has 4 mental conditions and is on 7 medications. Because he left the facility at 6:00 in the morning, which wasn't true, we got there at 7 and didn't leave until 8 or 8:30 because he waited to say good-bye to his counselor. His mother asked for discharge papers and they said there were none.
His social worker had told me that she didn't know he had left care. She said he told her he wanted to stay in care beyond his birthday. I started thinking, she testified in Circuit Court at his Mom's TPR trial that she conducted a "closure" visit with his siblings before he left care. So much for her not knowing he was leaving.
The social worker called back the next day and said that Oak Tree now had to go to the City Social Services and apply for Medicaid. She didn't mention disability. I listened in on the phone extension that time, because he has no idea what to do after she talks to him. She asked him if he wanted her to explain it to his sister, and he said yes, so the social worker called back and left a messge on the recorder. I can't believe it. Not confidential or anything.
By this week-end he was starting to run out of medicine. We were going first thing Monday. But Oak Tree went over to the family friend's house for the week-end and has not come back.
Mr. & Mrs. K are the ones who let his mother stay there after she lost her trailer. They have a son about his age and a younger daughter.
The 2 moms have been friends since childhood, so Oak Tree has known Mrs. K all his life. We went over there about a month ago, and he walked right in the house without even knocking. He hadn't seen them in 1 1/2 yrs, but he said he was allowed to walk in without knocking.
Mrs. K is now telling his mother that Oak Tree wants to live over there and she is going to take care of him and collect his disability. She has an appointment with a psychologist. She agrees that he is on too much medicine. His Mom says she will take good care of him and maintain his medical care.
But his Mom is having a meltdown. She wants her son to get the disability in his own name and let him decide how to spend it. Or let me be his representative payee, since I have let him stay here for 6 weeks.
She had told me sometime back that Mrs. K had taken in several people in the past and gotten their disability. One was an old lady. She kept getting more and more medicine for this lady until she finally had to be institutionalized.
She wanted Mom to go into a treatment facility herself so she could get on disability so Mrs. K could become payee. Mom was afraid to do this, as she did not want to become another mental patient. She has heard horror stories of people in institutions - - they are afraid to go to sleep at night because they are afraid of being molested. That is why she got jobs and went to work when she lived there instead of applying for disability.
Another thing is that Mrs. K has been on good terms with the social workers for 15 years and has been on good terms with Oak Tree's social worker. She has even gone out to lunch with her. She will help Mrs. K get him on disability, etc.
Mrs. K was allowed to call Oak Tree when he was in foster care. One time his mom called him, and they refused to let her talk to her son. They said she could only talk to him when the counselor was there, which was during the day and she didn't have access to a cell phone for long distance during the day. The counselor denied that she had anything to do with it. So someone else called the facility and identified herself as Mrs. K. They let her call go through then.
Her mother was so distraught.
And I hope Oak Tree will find his way. He will still be able to freely visit his Mom any time, so it is not the end of the world. And I can offer to take him places, just as I have taken his Mom on errands every week for almost a yr. now, even while she was staying at Mrs. K's place.
Mrs. K does not smoke or drink, and goes to church. She has a lot of health problems, so she is really being generous by offering to help. Her son can drive, and he is close to Oak Tree's age so they will have more in common than he has with his mother.
.
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Summary: Oak Tree aged out of foster care. We helped him with the transition. Another family is helping him now.
He was discharged from a licensed mental health facility. There was supposed to be discharge plan, but he left only with a supply of meds - - no records or referrals. He could not receive services in our locality because he was still listed as being in foster care in the previous locality and the case had to be closed out first. If it was closed out too soon there would be gaps in his Medicaid and he was on a lot of psych meds.
The problem with his first situation was that nobody was in charge of him, but 3 people were helping him, so things didn't get done efficiently. With the new family, he listens to only one person and they are getting things done.
His food stamps are still attached to his sister's food stamps. His case was transferred back to the orginal locality and I think he may be able to get food stamps there but not sure.
He finally got his spending money that the foster home owed him from the day he left.
He had a refill for his meds at the pharmacy which the foster home used but the foster home hadn't picked up his meds because he had been discharged. The lady he is staying with finally got his refill there.
She made an appointment for a mental health evaluation at another psych doctor for the purpose of getting him disability.
She contacted the various foster care facilites for his medical records, as the social worker is no help - the same caseworker the family has had all along.
