North Platte Nebraska's newspaper - The North Platte Telegraph. > News
The North Platte Telegraph
Emotions ran high at the North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corporation on Saturday. Representatives from the Family Advocacy Movement hosted a public meeting attended by people whose lives have been negatively affected by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
Posters labeled "HHS - Not A Friend To Children" and "Children's Rights Should Include The 4th Amendment" hung throughout the room. Families were encouraged to band together, share their stories and fight for their rights. Topics ranged from how to survive the confiscation process to parental rights after children have been seized.
Melanie Williams-Smotherman, FAM executive director, said she's heard that Nebraska is on the cusp of changing something that hasn't been changed before.
"Things are happening differently than in the past because we're unifying families," she said. "We can move mountains. HHS is a mountain and an incredibly damaging one. Together, our collective commitment will make this change. When we show what we can do together, it will radiate throughout the country."
Williams-Smotherman said HHS is supposed to help keep children safe and support families, but she said the system is broken. She said senators often won't put themselves on the line to try to change a system until public opinion begins to sway.
"The answer is not about changing senators or judges," she said. "The answer is what's happening in this room. Sharing the information in this room is helpful. The only way the system stays intact is by keeping us all isolated. We've got to have families fighting for each other."
The meeting was videotaped. FAM is working on a series of documentaries both for its website, and so senators can put faces with stories.
Myla Sheppard of Lincoln talked about her family's experience with HHS and said she was at the meeting to share hope.
"What helped me the most was not hearing what I couldn't do," she said. "It was hearing what I could do. Anything you can find to do is positive. Blow it up in their face. Their mission is to beat you down mentally."
James Holt is a mental health practitioner in Lincoln and Omaha. He said every time a child is taken out of a home, the child's development is interrupted.
"This disease doesn't have a color," said Holt. "It picks on everyone."
He said there are a lot of therapists within the system who are not advocates for the parents, and several in the room echoed his comments by saying North Platte has a "good ol' boys" club.
"Empowerment is key," said Holt. "They want control of your life. They don't want you to be empowered because that threatens them."
James Russell has been a ward of the state since he was 12. He's now 18. He said that when he was 15, he lived in Scottsbluff and his caseworker told him to find an apartment near the school so he could wake up and go to class on time.
He said his current caseworker is his guardian. Russell listed several disorders he has been diagnosed with since entering the system, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and paranoia.
Russell said his ultimate goal is independent living, but said he's required to contact his caseworker before he does anything, including apply for a job. He said his caseworker has told him that he will be a failure, and said she's trying to get an extension so that he will age out of the system at 21 instead of 19.
Russell said he tried to get out from under her control, but she had him jailed for a month for making terroristic threats.
Holt asked Russell what kind of medication he is taking for his alleged illnesses and when Russell told him, Holt said not only had Russell been misdiagnosed, he is taking a medicine that can affect his liver.
Russell admitted that test results have shown his liver is compromised. He said he asked his doctor to take him off the medicine, but his doctor refused.
Williams-Smotherman said she is trying to put a delegation together that can travel to the state capitol and address senators. She asked Russell to be a part of the delegation.
"We are powerful people," said Williams-Smotherman. "We know the true stories behind our cases. When we're thrust into unjust situations, we have to step forward. HHS does not back up and does not apologize. We have this opening; we can't let it get swept under the rug."
Click on this story at nptelegraph.com to post your comments, or e-mail heather.johnson@nptelegraph.com.
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
Monday, March 7, 2011
Why does Channel 5 protect CPS when they kill children? - Target 5 Investigates
Why does Channel 5 protect CPS when they kill children? - Target 5 Investigates - WLWT's u local Message Board - u local, Your Cincinnati Photos & Videos
I want to know why Channel 5 has disabled the chat section under the 7-month old foster child that was killed under CPS and foster care. Its amazing they love posting and allowing comments on bio-parents, but when the government kills a child, we wont allow people to speak? Why protect the crooked organization that CPS is Channel 5? Why report the death of the baby over a week later?
I want to know why Channel 5 has disabled the chat section under the 7-month old foster child that was killed under CPS and foster care. Its amazing they love posting and allowing comments on bio-parents, but when the government kills a child, we wont allow people to speak? Why protect the crooked organization that CPS is Channel 5? Why report the death of the baby over a week later?
A good Judge at last! City judge's defense of troubled families offends many caseworkers
City judge's defense of troubled families offends many caseworkers
ST. LOUIS • To Judge Jimmie Edwards, the 800 St. Louis foster children technically in his legal guardianship are all "children" — be they babies with pacifiers or runaways with tattoos.
Sometimes he even calls them "my" children.
ST. LOUIS • To Judge Jimmie Edwards, the 800 St. Louis foster children technically in his legal guardianship are all "children" — be they babies with pacifiers or runaways with tattoos.
