Affidavit alleges severe abuse of missing adopted boy
By DAN ELLIOTT, AP
15 hours ago
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20110310/US.Adopted.Boys.Missing/
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — One of two boys who had been missing for years before authorities were notified was denied food, spanked, forced to run up and down stairs and rolled up tightly in blankets "like a burrito" as punishment in the home of their adoptive parents, an adoptive brother claimed in a statement to investigators.
Austin Eugene Bryant often grew so hungry that he scavenged food from a garbage can, an arrest warrant affidavit quotes the adoptive brother as saying.
Austin and his biological brother, Edward Dylan Bryant, disappeared from their adoptive parents' home in Monument, Colo., by late 2003, El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said Thursday. Austin would have been 7 and Edward 11 at the time.
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
Friday, March 11, 2011
DCF: Lawmakers want DCF to bring children home - Courant.com
DCF: Lawmakers want DCF to bring children home - Courant.com
HARTFORD — For the second time in two years, the legislature is asking state child-protection officials to bring home the more than 350 troubled Connecticut children in out-of-state treatment centers and either reunite them with their families, or get them into foster care, group homes, or in-state residential programs.
A 2009 law required the Department of Children and Families to produce a plan by the summer of that year to bring the children home, with a goal of doing it by 2011. In a July 2009 e-mail recently obtained by The Courant, a top DCF official says that DCF didn't follow the mandate because the legislature didn't give the department more money to implement a plan. DCF's budget is about $900 million a year.
A new bill now on its way to the legislature's human-services committee would direct DCF to bring all the children home by 2013, with the exception of the outside placements endorsed by the juvenile court.
DCF Commissioner Joette Katz, who took the helm in January, said Thursday that this time the agency would work "to bring a significant number of the children home.''
[Sample Our Free Breaking News Alert And 3 P.M. News Newsletters]
Katz said she would accomplish this by reallocating money within the agency budget and by beginning to channel some of the $35 million spent annually on the outside placements back into Connecticut.
"I'm not getting more money and I'm not asking for more money,'' Katz said.
But she stopped short of committing to bringing every child home. In testimony before the select committee on children, Katz asked lawmakers to modify the bill and remove the mandate that all the children be removed from the outside placements.
She said some deeply troubled children — including fire-starters, sexually aggressive kids, and some children in the autism spectrum — may be better served in out-of-state programs that have had success in treating children like them. And she said that some northern Connecticut families and guardians with children in Massachusetts programs prefer that the kids remain there, rather than be placed in Bridgeport or some other less convenient location.
State Sen. Anthony J. Musto, a Democrat fromTrumbull and vice chair of the select committee, said he wasn't inclined to back off from the panel's goal of bringing every possible child home, even those just over the border. He said treatment programs should be developed in Connecticut to treat Connecticut kids, and the money should be spent here, not out of state.
"This bill is part of our overall scheme to have as many kids as possible in smaller placements close to home," said Musto. "Two years should be plenty of time for DCF to move these kids back into the state and create programs that would serve their needs.''
Musto, referring to the lack of agency action in 2009, said, "We're hoping with the new commissioner that they'll focus on this as a priority.''
Katz said she already has.
"Everyone involved wants the kids home, and no one wants them home more than I do. We can make a significant dent in the number,'' said Katz, "but we need to do it carefully, thoughtfully, and constructively.''
For example, 27 of the 40 beds at the state-owned Connecticut Children's Place in East Windsor are empty. Katz said before those treatment slots could be used, the staff there would have to be trained to deal with some of the very troubled children who are out of state. Once that training was paid for and completed, then a group of children could be brought back to Connecticut.
At the same time, Katz said, she and her staff are working with private providers to develop programs for the children in outside placements, and are working to recruit and train more foster families, particularly relatives of the children.
"If we can engage more kinship care, that's going to free up some of these treatment facilities, because you can move kids out who don't need to be there. You work to eliminate the bottlenecks along the way,'' Katz said.
