Drug Test Welfare Recipients?

The Evansville Courrier Press has a good story about a Kentucky lawmaker who wants to start drug testing people who rely on various welfare programs.  The argument for this seems to be that many people in the private sector have to undergo drug tests for their money, so why shouldn’t welfare recipients.  The argument against it is what do you do with the children of parents who test positive?  In addition, there is this bit of history:

Michigan briefly required drug tests for welfare recipients in 1999, but was ordered by a federal judge to stop just weeks into the program when the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit. After a federal appeals court in Cincinnati ruled the law unconstitutional in 2003, Michigan officials reached an out-of-court settlement with the ACLU, agreeing to stop the drug-testing program.

So, this legislation probably won’t go anywhere in Kentucky, but if it does, it may come our way soon.

We’re from the Government and We’re Here to Help

Here is another in a long list of articles about the opening of the prosecutor’s moble office at Phoenix apartments in Indianapolis.  While the Blogmeister has supported the prosecutor’s office in their efforts to DO SOMETHING at the troubled site, it is unfortunate the Indianapolis Star continues to rerun the same news with different quotes, especially when we still don’t know who made the decision to return 3 year old TaJanay Bailey to her mother, who allegedly killed her at the site.

Regardless, here is a part of the story, which made the Blogmeister chuckle:

“I can’t force them to take advantage of these services, but I can sure encourage them,” Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said, standing in front of the portable office.

Soon after, Erica Andrews answered her door to find Brizzi and Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard standing in the stairwell. They gave her the first edition of a planned weekly newsletter, “Phoenix Rising,” that lists services offered in the trailer each weekday during business hours.

Andrews, 24, said later that she probably won’t have a reason to visit. But she appreciated the efforts from the prosecutor’s office, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and other organizations.

Inside SB 0091: Sibling Visitation

The Associated Press, via the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette carried this story yesterday about SB 0091.

From the Story:

The bill would allow children in foster care to request visits if it is in their best interests. It also would allow a special advocate to be appointed to represent the child. If the Department of Child Services denies a visit request, the child or advocate could petition a juvenile court to intervene.

…

The Indiana Department of Child Services encourages sibling visits when possible and is always looking for foster homes and adoptive parents willing to take in several children from the same family, spokeswoman Susan Tielking said.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Mike Delph (R-Carmel). 

Here is the official summary of the bill:

Foster care sibling visitation. Requires the department of child services (DCS) to promote sibling visitation for every child who receives foster care. Allows a sibling to request sibling visitation if one of the siblings is receiving foster care. Requires DCS to allow sibling visitation if it is in the best interests of the child receiving foster care. Provides that if DCS denies a request for sibling visitation, an individual may petition a juvenile court for sibling visitation. Requires a court to grant sibling visitation if the court determines sibling visitation is in the best interests of the child who receives foster care. Permits a court to appoint a guardian ad litem or a court appointed special advocate if a child requesting sibling visitation is receiving foster care. Provides that a guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate appointed in a sibling visitation case is immune from civil liability, except for gross misconduct. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the interim study committee on missing children.)

CASA Rocks!

Yesterday’s South Bend Tribune carried this story about CASAs/GALs.  For those unaware, CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates and GAL means Guardian Ad Litem.  These are legal terms for volunteers (generally) appointed to represent the interests of children in abuse, neglect, and domestic relations cases.  Most recently a GAL was in the news when she attempted to have TaJanay Bailey removed from her mother’s home against the wishes of the Department of Child Services.  TaJanay was allegedly killed by her mother the day of the hearing.

The Blogmeister has had the pleasure of serving on the board of Northeastern Indiana CASA for the last few years.  It’s a good not for profit organization totally devoted to the needs and representation of children in the court system.  Aside from a few paid staff to run the organization, it is completely staffed by volunteers and funded by private and United Way donations, as well as some funding from county courts.  As such, they are always looking for volunteers and other forms of support.

Check out the story, and if so moved, contact your local CASA/GAL office and inquire how you can help!

Charity Bailey’s Records Released: Police @ Phoenix

Last week Charity Bailey’s records were released from the Marion County Juvenile court.  According to the Indianapolis Star:

The 20-year-old Indianapolis woman now sits in a jail cell, accused along with her live-in boyfriend of killing her 3-year-old daughter, TaJanay, in November.

Bailey’s alleged role in TaJanay’s death is the latest twist in a troubled life detailed in an unusual release of juvenile delinquency records Friday.

Those records reveal a childhood fraught with drugs, sexual abuse and family discord — and a long list of interventions that failed to turn around her life.

The article is really long and almost…almost…makes one feel sorry for her.  It’s a good example of what we in the therapy world call transgenerational issues.  Simply put, the term means issues that travel from on generation to the next.  It’s not an excuse for behavior, because every adult can change their circumstances, but an explanation for how these things happen.

On a related note, the Indy Star has another story about the police and prosecutor opening offices in the Phoenix apartment complex where Tajanay died.