Sometimes he even calls them "my" children.
More lies from NH DCYF Maggie Bishop-Foster care growing more responsive to youths' needs
Foster care growing more responsive to youths' needs - Fosters
By Jennifer Keefe
jkeefe@fosters.com
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Keefe/Citizen photo Emily Quigly of Rochester works as a youth consultant for the Department of Children, Youth and Families, applying her experience as a foster child at Dover Children's Home when she was younger.
Click here to view Foster's prints for sale
The world of foster care has changed drastically, and for the better, since Emily Quigly went through the system years ago.
And as a part-time, paid youth consultant for the state through the Department of Children, Youth and Families, Quigly, a Rochester resident who grew up in Dover, has the ability to not only advocate for initiatives based on her experience, but to help current foster children.
"Part of my job is I'm kind of like the Cliff(s) Notes version for these kids," said Quigly, 25. "I have fun doing it. It's nice to feel like I'm improving someone's life."
While Quigly's own experience as a foster child at Dover Children's Home originated from problems with the relationship between herself and her parents, other children are placed into the system for a multitude of reasons that frequently include parental struggles with drugs, alcohol or mental health issues.
"We've always had a good percentage of our group that we work with where the family has had a history of drugs, alcohol or incarceration; sometimes it's just the kid making choices and not any of that," said Donna Coraluzzo, executive director of Dover Children's Home.
A recent study through the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire titled "Hard Times Made Harder: Struggling Caregivers and Child Neglect," found neglected children from households with caregivers who struggle with drug use were three times as likely to be placed in out-of-home care than those without drug problems.
Maggie Bishop, director of the Division of Children, Youth and Families with the state Department of Health and Human Services, said it's hard to quantify which children come into the system because of a parent or parents' alcohol and drug use, but it is a common thread.
"Substance abuse is a big reason why we get involved," she said, but added, "Removal only happens if the child is in danger. Just because a parent may be involved or using substances doesn't mean they're going to lose their children. We're involved when that usage impairs their ability to keep their kids safe, and that does happen."
Bishop couldn't say whether there was a "drastic increase" in cases of fostering due to struggling parents as a result of the downturn in economy.
"It's always been a prevailing component of our work with families," she said. "Whether or not there's been a drastic increase lately, I haven't seen that."
Using data from 2008, the study shows 267,000 children nationally were removed from their homes as a result of a child maltreatment investigation. Sixty-nine percent experienced neglect. The study suggests child neglect prevention services and out-of-home placement should be multifaceted "so all families receive the support they need in a timely manner."
For those children who are removed from the home and placed in out-of-home care locally, the system has changed to address the child and their needs and make it a less isolating experience.
Some of the experiences Quigly had while at Dover Children's Home that negatively affected her at the time wouldn't be repeated today, she said. She remembers when she was 18, she was told she couldn't go on a date with a 17-year-old boy. It upset her so much she moved out of the home and ended up dropping out of high school six weeks before she was supposed to graduate.
While she regrets the move in retrospect, she said the system has changed to be more focused on the youths in such situations.
"They listen to what the youths have to say and try to normalize foster care for them," Quigly said. "I've seen changes over the last eight years. Before, we couldn't play sports. Now they encourage sports. And community involvement — they want youth to be involved in the community. They want people out in the community, learning independent living. It's empowering, so they don't feel so isolated."
There is now more of an emphasis on independence, and a "pilot house" on the Dover Children's Home property helps children transition to the house for independent living but still be within a spectrum of assistance.
Quigly said making children in foster care feel more normal sets up a higher success rate for when they age out of care and must live on their own and work to achieve their own goals. She went on to earn her General Education Diploma and then graduated valedictorian from the Thompson School of Business at the University of New Hampshire. Now, Quigly is working on her master's in business administration at Plymouth State College.
But, she adds, "not every youth is motivated," and thus the need for focus on normalizing foster care. As Quigly was in foster care from age 14 to 18, she said she really began to see changes in how foster children were treated in the system toward the latter part of her involvement with Dover Children's Home. Such changes included letting people visit the home and have overnights — "That was unheard of back then," she said — and allowing her the freedom to spend Christmas with a boyfriend when she couldn't go home to her family.
"Even back then the changes and out-of-the-box thinking was starting," she said.
Today, she participates in a regional Youth Advisory Board that meets monthly and includes children in foster care placement. The purpose is to get together, discuss situations and exchange ideas for improvement.
"These are things that never happened when I was in care," Quigly said.
A large part of a foster child's experience, however, is reunification efforts with their family.
"CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate Association) is usually involved, and the courts and systems work together to reunify the family," Bishop said. "If they cannot do that within 12 months or close to that, there's a lot of effort today to not have kids grow up in foster care, so you're looking for another permanent plan. We always look to relatives first so if we have to remove a child we look for aunts, uncles and other extended family members."