Katz said two top agency officials are looking in detail at every child in an outside placement with a goal of finding the right place for many of them in Connecticut.
The number of children in the outside programs increased from 280 in 2008 to 367 this winter, and the annual cost ballooned to at least $35 million. Meanwhile, problems with state treatment and foster-care systems have deepened.
There are empty beds in some of the programs, in part because private providers and DCF haven't developed programs to suit the needs of kids with complex behavior problems who have traditionally been sent away. And the shortage of foster parents is robbing DCF of options to place the children in Connecticut.
HARTFORD — For the second time in two years, the legislature is asking state child-protection officials to bring home the more than 350 troubled Connecticut children in out-of-state treatment centers and either reunite them with their families, or get them into foster care, group homes, or in-state residential programs.
A 2009 law required the Department of Children and Families to produce a plan by the summer of that year to bring the children home, with a goal of doing it by 2011. In a July 2009 e-mail recently obtained by The Courant, a top DCF official says that DCF didn't follow the mandate because the legislature didn't give the department more money to implement a plan. DCF's budget is about $900 million a year.
A new bill now on its way to the legislature's human-services committee would direct DCF to bring all the children home by 2013, with the exception of the outside placements endorsed by the juvenile court.
DCF Commissioner Joette Katz, who took the helm in January, said Thursday that this time the agency would work "to bring a significant number of the children home.''
[Sample Our Free Breaking News Alert And 3 P.M. News Newsletters]
Katz said she would accomplish this by reallocating money within the agency budget and by beginning to channel some of the $35 million spent annually on the outside placements back into Connecticut.
"I'm not getting more money and I'm not asking for more money,'' Katz said.
But she stopped short of committing to bringing every child home. In testimony before the select committee on children, Katz asked lawmakers to modify the bill and remove the mandate that all the children be removed from the outside placements.
She said some deeply troubled children — including fire-starters, sexually aggressive kids, and some children in the autism spectrum — may be better served in out-of-state programs that have had success in treating children like them. And she said that some northern Connecticut families and guardians with children in Massachusetts programs prefer that the kids remain there, rather than be placed in Bridgeport or some other less convenient location.
State Sen. Anthony J. Musto, a Democrat fromTrumbull and vice chair of the select committee, said he wasn't inclined to back off from the panel's goal of bringing every possible child home, even those just over the border. He said treatment programs should be developed in Connecticut to treat Connecticut kids, and the money should be spent here, not out of state.
"This bill is part of our overall scheme to have as many kids as possible in smaller placements close to home," said Musto. "Two years should be plenty of time for DCF to move these kids back into the state and create programs that would serve their needs.''
Musto, referring to the lack of agency action in 2009, said, "We're hoping with the new commissioner that they'll focus on this as a priority.''
Katz said she already has.
"Everyone involved wants the kids home, and no one wants them home more than I do. We can make a significant dent in the number,'' said Katz, "but we need to do it carefully, thoughtfully, and constructively.''
For example, 27 of the 40 beds at the state-owned Connecticut Children's Place in East Windsor are empty. Katz said before those treatment slots could be used, the staff there would have to be trained to deal with some of the very troubled children who are out of state. Once that training was paid for and completed, then a group of children could be brought back to Connecticut.
At the same time, Katz said, she and her staff are working with private providers to develop programs for the children in outside placements, and are working to recruit and train more foster families, particularly relatives of the children.
"If we can engage more kinship care, that's going to free up some of these treatment facilities, because you can move kids out who don't need to be there. You work to eliminate the bottlenecks along the way,'' Katz said.
Katz said two top agency officials are looking in detail at every child in an outside placement with a goal of finding the right place for many of them in Connecticut.
The number of children in the outside programs increased from 280 in 2008 to 367 this winter, and the annual cost ballooned to at least $35 million. Meanwhile, problems with state treatment and foster-care systems have deepened.
