AC Opening Summary
Case Open Reason:
Natalie Jones (age 9), and Anna Burke (age 5) were removed from their mother’s home, Mary Jones, on January 15, 2014. The Children’s Division received an assessment on January 14, 2014, alleging the children were residing in unsanitary living conditions, being locked into a room with human feces smeared through the children’s bedroom. Mary refused access to the children to Children’s Division and Law Enforcement. Mary was not cooperative with the investigation and Children’s Division only gained access into the home through the Housing Authority. The home was found to be in disarray, severely cluttered with human feces smeared in the bedrooms, dog feces, urine throughout the home, dirty dishes with rotten food left in them, masses of flies and roaches, and foul smells. The children were taken into protective custody. Placement of the children was discussed and Natalie was placed with her father, the non-offending parent. Custody of Natalie was released at the 72 hour Protective Custody Hearing. Anna was placed in a foster home.
MSW Consultation Completed (Who/When):
MSW consultation occurred with Jill Cane, Children’s Service Supervisor prior to removal. She agreed who agreed that safety could not be assured and that a recommendation for protective custody was necessary.
Initial Diligent Search
Mary Jones was asked for placement options for Anna at removal. Mary provided the Children’s Division with the names of her mother, step-mother, aunt, and Natalie’s father as possible placements. Due to past hotlines Joanne Wilson, Mary’s mother, was not appropriate. Mary’s step-mother, Carol Smith was also explored. The team did not approve her for placement as her home would not meet licensing standards because she lives in a one bedroom apartment. Jenny Wilson, Mary’s aunt, was contacted for placement of Anna. She stated she was having health issues and would not be able to take placement at this time. We also explored Natalie’s father as placement for April as he is not her biological father. Jim stated he was not able to take Anna. Anna’s father and paternal grandparents’ whereabouts are currently unknown.
Cultural Diversity of the Family
Mary is a single parent who lives with her partner in the city housing development. Mary is unemployed at this time and has a history of only having employment for short periods of time. Mary is heavily reliant on family members and friends for her basic necessities. Mary does receive services through the Family Support Division. Family’s home is suitable, but along with the disarray, it was found that Mary was behind on rent. She has until the end of the month to vacate the home.
Mary was in foster care as a child. She was brought into care due to mental instability of her mother. Her father was deceased. Mary was found in a home to be unsanitary for a child of her age. Mary was in foster care until she was age 10. She was then placed in a guardianship placement with her Aunt, Jenny Wilson, who is still a support for Mary and her children.
Natalie’s father has been active in Natalie’s life. She spent every other weekend with him prior to removal. She is currently placed with her father as he was found to be an appropriate placement.
Anna’s father, Riley Burke, has not been active in Anna’s life. He is a known felon and drug user. He also has a history with the Children’s Division as a child. There were numerous reports listing him as a victim with allegations of physical abuse and drug use in the home.
Know Your Rights Brochure:
Mary was given the Know Your Rights Brochure at the 24 hour meeting. Each point was explained to her and she stated that she understood and had no questions pertaining to the paperwork. Jim Johnson, Natalie’s father, was also given the Know Your Rights Brochure at the 24 hour meeting. He stated he understood the paperwork. Upon location, Mr. Burke will be give paperwork.
Indian Child Welfare Act (CD-116 and CD-123)
The Division inquired with Mary about any Indian Heritage. She reported no ancestry and completed the CD-123 (see form in file).
Identify the Needs of the Family:
The needs in the home at the time of removal were unsanitary living conditions. Mary’s mental health needs also need to be evaluated as she reported she has bipolar disorder and is not on any medication at this time. Since Mary reported that she will be evicted from her home, a new residence will need to be found before it is appropriate for the children to return to her care. The children are in need of a medical exam and a developmental screening. Referrals for Section 8 housing will need to be completed and a mental health referral to the Guidance Center will need to be made.
Least Restrictive Placement Section
Natalie was placed with her biological father as he was a non-offending parent and found to be appropriate for placement. Maternal grandparents were sought for initial placement of Anna but were found to be inappropriate. The whereabouts of the paternal grandparents are currently unknown. Anna is placed in a foster home while other relative placements are being explored. I made a home visit with Anna, assured safety, and assisted her in transitioning to her new living situation.
AC Monthly Summary
Safety Concerns:
Due to the conditions of the home and the age of the children, the Division did not feel the children could safely reside in the home. For the children to safely return to Mary’s home, she needs to obtain stable housing and show it is a sanitary environment for her children to reside in.
Parent Protective Capacities:
Mary has a history of mental illness and not taking medication. She reports she has bipolar disorder, but states she does not want to take medication as it “messed up” her mother and that is why she was in foster care herself. Mary has shown she is not able to function adequately while not on medication. Mary does have family support. They have supported her and the children financially. Mary does love her children and states she will work hard to get them back to her home.
Riley Burke’s whereabouts are unknown at this time. He has been in prison for drug possession and distribution.
Permanency Plan/Concurrent Plan:
The case goal for Anna is reunification with her mother, Mary. The concurrent plan is guardianship with Mary’s aunt, Jenny Wilson.
Parent’s Progress Toward WSA:
After initial assessment of the family, Mary signed a written service agreement on February 2, 2014. Mary agreed to a mental health assessment and the appointment is scheduled for February 15, 2014. She has filled out Section 8 referrals and is waiting to hear back where she is on the waiting list. She is currently living with her aunt, Jenny Wilson while waiting on housing. She is no longer with her partner and says she is focused on her own health and getting her children to return to her care.
