Report finds Florida overmedicates foster children
By James R. Marsh on August 13, 2009 12:08 PM
Yesterday, the Miami Herald revealed that in a report "expected to be released publicly later this month," a "panel of child-welfare experts, including two top administrators from the" Florida Department of Children & Families, "says child welfare authorities too often rely on the potent medications to manage abused and neglected children -- but fail to offer psychiatric treatment to help them overcome the trauma they suffered."
The report states that "caregivers for children in state custody frequently use powerful mind-altering drugs to manage unruly kids, rather than treat their anger and sadness." According to the report, "psychotherapeutic medications are often being used to help parents, teachers, and other child workers quiet and manage, rather than treat, children." The Herald adds that "the use of psychiatric drugs among children in state care is widespread." In fact, "records updated by DCF last week show that, among children in state care aged six to 12, more than 22 percent are being given psychiatric" medications.
Isabella Brooke Knightly and Austin Gamez-Knightly
In Memory of my Loving Husband, William F. Knightly Jr. Murdered by ILLEGAL Palliative Care at a Nashua, NH Hospital
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
SHUT DOWN New Hampshire DCYF Petition-Please Sign
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/give-the-children-back
Heres the link. Please get anybody and everybody to sign this petition. Our families of tomorrow are at stake. The corruption and fraudalent practices toward our families and children needs to stop! Your family could be next!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The System is Broken
Family Attorney Marsha Freeman: 'The System is Broken'
December 2nd, 2009 by Robert Franklin, Esq.
John Nelson went from six-figure-earning software exectutive to unemployed overnight. But his $2,200 child support payment didn't change that quickly. It took a year for him to get a hearing, and when he finally did, the judge increased his obligation. By that time he had gotten a job as a science teacher, but the newly-upped child support obligation meant that he took home a grand total of $58 per week. Read about it here (WFTV, 11/9/09).
The judge, Julian Piggotte's attitude was you "can afford it; figure it out." Then she discovered that she had a conflict of interest in Nelson's case and withdrew.
His ex-wife sees the situation this way:
"Our lives go on. The kids still have lunches, they still go to school, and they still have field trips."
That's true. And if she and John were still together, the kids would need to be fed and go to school, but their standard of living would drop along with that of their parents. That's what happens when parents lose their jobs - parents and children live on less. They all manage the best they can. It's one of the sometimes-harsh realities of daily life.
Only if the parents are divorced does the concept arise that the children's lives must in no way change due to a parent's loss of income. It's as if Judge Piggotte lives in a fantasy world in which children must and do remain unaffected when their father loses his job. Indeed, it's the same fantasy world in which an adult can live on $58 per week.
Nelson's case is like countless others these days. Some 80% of job losses have been suffered by men in the last year or so. A lot of those guys are fathers, some of them divorced. That means they have to file for a modification of their support orders.
It's another strange aspect of the whole matter that, if Nelson's wife had wanted a temporary restraining order against him, she could have gotten a hearing and had an order issued in a matter of hours. But when he loses his job and needs to reduce his child support to reflect what he can actually pay, it takes over a year.
I've written before about the corruption in the child support system. Countless people have spoken up about it. Carol Rhodes was an insider who told us how child support bureaucrats think of fathers as "payers," and how they frankly do everything in their power to prevent downward modifications of support. It's all because states are paid about 66 cents by the federal government for every dollar of child support collected. It's a system that's ripe for corruption and abuse, and that's exactly what happens.
As I've mentioned before, debtors' prisons were supposed to have been done away with in the 19th century. As a child I learned the obvious fact that debtors' prisons were a ridiculous approach to debt. How could a debtor pay if he/she were in prison? That seemed perfectly obvious to me, so it's a surprise that we've reinstituted them at this late date, and for one form of debt only - child support.
Here's another thing I learned, albeit somewhat later. For much of European history (and perhaps that of other parts of the world), tax collectors were paid a percentage of what they could squeeze out of obligors. The more they collected, the more they got paid. It was a system that absolutely guaranteed that collectors would use the most ruthless and brutal of tactics against taxpayers. It also guaranteed that tax collectors would be hated and feared, and that the system of collection would be resented by all.
