[Mystik]

*A* was accepted for services by our Regional Center and with the 10 hours a month in visits that they’re providing her combined with the specialist appointments and medical testing she’s having done over 100 miles away, I was of the impression she would be eligible for at least some sort of special needs subsidy, but it seems like everyone is dragging their feet about giving me a definitive answer and I was just curious what others experiences have been with this sort of thing?

I feel really awful even asking for it, because it makes me feel like the CW’s and our agency are just going to think we’re only after the money and that’s not true we would do all this for *A* regardless, but the reality also is that gas is crazy expensive and we already had to make 2 trips last month to appointments over 100 miles away in order for her to have her initial testing and receive her diagnosis’s from her specialist. Now that she’s getting services from the Regional center she has 10 hours a month of services that I have to juggle around and she has 3 visits a week with her birth mom too! Thank goodness I’m a stay at home foster mom, because I don’t know how I’d possibly have the time for all of this otherwise and it seems like it doesn’t even matter to our CW or agency. Obviously if she was our own child (which I hope she one day will be) then I would do everything possible to give her the best start regardless, but the reality is that she’s not my child at this point and I just don’t understand and what point the County decides that they’re eligible for more then the base stipend?

I was originally told by more than one source that with her diagnosis’s and the regional center involved that would be more then enough to qualify her, but now no one is even responding to me. I know they’re busy too and I suppose it’ll take a while to sort out, but if she is found eligible do they back pay at all or is it just going to be based on the date they decide? We’ve been working on figuring this out for a month now and the next stipend will be cut June 5th. We have her next series of specialist appointments over 100 miles away on the 9th and obviously it would be really nice to have the extra to afford the gas if possible, or at least be back paid for all the expense. Unfortunately I'm afraid to ask our CW or agency for fear that the more I ask the more they'll assume I'm more interested in money than *A's* best interest and the thought of them thinking that really upsets me! It's a matter of respect I guess and I just don't want them to lose it for me by my annoying them over something like this. Does that make sense?

What have your experiences been? How long have you had to wait and if and when your kiddo’s were approved did they back pay at all?

[buttascotchbaby]

I have been through similar experiences here in my state. Here it is called D.O.C. (Difficulty Of Care) and there are a number of SW's who act like it comes out of their paychecks! I have gotten major attitude from a couple who act like I am just working the system! Yeah, because with DOC it brings the hourly "pay" up to a whopping $1.40 an hour instead of .73! It is really funny becsause a FP cannot just decide, "Oh, I think I deserve to get DOC for this child". The paperwork has to be filled out by a professional: SW, therapist, medical doctor, etc.

So, sometimes it has taken a while for it to kick in, but we always get retro (they can go back a year). They will start the rate either from the date that DOC was applied for or from the date of the first Dr.'s visit, or whatever visit that shows they need the DOC. Make sure that whomever is doing your paperwork knows the dates when all of the extra needs started.

Hope that helps some and good luck!

[Mystik]

Gosh, if it's based on difficulty of care then *A* has been having these issue's since birth. I've been actively trying to get her help since she was 2 months old and a I realized these *spasms* she had weren't normal. EI, Regional Center, Dr.'s, Public Health, everyone just kept brushing me off until I FINALLY caught one of her *episodes* on video when she was 12 months old. I sent it to her CW, her attorney, and physically brought it in to her Dr. who FINALLY gave us a referral to a Neurologist and guess what... it WAS something! Epileptic Seizure's!

When I sent the video to the CW I also explained about behavioral concerns - serious lack of attention span, irritability, hyper activeness, I know she's an infant but these are beyond ordinary infant behavior and have been going on since placement. I mean seriously, what ordinary infant who has not suffered any sort of abuse or neglect (besides prenatal neglect I guess.... she was taken from hospital at birth due to moms past history with CPS) and has been with us 14 months can possibly STILL hate being held or cuddled?... Turns out she has FAS too. Why couldn't her Pediatrician see this?

The CW called in EI again to address the behavioral concerns and EI finally gave her an assessment saying they didn't feel her behaviors were severe enough to qualify for their services. They spent all of an hour here where *A* was happy as a clam to have someone new to play with and I think they based everything on that rather then my explanations of what an ordinary day is like with her. Only after the diagnosis's would the Regional Center assess her and accept her.

Sorry I got off on a rant there! I just feel so much like this poor child has been kicked to the back burner on just about everything and now this. The worst part is that EI, who didn't feel her issues were severe enough prior to the diagnosis's to even accept her is now the one's working with *A* & her mom to decide *A's* future and whether *A's* mom can handle the special needs. It's their *professional opinion* that will be brought to the table at the next TM.... Oh I'm ranting again!

Obviously it would just be nice if they approve the additional funds for her, even if it only goes back to the date she was diagnosed, but it would be even nicer if they could understand these issue's didn't just suddenly appear on that day and have been happening all along! However, sadly I doubt they'll see it that way.

[ranoutofnames]

In my state they also call it DOC. Unfortunately in my area it's all up to some placement staff who go by a one page sheet filled out by a worker who doesn't live with the child and sugar coats the issues we have going on. In my state they don't back pay and they will only do the DOC for 3 months at a time.

I agree, they behave like it comes out of their own pockets.

I've called their bluff on older kids who've been in the system for a while but have never done that with a baby or young child first into the system.

[buttascotchbaby]

It is tough to get DOC for babies here too, but Mystik, you have documented proof and it sounds like it is something that is not subjective, so it SEEMS that it should be a no brainer. I would keep gently pushing to get A to qualify, not only for the extra help but it seems that it would also qualify her for help in the future, whether she stays in foster care or is r/u.

In my state not only can we get DOC as long as the kids need it (they re assess annually), but with my two (who see a therapist at least once a week) the DOC will continue as part of their adoption subsidy.

**Its funny, I thought we had it pretty bad in my state until I became a regular on these boards! It has given me a much greater appreciation and perspective Don't get me wrong, there is still plenty that could be improved, but it could also be a lot worse