Bills and Resolutions Updated

Here are the current bills and resolutions filed in the statehouse this week.  The master list has been updated and is here.

House:

HB 1060 — Great Lakes compact.

HB 1061 — Application of landlord-tenant statutes.

HB 1062 — Architectural salvage material dealers.

HB 1064 — Partition fences.

HB 1065 — PERF beneficiary change after divorce.

HB 1066 — Recovery for indirect injury in restraint of trade.

HB 1067 — United States flag protocol for Indiana soldiers.

HB 1068 — Drivers of vehicles carrying school children.

HB 1069 — Local ordinances to reduce speed limits.

HB 1070 — Legislators’ defined contribution plan.

HB 1071 — Funding for voting machine replacement.

HB 1072 — Unlimited lifetime handgun permit endorsements.

HB 1073 — Sales tax exemption for college textbooks.

HB 1074 — Disarming a law enforcement officer.

HB 1075 — Abandoned embryo adoption.

HB 1077 — Funding for local Memorial Day celebrations.

HB 1078 — Redistricting commission.

HB 1079 — Subjects of educational discussion and bargaining.

HB 1080 — Homeowners associations.

HB 1081 — Resisting law enforcement.

HB 1083 — Hoosier Inland Port study.

HB 1084 — Taxation of civil service annuities.

HB 1085 — Whistle stop signs.

HB 1086 — Penalties for failure to pay state taxes.

HB 1088 — Student mobility rates.

HB 1089 — Fire sprinkler contractors and installers.

HB 1090 — Climate registry.

HB 1091 — Growth and development study committee.

HB 1092 — School starting and ending dates.

HB 1093 — Charity gaming.

HB 1094 — Sales tax exemption for vending machine sales.

HB 1096 — Various provisions concerning courts.

HB 1098 — Net metering and interconnection rules.

HB 1099 — Shortfall loans from the common school fund.

HB 1100 — Halloween enticement.

HB 1101 — Utility receipts tax.

HB 1104 — Fire protection district excess property tax levy.

HB 1105 — Transfer of property to fire departments.

HB 1107 — Cultural competency.

HB 1108 — Sheriff’s compensation.

HB 1112 — Learner’s permits and driver’s licenses.

HB 1113 — Birth certificate fraud.

HB 1114 — Town police officer residency.

HB 1115 — Wabash River heritage corridor commission.

HB 1116 — State agency fines and penalties.

HB 1117 — Coal gasification and substitute natural gas.

HB 1118 — Alcoholic beverages.

Senate:

SB 0117 — Parole issues.

SB 0118 — DOC superintendent qualifications.

SB 0119 — Cell phone use while driving.

SB 0120 — Employer immunity for hiring offenders.

SB 0121 — Donations by local units to community foundations.

SB 0122 — Coverage for stereotactic radiotherapy.

SB 0123 — Grading and certification of meat products.

SB 0124 — Child seduction.

SB 0125 — Reentry courts and community transition.

SB 0126 — License plate cycle for certain plates.

SB 0127 — Local port authority eminent domain procedures.

SB 0128 — Equivalent jobs and wage discrimination.

SB 0129 — Notice of meetings.

SB 0130 — Conversion by failure to return rented property.

SB 0131 — Jurisdiction of university and college police.

SB 0132 — Definition of “serious bodily injury”.

SB 0133 — PERF COLA and thirteenth check.

SB 0134 — Consolidation of certain environmental and natural resources proceedings.

SB 0135 — Relocation of a riverboat.

SB 0136 — Challenges to a candidate’s eligibility.

SB 0137 — Public safety employees.

SB 0138 — Income tax withholding.

SB 0139 — Violation of probation.

SB 0140 — Tort claims against governmental entities.

SB 0141 — Sales tax exemption for college textbooks.

SB 0142 — Teacher professional development days.

SB 0144 — Residency of police officers and firefighters.

SB 0145 — Voter identification.

SB 0146 — Information preceding an abortion.

SB 0147 — Abandoned embryo adoption.

SB 0148 — Repeal of expiration dates for state offices.

SB 0149 — Coroner and deputy coroner training.

SB 0150 — Physical therapists.

SB 0151 — Checkoff for cancer research.

SB 0152 — Automated external defibrillators in health clubs.

SB 0153 — Extension of dentist instructor license.

SB 0154 — Regulated occupation definition.

SB 0155 — Study on domestic violence program.

SB 0156 — Communicable disease rules.

SB 0157 — Opioid treatment programs.

Medicaid: Indiana Paying Docs More

From the ‘About D*mn Time’ file comes reports from the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, News Sentinel, and WTHR concerning Medicaid payments.  The state is increasing some Medicaid payments to physicians, who haven’t seen a raise from the program in 14 years.  The state will also pay higher bonuses for patients seen over the last 18 months.The raises are approximately 25%, or about $32 million, while the bonuses are around $39 million dollars.  The bonuses are based on the size of a doctor’s Medicaid clientele and the number of procedures performed, including baby deliveries.  Medicaid pays for about half of the newborn deliveries in Indiana

The state is hoping more physicians will see Medicaid patients, whose care, because of the lack of an increase, often costs physicians money. 