So, like debtors' prisons, it's astonishing that we've basically resurrected the same concept. The feds give states a percentage of their child support collections, which results in ruthless abuse of obligors like John Nelson, who in turn hate the system.
What's next, the iron maiden?
Thanks to Laurie for the heads-up.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 5:54 pm and is filed under
http://glennsacks.com/blog/?p=4423
December 2nd, 2009 by Robert Franklin, Esq.
John Nelson went from six-figure-earning software exectutive to unemployed overnight. But his $2,200 child support payment didn't change that quickly. It took a year for him to get a hearing, and when he finally did, the judge increased his obligation. By that time he had gotten a job as a science teacher, but the newly-upped child support obligation meant that he took home a grand total of $58 per week. Read about it here (WFTV, 11/9/09).
The judge, Julian Piggotte's attitude was you "can afford it; figure it out." Then she discovered that she had a conflict of interest in Nelson's case and withdrew.
His ex-wife sees the situation this way:
"Our lives go on. The kids still have lunches, they still go to school, and they still have field trips."
That's true. And if she and John were still together, the kids would need to be fed and go to school, but their standard of living would drop along with that of their parents. That's what happens when parents lose their jobs - parents and children live on less. They all manage the best they can. It's one of the sometimes-harsh realities of daily life.
Only if the parents are divorced does the concept arise that the children's lives must in no way change due to a parent's loss of income. It's as if Judge Piggotte lives in a fantasy world in which children must and do remain unaffected when their father loses his job. Indeed, it's the same fantasy world in which an adult can live on $58 per week.
Nelson's case is like countless others these days. Some 80% of job losses have been suffered by men in the last year or so. A lot of those guys are fathers, some of them divorced. That means they have to file for a modification of their support orders.
It's another strange aspect of the whole matter that, if Nelson's wife had wanted a temporary restraining order against him, she could have gotten a hearing and had an order issued in a matter of hours. But when he loses his job and needs to reduce his child support to reflect what he can actually pay, it takes over a year.
I've written before about the corruption in the child support system. Countless people have spoken up about it. Carol Rhodes was an insider who told us how child support bureaucrats think of fathers as "payers," and how they frankly do everything in their power to prevent downward modifications of support. It's all because states are paid about 66 cents by the federal government for every dollar of child support collected. It's a system that's ripe for corruption and abuse, and that's exactly what happens.
As I've mentioned before, debtors' prisons were supposed to have been done away with in the 19th century. As a child I learned the obvious fact that debtors' prisons were a ridiculous approach to debt. How could a debtor pay if he/she were in prison? That seemed perfectly obvious to me, so it's a surprise that we've reinstituted them at this late date, and for one form of debt only - child support.
Here's another thing I learned, albeit somewhat later. For much of European history (and perhaps that of other parts of the world), tax collectors were paid a percentage of what they could squeeze out of obligors. The more they collected, the more they got paid. It was a system that absolutely guaranteed that collectors would use the most ruthless and brutal of tactics against taxpayers. It also guaranteed that tax collectors would be hated and feared, and that the system of collection would be resented by all.
So, like debtors' prisons, it's astonishing that we've basically resurrected the same concept. The feds give states a percentage of their child support collections, which results in ruthless abuse of obligors like John Nelson, who in turn hate the system.
What's next, the iron maiden?
Thanks to Laurie for the heads-up.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 5:54 pm and is filed under
http://glennsacks.com/blog/?p=4423
A descriptive study of abuse and neglect in out-of-home-placement
Rosenthal JA, Motz JK, Edmonson DA, Groze V.
University of Oklahoma.
Selected characteristics of 290 reports of physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect in foster homes, group homes, residential treatment centers, and institutions are described. At each type of setting physical abuse reports were most common, and neglect reports were least common. Quantitative and qualitative methods demonstrate that a significant percentage of confirmed reports are of a serious nature. Injuries occurred most frequently because of physical abuse while sexual abuse reports were most likely to be confirmed. Prior allegations of abuse or neglect regarding the perpetrator were indicated in 27% of reports. Factors contributing to abuse and neglect and the role of a state institutional review team in developing a systematic approach to this problem are discussed.
