Author Topic: What can be done to make programs safer?  (Read 2558 times)

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Offline RN on Board

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What can be done to make programs safer?
« on: April 29, 2005, 12:59:00 PM »
I'd personally like to see most of these programs closed - but this is not going to happen anytime soon.  I believe there are several things that could be done to make life more bearable for children subjected to programs.

Here are a few things that activists should be working for
1) installation of pay phones at every youth facility - any program providing residential care to youth
2) a free hot-line posted to report abusive treatment
3) daily visiting hours - even if it's for one hour during the week and for four hours on week ends.
4) Facilty can not deprive children of food, education, religion or any other basic right as punishment
5) video cameras installed
6) isolation rooms must be humane - have a place to rest - comfortable, water available and a restroom.  
7) isolation only in extreme cases - not as punishment - only for safety of students and staff.  
:cool: Counseling must be provided at least weekly and confidentiality must be maintained. Child's inner-most thoughts must not be shared with staff or parents.
9) Weekly inspections by licensed social workers. The social workers should speak to at least a few random students privately as part of the report.  They should make these visits unannounced.  

I'm sure there are many other things that could be done.  Any thoughts?[ This Message was edited by: RN on Board on 2005-04-29 10:03 ][ This Message was edited by: RN on Board on 2005-04-29 10:05 ]
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Offline Anonymous

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What can be done to make programs safer?
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2005, 03:28:00 PM »
But all this stuff will have to be added into the states' regulations and also enforced...or it will never happen.
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Offline bandit1978

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What can be done to make programs safer?
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2005, 05:15:00 PM »
All "counselors", or unit staff, or anyone who implements the program or evaluates the kid and their performance, MUST BE COLLEGE EDUCATED!  Even if it's just a liberal arts degree.  They must know the basics of psychological theory.
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egan Flynn
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Offline nightcrawler

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What can be done to make programs safer?
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2005, 02:37:00 PM »
I'd like to add some additional requirements for those "professionals" that do the evaluations.  They should not be associated with the industry at all.  These Doctors and counselors have the programs best interest in mind, not the childs.  They should also spend more than 4 hours doing the evaluation.  Getting a second opinion would also be in the best interest of everyone involved.  This alone would prevent a number of kids from ever being sent to these places.  Once in a school, the original Doctor should be allowed to visit and continue with the evaluation.

My biggest challenge to getting custody of my grandniece was the 4 hour evaluation done by an on staff doctor who came to the conclusion she had RAD.  The doctor spent a 1/2 hour talking to a highly intelligent 15 year old, and 3 1/2 hours with placement testing, etc.  She doesn't have RAD, but I couldn't convince the court otherwise.  This Doctor also slammed me by saying I shouldn't have custody of this child.  He never met me, so how could he come to that conclusion without some heavily biased information provided by the parents and school?  Professional or a Quack in the schools pocket???

Of course my preference is not sending anyone to these hell holes in the first place.
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Offline RN on Board

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What can be done to make programs safer?
« Reply #4 on: May 01, 2005, 06:32:00 PM »
I'd like to add that the child should also have an outside physician who is not associated with the school. They should have a mandatory physical after the first month and every other month thereafter.
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Offline cherish wisdom

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What can be done to make programs safer?
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2005, 01:28:00 AM »
There are many things that need to be done to make the programs safer for children. The consumers of this need to say NO to programs that don't allow basic rights and parental contact.  Parents who have their children in programs need to remove them from facilities that don't allow these basic freedoms.  

Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you recognize a mistake when you make it again.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=circlofmiamithem&keyword=mark+twain&mode=books' target='_new'>Mark Twain

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If you lack wisdom ask of God and it shall be given to you.\"

Offline bandit1978

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What can be done to make programs safer?
« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2005, 05:35:00 PM »
If the status quo will not tolerate programs that do not allow basic rights to be practised, then these programs will have to comply, or else not survive.
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egan Flynn
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Offline Anonymous

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What can be done to make programs safer?
« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2005, 07:04:00 PM »
How about writing your rep -- ONLINE!! You can do so at http://www.house.gov/writerep/

Just type in your zip and state, and it will let you send a message online to the rep from your district. How is that for easy?? Oh and this is to get them to pass the "end institutional abuse against children act" or HR 1738.
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Offline RN on Board

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What can be done to make programs safer?
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2005, 01:43:00 PM »
We should write and support that bill - but we can also make suggestions.  Public awareness is very essential. Most people don't know what's going on.  Since most youth are transported by escorts the parents are never given an opportunity to see the facility. So most parents are kept in the dark.  How can the masses be educated about the dangers associated with these programs? Perhaps an organization could come up with a brochere that could be placed in the offices of pediatricians nationwide.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »