'Why not me?'
Program seeks to match adolescent children with prospective parents
The portraits of children sporting angelic poses and beatific smiles on display at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital could easily serve as ads for the latest fashion or the newest hit sitcom. But the truth about the gallery, which remains open through today, is decidedly less funny.
The innocent faces in the enlarged photos belong to adolescent foster children, a population of parent-less juveniles officials say are often overlooked by would-be parents who prefer to adopt infants and young children instead.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Adopting Older Children
Adopting Older Children
"Everybody needs a family. It doesn't matter how old you are but we find a trend with children 8 and over. It's harder for them to find that forever home and to become adopted into a loving family," Shari Pulliam, Public Information Officer for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services said.
"Everybody needs a family. It doesn't matter how old you are but we find a trend with children 8 and over. It's harder for them to find that forever home and to become adopted into a loving family," Shari Pulliam, Public Information Officer for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services said.
Foster mother's choices blamed in boy's death
Foster mother's choices blamed in boy's death
Jennifer Kadilak smiled brightly yesterday when talking about Dontel Jeffers, who was 4 years old and around 3 feet tall when the social worker got to know him at a Dorchester emergency shelter for children.
Jennifer Kadilak smiled brightly yesterday when talking about Dontel Jeffers, who was 4 years old and around 3 feet tall when the social worker got to know him at a Dorchester emergency shelter for children.
Firings are urged over misuse of foster kids' money
Firings are urged over misuse of foster kids' money
L.A. County supervisors also want child welfare workers to return funds spent on lunches, musical events.
Los Angeles County child welfare workers who misused thousands of dollars meant for foster children should be fired and forced to return the money, county supervisors said Wednesday.
I say throw them in jail!
L.A. County supervisors also want child welfare workers to return funds spent on lunches, musical events.
Los Angeles County child welfare workers who misused thousands of dollars meant for foster children should be fired and forced to return the money, county supervisors said Wednesday.
I say throw them in jail!
Too-caring mother loses girl to ACS
Too-caring mother loses girl to ACS
Queens mom Vanessa James has learned the hard way that you can indeed be too concerned about your child's health.
Queens mom Vanessa James has learned the hard way that you can indeed be too concerned about your child's health.
Monitors' lawsuit contends Md., Baltimore not carrying out reforms ordered in 1988
City's foster care is faulted
Baltimore foster children are still being sheltered at a state office building and still missing medical and dental appointments, according to lawyers charged with monitoring a long-standing court decree on care for these children.
Decades later, and foster kids still suffer
Bill Grimm was in his mid-30s when he filed a civil rights lawsuit in 1984, charging widespread mistreatment of children in foster care in Baltimore. The suit was settled four years later with the state agreeing to vast, systemwide improvements, and Grimm went off to a California-based national advocacy group to fight similar battles elsewhere, thinking his work was done in Maryland.
Baltimore foster children are still being sheltered at a state office building and still missing medical and dental appointments, according to lawyers charged with monitoring a long-standing court decree on care for these children.
Decades later, and foster kids still suffer
Bill Grimm was in his mid-30s when he filed a civil rights lawsuit in 1984, charging widespread mistreatment of children in foster care in Baltimore. The suit was settled four years later with the state agreeing to vast, systemwide improvements, and Grimm went off to a California-based national advocacy group to fight similar battles elsewhere, thinking his work was done in Maryland.
New stalling by Florida on care for a little girl
New stalling by Florida on care for a little girl
Ten months ago, Gov. Crist and Department of Children and Families Secretary Bob Butterworth correctly excoriated their predecessors' "delay just to delay" stance against Marissa Amora, a permanently brain-damaged 8-year-old whom the state alternately fought and ignored since being ordered in 2005 to pay $26.8 million for neglecting her as a toddler
Ten months ago, Gov. Crist and Department of Children and Families Secretary Bob Butterworth correctly excoriated their predecessors' "delay just to delay" stance against Marissa Amora, a permanently brain-damaged 8-year-old whom the state alternately fought and ignored since being ordered in 2005 to pay $26.8 million for neglecting her as a toddler
DCF Task force says finding missing children a top priority
DCF Task force says finding missing children a top priority
A child protection task force criticized the way officials handled the case of a 2-year-old old foster girl who was missing four months, saying they lacked oversight and used ineffective communication and poor documentation.
A child protection task force criticized the way officials handled the case of a 2-year-old old foster girl who was missing four months, saying they lacked oversight and used ineffective communication and poor documentation.
A mother's battle to be believed
A mother's battle to be believed
Owen came to the chilling realization that she was being accused of making up - or even intentionally causing - her daughter's ailments. From her healthcare background, she had heard of the diagnosis the doctors pinned on her: Munchausen by Proxy, a rare mental disorder in which caretakers fabricate or induce illnesses in their children to gain attention from doctors.
Owen came to the chilling realization that she was being accused of making up - or even intentionally causing - her daughter's ailments. From her healthcare background, she had heard of the diagnosis the doctors pinned on her: Munchausen by Proxy, a rare mental disorder in which caretakers fabricate or induce illnesses in their children to gain attention from doctors.
Editorial: Answers needed
Editorial: Answers needed
No one knows how Tamaihia Lynae Moore died, but the foster mother of the Sacramento toddler has been arrested for her murder. That puts Child Protective Services, the county agency charged with protecting abused and neglected children and the agency that placed Tamaihia into foster care, in the spotlight once again.
No one knows how Tamaihia Lynae Moore died, but the foster mother of the Sacramento toddler has been arrested for her murder. That puts Child Protective Services, the county agency charged with protecting abused and neglected children and the agency that placed Tamaihia into foster care, in the spotlight once again.
Foster care death trial under way
Foster care death trial under way
More than two years after the city was shocked by the heartless killing of Dorchester toddler Dontel Jeffers, the foster mother accused of causing his excrutiating death went on trial yesterday, as the boy’s family pleaded for justice.
More than two years after the city was shocked by the heartless killing of Dorchester toddler Dontel Jeffers, the foster mother accused of causing his excrutiating death went on trial yesterday, as the boy’s family pleaded for justice.
Klaudt guilty of raping foster daughters
Klaudt guilty of raping foster daughters
Former state Rep. Ted Klaudt was convicted Tuesday night of raping two foster daughters by touching their breasts and genitals in phony examinations he said would help them sell their reproductive eggs.
Ex-legislator guilty of rape
Jury: Klaudt coerced girls in egg-harvest scam
This former foster parent is making quite the name for himself isn't he?
LK
Former state Rep. Ted Klaudt was convicted Tuesday night of raping two foster daughters by touching their breasts and genitals in phony examinations he said would help them sell their reproductive eggs.
Ex-legislator guilty of rape
Jury: Klaudt coerced girls in egg-harvest scam
This former foster parent is making quite the name for himself isn't he?
LK
Trial still on in foster child death
Trial still on in foster child death
A not guilty verdict in the case of a Canton day care director charged with failing to report suspected abuse of a 2-year-old probably won't affect the murder trial of a foster care mother in the toddler's death, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday.
A not guilty verdict in the case of a Canton day care director charged with failing to report suspected abuse of a 2-year-old probably won't affect the murder trial of a foster care mother in the toddler's death, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday.
RICHARD WEXLER: REAL FOSTER CARE SCANDAL IS NUMBER OF KIDS REMOVED
RICHARD WEXLER: REAL FOSTER CARE SCANDAL IS NUMBER OF KIDS REMOVED
The real scandal in Kansas child welfare is not that the state is oppressing Sedgwick County by giving authorities "only" 72 hours to keep a child in limbo before a court decides if he ever needed to be torn from his family in the first place ("More time: Courts need flexibility on foster care," Nov. 1 editorial). The real scandal is that somewhere near 80 percent of the children torn from their families in Sedgwick County probably never needed to endure that trauma.
