cathyw1970
New Member
Hi!! My name is Cathy and me and my husband have 4 children. Christian 16, Justin(difficult child) 15, Ollie 10, Cerena 8. I use to post here around 6yrs ago when Justin was 9. It was thru some wonderful people here I got my son rightfully diagnosis'ed and once on the medications he was really good until he was 12. He is bipolar,adhd and odd. From what his psychiatric says he has a severe case of bipolar and adhd. Do to the severity of bipolar the adhd has to remain untreated. He has already been in 2 residential facilities. One was a wilderness program which was not a good program for him at all and another was a level 4 facility. I had to pull him out of the level 4 facility in July due to abuse from a staff member even tho I knew he wasn't ready. He has a case manager and has intensive home therapy which is not working at all. So I asked his case manager to start searching for another level 4 facility in the North Carolina area. However, because he receives SSI and Medicaid, Medicaid is turning down a level 4 placement. Not sure how it is in any other states, but in NC Piedmont Behavorial took charge of the Medicaid. They closed most of the level 4 facilities in NC and the few that remain open it's hard to get approval. They claim that intensive home therapy is better than placement.(hahaha) Justin needs a medication overhaul which can not be done at home. It is too dangerous. The last time we did it at home he set fire to our bathroom. So I went to take him to a local hospital here (only one in our area that has a mental unit for children). They turned us away because Medicaid refused to pay for treatment. In the meantime, Justin is spiralling big time. He's back to talking to himself. Seeing things that aren't there, very defiant and physically aggressive. Not to mention running away for a day or so. He's been suspended for 18 days due to fights and being aggressive with the teachers. I'm really at a loss on what to do. My husband receives disability due to a back problem and I'm the only one who works and supports a family of 6. I honestly can't afford to pay for it myself. Can someone guide me in the direction on where to go next? I've been told that until he hurts himself or someone in the home that Medicaid will continue to reject placement. Do they not understand how dangerous a bipolar child can be not getting the help they need? I'm trying to prevent him on hurting himself or someone so please if anyone has any knowledge please point me in the right direction. Thanks so much,
Cathy
Cathy