But due to budget cuts, Coraluzzo said there are difficulties with sending children back to their families.
"As recently as July 2010, across the board all residential programs got a 2 percent cut in the daily rate, which, depending on the budget for the program can be thousands of dollars and it was thousands for Dover Children's Home," Coraluzzo said. "What happens is during those budget cuts, a lot of the funding goes to just basic operating costs of the home and cuts start getting made around staffing and treatment services, and those are vital to getting a child home. The state looks at, 'Is this child at a point where they can go home,' and we've seen a lot of recidivism of kids going home and then having to come back. Referrals are down, the stays are a lot shorter. There are some kids who are going home with a lot less time of improvement."
Quigly was one who returned to foster care several times after going through counseling and going back home. In her experience, she said it's better for foster care agencies to set the bar high for children in care so they can better prepare for independence and reaching goals.
"Back then, it was a big deal to graduate high school," she said of the time she was in care. "That's not OK with me."
She said every child is different and the shift toward attentiveness and sensitivity to a youth's needs and those differences has been effective.
"I remember when I first entered, I felt like every decision was being made for me," she said. "Now, kids aren't just disregarded because of poor choices. We're teaching them there is hope."
By Jennifer Keefe
jkeefe@fosters.com
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Keefe/Citizen photo Emily Quigly of Rochester works as a youth consultant for the Department of Children, Youth and Families, applying her experience as a foster child at Dover Children's Home when she was younger.
Click here to view Foster's prints for sale
The world of foster care has changed drastically, and for the better, since Emily Quigly went through the system years ago.
And as a part-time, paid youth consultant for the state through the Department of Children, Youth and Families, Quigly, a Rochester resident who grew up in Dover, has the ability to not only advocate for initiatives based on her experience, but to help current foster children.
"Part of my job is I'm kind of like the Cliff(s) Notes version for these kids," said Quigly, 25. "I have fun doing it. It's nice to feel like I'm improving someone's life."
While Quigly's own experience as a foster child at Dover Children's Home originated from problems with the relationship between herself and her parents, other children are placed into the system for a multitude of reasons that frequently include parental struggles with drugs, alcohol or mental health issues.
"We've always had a good percentage of our group that we work with where the family has had a history of drugs, alcohol or incarceration; sometimes it's just the kid making choices and not any of that," said Donna Coraluzzo, executive director of Dover Children's Home.
A recent study through the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire titled "Hard Times Made Harder: Struggling Caregivers and Child Neglect," found neglected children from households with caregivers who struggle with drug use were three times as likely to be placed in out-of-home care than those without drug problems.
Maggie Bishop, director of the Division of Children, Youth and Families with the state Department of Health and Human Services, said it's hard to quantify which children come into the system because of a parent or parents' alcohol and drug use, but it is a common thread.
"Substance abuse is a big reason why we get involved," she said, but added, "Removal only happens if the child is in danger. Just because a parent may be involved or using substances doesn't mean they're going to lose their children. We're involved when that usage impairs their ability to keep their kids safe, and that does happen."
Bishop couldn't say whether there was a "drastic increase" in cases of fostering due to struggling parents as a result of the downturn in economy.
"It's always been a prevailing component of our work with families," she said. "Whether or not there's been a drastic increase lately, I haven't seen that."
Using data from 2008, the study shows 267,000 children nationally were removed from their homes as a result of a child maltreatment investigation. Sixty-nine percent experienced neglect. The study suggests child neglect prevention services and out-of-home placement should be multifaceted "so all families receive the support they need in a timely manner."
For those children who are removed from the home and placed in out-of-home care locally, the system has changed to address the child and their needs and make it a less isolating experience.
Some of the experiences Quigly had while at Dover Children's Home that negatively affected her at the time wouldn't be repeated today, she said. She remembers when she was 18, she was told she couldn't go on a date with a 17-year-old boy. It upset her so much she moved out of the home and ended up dropping out of high school six weeks before she was supposed to graduate.
While she regrets the move in retrospect, she said the system has changed to be more focused on the youths in such situations.
"They listen to what the youths have to say and try to normalize foster care for them," Quigly said. "I've seen changes over the last eight years. Before, we couldn't play sports. Now they encourage sports. And community involvement — they want youth to be involved in the community. They want people out in the community, learning independent living. It's empowering, so they don't feel so isolated."
There is now more of an emphasis on independence, and a "pilot house" on the Dover Children's Home property helps children transition to the house for independent living but still be within a spectrum of assistance.
Quigly said making children in foster care feel more normal sets up a higher success rate for when they age out of care and must live on their own and work to achieve their own goals. She went on to earn her General Education Diploma and then graduated valedictorian from the Thompson School of Business at the University of New Hampshire. Now, Quigly is working on her master's in business administration at Plymouth State College.
