3 posts tagged “family court failures”
| Judge to day care worker: Say you're sorry |  |
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| Wednesday, 13 May 2009 | |
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The former lead day-care worker at a Sun Prairie, Wisconsin day care center has been given probation for squeezing an 18-month old until she stopped breathing, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Dane County Circuit Judge Patrick Fiedler gave Sara Kladenhall 5 years to "prove... she was sincere when she said she was sorry for what happened," reports the paper.The child was revived by a co-worker and has since recovered. Co-worker Lindsay Anderson, charged with child neglect for helping to hold the child down, was placed in a first offenders program. The State Journal says that following that sentencing, Anderson was charged with domestic disorderly conduct in another case and dropped from the first offenders program. On May 7, she pleaded guilty to the disorderly conduct charges and was placed, again, in the first offenders program. For a second time. |
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is struggling to accurately and timely identify who is qualified to receive assistance, costing the state millions in misspent assistance dollars and millions more in potential federal sanctions and lost incentives, said a report from Auditor General (OAG) Thomas McTavish released on Friday.
DHS, which is responsible for determining eligibility for cash, food assistance, childcare and Medicaid cases, didn't effectively catch or fix errors in determination in the four years reviewed by the audit, from October 2002 through November 2006, the audit said.
Among the chief finds of auditors was that DHS mistakenly sent out payments in fiscal year 2006-06 in 7.5 percent of cases, which the report attributed to ever increasing caseloads from workers.
Although DHS has made strides in its system, the error rate in Michigan in 2005-06 was still 1.5 percent higher than the federal government tolerates, opening the state to economic sanctions much like the $89 million the federal government initiated for the fiscal years 1995-02.
Not only is Michigan inaccurate in its approvals but it's slow, too, the report said.
Michigan ranks 45th in its turnaround time with 81 percent of clients receiving approvals within the 30 days required by the federal government. That compares to Massachusetts , which ranked first and informs nearly 99 percent of its clients about their case status within a month.
In order to progress further, DHS said, it needs more "resources," because, although officials agreed with many of the audit's suggestions, they can't comply with them without more funds.
Among the fixes the department said it would initiate with more money is a study of how many workers it needs to handle caseloads and what tasks could be done by other staff members to increase worker availability for clients.
With more than 75 percent of workers and 87 percent of managers reporting that caseloads are too high, the study will likely find that more staff is needed, but the department said it can't hire more workers without additional funding.
As usual, the Department immediately cries "We need more money! We need more staff!" They told the OAG they would use additional dollars to "do a study". In fact, the OAG said that "DHS did not conduct a workload analysis to determine optimal caseworker staffing levels" and not only did they not do that last year, they hadn't done it in 2001-02 after being told they should by the Auditor General. So now they say they will if we give them more money?
You may read the audit for yourself. Here is the link: http://audgen.michigan.gov/comprpt/docs/r431028505.pdf
Does DHS need more staff? Do they have too many managers and not enough case workers? It is hard to get those answers; the Department is not forthcoming. The bottom line is the Department of Human Services has been woefully inefficient and inept for years and it continues to be in spite of repeated Audit Reports reporting the problem and even suggesting the solution. This is a problem that cannot be fixed by the OAG and it cannot be fixed by the Legislature. It must be addressed by the "Executive". That's right folks; I am talking about the governor and her department heads.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but my Transparency bill, which would expose the entire state budget, including that of the DHS, to the sunshine for everyone to see and closely examine, would go a long way toward resolving many of these issues.
On March 12, 2008, a joint committee of the Legislature met to ask for answers from the Department. What was their answer? We need more staff. We need more time. We are implementing a new program in the NEXT TWO YEARS. Once we have that in place, it will be better.
Here is hoping that Director Ismael Ahmed, the recently appointed Director of DHS can effectively address the issue.
What is Going on in the House?
