Navigating the Advocacy Roadmap

1. Navigating the Advocacy Roadmap Jennifer Staley, Esq. Michael Wahlen, Esq. Leah Cullen, Esq. KidsVoice – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

2. Navigating the Advocacy Roadmap • Introduction – What is KidsVoice? • Background and History • Structure • Representing Dependent Children • Children and families present with multiple issues • Necessity for advocates to understand multiple systems • Mental Health • Mental Retardation • Education • Medical

3. DEVELOPING THE ADVOCACY ROAD MAP • Why KidsVoice saw the need • Representation of the Whole Child • The Process • Staff Input and buy in critical • National Best Practice Standards • Overview of the Road Map • IL • Education • Delinquency • Teen Parents • Drug and Alcohol • Mental Health • Mental Retardation • Delinquency • Abuse • Domestic Violence • Medical

4. ADVOCACY ROAD MAP • Putting the Advocacy Roadmap to Use • Scenario A • Scenario B • Scenario C

5. CASE SCENARIO A • Client Name: • Xzaria Joy 9.24.02 (8) • Jeniva Joy 3.3.04 (6) • Shakoya Joy 4.3.06 (4) • Gerimiah Joy 9.30.07 (3) • Germaine Joy 9.3.07 (3) • Jordan Joy11.19.08 (1)

6. CASE SCENARIO A • RELEVANT CASE HISTORY AND BASIS FOR ADJUDICATION: • The family had a history with Child Protective Services in New York and moved to Pittsburgh using their section 8 voucher. The agency became aware of the family in October 2007 when the mother gave birth to the twins and tested positive for marijuana. Mother informed the agency that she was unaware that she was having twins and that she smoked “a joint”. The agency attempted to put in home services into the home but they had trouble making contacting with the family. The agency was unable to make contact with the family until December 2007. When the agency was able to locate the family they found that the children had not received appropriate medical attention. That Jermaine had a clubfoot. Neither Xzaria or Jeniva could speak and Jeniva could not walk without assistance. Mother was unable to provide the date of birth for the all of the children and blamed her positive tox screen on Father indicating that him and his friends were “smoking like crazy.”

7. SCENARIO A • RELEVANT CASE HISTORY AND BASIS FOR ADJUDICATION: • The agency was able to put in home services in the home with little to no compliance. The parents continued not to address the medical issues, drug and alcohol or mental health. The agency removed the children in March 2008. When the agency arrived to remove the children the mother reported that the twins had gone to stay with maternal grandmother in New York. The police found the children covered in clothes in a crib. The home was dark and the windows were covered with garbage bags. The children were in their pajamas. There were no shoes for any child but Xzaria. Shakoya diaper was held on with packing tape that had to be cut off. The in home provider reported that they never saw the two older girls and that they were always upstairs.

8. CASE SCENARIO A • RELEVANT CASE HISTORY AND BASIS FOR ADJUDICATION: • The children were taken to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The doctors indicated that this was the worse case of neglect that they had ever seen. Jeniva did know how to walk or be held and Shakoya eyes constantly watered. On Xzaria the doctors reported new an old scars of linear marks and loop marks on the upper body, neck, arms and back. There were to many to count. She had no intelligible speech and was wearing diapers at six years old and had a large area of hyper pigmentation consistent with chronic diaper rash. The injuries were caused by an adult. The doctor evaluated Jeniva and she had a similar pattern of scars. She was unable to speak and only grunted and could not follow simple instructions. She only walked on her toes which is consistent with cerebral palsy. She was not potty trained. She had a bald spot on her head which was consistent with lying on her back for substantial periods of time.

9. CASE SCENARIO A • RELEVANT CASE HISTORY AND BASIS FOR ADJUDICATION: • Shakoya had cradle cap and displayed delays. Jermaine and Jerimiah both displayed mild developmental delays. The doctors indicated that the delays were environmental in nature and not genetic. The parents were evaluated by a psychologist and it was determined that they were unable to parent. The parents were arrested and pled guilty to five counts of endangering the welfare of children. Jordan was born during mother’s incarceration. It was reported that during her pregnancy she tried to take other inmates medication and would throw herself against the wall in attempt to hurt the unborn child. Jordan was removed at birth. Jeniva and Jerimiah were placed together and the younger four were placed together.

10. CASE SCENARIO A • Navigating The Advocacy Road Map: • Where to start Investigation • Legal Considerations/Permanency • Medical • Education • Visitation with siblings with parents • Psychological

11. CASE SCENARIO B • Client Name:Arlinda • DOB/Age: 1.2.94; 16 • Adjudicated Dependent/Basis and Role: Client was adjudicated dependent in March of 2009. Client was not going to school and was chronically truant. Family had a lengthy history with the child protective services agency. The parents both struggled with addiction and mental health. Parents had periods of domestic violence but would reconcile for periods of time. At the time of adjudication the parents were living together. Arlindawas showing signs of mental health and drug and alcohol issues. Arlinda was also pregnant and had one child. • Current Placement: Arlindawas placed in a shelter for teen mothers but while in shelter assaulted a staff and was placed for five days at Western Psych and then went to Shuman Detention Center. Her children were placed with relatives.

