Teen Overcomes Barriers to Obtaining Basic Services
Tabitha is a junior in High School. She and her family know well the challenges of getting care in a rural area. Her Dad told us that more than one agency specifically told him that they could not serve Tabitha because she lived "too far out." As her Dad put it, "just when things got really bad, we were getting doors slammed in our faces."
Although Tabitha required special education services for her learning disorders, the family was not aware of any major problems in school until she started the 9th grade. Her parents started getting frantic calls from school with reports that Tabitha's behaviors were out of control. Soon, the school was pushing to put Tabitha in a residential placement out of state. While the family realized Tabitha needed extensive care, they wanted her to remain at home. They were given the impression that they had no other options.
The family's introduction to the mental health system was abrupt and dramatic. When Tabitha was taken to a local hospital due to behaviors, she was sent to an emergency room over 50 miles away, where she was "blue papered," (admitted involuntarily) without parental knowledge or consent, to a mental health facility approximately 150 miles away. During her stay at that facility, Tabitha was put on medications that seemed to make a difference for her. From there she was placed in a residential treatment center in another part of the state and abruptly taken off her medication by a clinician there who was philosophically against pharmaceutical treatment. Tabitha's behaviors immediately worsened, and she was removed from the program by her parents out of concern for her safety. These are just a few of many frustrating examples the family experienced as they tried to help their daughter. As parents they were not listened to and their opinions not trusted. They were willing to go to the "end of the earth" for their daughter one day driving over 700 miles back and forth between facilities who weren't providing clear information about where Tabitha was located and where she "should" be placed. Tabitha's parents believe the mixed messages and fragmented care were contributing to her problems.
After being referred to DHS by the school system, the family learned about Wings. The DHS staff person agreed with the family that Tabitha didn't need to be hospitalized again but instead needed consistent, community-based care; she referred them to Wings.
The Wings Case Manager helped the family set up their child and family team, which consisted of an education advocate, a sheriff's officer, Tabitha's counselor, the Wings Case Manager, special education staff from her school, and a Wings Parent Resource Information Specialist. Tabitha's father expressed appreciation of how much he has learned because of Wings. He feels more empowered and skilled as an advocate for his daughter. He specifically enjoyed the Mundt® training he and his wife received recently, which enables them to manage their daughter during times of crisis. Tabitha's mom is impressed that "Wings has provided us with all the information we need...always keeps us up to date." Tabitha told us that she really likes her case manager from Wings, and enjoys creating crafts with her one-on-one worker.
Tabitha now enjoys school for the most part, although she admits to having a few bad days. Her mom proudly told us that Tabitha is especially good with figures and math is her favorite subject. She's receiving excellent grades and has won two awards in the past semester, one for the Most Improved Attitude. When asked what she would like the kids at school to know about her, all Tabitha replied was "I'd like them not to pick on me."
Tabitha's parents believe Wings has helped them to participate more effectively on the team, to be treated as equals in treatment decisions, and to be better informed of their rights. Before, it seemed that no one was giving Tabitha a chance to see if she could make it. Now the future seems brighter, and the next goal is for Tabitha to graduate with her original class next year.