BY CARRIE MELAGO Monday, April 21st 2008, 4:00 AM
Dennis Rivera, 5, is still waiting to get back in the classroom.
He was handcuffed, hauled out of his kindergarten - and then left sitting home for months without any way to get an education.
Three months after a school safety agent ignited an uproar by shackling a 5-year-old Queens boy for throwing a tantrum in kindergarten, Dennis Rivera is still waiting for a seat at a new school.
"His education has basically been put on the back burner because what he needs, he's not receiving," said Dennis' mom, Jasmine Vasquez. "My son is falling behind."
After Dennis, now 6, was handcuffed and sent to a psych ward for misbehaving at Public School 81 in Ridgewood, his mother withdrew him from the school and had him evaluated for special education services. Then she waited. The family is still waiting for the city Education Department to get Dennis help.
When called by the Daily News, the Education Department said it had found an appropriate school for Dennis, but insisted it would take a few more days before it mailed the information to his parents. The officials said they must first notify Dennis' new school.
A spokeswoman said that under state law, the Education Department has 60 school days to find an appropriate special education placement after a case is opened. For Dennis, that period would end May 7.
That's not soon enough for Vasquez, who is concerned her son is missing out on much-needed physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Just days after the Jan. 17 handcuffing - which occurred after Dennis knocked items off a principal's desk - officials began creating an "individualized education program" for him to address his special needs.
His mom was excited after a Feb. 6 meeting with educators, who said they'd place her son in a smaller setting that could help him deal with his problems.
"Nothing has happened. It's been going on three months, and I haven't gotten anything in the mail. I haven't even gotten courtesy calls," she said.
A schools spokeswoman said the state provides the 60-day window because making a good match can be complicated.
"If a student needs a variety of services, we have to make sure the school can provide them," said Maibe Gonzalez-Fuentes. "A number of arrangements have to be made. It takes time."
Dennis has been attending a Head Start program at the Grand Street Settlement program in Brooklyn while waiting for a classroom seat.
"Unfortunately, we see far too many children who suffer from delays in placement. It's particularly sad in a case like this where the child has been through so much trauma," said Kim Sweet, executive director of Advocates for Children.
Showing posts with label Hancuffed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hancuffed. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
SJ School Police Handcuff Autistic Boy
Gunnar Moody, 11, told NBC11 that it all started when he was singing a song while doing sit-ups in physical education class.
"She was like, 'Gunnar, you have to leave now.' I didn't do anything wrong. Why do I have to leave? Everyone else is being loud; why do I have to get in trouble?' Then she said it three more times and then she handcuffed me. And it was kind of humiliating because it was in front of all those kids and she was, like, picking me up and dragging me out," Gunnar said.
Gunnar's parents said what happened at Bret Harte Middle School is unacceptable.
"The bottom line he's in phys ed. And all the kids are making noise yelling, screaming and talking and he gets singled out for going 'la-la-la?'" Michael Moody, Gunnar's father, said.
His mother, Laura Moody, asked a campus police officer if Gunnar had threatened anyone.
"I specifically asked the officer, 'did he threaten you?' She said no. I said, 'did he threaten any other child?' And she said no. I think there should be a better line drawn on what kind of force to use. And especially with children with disabilites," Laura Moody said.
NBC11 obtained a copy of Gunnar's behavior support plan that outlines what to do if he misbehaves in school. Using physical force is not one of them.
The San Jose Unified School District issued the following statement: The officer's actions helped to maintain a safe atmosphere for the other 30 students in the class.
The use of restraints is extremely rare and would only be used when deemed absolutely necessary by the officer for the protection of the student and his other classmates.
Gunnar's parents plan to meet with school district leaders Friday to talk about what happened.
Gunnar is suspended for three days.
Asked if he want to go back to Bret Harte Middle School, Gunnar said, "No. Because the kids will like pick on me and stuff. Because that happened."
http://www.nbc11.com/news/15183731/detail.html
"She was like, 'Gunnar, you have to leave now.' I didn't do anything wrong. Why do I have to leave? Everyone else is being loud; why do I have to get in trouble?' Then she said it three more times and then she handcuffed me. And it was kind of humiliating because it was in front of all those kids and she was, like, picking me up and dragging me out," Gunnar said.
Gunnar's parents said what happened at Bret Harte Middle School is unacceptable.
"The bottom line he's in phys ed. And all the kids are making noise yelling, screaming and talking and he gets singled out for going 'la-la-la?'" Michael Moody, Gunnar's father, said.
His mother, Laura Moody, asked a campus police officer if Gunnar had threatened anyone.
"I specifically asked the officer, 'did he threaten you?' She said no. I said, 'did he threaten any other child?' And she said no. I think there should be a better line drawn on what kind of force to use. And especially with children with disabilites," Laura Moody said.