The real scandal in Kansas child welfare is not that the state is oppressing Sedgwick County by giving authorities "only" 72 hours to keep a child in limbo before a court decides if he ever needed to be torn from his family in the first place ("More time: Courts need flexibility on foster care," Nov. 1 editorial). The real scandal is that somewhere near 80 percent of the children torn from their families in Sedgwick County probably never needed to endure that trauma.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Foster care death trial under way
Foster care death trial under way
More than two years after the city was shocked by the heartless killing of Dorchester toddler Dontel Jeffers, the foster mother accused of causing his excrutiating death went on trial yesterday, as the boy’s family pleaded for justice.
More than two years after the city was shocked by the heartless killing of Dorchester toddler Dontel Jeffers, the foster mother accused of causing his excrutiating death went on trial yesterday, as the boy’s family pleaded for justice.
City's foster care is faulted
City's foster care is faulted
Monitors' lawsuit contends Md., Baltimore not carrying out reforms ordered in 1988
Baltimore foster children are still being sheltered at a state office building and still missing medical and dental appointments, according to lawyers charged with monitoring a long-standing court decree on care for these children.
Monitors' lawsuit contends Md., Baltimore not carrying out reforms ordered in 1988
Baltimore foster children are still being sheltered at a state office building and still missing medical and dental appointments, according to lawyers charged with monitoring a long-standing court decree on care for these children.
In Foster Care Review, Vows of Help and Vigilance
In Foster Care Review, Vows of Help and Vigilance
And so in the spring of 2005, Mr. Mattingly found himself faced with a delicate and complex challenge. Evidence of fraud, mismanagement and the mistreatment of children had led him to end contracts with two of the city’s largest neighborhood-based, minority-run foster care agencies. Those, he acknowledged, were the easy calls.
And so in the spring of 2005, Mr. Mattingly found himself faced with a delicate and complex challenge. Evidence of fraud, mismanagement and the mistreatment of children had led him to end contracts with two of the city’s largest neighborhood-based, minority-run foster care agencies. Those, he acknowledged, were the easy calls.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
CPS destroys families over medical marijuana
CPS destroys families over medical marijuana
Robert Wexler of the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform sent along this bone-chilling story about child protective services workers breaking up a family because the father operated a medical marijuana dispensary in Corona. Apparently, the “family values” drug-warriors who support these policies don’t mind the destruction to individual families from overzealous government enforcement. By the way, state law allows medical marijuana, even though the feds contend otherwise.
Robert Wexler of the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform sent along this bone-chilling story about child protective services workers breaking up a family because the father operated a medical marijuana dispensary in Corona. Apparently, the “family values” drug-warriors who support these policies don’t mind the destruction to individual families from overzealous government enforcement. By the way, state law allows medical marijuana, even though the feds contend otherwise.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
DES-requested review faults CPS in deaths of Tucson children
DES-requested review faults CPS in deaths of Tucson children
Child Protective Services did little to assess the families or the children's safety in its handling of two cases that resulted in the deaths of three Tucson children, an independent child welfare expert concludes after reviewing the agency's case records.
Child Protective Services did little to assess the families or the children's safety in its handling of two cases that resulted in the deaths of three Tucson children, an independent child welfare expert concludes after reviewing the agency's case records.
Billion dollar baby trade
Billion dollar baby trade
A quick warning here, the tone is supercilious and self-righteous. And I find it ironic that the point seems to be to applaud the UK’s adoption system, as if the UK is soooo much better than the U.S. The UK has got its own issues to be ashamed of right now…. while their “voluntary relinquishment” system may be better than the U.S.’s, the drastic increase in removals of newborns to meet adoption quotas, at the state level, is chilling. I really don’t think the UK should get too self-righteous about adoption.
A quick warning here, the tone is supercilious and self-righteous. And I find it ironic that the point seems to be to applaud the UK’s adoption system, as if the UK is soooo much better than the U.S. The UK has got its own issues to be ashamed of right now…. while their “voluntary relinquishment” system may be better than the U.S.’s, the drastic increase in removals of newborns to meet adoption quotas, at the state level, is chilling. I really don’t think the UK should get too self-righteous about adoption.
Anybody Want A Kid???
So what do they do with all those kids in foster care?
Advertise them!
