[SarahBethsMommy]

I know I don't come here a lot. A quick update/background for those that don't remember us...

I have a foster son who I call Lil Buddy. He is 2.5 years old and has been with me a little over a year. He was recently diagnosised autistic, but has a long history of severe developmental delays. He has NO language at all, though we've been working very hard with him. He can crawl and pull up on things, but cannot walk on his own at all. He eats very little and is very very skinny for his age. He usually sees OT every other week, PT and ST every week and feeding therapy each quarter.

ST just called me this morning to say that they've had 2 ST quit and our ST has become very overloaded, so they are dropping Lil Buddy's case until they can hire more ST. I asked WHY they'd be dropping his case and they said because "We have other contracts we have to honor."

Here's how the rest of the conversation went:

Me: "Why is his contract not one you have to honor?"
Them: "Because he is three."
Me: "No, he is only 2.5"
Them: "Oh, well, then it is becaues he is not through EI."
Me: "Yes, he is. He's been evaluated and referred to ST through EI."
Them: "No, we have him down as private pay."
Me: "I've never paid anything. He does have medicaid."
Them: "Yeah, that's it, medicaid is paying, so we list it as private pay."
Me: "The only reason medicaid is paying is because it was easier on y'all. He qualifies for ST."
Them: "Well, we cannot continue right now. I'm so sorry."
Me: "He is 2.5 years old and has no language at all. It seems he should be top of the list of kids who need this."
Them: "You can call your coordinator and take it up with them."
Me: "I will. Thank you."

So I called the service coordinator with EI and left her a message about it. I'm SO not happy right now!! I feel like they really only dropped him because he is "just a foster kid" and I won't fight them about it. It's ridiculous! So they now have on their hands one very ticked off mommy... foster mommy though I may be.

[CaddoRose]

Burn up the phone line until they give in. That is simply crazy.

[Mystik]

Oh that would make me so upset as well. I sure hope the EI Coordinator will get this resolved ASAP. They may have other ST agencies that they contract with which they can switch your FS over to.

[mommytoEli]

since he is also almost 3, call the school district and get on the list for him to be serviced at school as soon as he turns 3. there will need to be a new eval done for them, so get on it now...just in case this problem isn't resolved, he'll at least be able to receive help again as SOON as he turns 3 years old. good luck. FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!

[Upstate_Love]

What state are you in? Some states (mine included) have laws in place to protect the service plans of autistic children.

[irelady10]

Foster parenting is often a thankless job- so, I would like to thank you for fighting for the rights of your little guy.

I do not believe they can just NOT service your little guy if he qualified for services...you may be on to something in thinking that they picked him because he is "just a foster kid" and they thought you wouldn't fight their decision.

[SarahBethsMommy]

I'm in Alabama. I don't think we have really any laws about protecting specifically Autistic kids. However, dropping his ST all together that he qualifies for through EI is not right.

His service coordinator is mad too. She's been calling everyone she can get in touch with about it too. She said she'd call me tomorrow as soon as she heard what is going on. So, I'm glad she's as mad as me.

And, yes, we've already contacted the school district, although he is probably moving to his paternal grandma's home. I figure I can switch the stuff to their school district easier than they can start getting it together at that late a date.

Thanks for the support!