Visitation Plan:
Mary has visitation with Anna three times a week at House for Hope. The visits are supervised by a House of Hope employee. The visits are appropriate and going well. Mary brings a game to each visit. Anna and Mary play the game during the visit and talk about their day.
Parent/Child Visits:
Visits were held at House of Hope on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week during the month of February. Stacy Horn from House of Hope reported that these visits went well and Mary was active in taking care of the Anna’s needs. Anna appeared happy to see her mother upon arrival and upset upon departure. No concerns noted with the visits at this time.
Sibling Visits:
Anna has weekly visits with Natalie once a week at the home of Jim Jones.
Worker Visit with Parent:
Visits were held in Mary’s home on February 7, 10, and 27, 2014. During the home visits this month the family assessment process (NCFAS G+R) was initiated. Mary and I completed the Genogram CD14G, and Culturagram CD14F
Attempts to contact Riley Burke were made to his last known address on February 4 and 24, 2014. He is reportedly “in and out”, but the tenants did not know when he would return. Attempts will be made again next month.
Type of Placement of Why:
Anna is placed in a traditional foster home. Relative placement is being sought through a home study with Jenny Wilson. Mary currently lives with Ms. Jones, so placement of Anna will not be approved until Jenny acquires housing outside of Ms. Jones’ home.
Sibling Separation:
N/A
Child’s Health/Medical/Dental/HCY:
Health: The initial health exam was completed at Mercy Clinic on January 16, 2014, within 24 hours of placement. No concerns were noted at that time. A comprehensive medical exam was conducted on February 26, 2014.
Medical/HCY: Prior medical reports were requested from Mercy Hospital. See file for medical records. The HCY exam forms were also included in medical records obtained from Mercy. Their primary care physician is Dr. S. Cooper.
Dental: A dental appointment has been scheduled for Anna on March 15, 2014 at the Small Smiles Dental Clinic.
Child’s Education:
Anna attends kindergarten at Benton Elementary. She is slightly behind but is making improvements. She does not have an IEP at this time, but her teacher said they would like to explore that possibility in a couple of months, depending on her progress.
FST/PPRT Meetings:
There have been three meetings in the month of February; Mary has been in attendance at all three meetings. Relatives and other placement options were discussed at each meeting. Updates about Anna’s health and well-being were provided to the team during the meetings A Written Service Agreement was developed with Mary and updates provided about her progress during the meetings.
.24 hour meeting: February 2, 2014
72 hour: February 4, 2014
30 day meeting: February 28, 2014.
Court Outcome:
The protective custody hearing was held on January 18, 2014. The court ordered the children to remain in the Children’s Division’s custody for appropriate placement. The adjudication hearing scheduled for March 5, 2014.
On-going Diligent/Parent/Extended Family Search Efforts:
On February 26, 2014, CD learned Mr. Burke, Anna’s father, had been arrested for possession of cocaine and was at the County Jail. Maternal and paternal grandparents have been located, but have not been approved for placement. The maternal grandmother, Joanne Wilson, has asked for visitation with the girls and this will be discussed at the next FST. The maternal aunt, Jenny Wilson, is being explored as a relative placement provider for Anna. Mary also mentioned a cousin, Sophia Rogers that could be an option for placement. Further information will be gathered on Mrs. Rogers. After speaking with Mr. Burke’s mother, Penny Lane, she stated they have family in New York that would be appropriate for placement if necessary. Further information will be requested from them if needed.
Absent Parent Role:
Mr. Burke is currently at the County Jail. His mother, Penny Lane, noted he is aware Anna is in custody and he wants her “out of foster care”. Mr. Burke has not contacted the Division nor sought information about his daughter from the court. I will schedule a meeting with him at the jail.
Incarcerated Parent Contact:
Mr. Burke was sent the Notice to Incarcerated Parent, CS-2 on February 28, 2014 at the county jail. I noted I will follow up with him in person on March 2, 2014 at the county jail.
Cultural Diversity:
Mary is a single parent who had lived with her partner in the city housing development. Mary is unemployed at this time and has a history of only having employment for short periods of time. Mary is heavily reliant on family members and friends for her basic necessities. Mary does receive services through the Family Support Division. Mary is now living with her aunt, Jenny Wilson, and still relies heavily on Ms. Wilson for money and food. Mary is currently on the Section 8 waiting list.
Mary was in foster care as a child. She was brought into care due to mental instability of her mother. Her father was deceased. Mary was found in a home to be unsanitary for a child of her age. Mary was in foster care until she was age 10. She was then placed in a guardianship placement with her Aunt, Jenny Wilson, who is still a support for Mary and her children.
During the assessment process, it was found that Mary’s biological father left the family when Mary was three years old. Since that time, he has been in and out of her mother’s life. They would always get into fights and he would leave soon after. Mary remembers always being very sad when he left and wished for a father figure. She also noted remembering her father hitting her mother when they fought.
Anna’s father, Riley Burke, has not been active in the children’s life and is a known felon and drug user. He also has a history with the Children’s Division as a child. There were numerous reports listing him as a victim with allegations of physical abuse and drug use in the home.
Additional Information:
No additional information to report for this month.
Supervisor Consultation:
I met with Jill Cane, Children’s Service Supervisor, on February 2, 16, and 28. Updates on the case were given at each consult. Mary had an appointment for a mental assessment on February 15. Jill asked that I get a release of information signed by Mary and obtain a copy of the assessment before the adjudication hearing.