There are empty beds in some of the programs, in part because private providers and DCF haven't developed programs to suit the needs of kids with complex behavior problems who have traditionally been sent away. And the shortage of foster parents is robbing DCF of options to place the children in Connecticut.
Grieving Mother Loses Custody Of Her Third Son - NewsRadio 750 KXL
Grieving Mother Loses Custody Of Her Third Son - NewsRadio 750 KXL
Without explanation, a Clackamas County Juvenile Court judge has placed two-year-old Wani Lemi in state custody. So instead of going home to his mother, he will go into foster care when he is released from a local burn center. He is still in serious condition. He and his mother were both injured in the fatal apartment fire on February 12th. After the fire, Kimberly Hasty frantically described what she was up against as she tried to reach her four- and five-year-old sons, "I went back for the other two, I got down on the ground and as close as I could to them, but I couldn't even get to them." Her father Gerald hopes that she regains custody of Wani soon, "So the two of them can get back together again and they can both heal. And not just physical healing, but the emotional healing." The state will review the custody case in 30 days. Hasty shattered her heel as she jumped from a second story window to escape the fire. Investigators still haven't said what caused the fatal fire. Hasty released this statement in regards to the custody battle. "I am not aware of any reason other then (sic) my medical status as reported by Legacy Emanuel Hospital, the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, and the condition of the home that burned on a court document that nowhere contained the judges name was enough was enough for a judge to decide to take my only remaining child after one of the most horrific tragedies that claimed the lives of my two boys."
Without explanation, a Clackamas County Juvenile Court judge has placed two-year-old Wani Lemi in state custody. So instead of going home to his mother, he will go into foster care when he is released from a local burn center. He is still in serious condition. He and his mother were both injured in the fatal apartment fire on February 12th. After the fire, Kimberly Hasty frantically described what she was up against as she tried to reach her four- and five-year-old sons, "I went back for the other two, I got down on the ground and as close as I could to them, but I couldn't even get to them." Her father Gerald hopes that she regains custody of Wani soon, "So the two of them can get back together again and they can both heal. And not just physical healing, but the emotional healing." The state will review the custody case in 30 days. Hasty shattered her heel as she jumped from a second story window to escape the fire. Investigators still haven't said what caused the fatal fire. Hasty released this statement in regards to the custody battle. "I am not aware of any reason other then (sic) my medical status as reported by Legacy Emanuel Hospital, the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, and the condition of the home that burned on a court document that nowhere contained the judges name was enough was enough for a judge to decide to take my only remaining child after one of the most horrific tragedies that claimed the lives of my two boys."
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Budget errors uncovered at DHHS
WCSH6.com | Portland, ME | Budget errors uncovered at DHHS
AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Gov. Paul LePage's office says the new leadership at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has uncovered millions of dollars in budgetary errors.
DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew addressed lawmakers about three of the problems on Thursday. Mayhew discussed a $66 million in over-budget payments to Maine hospitals, a $10 million jump in weekly claims to MaineCare providers, and a $29.7 million payment back to the federal government.
The Governor's office said when DHHS switched to a new claims processing system in September 2010, the department failed to make changes to hospitals' weekly Prospective Interim Payments to account for what was being paid through the new processing system. As a result, DHHS is on track to overpay hospitals by $119 million by the end of the year. Mayhew says DHHS is contacting hospital officials on Thursday announcing immediate changes to stay with the budget for the rest of the fiscal year.
Mayhew also told legislators that in the last six weeks, payments made to MaineCare providers have increased from an average of $39 million per week for the first 24 weekly payment cycles to $49 million. If the trend continues, MaineCare will could exceed its annual budget by $30 million or more. DHHS has let the legislature know of the increase in payments and potential impact on the fiscal year's budget. Changes may also be required in LePage's 2012-13 budget proposal.
DHHS also lost an appeal with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services which would require the state to pay back a $29.7 million federal reimbursement for services for children in foster care and child protective services. Mayhew says DHHS is considering filing another appeal in federal court and working with Medicare and Medicaid on changes to its Targeted Case Management policy.
The governor's office says the management staff is continuing to investigate the problems at DHHS and make changes to better administer the department's programs.
"We knew we faced many challenges with the Department of Health and Human Services when we took office," said Gov. LePage. "Commissioner Mayhew and her new leadership team are finding a disturbing number of problems at the Department that we have to address. Additional audits and reviews are being conducted and we will promptly disclose new information as it is developed."
NEWS CENTER
AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Gov. Paul LePage's office says the new leadership at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has uncovered millions of dollars in budgetary errors.
DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew addressed lawmakers about three of the problems on Thursday. Mayhew discussed a $66 million in over-budget payments to Maine hospitals, a $10 million jump in weekly claims to MaineCare providers, and a $29.7 million payment back to the federal government.
The Governor's office said when DHHS switched to a new claims processing system in September 2010, the department failed to make changes to hospitals' weekly Prospective Interim Payments to account for what was being paid through the new processing system. As a result, DHHS is on track to overpay hospitals by $119 million by the end of the year. Mayhew says DHHS is contacting hospital officials on Thursday announcing immediate changes to stay with the budget for the rest of the fiscal year.
Mayhew also told legislators that in the last six weeks, payments made to MaineCare providers have increased from an average of $39 million per week for the first 24 weekly payment cycles to $49 million. If the trend continues, MaineCare will could exceed its annual budget by $30 million or more. DHHS has let the legislature know of the increase in payments and potential impact on the fiscal year's budget. Changes may also be required in LePage's 2012-13 budget proposal.
DHHS also lost an appeal with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services which would require the state to pay back a $29.7 million federal reimbursement for services for children in foster care and child protective services. Mayhew says DHHS is considering filing another appeal in federal court and working with Medicare and Medicaid on changes to its Targeted Case Management policy.
The governor's office says the management staff is continuing to investigate the problems at DHHS and make changes to better administer the department's programs.
"We knew we faced many challenges with the Department of Health and Human Services when we took office," said Gov. LePage. "Commissioner Mayhew and her new leadership team are finding a disturbing number of problems at the Department that we have to address. Additional audits and reviews are being conducted and we will promptly disclose new information as it is developed."
NEWS CENTER
DHHS cuts presented to Division 3 March 8
DHHS cuts presented to Division 3 March 8
http://www.nhcares.net/wordpress/?p=190
admin on March 8, 2011 — Leave a Comment
These are the uploaded cuts proposed today in Division 3. You will need to download all of the files to get the full document
HHS cuts 3-8 Cover Page
HHS cuts 3-8 Page 2
HHS cuts 3-8 Page 3
HHS cuts 3-8 Page 4
HHS Cuts 3-8 Page 5
This is the most recent document – it is also posted on eStudio for those of you with access.
Full DHHS proposal for House cuts 3 8 11
Posted in 2012/2013 House Budget
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http://www.nhcares.net/wordpress/?p=190
admin on March 8, 2011 — Leave a Comment
These are the uploaded cuts proposed today in Division 3. You will need to download all of the files to get the full document
HHS cuts 3-8 Cover Page
HHS cuts 3-8 Page 2
HHS cuts 3-8 Page 3
HHS cuts 3-8 Page 4
HHS Cuts 3-8 Page 5
This is the most recent document – it is also posted on eStudio for those of you with access.
Full DHHS proposal for House cuts 3 8 11
Posted in 2012/2013 House Budget
Leave a Reply
Name (required)
Email (required)
Website
« Guidelines for Public Testimony
CATEGORIES
2012/2013 General Budget
2012/2013 Governor's Budget
2012/2013 House Budget
2012/2013 Senate Budget
House Division 3 Handouts
Network Updates
Research
RECOMMENDED LINKS
Transparent NH
New Hampshire General Court
New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute
New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies
Plymouth State University Center for Rural Partnerships
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