“I’m not for killing kids and stuff” (officer Omar Bellow). For eight seconds officers fired 66 rounds from Glock service weapons towards the children. You can read the NY Times article details here. There is nothing easy about being in law enforcement in America today (or teaching, or social work, health services or child care). The numbers of seriously troubled youth are off the charts and so many children have serious often violent behavior problems.
You can watch a powerful video about the history of Florida’s child protection and group home system here. (read some of the article in the “read more” below.
Being removed from a toxic home is one more trauma to the child.
Most child protection organizations in America are unable to provide adequate resources to the crushing number of abused children in their systems. There are not enough quality group homes, foster homes, early childhood programs or trauma based mental health services these kids need.
The cost of not providing State Ward children with the help they need is not limited to the problems they bring to school and our neighborhoods.
Most violent and serious crime is committed by juveniles. Juveniles become adults. Childhood trauma changes the brain.
The brain of a child damaged by child abuse triggers PTSD behaviors like behaviors experienced by trauma damaged soldiers. Those behaviors are hardwired. Without help from the community, traumatized children become traumatized juveniles that become traumatized adults living dysfunctional lives. That goes a long way towards explaining why recidivism in America’s prison system is reaching 90%.
We the people are not saving money or improving our public safety or schools by not understanding this simple truth. To slow the car jackings, assaults and other violent crimes, we could become more involved in this discussion and reach for solutions that provide these children and youth with the skills they need to manage their trauma based behaviors. We know how to do this – but it takes study and effort to know enough to start the process of better answers to complex problems.
Here are two places to start; INVISIBLE CHILDREN Campus Program, Safe Passages For Children.
Warning; the video at the beginning of this article will change the way you look at troubled children. Everyone should see it (share this article widely).
This article submitted by long time CASA guardian ad Litem Mike Tikkanen
Share this important information with your social media
https://linktr.ee/kidsatrisk
From the NY Times Article;
“Nicole had cycled in and out of mental hospitals, group homes and foster care…one of TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN ORDERED EACH YEAR INTO CRISIS MENTAL HEALTH CUSTODY IN FLORIDA”
“A state grand jury in 2020 called the mental health system “a mess” noting that it provides less funding per capita for mental health treatment and care than any other state”.
“Nearly 1500 children at a time are on a waiting list … for behavior health services”.
“Children as young as 5 or 6 have been led away by the police in handcuffs after misbehaving at school”.
“An estimated 37,000 children a year are involuntarily committed to psychiatric facilities in Florida”
This article submitted by long time CASA guardian ad Litem Mike Tikkanen
Share this important information with your social media
https://linktr.ee/kidsatrisk
#omarbellow
#childwelfare
#florida
#grouphomes
#fostercare
#childabuse