They went to the Social Security office and found out he was not on SSI ( Social Security disability ) in foster care. This was not because he didn't qualify but because he already had Social Security Survivor's Benefits and that amount was greater. Having both at the same time would interfere with income eligibility requirements I think.
He does not qualify for Social Security beyond age 18 unless he is enrolled in some kind of educational program. She enrolled him in a program, but he does not necessarily have to attend. This should carry him over until he gets qualified for disability.
The lady is in charge of his money and gets some money for housing. I am not sure how this is set up, as I read somewhere that the "representative payee" cannot also be the service provider. I am thinking there is a joint bank account, with the young man being his own representative payee.
Oak Tree finished moving all his things to his new place.
His alcoholic mother is insulted that she can't be in charge of his money. She tried to interfere and caused trouble, but her son realizes that the other lady is in a better position to help him.
The lady and Oak Tree have worked together to regulate his meds to a point where he is not such a zombie but still takes the meds that he feels he needs. His voice sounds better.
All in all, I think this family is extremely lucky to have so many people helping them. I am thankful for the other family also.
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Summary: Oak Tree aged out of foster care. We helped him with the transition. Another family is helping him now.
He was discharged from a licensed mental health facility. There was supposed to be discharge plan, but he left only with a supply of meds - - no records or referrals. He could not receive services in our locality because he was still listed as being in foster care in the previous locality and the case had to be closed out first. If it was closed out too soon there would be gaps in his Medicaid and he was on a lot of psych meds.
The problem with his first situation was that nobody was in charge of him, but 3 people were helping him, so things didn't get done efficiently. With the new family, he listens to only one person and they are getting things done.
His food stamps are still attached to his sister's food stamps. His case was transferred back to the orginal locality and I think he may be able to get food stamps there but not sure.
He finally got his spending money that the foster home owed him from the day he left.
He had a refill for his meds at the pharmacy which the foster home used but the foster home hadn't picked up his meds because he had been discharged. The lady he is staying with finally got his refill there.
She made an appointment for a mental health evaluation at another psych doctor for the purpose of getting him disability.
She contacted the various foster care facilites for his medical records, as the social worker is no help - the same caseworker the family has had all along.
They went to the Social Security office and found out he was not on SSI ( Social Security disability ) in foster care. This was not because he didn't qualify but because he already had Social Security Survivor's Benefits and that amount was greater. Having both at the same time would interfere with income eligibility requirements I think.
He does not qualify for Social Security beyond age 18 unless he is enrolled in some kind of educational program. She enrolled him in a program, but he does not necessarily have to attend. This should carry him over until he gets qualified for disability.
The lady is in charge of his money and gets some money for housing. I am not sure how this is set up, as I read somewhere that the "representative payee" cannot also be the service provider. I am thinking there is a joint bank account, with the young man being his own representative payee.
Oak Tree finished moving all his things to his new place.
His alcoholic mother is insulted that she can't be in charge of his money. She tried to interfere and caused trouble, but her son realizes that the other lady is in a better position to help him.
The lady and Oak Tree have worked together to regulate his meds to a point where he is not such a zombie but still takes the meds that he feels he needs. His voice sounds better.
All in all, I think this family is extremely lucky to have so many people helping them. I am thankful for the other family also.
.
To summarize:
Oak Tree aged out of foster care a couple years ago. He has been staying with family friends for most of that time. The Mom got him on disability, as he was all doped up from being in institutions. She has made great strides in getting him socialized. She has helped a lot of other young people transition to independence.
Now he has moved out along with a relative who was in the home. Several people got together and rented a house. He is so excited. They are in the process of getting the place furnished. The one girl drives and works. Oak Tree doesn't drive. I don't know if he is on the bus line. This is a huge step. Even if it doesn't work out, it will be a great learning experience.
Oak Tree aged out of foster care a couple years ago. He has been staying with family friends for most of that time. The Mom got him on disability, as he was all doped up from being in institutions. She has made great strides in getting him socialized. She has helped a lot of other young people transition to independence.
Now he has moved out along with a relative who was in the home. Several people got together and rented a house. He is so excited. They are in the process of getting the place furnished. The one girl drives and works. Oak Tree doesn't drive. I don't know if he is on the bus line. This is a huge step. Even if it doesn't work out, it will be a great learning experience.
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