NBC11 obtained a copy of Gunnar's behavior support plan that outlines what to do if he misbehaves in school. Using physical force is not one of them.
The San Jose Unified School District issued the following statement: The officer's actions helped to maintain a safe atmosphere for the other 30 students in the class.
The use of restraints is extremely rare and would only be used when deemed absolutely necessary by the officer for the protection of the student and his other classmates.
Gunnar's parents plan to meet with school district leaders Friday to talk about what happened.
Gunnar is suspended for three days.
Asked if he want to go back to Bret Harte Middle School, Gunnar said, "No. Because the kids will like pick on me and stuff. Because that happened."
http://www.nbc11.com/news/15183731/detail.html
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Shackles Case Prompts Policy Change
Shackles case prompts policy change
Published: Thursday, November 15, 2007
By Nancy Remsen
Burlington Free Press Staff Writer
An investigation into the use of shackles, deputies and a police cruiser to move a 7-year-old boy with mental illness between two hospitals led this week to a change in transport policy at Rutland Regional Medical Center.
Jill Jesso-White, spokeswoman for the medical center said that from now on, Rutland psychiatric patients -- adults and children -- who are being involuntarily committed to another hospital will travel in an ambulance under the least restrictive circumstances possible.
A deputy sheriff might accompany emergency medical personnel and the patient, Jesso-White said. "We don't plan on it being in shackles."
The change in policy comes after Vermont Protection and Advocacy Inc. criticized the hospital for placing a child in a cruiser wearing metal handcuffs for the 75-mile trip to The Retreat in Brattleboro without medical personnel. The incident occurred a year ago.
The child's grandmother and guardian, who persuaded law enforcement to let her ride along, complained to Vermont Protection and Advocacy, an organization charged with investigating allegations of abuse and neglect of people with disabilities. The organization issued its report to the public Wednesday but had already provided it to officials at Rutland Regional Medical Center.
"We took the matter very seriously," Jesso-White said. "We took it as an opportunity to review our practices."
In its report, Vermont Protection and Advocacy detailed how the boy, who has a history of mental illness that includes bipolar disorder and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, ended up in the emergency department of Rutland Regional Medical Center on two consecutive days after being disruptive at school. The second time, a Rutland police officer brought him to the hospital after he ran out of the school building, found a pipe and swung it at staff chasing him.
His grandmother agreed reluctantly to send him to The Retreat in Brattleboro for evaluation, never realizing he would travel in shackles.
Vermont Protection and Advocacy questioned whether the child needed a secure form of transportation for the trip because hospital records showed he was quiet for several hours before the departure.
More significantly, said A.J Rubin, VP&A's supervising attorney, it was illegal for the child to be sent in shackles with police but without medical personnel.
Lawmakers and mental health advocates began raising concerns four years ago about the mode of transportation being used to move acutely ill psychiatric patients. In 2004 the Legislature passed a law that directed "all reasonable and appropriate efforts" be made to use the least restrictive means possible. In 2006, the Legislature strengthened the law, saying, "It is the policy of the state of Vermont that mechanical restraints are not routinely used."
Still, a significant number of psychiatric patients -- including children -- have continued to be moved between hospitals in restraints in police cruisers because the patients are deemed dangers to themselves or others. The Vermont Protection and Advocacy investigation cited state data showing that half the 60 children sent to The Retreat in Brattleboro between September 2005 and January 2006 traveled in cruisers.
Only Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington has made it a practice to use ambulances rather than cruisers to move psychiatric patients.
In June, the HowardCenter and Washington County Mental Health Services expanded the options for patients in northwestern and central Vermont when they announced they would buy vans. The two agencies have trained staff who accompany patients in the vans or in ambulances. The new vans are equipped with comfortable seats, a selection of music and videos to reduce patients' stress.
Rep. Anne Donahue, R-Northfield, helped write the legislation that put restrictions on patient transportation. She became aware of the case involving the 7-year-old boy only Wednesday.
"After the Legislature speaking so clearly, how could anyone with a 7-year-old even think of doing it?" she asked. The law was strengthened in 2006, she said, because of the outrage that a 10-year-old autistic boy had been transported in shackles.
Contact Nancy Remsen at 651-4888 or nremsenb@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com
Published: Thursday, November 15, 2007
By Nancy Remsen
Burlington Free Press Staff Writer
An investigation into the use of shackles, deputies and a police cruiser to move a 7-year-old boy with mental illness between two hospitals led this week to a change in transport policy at Rutland Regional Medical Center.
Jill Jesso-White, spokeswoman for the medical center said that from now on, Rutland psychiatric patients -- adults and children -- who are being involuntarily committed to another hospital will travel in an ambulance under the least restrictive circumstances possible.
A deputy sheriff might accompany emergency medical personnel and the patient, Jesso-White said. "We don't plan on it being in shackles."