PMID: 2043976 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2043976?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=3&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed
University of Oklahoma.
Selected characteristics of 290 reports of physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect in foster homes, group homes, residential treatment centers, and institutions are described. At each type of setting physical abuse reports were most common, and neglect reports were least common. Quantitative and qualitative methods demonstrate that a significant percentage of confirmed reports are of a serious nature. Injuries occurred most frequently because of physical abuse while sexual abuse reports were most likely to be confirmed. Prior allegations of abuse or neglect regarding the perpetrator were indicated in 27% of reports. Factors contributing to abuse and neglect and the role of a state institutional review team in developing a systematic approach to this problem are discussed.
PMID: 2043976 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2043976?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=3&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed
Types and frequency of child maltreatment by family foster care providers in an urban population.
Child Abuse Negl. 1994 Jul;18(7):577-85.
Benedict MI, Zuravin S, Brandt D, Abbey H.
Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Maternal and Child Health, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Types and frequency of child abuse and neglect reports in family foster care in Baltimore, Maryland as compared to reports among nonfoster families are reported. Data on maltreatment incidents in foster homes were abstracted from Child Protective Services investigation records for the years 1984-1988. Comparisons were made to community reports. Results indicated that foster families had over a three-fold increased frequency of maltreatment reports as compared to nonfoster families. Report frequency was highest for physical abuse with a seven-fold risk of report as compared to nonfoster families. Overall, 20% of foster care reports were substantiated as compared to 35% of nonfoster reports, although the risk of having a substantiated report was significantly higher in foster care. The distribution of report types in foster care differed from those in the community with physical abuse the most frequent allegation in foster care, as compared to neglect as the most frequent allegation in the community. Explanations for these findings including differences in criteria for report and substantiation are advanced.
PMID: 7922732 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7922732?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed
Benedict MI, Zuravin S, Brandt D, Abbey H.
Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Maternal and Child Health, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Types and frequency of child abuse and neglect reports in family foster care in Baltimore, Maryland as compared to reports among nonfoster families are reported. Data on maltreatment incidents in foster homes were abstracted from Child Protective Services investigation records for the years 1984-1988. Comparisons were made to community reports. Results indicated that foster families had over a three-fold increased frequency of maltreatment reports as compared to nonfoster families. Report frequency was highest for physical abuse with a seven-fold risk of report as compared to nonfoster families. Overall, 20% of foster care reports were substantiated as compared to 35% of nonfoster reports, although the risk of having a substantiated report was significantly higher in foster care. The distribution of report types in foster care differed from those in the community with physical abuse the most frequent allegation in foster care, as compared to neglect as the most frequent allegation in the community. Explanations for these findings including differences in criteria for report and substantiation are advanced.
PMID: 7922732 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7922732?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed
Child maltreatment in family foster care.
Child maltreatment in family foster care.
Zuravin SJ, Benedict M, Somerfield M.
University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Predictors of maltreatment of children living in family foster care were sought in characteristics of foster homes. Four characteristics that presented increased risk were identified: homes that had younger foster mothers, homes in which children shared bedrooms with other family members, homes about which case-workers had reservations, and homes that were restricted for placement of certain children. Kinship-care homes were found to present decreased risk.
PMID: 8267099 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8267099?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed
Zuravin SJ, Benedict M, Somerfield M.
University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Predictors of maltreatment of children living in family foster care were sought in characteristics of foster homes. Four characteristics that presented increased risk were identified: homes that had younger foster mothers, homes in which children shared bedrooms with other family members, homes about which case-workers had reservations, and homes that were restricted for placement of certain children. Kinship-care homes were found to present decreased risk.
PMID: 8267099 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8267099?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed
Kinship care for the safety, permanency and well-being of children removed from their home
Pub Med Article
Winokur M, Holtan A, Valentine D.
Social Work Research Center / School of Social Work, Colorado State University, 110 Education, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA. marc.winokur@colostate.edu
BACKGROUND: Every year a large number of children around the world are removed from their homes because they are maltreated. Child welfare agencies are responsible for placing these children in out-of-home settings that will facilitate their safety, permanency, and well-being. However, children in out-of-home placements typically display more educational, behavioral, and psychological problems than do their peers, although it is unclear whether this results from the placement itself, the maltreatment that precipitated it, or inadequacies in the child welfare system. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of kinship care placement on the safety, permanency, and well-being of children removed from the home for maltreatment. SEARCH STRATEGY: The following databases were searched to Februrary 2007: CENTRAL, MEDLINE, C2- Specter, Sociological Abstracts, Social Work Abstracts, SSCI, Family and Society Studies Worldwide, ERIC, PsycINFO, ISI Proceedings, CINAHL, ASSIA, and Dissertation Abstracts International. Relevant social work journals and reference lists of published literature reviews were handsearched, and authors contacted. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized experimental and quasi-experimental studies, in which children removed from the home for maltreatment and subsequently placed in kinship foster care, were compared with children placed in non-kinship foster care on child welfare outcomes in the domains of well-being, permanency, or safety. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Reviewers independently read the titles and abstracts identified in the search and selected appropriate studies. Reviewers assessed the eligibility of each study for the evidence base and then evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies. Lastly, outcome data were extracted and entered into REVMAN for meta-analysis with the results presented in written and graphical forms. MAIN RESULTS: Sixty two quasi-experimental studies were included in this review. Data suggest that children in kinship foster care experience better behavioral development, mental health functioning, and placement stability than do children in non-kinship foster care. Although there was no difference on reunification rates, children in non-kinship foster care were more likely to be adopted while children in kinship foster care were more likely to be in guardianship. Lastly, children in non-kinship foster care were more likely to utilize mental health services. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: This review supports the practice of treating kinship care as a viable out-of-home placement option for children removed from the home for maltreatment. However, this conclusion is tempered by the pronounced methodological and design weaknesses of the included studies.
PMID: 19160287 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19160287?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=2&log$=relatedreviews&logdbfrom=pubmed
Winokur M, Holtan A, Valentine D.
Social Work Research Center / School of Social Work, Colorado State University, 110 Education, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA. marc.winokur@colostate.edu
BACKGROUND: Every year a large number of children around the world are removed from their homes because they are maltreated. Child welfare agencies are responsible for placing these children in out-of-home settings that will facilitate their safety, permanency, and well-being. However, children in out-of-home placements typically display more educational, behavioral, and psychological problems than do their peers, although it is unclear whether this results from the placement itself, the maltreatment that precipitated it, or inadequacies in the child welfare system. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of kinship care placement on the safety, permanency, and well-being of children removed from the home for maltreatment. SEARCH STRATEGY: The following databases were searched to Februrary 2007: CENTRAL, MEDLINE, C2- Specter, Sociological Abstracts, Social Work Abstracts, SSCI, Family and Society Studies Worldwide, ERIC, PsycINFO, ISI Proceedings, CINAHL, ASSIA, and Dissertation Abstracts International. Relevant social work journals and reference lists of published literature reviews were handsearched, and authors contacted. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized experimental and quasi-experimental studies, in which children removed from the home for maltreatment and subsequently placed in kinship foster care, were compared with children placed in non-kinship foster care on child welfare outcomes in the domains of well-being, permanency, or safety. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Reviewers independently read the titles and abstracts identified in the search and selected appropriate studies. Reviewers assessed the eligibility of each study for the evidence base and then evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies. Lastly, outcome data were extracted and entered into REVMAN for meta-analysis with the results presented in written and graphical forms. MAIN RESULTS: Sixty two quasi-experimental studies were included in this review. Data suggest that children in kinship foster care experience better behavioral development, mental health functioning, and placement stability than do children in non-kinship foster care. Although there was no difference on reunification rates, children in non-kinship foster care were more likely to be adopted while children in kinship foster care were more likely to be in guardianship. Lastly, children in non-kinship foster care were more likely to utilize mental health services. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: This review supports the practice of treating kinship care as a viable out-of-home placement option for children removed from the home for maltreatment. However, this conclusion is tempered by the pronounced methodological and design weaknesses of the included studies.
PMID: 19160287 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19160287?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=2&log$=relatedreviews&logdbfrom=pubmed
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