But, she adds, "not every youth is motivated," and thus the need for focus on normalizing foster care. As Quigly was in foster care from age 14 to 18, she said she really began to see changes in how foster children were treated in the system toward the latter part of her involvement with Dover Children's Home. Such changes included letting people visit the home and have overnights — "That was unheard of back then," she said — and allowing her the freedom to spend Christmas with a boyfriend when she couldn't go home to her family.
"Even back then the changes and out-of-the-box thinking was starting," she said.
Today, she participates in a regional Youth Advisory Board that meets monthly and includes children in foster care placement. The purpose is to get together, discuss situations and exchange ideas for improvement.
"These are things that never happened when I was in care," Quigly said.
A large part of a foster child's experience, however, is reunification efforts with their family.
"CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate Association) is usually involved, and the courts and systems work together to reunify the family," Bishop said. "If they cannot do that within 12 months or close to that, there's a lot of effort today to not have kids grow up in foster care, so you're looking for another permanent plan. We always look to relatives first so if we have to remove a child we look for aunts, uncles and other extended family members."
But due to budget cuts, Coraluzzo said there are difficulties with sending children back to their families.
"As recently as July 2010, across the board all residential programs got a 2 percent cut in the daily rate, which, depending on the budget for the program can be thousands of dollars and it was thousands for Dover Children's Home," Coraluzzo said. "What happens is during those budget cuts, a lot of the funding goes to just basic operating costs of the home and cuts start getting made around staffing and treatment services, and those are vital to getting a child home. The state looks at, 'Is this child at a point where they can go home,' and we've seen a lot of recidivism of kids going home and then having to come back. Referrals are down, the stays are a lot shorter. There are some kids who are going home with a lot less time of improvement."
Quigly was one who returned to foster care several times after going through counseling and going back home. In her experience, she said it's better for foster care agencies to set the bar high for children in care so they can better prepare for independence and reaching goals.
"Back then, it was a big deal to graduate high school," she said of the time she was in care. "That's not OK with me."
She said every child is different and the shift toward attentiveness and sensitivity to a youth's needs and those differences has been effective.
"I remember when I first entered, I felt like every decision was being made for me," she said. "Now, kids aren't just disregarded because of poor choices. We're teaching them there is hope."
Know Your Enemy
Know Your Enemy
AFRA EDITORIALS
By Leonard Henderson
March 6, 2011
Know Your Enemy
"Know your enemy", is a saying derived from Sun Tzu's The Art of War.
Don't kid yourself- when CPS interlopes into your family, it's WAR. They claim to be the child's advocate, and in their apparent mind-set they are the child's warrior- savior.
And YOU are the enemy.
Seeing how so many CPS agents have the minds of spoiled rotten children, I guess that makes sense.
They are playing a game, and they make up the rules as they go along. They DO NOT CARE if you, the parent are absolutely innocent.
To the parents, it's no game. It is a "life or death" battle.
If you are truly naive, you believe what the CPS agent says, and do everything she tells you to, and "Everything will be fine".
We hear from these people all the time after the axe falls on them. "HELP! I need a lawyer! I was TPRed (Termination of Parental Rights). I did everything they told me to, and it didn't make any difference".
Welcome to reality. It was not in their financial interest for you to have custody of your kids. This is not rocket science.
There are very few lawyers who know how to defend against a CPS allegation. And very few of the accused can afford one.
The mass media seems to be pretty much pro-CPS, and mass man (I call them the Dumb Masses) are brainwashed that child abuse is an epidemic. Lately there seems to be an uprising among the militant (what can I call them?) child advocate, anti-abuse drones calling for ever more stringent attack on families.
I do note that lately the words "abuse and neglect" seem to have morphed into one word. "Abuse" may mean what a normal person thinks CPS is for- Beating a child. Burning a child. Starving a child. And lately, killing children.
On the other hand, "Neglect" might mean going to sleep and a child gets out of the house. Or perhaps not enough groceries in the kitchen. Leaving a child alone in a car for 5 minutes. A "Dirty House". A child's behavior in school or being behind on vaccinations.
Or POVERTY.
The "one size fits all" CPS system has the "cure"- Services (so called). Like "parenting class". You can be sure that the classes will likely have nothing whatsoever to do with the accusations.
You end up in classes by agreeing to a "Service Plan". And practically nobody knows about the "15 out of 20 months" trap.
CPS is just plain full of surprises, isn't it?
On the other hand, are YOU your own worst enemy?
If you really did actually abuse a child, you are in deep trouble. You aren't going to get any help from us. After what this system has done to US, we have no sympathy for you whatsoever. We do believe that American citizens deserve their Constitutional Rights and Due Process, and that's all the help you can expect from us.
In fact, if you DID injure, rape or kill a child, we have less sympathy for you than even CPS, their colluding contractors, and the unconstitutional family courts of No Due Process.