To keep abreast of
bills moving through the House of Representatives, check my blog. I will be
posting when the House is in session at www.CorePrinciples.blogspot.com
| Written by The Indiana Gazette | |
| Sunday, 27 January 2008 | |
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Information for this column is provided by the Indiana County Department of Human Services.ANNOUNCEMENTS * Aging Services, Inc. will have a Groundhog Day Breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Mahoning Hills Social Center, Route 119 North near Punxsutawney. The breakfast is open to the public at a cost of $3.50. * Indiana County Community Action Program is offering VITA, a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. This program provides free Income Tax services to eligible low-income families in Indiana County. For more information and to make an appointment, please contact Arlene Anderson at (724) 465-2657, ext. 207, or Diane Reese-Walters at (724) 465-2657, ext. 212. * Katie's Closet provides free clothing for adults and children from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays upstairs at Zion Lutheran Church, Church and Sixth streets, Indiana. * Kids Night Out, hosted by IUP Track and Field, will be offered from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Feb. 8 at Memorial Field House Auxiliary Gym, Indiana University of Pennsylvania campus. Enjoy a night out while the IUP Track and Field Team watches and entertains your children ages 5 to 14. Cost is $10 for three hours. For more information, call Ralph White, coach, at (724) 357-2464. * Kiwanis Baby Cupboard and Indiana County Community Action Inc. are offering to provide diapers at $2 a pack (four packages a month in medium, large and extra large) to qualifying county families with an income lower than 150 percent of the federal poverty guideline. Call Arlene Anderson, AmeriCorps Vista volunteer, at (724) 465-2657, ext. 211, for more information and/or to register. Diapers will be distributed at the ICCAP food bank at 1849 South Sixth St., Indiana. * Special Needs Activity Program is a physical fitness, motor development and aquatics program specifically designed for individuals with disabilities through IUP. The program currently serves individuals of all ages and abilities from the Indiana area and surrounding communities. The SNAP program is sponsored by the Department of Health and Physical Education and is a required practicum experience for all HPED students. The program runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays in Zink Hall on the following dates: Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23; March 1, 29, and April 5. Volunteers are welcome and hours can be documented upon request. For more information or to register, call David Lorenzi at (724) 357-4415 or e-mail David.Lorenzi@iup.edu This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . CLASSES* Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is a group program designed specifically for people with arthritis to help increase joint flexibility and range of motion. The group meets Tuesdays and Fridays. For more information, call Indiana Regional Medical Center at (724) 357-8088. * Breastfeeding is Best teaches about feeding your baby, pumping and storing milk from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at IRMC Outpatient Building. For more information, call (724) 357-8088. * Childbirth/Infant Care classes are available through Excela Health. A variety of classes include Car Seat Safety, Getting Ready for Baby, Breastfeeding Basics, Infant Massage, Prepared Childbirth and Lamaze. Class times and locations vary. For more information, call (877) 771-1234. * CPR Classes are available through Armstrong County Memorial Hospital. Participants will receive basic instruction in one-person adult and child CPR as well as choking intervention instructions. The class is designed for the layperson. For more information, call (724) 543-8473. * Disaster Mental Health Services: An Overview, helps participants understand the function within the American Red Cross Disaster Services program. Participants will learn how DMHS supports disaster relief workers and people affected by disasters. For more information, call the Indiana Chapter at (724) 465-5678. * Eat Well for Life is a four-week lifestyle improvement program promoting wellness and long-term weight management through balanced nutrition, cooking demonstrations and other hands-on experiences. For more information, call Excela Health at (877) 771-1234. * Healthy Moves is a supervised, structured exercise program for inactive adults or those at risk for health problems. Any adult who wishes to improve their fitness level can attend. For more information, call IRMC at (724) 357-8088. * Infant/Child CPR and First Aid classes teach "loving touch" techniques through American Red Cross. A fee is charged. For more information, call the Indiana Chapter at (724) 465-5678. * Introduction to Disaster classes teach how the American Red Cross fits in when there is a disaster and how you can help your community. For more information, call the Indiana Chapter at (724) 465-5678. * Logistics: Disaster Preparedness Training, is a study of providing the support services for a disaster relief operation including transportation, facilities and supplies through the American Red Cross. For more information, call the Indiana Chapter at (724) 465-5678. * Mass Care Overview, through American Red Cross, teaches about helping to care for victims who are displaced from their residence during a disaster. For more information, call the Indiana Chapter at (724) 465-5678. * Ornish Advantage teaches how to prevent heart disease and improve health by a six-week program focusing on nutrition, stress management, exercise, nutrition and group support. For more information, call Excela Health at (877) 771-1234. * Prenatal Aquatic Exercise classes allow pregnant women to keep up their fitness levels while expecting. For more information, call the Indiana County YMCA at (724) 463-9622. * Preschool and Progressive Swim Classes are held in 7-week sessions at the Indiana County YMCA. Preschool classes are for children ages 6 months