The change in policy comes after Vermont Protection and Advocacy Inc. criticized the hospital for placing a child in a cruiser wearing metal handcuffs for the 75-mile trip to The Retreat in Brattleboro without medical personnel. The incident occurred a year ago.
The child's grandmother and guardian, who persuaded law enforcement to let her ride along, complained to Vermont Protection and Advocacy, an organization charged with investigating allegations of abuse and neglect of people with disabilities. The organization issued its report to the public Wednesday but had already provided it to officials at Rutland Regional Medical Center.
"We took the matter very seriously," Jesso-White said. "We took it as an opportunity to review our practices."
In its report, Vermont Protection and Advocacy detailed how the boy, who has a history of mental illness that includes bipolar disorder and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, ended up in the emergency department of Rutland Regional Medical Center on two consecutive days after being disruptive at school. The second time, a Rutland police officer brought him to the hospital after he ran out of the school building, found a pipe and swung it at staff chasing him.
His grandmother agreed reluctantly to send him to The Retreat in Brattleboro for evaluation, never realizing he would travel in shackles.
Vermont Protection and Advocacy questioned whether the child needed a secure form of transportation for the trip because hospital records showed he was quiet for several hours before the departure.
More significantly, said A.J Rubin, VP&A's supervising attorney, it was illegal for the child to be sent in shackles with police but without medical personnel.
Lawmakers and mental health advocates began raising concerns four years ago about the mode of transportation being used to move acutely ill psychiatric patients. In 2004 the Legislature passed a law that directed "all reasonable and appropriate efforts" be made to use the least restrictive means possible. In 2006, the Legislature strengthened the law, saying, "It is the policy of the state of Vermont that mechanical restraints are not routinely used."
Still, a significant number of psychiatric patients -- including children -- have continued to be moved between hospitals in restraints in police cruisers because the patients are deemed dangers to themselves or others. The Vermont Protection and Advocacy investigation cited state data showing that half the 60 children sent to The Retreat in Brattleboro between September 2005 and January 2006 traveled in cruisers.
Only Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington has made it a practice to use ambulances rather than cruisers to move psychiatric patients.
In June, the HowardCenter and Washington County Mental Health Services expanded the options for patients in northwestern and central Vermont when they announced they would buy vans. The two agencies have trained staff who accompany patients in the vans or in ambulances. The new vans are equipped with comfortable seats, a selection of music and videos to reduce patients' stress.
Rep. Anne Donahue, R-Northfield, helped write the legislation that put restrictions on patient transportation. She became aware of the case involving the 7-year-old boy only Wednesday.
"After the Legislature speaking so clearly, how could anyone with a 7-year-old even think of doing it?" she asked. The law was strengthened in 2006, she said, because of the outrage that a 10-year-old autistic boy had been transported in shackles.
Contact Nancy Remsen at 651-4888 or nremsenb@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com
Monday, April 2, 2007
Kindergartner Arrested, Put In Jail
Note: The school in this article is Avon Elementary in Avon Park, FL...
Apr 02 2007 8:09AM
A kindergartner was arrested and thrown into a Florida jail last week after she acted up at school.
Desre'e Watson, 6, was arrested on felony charges. Police said the child threw chairs and hit a teacher.
Her mother said she has never seen that kind of behavior and thinks something must have brought it on.
"Im afraid she might have trauma from this because right now she's like slacking up on eating and I've noticed like different things have changed," said Lateshia Wilson, Desrees mother.
The principal said they try to call parents first when a child is out of control, but if they cannot reach a parent, they call police.
Desre'es parents are considering a lawsuit.
The state attorney's office will decide whether to prosecute the child. She faces charges of disruption of a school function, battery on school employees and resisting a law enforcement officer without violence.
http://www.wftv.com/news/11455199/detail.html
http://www.onntv.com/live/contentbe/EPIC_shim.php?story=sites/10tv/content/pool/200704/448752473.html
Apr 02 2007 8:09AM
A kindergartner was arrested and thrown into a Florida jail last week after she acted up at school.
Desre'e Watson, 6, was arrested on felony charges. Police said the child threw chairs and hit a teacher.
Her mother said she has never seen that kind of behavior and thinks something must have brought it on.
"Im afraid she might have trauma from this because right now she's like slacking up on eating and I've noticed like different things have changed," said Lateshia Wilson, Desrees mother.
The principal said they try to call parents first when a child is out of control, but if they cannot reach a parent, they call police.
Desre'es parents are considering a lawsuit.
The state attorney's office will decide whether to prosecute the child. She faces charges of disruption of a school function, battery on school employees and resisting a law enforcement officer without violence.
http://www.wftv.com/news/11455199/detail.html
http://www.onntv.com/live/contentbe/EPIC_shim.php?story=sites/10tv/content/pool/200704/448752473.html
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