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The Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) Just Ain't Cuttin' It
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<blockquote data-quote="Star*" data-source="post: 73845" data-attributes="member: 4964"><p>Janna, </p><p></p><p>I'm sorry you and your son are going through what you are going through. Fran is right there is no program that suits OUR kids. </p><p></p><p>My son's first out of home stay was at 7. Since then there has been no placement for him that was helpful, suitable, sincere, medically sound, good staff, good food, or a positive change in difficult child's behavior. NONE of them.....and that is 4 psychiatric hospitals in 9 years and 14 Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) stays. He grew up basically in an institutional situation and we did it because we could not keep him at home under ANY circumstances. His behavior didn't improve with any of the 64 medications, they found nothing on an MRI, there were numerous blood work tests, and Xrays, EEG's, EKGs, hospitalizations...you name it we searched and researched and prayed for help. </p><p></p><p>At the near end of 10 years? I found myself BEGGING for out of home placement because without a high level of structure he was into EVERYTHING and just spiteful. Today I'm told he would be a good candidate for the military life. It makes me sad. </p><p></p><p>What makes me the most sad are ALL the people and staff that we ran into over the course of 11 years. Tell me to my face that they were there to help and a few even got fired for abuse to difficult child. A broken nose, a broken finger, bruised and cracked ribs. You think I wasn't livid? But in the counseling that I took/take I found that difficult child HAD A CHOICE to behave. Sure his childhood was hell, he was diagnosis with a bunch of disorders, they gave him pills, they pretended to care. And nothing happend and mostly? Because difficult child chose to hang on to that time in his life that caused him to be like he is. Now he's diagnosed as a budding sociopath. I'm not joking at all. </p><p></p><p>Currently I'm suing one of the Residential Treatment Facility (RTF)'s and getting attagirls from so many people. People not in MY circle but higher up than you can belive. And it makes me just cringe....that THEY know about how the system is, and yet can only pat ME on the back for taking a chance than we're not run out of town on a rail. I was threatened by a staff member after my sons jaw was broken in 1/2 and it started an entire series of events in difficult child's life. And mine, and DF. </p><p></p><p>I'm basically my own social worker. When difficult child went to court I hauled 2 huge boxes, in chronological order to the public defenders office, with (6) 5" binders of case management that I put together over the years, and testaments of mental well being from eminent psychologists, psychologists, school officials, the Governors office, letters to senators on his status, doctors, lawyers, indian chiefs.....ever letter or call I ever made on my sons behalf was WRITTEN DOWN. And yet...no one cared. IT didn't help his case, it didn't get him any MORE help. It hasn't helped for anything except to serve as a reminder to me that I did EVERYTHING I COULD AS A MOTHER. I left no stone unturned. I can die as guilt free as I let myself about this all. </p><p></p><p>I wish years ago someone had said Residential Treatment Center (RTC)? Crap. No help really. Staff is underpaid to babysit 7-15 of the most angry, out of control children who have NEVER HAD A HOME or parents, and then you throw YOUR little lamb in who HAS a Mom and a DAD and all the other kids hate him on visiting day because their Mothers were whores and crack heads or killed the baby and they are there because the daddy never came around or cared. And the staff is a lot of times college kids only serving a small time on duty to get credits for psychiatric major or interns and most of the time they are observing or reading, ignoring to get through the day, and the other staff? They are kids who have BEEN through the system & decided when they got out of Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) would apply for a job there because the cycle of indignant people has been perpetuated for years and maybe they feel they can help until they find they are living with 10-15 of YOUR kids for $7.00 an hour and BUMP that....they do their time, and leave every day on 8 hour shifts OR they have no one to work and these people are OVERWORKED on 2-3 shifts. I don't know how they do it. FEW ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY CARE. </p><p></p><p>And the higher up staff? OH yeah. They tell you your kid will see a psychologist. Yeahhhhh about that. He/she usually has their own practice and does this on the side. THey see all the kids in a cottage for 5 minutes a piece and base their prescriptions on what a worn out, tired, overworked staff person who has basically little to no psychiatric. training has said about your kid for THAT week. Pscyhiatrists go by incident reports of the staff. Rarely do they ask the kid what's going on. When they do it's rushed. And the administration is NEVER available by phone, their mailbox is always full, the girl that you may get on the phone to take a message can't right this minute she is busy. They never offer email, or fax or pager # and it's unheard of to get a cell phone for emergencies. They will call YOU if they deem it an emergency. I got a call once.....two days after my son tried to hang himself in a closet at age 10 with his shoestrings. Nice huh? And he got poison ivy in his eyes.....and they didn't take him to the doctor and would not let me drive 4 hours to get him a bottle of calamine or take him to an eye doctor. He just suffered through it. He was 12. </p><p></p><p>What Residential Treatment Center (RTC)'s have done for my son is make him smarter about how you should NOT behave. It's made him more manipulative (mocking others behaviors) and street smart. He can now deal 3 card montey well enough for a dinner. I'm so freakin proud. </p><p></p><p>And yet...I am told every time I bring it up...HE had choices. </p><p></p><p>Dont' believe everything you hear about Residential Treatment Center (RTC) Janna. Make surprise visits, WRITE letters, don't call. Tell people when you DO call that you are writing down what they say and ask them to follow up with a letter and sign it. Let them know you are watching them, watch your son. Staff isn't God....and if they put your kid out for you asking for diapers? Go get an attorney - but make sure you document everything, and get yourself some counseling. IT's the ONLY thing that has helped me get through this at all. </p><p></p><p>Sorry to be longwinded. I just don't want to see you hurt or have a false sense of Residential Treatment Center (RTC) treatment. It's all money. Plain and simple. THe place that I'm suing? They got $482.00 a DAY (not a week or month) a DANG DAY to watch my son and help him...and couln't