At the same time, if you believe what CPS tells you, pour your heart and soul out to them, do everything they tell you to and "hope for the best"- you ARE your own worst enemy, especially if you did not do anything wrong.
The accusation is the evidence and Innocence is no defense with CPS.
If CPS is in your life stomping around like the goose-stepping Nazi SS troopers they are, it behooves YOU to "Know Your Enemy" and get busy learning How to FIGHT CPS.
Or if your case is long lost, how about doing your homework NOW, learn How to Fight CPS and HELP OTHERS in your locale?
This WAR needs a lot more soldiers to "fight the good fight".
COMMENT on this story
"Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own." --Aesop (c. 550 B.C.) legendary Greek fabulist
If CPS hasn't attacked YOUR FAMILY yet, see If you are ever approached by anyone from social services and WHEN THEY COME AFTER YOU
Learn as much as you can, as fast as you can at How To Fight CPS
Get YOUR VERSION OF HISTORY ON THE RECORD with your Sworn Declaration
Leonard Henderson, co-founder
American Family Rights Association
http://familyrights.us
"Until Every Child Comes Home" ©
"The Voice of America's Families" ©
I am not a lawyer and I do not pretend to give legal advice. If you need legal advice, see AFRA's Lawyer Friends who certainly are not pretenders (http://familyrights.us/info/law) I merely relate the things I learned in the past that seemed to work in my own case or things that others have related to me that worked in their cases. I provide information for free and do not expect to receive any form of payment or reward on this side of heaven. Therefore, DO NOT rely on this information as legal advice. Real Legal advice would come from a real lawyer who hates CPS and prepares a VIGOROUS DEFENSE against a negative (proving nothing happened) instead of talking you into a plea bargain (http://familyrights.us/bin/The_Problem_with_Plea_Bargaining.htm)
AFRA Editorials are NOT copyrighted. Please feel free to forward widely. We are at 100% total complete WAR with CPS, not trying to be famous or important.
AFRA EDITORIALS
By Leonard Henderson
March 6, 2011
Know Your Enemy
"Know your enemy", is a saying derived from Sun Tzu's The Art of War.
Don't kid yourself- when CPS interlopes into your family, it's WAR. They claim to be the child's advocate, and in their apparent mind-set they are the child's warrior- savior.
And YOU are the enemy.
Seeing how so many CPS agents have the minds of spoiled rotten children, I guess that makes sense.
They are playing a game, and they make up the rules as they go along. They DO NOT CARE if you, the parent are absolutely innocent.
To the parents, it's no game. It is a "life or death" battle.
If you are truly naive, you believe what the CPS agent says, and do everything she tells you to, and "Everything will be fine".
We hear from these people all the time after the axe falls on them. "HELP! I need a lawyer! I was TPRed (Termination of Parental Rights). I did everything they told me to, and it didn't make any difference".
Welcome to reality. It was not in their financial interest for you to have custody of your kids. This is not rocket science.
There are very few lawyers who know how to defend against a CPS allegation. And very few of the accused can afford one.
The mass media seems to be pretty much pro-CPS, and mass man (I call them the Dumb Masses) are brainwashed that child abuse is an epidemic. Lately there seems to be an uprising among the militant (what can I call them?) child advocate, anti-abuse drones calling for ever more stringent attack on families.
I do note that lately the words "abuse and neglect" seem to have morphed into one word. "Abuse" may mean what a normal person thinks CPS is for- Beating a child. Burning a child. Starving a child. And lately, killing children.
On the other hand, "Neglect" might mean going to sleep and a child gets out of the house. Or perhaps not enough groceries in the kitchen. Leaving a child alone in a car for 5 minutes. A "Dirty House". A child's behavior in school or being behind on vaccinations.
Or POVERTY.
The "one size fits all" CPS system has the "cure"- Services (so called). Like "parenting class". You can be sure that the classes will likely have nothing whatsoever to do with the accusations.
You end up in classes by agreeing to a "Service Plan". And practically nobody knows about the "15 out of 20 months" trap.
CPS is just plain full of surprises, isn't it?
On the other hand, are YOU your own worst enemy?
If you really did actually abuse a child, you are in deep trouble. You aren't going to get any help from us. After what this system has done to US, we have no sympathy for you whatsoever. We do believe that American citizens deserve their Constitutional Rights and Due Process, and that's all the help you can expect from us.
In fact, if you DID injure, rape or kill a child, we have less sympathy for you than even CPS, their colluding contractors, and the unconstitutional family courts of No Due Process.
At the same time, if you believe what CPS tells you, pour your heart and soul out to them, do everything they tell you to and "hope for the best"- you ARE your own worst enemy, especially if you did not do anything wrong.
The accusation is the evidence and Innocence is no defense with CPS.