Approximately 1 in 7 Hoosiers are enrolled in the program.  Medicaid is jointly funded by state and federal dollars, with both entities sharing in the increased costs.

Rep. Battles Takes on “Child Seduction” and Student Aid

State Rep. Kreg Battles (D-Vincennes) announced yesterday he has filed two bills for the 2008 session of the General Assembly.  The first is HB 1032 which…

…aims to expand the scope and range of child seduction laws in Indiana. Child seduction refers to a criminal situation in which an adult in a position of authority, such as a teacher or guidance counselor, engages in sexual misconduct with a minor aged 16-18.

“Child seduction laws were designed to protect minors who technically reached the age of consent at age 16 from entering into an abusive situation with an adult authority figure,” Battles said. “Children under 16 are already protected under the state’s child molestation laws.”

HB 1032 expands the definition of “authority figure” to include anyone that works or volunteers for a cooperative organization that is involved with a public or private school corporation. Under current law, only a person who is employed by a school can be convicted of child seduction, which is a Class D felony.

“All individuals who hold a position of authority should be held to the same legal standards,” Battles said. “This bill will even the score.”

Hmmm, not really.  One would have to work or volunteer for an organization involved with a school.  The Blogmeister would be in favor of broadening this to anyone in a position of authority.  That would cover just about anyone who was working with a child in a professional capacity.   Still, this is better than whats on the books now.

The second is HB 1033 which “eliminates time restrictions on state-sponsored student aid.”

Currently, the state offers eligible students grant money for the cost of four years of higher education. The financial aid can be used over a 10-year time frame. HB 1033 would repeal this provision, allowing students to utilize state grants past the 10-year limit.

“Many students who have the best intentions of earning their degree in a timely fashion can be thrown off course by life’s many obstacles,” said Battles. “Family obligations, financial stress and personal issues can all impede a student’s degree progress.”

He continued, “There is no reason why the state should shun a student who wants to pick up where they left off, even if there is more than a 10 year time lapse. This will be especially beneficial for low-income students who often have to leave school to support themselves and their families.”

The Blogmeister was unaware of this existing provision, but supports the Representative’s bill for exactly the same reasons.  In the Blogmeister’s opinion, if someone qualifies for the aid, give it to them.  It’s a good investment as the state, and society as a whole, benefit from the increased income the person will earn over their lifetime (with a degree), which translates into higher tax payments (income, property, etc.) for the state.

Indy DCS Communication Plan to Start

 In a follow-up to my post Sunday, the Indianapolis Star and WTHR (a Indy TV news station) are reporting key players from law enforcement and Department of Child Services have agreed to share information at the behest of Marion County Juvenile Court Judge Marilyn Moores.  DCS will begin gathering information on approximately 650 cases where children were recently reunited with their families.  The name of the DCS caseworker and instructions to notify them will be displayed when an officer is dispatched to the relevant address.

This communication plan is in reaction to the death of Tajanay Bailey who was reunited with her mother, Charity Bailey, and her boyfriend, Lawrence Green.  Approximately three weeks after the reunification she was allegedly killed by them.  Reportedly, Indianapolis police were called to the apartment two weeks prior to her death for a domestic dispute, but did not know Tajanay was involved with DCS.  No one is saying police contact with DCS would have made any difference in the case.

As I pointed out in the prior post, confidentiality questions remain regarding this new procedure.  In addition, it appears to the Blogmeister the real issues surrounding who is responsible for the tragedy continue to be overshadowed by these side issues.   All that aside, this is probably a good idea, if the confidentiality issue can be worked out, so maybe, just maybe, DCS supervisors will listen to caseworkers, therapists, and others involved in the case and not place children in dangerous situations.

Full text versions of the stories may be found here and here.

Kids Health, Bone Health Down

From the South Bend Tribune comes this story related to children’s health.  Apparently bone density is decreasing.

“Way back … as in rickets, the soft-bone disease of the 19th century — a condition that was supposedly eradicated with milk fortification.

Once you get past the initial shock, the reasons behind such disturbing news are all too clear: In this era of unhealthy fast-food diets, shortened or eliminated gym classes and summer days spent watching TV instead of playing outdoors, children simply are not drinking enough milk nor getting enough exercise or sunshine. Those three realities add up to children who aren’t building as much strong bone as they need. African-American children are especially at risk, given that skin pigment alters sun absorption.

The consequences are far-reaching, with bone specialists warning of the possibility of an increased risk of osteoporosis later in life.

On the heels of this discouraging news comes another study that may offer a bit of hope. Contrary to popular opinion, a University of Minnesota study has found that school lunch sales don’t suffer when healthier meals are on the menu.

The bottom line: Kids will eat healthy foods.”