even get him to counseling which ironically they told US was the most important part of his plan. (gimme a break) </p><p></p><p>Hugs - sorry. </p><p>Star</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Star*, post: 73845, member: 4964"] Janna, I'm sorry you and your son are going through what you are going through. Fran is right there is no program that suits OUR kids. My son's first out of home stay was at 7. Since then there has been no placement for him that was helpful, suitable, sincere, medically sound, good staff, good food, or a positive change in difficult child's behavior. NONE of them.....and that is 4 psychiatric hospitals in 9 years and 14 Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) stays. He grew up basically in an institutional situation and we did it because we could not keep him at home under ANY circumstances. His behavior didn't improve with any of the 64 medications, they found nothing on an MRI, there were numerous blood work tests, and Xrays, EEG's, EKGs, hospitalizations...you name it we searched and researched and prayed for help. At the near end of 10 years? I found myself BEGGING for out of home placement because without a high level of structure he was into EVERYTHING and just spiteful. Today I'm told he would be a good candidate for the military life. It makes me sad. What makes me the most sad are ALL the people and staff that we ran into over the course of 11 years. Tell me to my face that they were there to help and a few even got fired for abuse to difficult child. A broken nose, a broken finger, bruised and cracked ribs. You think I wasn't livid? But in the counseling that I took/take I found that difficult child HAD A CHOICE to behave. Sure his childhood was hell, he was diagnosis with a bunch of disorders, they gave him pills, they pretended to care. And nothing happend and mostly? Because difficult child chose to hang on to that time in his life that caused him to be like he is. Now he's diagnosed as a budding sociopath. I'm not joking at all. Currently I'm suing one of the Residential Treatment Facility (RTF)'s and getting attagirls from so many people. People not in MY circle but higher up than you can belive. And it makes me just cringe....that THEY know about how the system is, and yet can only pat ME on the back for taking a chance than we're not run out of town on a rail. I was threatened by a staff member after my sons jaw was broken in 1/2 and it started an entire series of events in difficult child's life. And mine, and DF. I'm basically my own social worker. When difficult child went to court I hauled 2 huge boxes, in chronological order to the public defenders office, with (6) 5" binders of case management that I put together over the years, and testaments of mental well being from eminent psychologists, psychologists, school officials, the Governors office, letters to senators on his status, doctors, lawyers, indian chiefs.....ever letter or call I ever made on my sons behalf was WRITTEN DOWN. And yet...no one cared. IT didn't help his case, it didn't get him any MORE help. It hasn't helped for anything except to serve as a reminder to me that I did EVERYTHING I COULD AS A MOTHER. I left no stone unturned. I can die as guilt free as I let myself about this all. I wish years ago someone had said Residential Treatment Center (RTC)? Crap. No help really. Staff is underpaid to babysit 7-15 of the most angry, out of control children who have NEVER HAD A HOME or parents, and then you throw YOUR little lamb in who HAS a Mom and a DAD and all the other kids hate him on visiting day because their Mothers were whores and crack heads or killed the baby and they are there because the daddy never came around or cared. And the staff is a lot of times college kids only serving a small time on duty to get credits for psychiatric major or interns and most of the time they are observing or reading, ignoring to get through the day, and the other staff? They are kids who have BEEN through the system & decided when they got out of Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) would apply for a job there because the cycle of indignant people has been perpetuated for years and maybe they feel they can help until they find they are living with 10-15 of YOUR kids for $7.00 an hour and BUMP that....they do their time, and leave every day on 8 hour shifts OR they have no one to work and these people are OVERWORKED on 2-3 shifts. I don't know how they do it. FEW ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY CARE. And the higher up staff? OH yeah. They tell you your kid will see a psychologist. Yeahhhhh about that. He/she usually has their own practice and does this on the side. THey see all the kids in a cottage for 5 minutes a piece and base their prescriptions on what a worn out, tired, overworked staff person who has basically little to no psychiatric. training has said about your kid for THAT week. Pscyhiatrists go by incident reports of the staff. Rarely do they ask the kid what's going on. When they do it's rushed. And the administration is NEVER available by phone, their mailbox is always full, the girl that you may get on the phone to take a message can't right this minute she is busy. They never offer email, or fax or pager # and it's unheard of to get a cell phone for emergencies. They will call YOU if they deem it an emergency. I got a call once.....two days after my son tried to hang himself in a closet at age 10 with his shoestrings. Nice huh? And he got poison ivy in his eyes.....and they didn't take him to the doctor and would not let me drive 4 hours to get him a bottle of calamine or take him to an eye doctor. He just suffered through it. He was 12. What Residential Treatment Center (RTC)'s have done for my son is make him smarter about how you should NOT behave. It's made him more manipulative (mocking others behaviors) and street smart. He can now deal 3 card montey well enough for a dinner. I'm so freakin proud. And yet...I am told every time I bring it up...HE had choices. Dont' believe everything you hear about Residential Treatment Center (RTC) Janna. Make surprise visits, WRITE letters, don't call. Tell people when you DO call that you are writing down what they say and ask them to follow up with a letter and sign it. Let them know you are watching them, watch your son. Staff isn't God....and if they put your kid out for you asking for diapers? Go get an attorney - but make sure you document everything, and get yourself some counseling. IT's the ONLY thing that has helped me get through this at all. Sorry to be longwinded. I just don't want to see you hurt or have a false sense of Residential Treatment Center (RTC) treatment. It's all money. Plain and simple. THe place that I'm suing? They got $482.00 a DAY (not a week or month) a DANG DAY to watch my son and help him...and couln't even get him to counseling which ironically they told US was the most important part of his plan. (gimme a break) Hugs - sorry. Star [/QUOTE]
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