If CPS is in your life stomping around like the goose-stepping Nazi SS troopers they are, it behooves YOU to "Know Your Enemy" and get busy learning How to FIGHT CPS.
Or if your case is long lost, how about doing your homework NOW, learn How to Fight CPS and HELP OTHERS in your locale?
This WAR needs a lot more soldiers to "fight the good fight".
COMMENT on this story
"Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own." --Aesop (c. 550 B.C.) legendary Greek fabulist
If CPS hasn't attacked YOUR FAMILY yet, see If you are ever approached by anyone from social services and WHEN THEY COME AFTER YOU
Learn as much as you can, as fast as you can at How To Fight CPS
Get YOUR VERSION OF HISTORY ON THE RECORD with your Sworn Declaration
Leonard Henderson, co-founder
American Family Rights Association
http://familyrights.us
"Until Every Child Comes Home" ©
"The Voice of America's Families" ©
I am not a lawyer and I do not pretend to give legal advice. If you need legal advice, see AFRA's Lawyer Friends who certainly are not pretenders (http://familyrights.us/info/law) I merely relate the things I learned in the past that seemed to work in my own case or things that others have related to me that worked in their cases. I provide information for free and do not expect to receive any form of payment or reward on this side of heaven. Therefore, DO NOT rely on this information as legal advice. Real Legal advice would come from a real lawyer who hates CPS and prepares a VIGOROUS DEFENSE against a negative (proving nothing happened) instead of talking you into a plea bargain (http://familyrights.us/bin/The_Problem_with_Plea_Bargaining.htm)
AFRA Editorials are NOT copyrighted. Please feel free to forward widely. We are at 100% total complete WAR with CPS, not trying to be famous or important.
Baby (Foster child) left alone for 9 hours dies of suffocation
Baby left alone for 9 hours dies of suffocation - Peoria, IL - pjstar.com
PEORIA —
A 9-month-old Peoria child in foster care died Friday from asphyxiation after apparently being left alone for about nine hours. The death is under investigation, but no arrests have been made.
Branden J. Burkhardt of 714 E. Kansas St. was pronounced dead about 10 p.m. in the emergency room at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll.
The boy was living with foster parents Deandrea and Roshanda Washington. The biological mother, who was not identified Saturday, lives in Iowa. It was not clear why the boy was in foster care.
The baby had been living with the Washington family since two days after his birth, Ingersoll said.
Roshanda Washington told authorities she put Burkhardt into a crib about noon on Friday. He was alone in the crib, though there was a pillow, a toy and possibly a bottle.
Burkhardt was making noises about 3 p.m., his foster mother told police. But she didn't go into the room until about 9:30 p.m., when she found him unresponsive.
The results of an autopsy Saturday were consistent with asphyxia, Ingersoll said. She added that additional testing will be performed to confirm the child did not have an underlying medical condition.
Deandrea and Roshanda Washington had not been arrested as of Saturday night, though they had been questioned by police.
Ingersoll's office and the Peoria Police Department are investigating the circumstances.
Patrick Oldendorf can be reached at 686-3194 or poldendorf@pjstar.com.
PEORIA —
A 9-month-old Peoria child in foster care died Friday from asphyxiation after apparently being left alone for about nine hours. The death is under investigation, but no arrests have been made.
Branden J. Burkhardt of 714 E. Kansas St. was pronounced dead about 10 p.m. in the emergency room at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll.
The boy was living with foster parents Deandrea and Roshanda Washington. The biological mother, who was not identified Saturday, lives in Iowa. It was not clear why the boy was in foster care.
The baby had been living with the Washington family since two days after his birth, Ingersoll said.
Roshanda Washington told authorities she put Burkhardt into a crib about noon on Friday. He was alone in the crib, though there was a pillow, a toy and possibly a bottle.
Burkhardt was making noises about 3 p.m., his foster mother told police. But she didn't go into the room until about 9:30 p.m., when she found him unresponsive.
The results of an autopsy Saturday were consistent with asphyxia, Ingersoll said. She added that additional testing will be performed to confirm the child did not have an underlying medical condition.
Deandrea and Roshanda Washington had not been arrested as of Saturday night, though they had been questioned by police.
Ingersoll's office and the Peoria Police Department are investigating the circumstances.
Patrick Oldendorf can be reached at 686-3194 or poldendorf@pjstar.com.
10 Common Misconceptions about PTSD
10 Common Misconceptions about PTSD - X-Ray Technician Schools
Commonly associated with soldiers who’ve experienced unthinkable tragedies while at war, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can disrupt the lives of various people from various backgrounds. According to America’s Heroes at Work, a site from the U.S. Department of Labor, it afflicts 24 million people nationwide, eight percent of the population. PTSD can be acquired after enduring any kind of traumatic event, including war, physical abuse, a natural disaster or bad accident, and can result in symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, angry outbursts and depression. Because it’s a mental health disorder, PTSD isn’t fully understood by people with little experience dealing with it. The following common misconceptions have been disproven by mental health professionals and those who live with the disorder.
PTSD sufferers are mentally weak: Like other mental illnesses, PTSD is considered by the uninformed to be characteristic of mental weakness. In reality, the effects of the disorder can be traced to specific traumatic events that are incomprehensible to people who haven’t experienced them. The period of recovery isn’t comparable to what people endure after stressful events such as divorce or losing a job, and how they psychologically handle the trauma varies from person to person. PTSD is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), American Psychiatric Association (APA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Everyone has some sort of PTSD: Again, PTSD is caused by a specific traumatic event not typically experienced by the average person. PTSD sufferers undergo changes in their brains resulting in symptoms worse than just depression. People who develop PTSD were inherently more susceptible to the disorder than others, often exhibiting prior signs of mental illness. After a traumatic event, the possible onset of PTSD can be exacerbated by receiving little or no help or coping with it inappropriately.
PTSD sufferers aren’t victims: Without question, PTSD sufferers are victims. They’ve encountered events that, in most cases, were beyond their control and very few people experience during their lifetimes. They lack the psychological capabilities to recover from such traumas and thus need help in order to cope. PTSD is not something that should be taken lightly. It’s not something that can be ignored and forgotten. Individuals with the disorder need professional help to endure the symptoms that inhibit them from functioning normally day to day.
PTSD symptoms manifest immediately after a traumatic event: In many cases, it takes a month or two before symptoms are noticeable, and they can be brought forth by stress and old memories. According to the NIH, a psychiatrist or psychologist evaluates a patient and determines whether or not they have the disorder depending on if they’ve shown at least one re-experiencing symptom, at least three avoidance symptoms and at least two hyperarousal symptoms (see link for more comprehensive explanations), all of which need to occur during at least a month in a PTSD diagnosis.
PTSD sufferers are always unstable and violent: Symptoms of PTSD vary depending on the person with the disorder. Angry outbursts and violence don’t always occur, even if the illness was brought forth by events involving violent crime and torture. Ultimately, how a person reacts to a traumatic event is dependent on their individual attributes and sensibilities. For example, additional symptoms may include memory disturbances and the inability to connect and reconnect with others. The severity of each symptom increases and decreases and almost never remains constant.
PTSD is limited to a specific age group: Children are vulnerable to PTSD too despite their apparent resilience to mental stress. In fact, a recent study undertaken by University of Miami psychologist Dr. Annette La Greca showed that children exhibit signs of PTSD two years after a natural disaster. Twenty-one months after the event, 29 percent reported moderate to severe PTSD symptoms. During a family’s recovery from a catastrophic hurricane, for example, a child may struggle with adjusting to a new environment, where they may be without their friends and some of their family, making the recovery even more difficult.
Only one treatment is needed: The simplicity or complexity of treatment is wholly dependent on the person with PTSD. If symptoms are severe, then it’s reasonable to assume several methods may be used to control the illness. Psychotherapy and medication may be combined in order to produce a desired result for a patient. Doctors typically prescribe antidepressants such as sertraline (Zoloft) or paroxetine (Paxil), both of which are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat PTSD. Each combats feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anger and worry. Patients may also use benzodiazepines to relax and sleep and antipsychotics to combat other mental disorders.
Therapy doesn’t work: Therapy does work. It educates the PTSD sufferer about the trauma and its psychological effects, and enables a mental health professional to find ways to neutralize the symptoms to the best of their abilities. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is often used, including exposure therapy, cognitive restructuring and stress inoculation training. Exposure therapy enables the patient to face and control their fear. Cognitive restructuring helps the patient realistically evaluate bad memories and deal with them in a healthy manner. Stress inoculation training teaches the patient to reduce anxiety and thus the PTSD symptoms.
PTSD sufferers are unable to function in the real world: By taking the aforementioned measures and remaining committed to treating the problem, PTSD sufferers can fulfill their duties as employees. As previously mentioned, medication and therapy can help them make it through the day. If symptoms persist and noticeably affect their productivity, they should notify their employer of the problem if they aren’t already aware. Remember, people with mental health problems are afforded the same rights as everyone else.
Recovery is impossible: Dealing with PTSD may seem like an unwinnable battle, but with the proper commitment, it can be defeated. Note that recovery is a subjective term depending on the patient. While symptoms of PTSD can be eradicated, some may define recovery as simply functioning effectively with the disorder. There are numerous PTSD support groups in existence with members willing to share their success stories. It’s a great way to build hope when the illness is adamantly against it.
