Comments on: DCFS

By: keep passing the open windows » Blog Archive » Unintended consequences

keep passing the open windows » Blog Archive » Unintended consequences — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:49:10 +0000

[...] see, there is a mom, “Carrie,” that hates me. And trust me, she’s loony. A recent example, she told her daughter, Venus, that she “can’t invite any of those [...]

By: reno

reno — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:26:24 +0000

Any update on this yet?

By: diane vespa

diane vespa — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:22:55 +0000

I am sure that DCFS has experience with kids “lying” to protect their family so let’s hope they have some techniques up their sleeves to circumvent that tendency.

By: jenjw4

jenjw4 — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:47:41 +0000

Yes, I think it was the right thing, despite my doubts that it would help the situation.

DCFS did a home visit and are supposed to come to school one day to interview Venus (I’m thinking so she would be out of the influence of her mother) but haven’t yet.

Unfortunately, Venus has told Reagan she is going to lie, because she is afraid they will take her baby brother away if she tells the truth. (Gosh, that makes me so sad for her, that she feels like that that is on her head) and she has asked Reagan to lie, too. Reagan told her no. (But they wouldn’t interview Reagan anyway, but I’m still glad that she would do the right thing, if asked, even though her friend would be upset with her.)

By: diane vespa

diane vespa — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:34:43 +0000

and it would be a far worse situation if you did NOT call and then serious harm came to Venus at the hands of her Mother. Now, no matter what the outcome you can feel you did the best you could under the circumstances.

By: Ms. PH

Ms. PH — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:08:54 +0000

I have been a mandatory reporter in the past and still take that very seriously. I have made that call also and it kept me up for nights on end. (I have also called the elder abuse hotline, which was just as hard.) I think Rix is right - DCFS will usually handle the matter very well and investigate if needed.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:04:14 +0000

Rix and Billy,
Thanks so much, it helps to know that people with experience in these matters think I did the right thing.
Jennifer

By: Billy Dennis

Billy Dennis — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 02:04:19 +0000

I’m a certified sunstitute teacher. Or, at least I was till I let my certification lapse. I was one of those mandatory reporters. I would have called this one in even if I had NOT been a mandatory reporter. You made the right call.

By: Rixblix

Rixblix — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 04:49:56 +0000

Ohhh….I feel for you. I’m one of those “mandatory reporters” because of my profession. I’m in the position of being prosecuted if I suspect an issue and don’t report it. As such, I’ve had to make that same call 3 times. It sucks. All you can do is report exactly what you know. I know that feeling of wishing you could undial the phone. You did absolutely the right thing. DCFS is often villified and accused for over or under reacting, but in the vast majority of cases, that agency can provide help to the family.

You did the right thing.

Someday I’ll tell you about my experiences in having to make that call. You’re doing the right thing.