12. CASE SCENARIO B • Court History: The parents attend the hearings with regularity and try to visit. They are currently not receiving treatment but have in the past. The goal is still reunification and the case is reviewed every three months. Arlinda child has a pending petition hearing and she is afraid the agency will take the child she is currently pregnant with.

13. CASE SCENARIO B • Relevant Case History: Arlindais the oldest of five children all of whom have been part of the child welfare system. Arlindafour younger siblings are all adopted two by a relative and two not with a relative. Arlindaparent’s have unaddressed mental health, drug and alcohol and domestic violence issues. While they have engaged in treatment it is sporadic and have yet to resolve their issues. Arlindahad been previously adjudicated dependent on two other occasions. Arlindahas some visits with her family but her parents are inconsistent. Arlindahas been missing school and recently was removed after her probation officer made the agency aware of her most recent truancy and positive drug screen for marijuana. Arlindashould be in the 12thgrade but failed last year and is repeating the 11thgrade. Sheis struggling behaviorally but academically is very bright when she applies herself. She currently receives no special education services. Upon removal she was place in a shelter for teen mothers and assaulted a staff and destroyed furniture after being asked to put the Wiigame away before dinner.

14. CASE SCENARIO B • Relevant Case History Continued: • Arlindawas taken to the local psychiatric ER and was committed against her will for a period of three days. Upon her discharge the doctors recommended medicine and a residential treatment facility this was Arlindafirst hospitalization. Her probation officer had her transferred to Shuman Dentition Center and filed a violation of probation. Her child was placed with a relative. Arlinda informs her GAL that the relative is willing to have Arlinda placed with her.

15. CASE SCENARIO B • Navigating the Advocacy Road Map for Tom • Educational Considerations • Probation/Delinquency Consideration • Permanency/Stability • Independent Living • Connection to family/siblings • Recreational • Mental Health • Teen Pregnancy

16. CASE SCENARIO C • Client Name: Anaya • DOB: 3/19/2010 • Adjudicated Dependent / Basis for OCYF Involvement: • Anaya was born positive for cocaine and THC. Child’s mother was also found to be positive for both of those drugs at the time of birth. The hospital where mother gave birth involved the hospital social worker, along with contacting OCYF. Child remained hospitalized due to low birth weight and the positive screen. Child weighed 4 pounds 12 ounces and was three weeks premature. Child remained in the NICU for nearly a month. Hospital staff reported that the child suffered from withdrawn symptoms, including shakes and colic. • OCYF filed a petition alleging that baby Anaya was without proper parental care and control, essentially that the mother was unable to safely parent the baby due to the positive drug screens and a history of drug use by the mother.

17. CASE SCENARIO C • Mother admitted to both the hospital staff and the OCYF caseworker that she was active in her addition during her pregnancy and continues to use both cocaine and THC. KidsVoice is GAL. • Child’s Placement and Post Discharge Needs: • The baby’s post discharge needs were outlined by the hospital staff. Anaya needs regular feedings with special formula to promote weight gain. Anaya continued to struggle to put on weight in the hospital given the withdrawal symptoms. Anaya requires a experienced parent who can handle a colic baby with the severe withdrawal symptoms. The baby’s withdrawal has been difficult and an oscillating crib is necessary to calm the child from the withdrawal symptoms. Anaya remains in a non relative foster home where she continues to be followed for potential developmental delays.

18. CASE SCENARIO C • Court History: • Mother only visited the child in the hospital twice during her 30 day hospital stay and rarely after discharge. Mother was recommended to go into inpatient rehabilitation, but failed to do so. Mother also failed to provide the names of any relatives that would be appropriate. Mother has rarely visited child, has not taken an interest in learning about the child’s condition. Child’s case is reviewed every three months; the plan is to keep the child in her current placement. The current placement is a long term placement option and the family is interested in adopting Anaya.

19. CASE SCENARIO C • Navigating the Advocacy Roadmap: • Post Discharge needs of child • Specialized care from foster parent and Permanency Considerations • Specialized crib • Developmental delays and appropriate referrals to monitor or ‘track’ the Anaya

20. ADVOCACY FOCUS GROUPS • Process to identify the needs • Survey the staff • Recognized Staff Expertise • Developed Groups: • Legislation • SSI • IL/Post Secondary • Criminal/Expungements • Medical Appeals • Mental Health and Mental Retardation • Education

21. ADVOCACY GROUPS • General Outline of what each group does • Focus on: • IL/Post Secondary • SSI • Benefits of Holistic Representation • Child • Staff • Morale

22. CONTACT • KidsVoice • 437 Grant Street • Suite 700 • Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 • 412-391-3100 • ilinfo@kidsvoice.org