Commonly associated with soldiers who’ve experienced unthinkable tragedies while at war, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can disrupt the lives of various people from various backgrounds. According to America’s Heroes at Work, a site from the U.S. Department of Labor, it afflicts 24 million people nationwide, eight percent of the population. PTSD can be acquired after enduring any kind of traumatic event, including war, physical abuse, a natural disaster or bad accident, and can result in symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, angry outbursts and depression. Because it’s a mental health disorder, PTSD isn’t fully understood by people with little experience dealing with it. The following common misconceptions have been disproven by mental health professionals and those who live with the disorder.
PTSD sufferers are mentally weak: Like other mental illnesses, PTSD is considered by the uninformed to be characteristic of mental weakness. In reality, the effects of the disorder can be traced to specific traumatic events that are incomprehensible to people who haven’t experienced them. The period of recovery isn’t comparable to what people endure after stressful events such as divorce or losing a job, and how they psychologically handle the trauma varies from person to person. PTSD is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), American Psychiatric Association (APA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Everyone has some sort of PTSD: Again, PTSD is caused by a specific traumatic event not typically experienced by the average person. PTSD sufferers undergo changes in their brains resulting in symptoms worse than just depression. People who develop PTSD were inherently more susceptible to the disorder than others, often exhibiting prior signs of mental illness. After a traumatic event, the possible onset of PTSD can be exacerbated by receiving little or no help or coping with it inappropriately.
PTSD sufferers aren’t victims: Without question, PTSD sufferers are victims. They’ve encountered events that, in most cases, were beyond their control and very few people experience during their lifetimes. They lack the psychological capabilities to recover from such traumas and thus need help in order to cope. PTSD is not something that should be taken lightly. It’s not something that can be ignored and forgotten. Individuals with the disorder need professional help to endure the symptoms that inhibit them from functioning normally day to day.
PTSD symptoms manifest immediately after a traumatic event: In many cases, it takes a month or two before symptoms are noticeable, and they can be brought forth by stress and old memories. According to the NIH, a psychiatrist or psychologist evaluates a patient and determines whether or not they have the disorder depending on if they’ve shown at least one re-experiencing symptom, at least three avoidance symptoms and at least two hyperarousal symptoms (see link for more comprehensive explanations), all of which need to occur during at least a month in a PTSD diagnosis.
PTSD sufferers are always unstable and violent: Symptoms of PTSD vary depending on the person with the disorder. Angry outbursts and violence don’t always occur, even if the illness was brought forth by events involving violent crime and torture. Ultimately, how a person reacts to a traumatic event is dependent on their individual attributes and sensibilities. For example, additional symptoms may include memory disturbances and the inability to connect and reconnect with others. The severity of each symptom increases and decreases and almost never remains constant.
PTSD is limited to a specific age group: Children are vulnerable to PTSD too despite their apparent resilience to mental stress. In fact, a recent study undertaken by University of Miami psychologist Dr. Annette La Greca showed that children exhibit signs of PTSD two years after a natural disaster. Twenty-one months after the event, 29 percent reported moderate to severe PTSD symptoms. During a family’s recovery from a catastrophic hurricane, for example, a child may struggle with adjusting to a new environment, where they may be without their friends and some of their family, making the recovery even more difficult.
Only one treatment is needed: The simplicity or complexity of treatment is wholly dependent on the person with PTSD. If symptoms are severe, then it’s reasonable to assume several methods may be used to control the illness. Psychotherapy and medication may be combined in order to produce a desired result for a patient. Doctors typically prescribe antidepressants such as sertraline (Zoloft) or paroxetine (Paxil), both of which are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat PTSD. Each combats feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anger and worry. Patients may also use benzodiazepines to relax and sleep and antipsychotics to combat other mental disorders.
Therapy doesn’t work: Therapy does work. It educates the PTSD sufferer about the trauma and its psychological effects, and enables a mental health professional to find ways to neutralize the symptoms to the best of their abilities. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is often used, including exposure therapy, cognitive restructuring and stress inoculation training. Exposure therapy enables the patient to face and control their fear. Cognitive restructuring helps the patient realistically evaluate bad memories and deal with them in a healthy manner. Stress inoculation training teaches the patient to reduce anxiety and thus the PTSD symptoms.
PTSD sufferers are unable to function in the real world: By taking the aforementioned measures and remaining committed to treating the problem, PTSD sufferers can fulfill their duties as employees. As previously mentioned, medication and therapy can help them make it through the day. If symptoms persist and noticeably affect their productivity, they should notify their employer of the problem if they aren’t already aware. Remember, people with mental health problems are afforded the same rights as everyone else.
Recovery is impossible: Dealing with PTSD may seem like an unwinnable battle, but with the proper commitment, it can be defeated. Note that recovery is a subjective term depending on the patient. While symptoms of PTSD can be eradicated, some may define recovery as simply functioning effectively with the disorder. There are numerous PTSD support groups in existence with members willing to share their success stories. It’s a great way to build hope when the illness is adamantly against it.
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