A Family for ME
Jacob and Sierra are two of 137 children currently in Maine Department of Health and Human Service's care who are seeking an adoptive family. Ninety-eight of those children have been waiting for permanency for more than a year.
----
Family wanted: Tay’sia, 9
Tay’sia is very talkative, and she loves her math, science and spelling classes in school. She’d like to be a hairstylist when she grows up.
----
2,500 Children and Youth Waiting for Adoptive Parents in Ontario During Adoption Awareness Month, the Ontario
Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS) and its member agencies remind
Ontarians that more families are needed to adopt children and youth in care.
In Ontario, approximately 2,500 Crown wards are ready for adoption and
continue to live in foster, kinship or group home care. Of these, 34% are
children between 6-12 years of age and 20% are aged 13-18 years.
Advertise them!
A Family for ME
Jacob and Sierra are two of 137 children currently in Maine Department of Health and Human Service's care who are seeking an adoptive family. Ninety-eight of those children have been waiting for permanency for more than a year.
----
Family wanted: Tay’sia, 9
Tay’sia is very talkative, and she loves her math, science and spelling classes in school. She’d like to be a hairstylist when she grows up.
----
2,500 Children and Youth Waiting for Adoptive Parents in Ontario During Adoption Awareness Month, the Ontario
Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS) and its member agencies remind
Ontarians that more families are needed to adopt children and youth in care.
In Ontario, approximately 2,500 Crown wards are ready for adoption and
continue to live in foster, kinship or group home care. Of these, 34% are
children between 6-12 years of age and 20% are aged 13-18 years.
The Medicalizing Of Education
The Medicalizing Of Education
Author: James Burns
I don't think that there is anyone in society today that doesn't take medication for something - high blood pressure, diabetes, prostate problems, thyroid dysfunction, ulcers, or depression just to name a few. For sure, medication is something that is needed by many just to stay alive.
Children have always needed medication for childhood illnesses and some childhood diseases. It is only within the last 20 years that we have seen school aged children being medicated with psychotropic drugs, sometimes even as early as preschool. About 15 years ago, when I was a vice-principal of a school for conduct disordered kids, I was on the phone with a doctor who was treating one of my students. I mentioned to the doctor that the student was hyperactive. He informed me that I was using the wrong terminology, that she wasn't hyperactive, but that she had ADHD. During our discussion, the doctor further explained that this student's ADHD was the reason why she had such poor impulse control, and that she needed medication to help control her. In my opinion, poor parenting and the lack of good old fashion discipline have played a huge part in the very popular current trend in society and especially in education where everyone including school psychologists, social workers, guidance counselors, administrators, and teachers take the easy way out and looks for a quick fix to deal with students who in days gone by would have been considered disrespectful and irresponsible, not mentally ill.
Society today has raised its tolerance for deviance. This same attitude has found its way into education and has resulted in lower expectations for student achievement and behavior. Years ago if one person burned the American flag it was an illegal act and the guilty person or group was held accountable with the appropriate societal consequences imposed. But, what happens if five thousand people burn the flag and the jails aren't big enough to hold them? You either build bigger prisons, or make it legal to burn the flag.
When I was a student in school there were students who behaved in a disrespectful and irresponsible manner. These students were few and far between, and were dealt with accordingly. What happens when the number of students who are disrespectful, irresponsible, violent, bullying, and are involved in illegal acts starts to rise? A condition such as ADHD becomes the excuse for the deviant behavior.
"ADHD was determined to be a mental illness by vote of the American Psychiatric Association members at their annual meeting in 1987, and the new definition was then added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Children (and increasing adults)who exhibit behaviors such as inattention, distractibility, trouble in following directions, a tendency to lose things, and difficulty awaiting their turn to speak or participate in activities are now seen as victims of ADHD." (The Politics of Deviance, 2002)
In the past these behaviors were seen as achievement-ability discrepancies, or just unruly behavior. Now, parents and educators both seem to be relieved that the problems that exist with behaviors such as disrespect, irresponsibility in the home and in school today can now be looked at as a type of mental illness that requires a treatment plan, rather than individual accountability and self control.