to 5 years. Progressive classes are for children ages 6 years and older. Enrollment is limited. For more information, call (724) 463-9622. * Ready to Quit is a seven-week smoking cessation course for those who have resolved to quit smoking. Scholarships are available for pregnant women. The class costs $25, and some costs may be covered by insurance. For more information, call (877) 771-1234. * Survey/Damage Assessment teaches how to make assessment of damage to homes and areas affected by disaster. Participants must have attended the Introduction to Disaster class prior to this training. For more information, call the American Red Cross, Indiana Chapter, at (724) 465-5678. * Toddler Time, offered by Armstrong-Indiana Intermediate Unit 28's Family Focus Program, is a class for children ages 1 to 3 years old. For more information, call (724) 463-5300, ext. 1234. * Water Exercise Classes are available at the Indiana County YMCA. Classes include Arthritis, Swimnastics and Aqua Aerobics. The 7-week sessions are excellent for individuals with joint problems and/or those who cannot exercise on land. Non-swimmers are welcome. For more information, call Adam Weiss at (724) 463-9622. * Working with Total Diversity teaches how to assist service providers in providing the needs of the changing populations in the communities served and how to overcome prejudices and stereotypes within the communities. For more information, call the American Red Cross, Indiana Chapter, at (724) 465-5678. FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS* Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Room 306, Pratt Hall, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; 8 p.m. every Thursday at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Indiana; and 8 p.m. every Friday at Marion Center Presbyterian Church. * Diabetes Support Group at IRMC provides a dietician and clinical nurse specialists to help people with diabetes develop and practice self-management. For more information, call (724) 357-8088. * Family Caregivers Support Group meets at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Aging Services Community Center, Indiana, with a special focus placed on Alzheimer's Care. For more information, call (724) 349-4500. * HIV/AIDS Support Group meets twice per month through UPMC Lee Regional Community Care Management. This group is intended for people living with HIV/AIDS. All support group meetings are facilitated by a social worker. For more information, call (814) 534-6732 or (866) 429-1583. * ICD Support Group is for those with an implantable cardiac defibrillator and their support persons. For more information, call Excela Health at (877-771-1234. * IRMC's Breast Cancer Support Group is for individuals who have had breast cancer. The group generally meets at 6:30 p.m. the last Thursday of the month. For more information, call (724) 357-8088. * La Leche League provides mother-to-mother information and support for those planning to breastfeed or currently breastfeeding. The group meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday at IRMC Outpatient Building, Classrooms A&B. For more information or 24-hour support, call (724) 463-4661 or (724) 463-9890. * Moms Offering Moms Support Club is an international support group for stay-at-home parents. For more information, call Amy at (724) 465-0770, Stephanie at (724) 463-1453 or e-mail momsclubofindiana@yahoo.com This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . * PFLAG, or Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, have local chapters of a national organization to provide safe dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity. The group seeks to replace negativity with accurate and positive information and support. For more information, contact the Indiana chapter at (724) 357-8309 or e-mail pflagindiana@adelphia.net. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it * Post-Partum Depression classes are for natural and adoptive parents experiencing depression following the introduction of the new infant into the family. Dates and locations vary. For more information, call Excela Health at (877) 771-1234. * Reach to Recovery provides newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with support, information and resources through visits and conversations with trained breast cancer survivors. For more information, call (800) 227-2345. * US Too Prostate Cancer Support Group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Excela Health Westmoreland Regional Hospital. For more information, call (877) 771-1234. GRIEF SUPPORT* Bence Mihalcik Funeral Home offers a support group and a bereavement lending library with booklets, videos, etc. For information, call (724) 349-2000. * Bereavement Support, Catholic Charities. Meetings vary based on need. Call (724) 463-8806 for information. * Bowser-Minich Bereavement Support Services, (724) 349-3100 or (888) 923-5550. Offers lectures and grief seminars to public groups. * Curran Funeral Home Grief Support Group, 701 Salt St., Saltsburg. Call (724) 639-3911 for dates, times and location. * GriefShare is a special seminar/support group for people grieving the death of someone close. Registration is required, and sessions are in the fall and spring at Graystone Presbyterian Church, Indiana. For more information, call (724) 349-5556. * Grief Support Groups, through Excela Health, offer a six-week series held Tuesdays at various locations. For more information, call (877) 771-1234. * Help to Heal is an adult and child grief support group that meets twice per month. Registration is requested. For more information, call Excela Health at (877) 771-1234. * Highmark Caring Place, through the Caring Foundation for Children, Pittsburgh, offers support groups weekly or biweekly for grieving children, adolescents and families. For more information, call (888) 224-4673. * Mourning Has Broken is a grief support group for grieving partners and spouses. For information or support, call (724) 349-5677 or visit mourninghasbroken.org. * Richard Shoemaker Funeral Home Support Group, Blairsville, (724) 459-9115; information and support offered by phone.
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