The medical industry has developed drugs that have improved the quality of life for millions of people. In reality if some of these drugs didn't exists some people would not be alive today. I am a perfect example. I take high blood pressure medication to normalize blood pressure that what would otherwise be so high I would have had a stroke. Taking this medication doesn't make me any less responsible for my own health. I still have to walk, watch my diet, and not smoke. Because medication is so widely used in education, people often cite the decision of some parents not to medicate their children as the reason why a kid's behavior is out of control. In my own experience I have often called parents to discuss their child's unacceptable behavior and have been told that the child hadn't taken his medication. The idea that the failure to take medication can be used as an excuse for deviance removes any form of responsibility on the individual for the behavior. I know that I am responsible for my own health with or without medication. Students are responsible for their own behavior and cannot use medication or the lack of it to get off the hook when confronted with the consequences of their lack of self -control.
Parents and educators today see mental illness as an out for them. In fact many parents actually request the diagnosis of mental illness for their children. In others words, the parent is saying, it's not me as a parent, but rather biologically there is something wrong with my kid. There is no stigma attached to the label mental illness. Many parents as well as educators are convinced that their children who are diagnosed with some sort of mental illness are actually smarter, brighter, and more creative than kids who do behave, do pay attention in class, and who are responsible for their actions. It almost becomes comforting for parents and educators to believe that it is not their parenting or behavior management techniques that may have caused the child's problem. They are convinced that the inappropriate or even deviant behavior that they have been observing and tolerating is a result of faulty wiring in the child's head which led him to throw tantrums, curse his teacher or parents out, bully other kids, and engage in violent behavior.
Medicalizing education sends the wrong message to parents, teachers and administrators that a students' poor academic performance or their lack of self control can be clinically diagnosed, and
eliminated through the use of psychotropic medication.
A model focusing on respect, responsibility, and emotional maturity is the only response to the medication model that excuses behaviors and avoids relevant consequences that will provide permanent help not temporary relief.
----
Jim Burns is one of America's most inspirational educational speakers. His humorous and insightful presentations touch and influence his audiences in an unforgettable way. Best known for his presentations on Bullying, Motivating Disaffected Students, Diffusing Power Struggles, Character Education. For more about Jim Burns http://behavioral-management.com/
Note: The schools today will diagnose a kid with ADHD based on a list of particular behaviors. They will then call a parent in for a meeting. Durring these meetings, the schools will demand an evaluation of the child, and if recomended demand medicating the child.
If the parents do not comply, Child Protective Services is called in, and the parents are accused of neglecting the childs emotional and educational needs.
Author: James Burns
I don't think that there is anyone in society today that doesn't take medication for something - high blood pressure, diabetes, prostate problems, thyroid dysfunction, ulcers, or depression just to name a few. For sure, medication is something that is needed by many just to stay alive.
Children have always needed medication for childhood illnesses and some childhood diseases. It is only within the last 20 years that we have seen school aged children being medicated with psychotropic drugs, sometimes even as early as preschool. About 15 years ago, when I was a vice-principal of a school for conduct disordered kids, I was on the phone with a doctor who was treating one of my students. I mentioned to the doctor that the student was hyperactive. He informed me that I was using the wrong terminology, that she wasn't hyperactive, but that she had ADHD. During our discussion, the doctor further explained that this student's ADHD was the reason why she had such poor impulse control, and that she needed medication to help control her. In my opinion, poor parenting and the lack of good old fashion discipline have played a huge part in the very popular current trend in society and especially in education where everyone including school psychologists, social workers, guidance counselors, administrators, and teachers take the easy way out and looks for a quick fix to deal with students who in days gone by would have been considered disrespectful and irresponsible, not mentally ill.
Society today has raised its tolerance for deviance. This same attitude has found its way into education and has resulted in lower expectations for student achievement and behavior. Years ago if one person burned the American flag it was an illegal act and the guilty person or group was held accountable with the appropriate societal consequences imposed. But, what happens if five thousand people burn the flag and the jails aren't big enough to hold them? You either build bigger prisons, or make it legal to burn the flag.
When I was a student in school there were students who behaved in a disrespectful and irresponsible manner. These students were few and far between, and were dealt with accordingly. What happens when the number of students who are disrespectful, irresponsible, violent, bullying, and are involved in illegal acts starts to rise? A condition such as ADHD becomes the excuse for the deviant behavior.
"ADHD was determined to be a mental illness by vote of the American Psychiatric Association members at their annual meeting in 1987, and the new definition was then added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Children (and increasing adults)who exhibit behaviors such as inattention, distractibility, trouble in following directions, a tendency to lose things, and difficulty awaiting their turn to speak or participate in activities are now seen as victims of ADHD." (The Politics of Deviance, 2002)
In the past these behaviors were seen as achievement-ability discrepancies, or just unruly behavior. Now, parents and educators both seem to be relieved that the problems that exist with behaviors such as disrespect, irresponsibility in the home and in school today can now be looked at as a type of mental illness that requires a treatment plan, rather than individual accountability and self control.
The medical industry has developed drugs that have improved the quality of life for millions of people. In reality if some of these drugs didn't exists some people would not be alive today. I am a perfect example. I take high blood pressure medication to normalize blood pressure that what would otherwise be so high I would have had a stroke. Taking this medication doesn't make me any less responsible for my own health. I still have to walk, watch my diet, and not smoke. Because medication is so widely used in education, people often cite the decision of some parents not to medicate their children as the reason why a kid's behavior is out of control. In my own experience I have often called parents to discuss their child's unacceptable behavior and have been told that the child hadn't taken his medication. The idea that the failure to take medication can be used as an excuse for deviance removes any form of responsibility on the individual for the behavior. I know that I am responsible for my own health with or without medication. Students are responsible for their own behavior and cannot use medication or the lack of it to get off the hook when confronted with the consequences of their lack of self -control.
Parents and educators today see mental illness as an out for them. In fact many parents actually request the diagnosis of mental illness for their children. In others words, the parent is saying, it's not me as a parent, but rather biologically there is something wrong with my kid. There is no stigma attached to the label mental illness. Many parents as well as educators are convinced that their children who are diagnosed with some sort of mental illness are actually smarter, brighter, and more creative than kids who do behave, do pay attention in class, and who are responsible for their actions. It almost becomes comforting for parents and educators to believe that it is not their parenting or behavior management techniques that may have caused the child's problem. They are convinced that the inappropriate or even deviant behavior that they have been observing and tolerating is a result of faulty wiring in the child's head which led him to throw tantrums, curse his teacher or parents out, bully other kids, and engage in violent behavior.
Medicalizing education sends the wrong message to parents, teachers and administrators that a students' poor academic performance or their lack of self control can be clinically diagnosed, and
eliminated through the use of psychotropic medication.
A model focusing on respect, responsibility, and emotional maturity is the only response to the medication model that excuses behaviors and avoids relevant consequences that will provide permanent help not temporary relief.
----
Jim Burns is one of America's most inspirational educational speakers. His humorous and insightful presentations touch and influence his audiences in an unforgettable way. Best known for his presentations on Bullying, Motivating Disaffected Students, Diffusing Power Struggles, Character Education. For more about Jim Burns http://behavioral-management.com/
Note: The schools today will diagnose a kid with ADHD based on a list of particular behaviors. They will then call a parent in for a meeting. Durring these meetings, the schools will demand an evaluation of the child, and if recomended demand medicating the child.
If the parents do not comply, Child Protective Services is called in, and the parents are accused of neglecting the childs emotional and educational needs.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Foster child complained about treatment in care
Foster child complained about treatment in care
PRINCE GEORGE -- A jury at a coroner's inquest heard shocking allegations Tuesday from a former foster child who said he was struck over the head with a wooden spoon so hard it broke, he was put in cold showers fully clothed as punishment and sometimes went without food for four days in a local foster home.
PRINCE GEORGE -- A jury at a coroner's inquest heard shocking allegations Tuesday from a former foster child who said he was struck over the head with a wooden spoon so hard it broke, he was put in cold showers fully clothed as punishment and sometimes went without food for four days in a local foster home.
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