Invasive Mental Health Bill (Indiana)
This was posted on the Homeschool Nations - Indiana blog (hat tip!) The complete document detailing the mental health testing is found at this link:
http://www.campaignsitebuilder.com/user/buchartsearthlinknet/download/Children's_Plan_FINAL_053106.pdf
Big Brother" Style Plan Bothers Many Parents
In the final stages of the legislative process in Indiana, there are a couple weeks of "conference committee" hearings. The purpose of the conference committee is to work out differences made to a bill in the second chamber before it is sent to the Governor. However, under the rules of the legislature, other bills and amendments can be added to a bill in conference if all four conferees agree. This means that there is a lot of wheeling and dealing and there are often provisions inserted into bills that are unknown to many legislators outside the conference committee.
Such was the case with a large education bill last year (SB 529). In the final days of the session, controversial wording was added which could require that all children from birth to age 22 to be screened for social, emotional or mental health disorders. T
The provision gained attention last fall when some parents in Northern Indiana learned that their children had been tested without their knowledge in accordance with this statute. One of the top religious rights attorneys in the Midwest, John Price, also an AFA of Indiana board member, is representing those parents in their lawsuit against the school.
In the 2006 legislative session AFA of Indiana, Advance America and Eagle Forum worked to clarify the broad language in SB 529, to set clear parameters and definitions of the system, and to make sure that parents are notified in advance of any intrusive questionnaires, interviews or surveys given to children for this purpose. Unfortunately, the legislation containing these safeguards (SB 324) did not make it through the legislative process.
Recently, more than 300 people gathered for a rally on this issue in State Representative Jackie Walorski’s district. AFA believes that parents have a reason to be concerned and to ask questions. As written, this seems to be an intrusive mandatory screening for all children, yet on what topics kids will be surveyed is not stated or clearly defined.
Representative Walorski is seeking petition signatures through her web site hoping to take 10,000 names to Speaker of the House Brian Bosma. She is seeking this goal by August 31st and will be asking the legislature to investigate, ask questions and clarify this controversial program.
If you are concerned about this program, or have questions about its potential for misuse, please visit http://www.jackiewalorski.com/ to sign her petition.
NOTE:
1. This report is based upon the premise that a 1999 Surgeon General Report stated that 1 in 5 children have a diagnosable mental disorder & 20% of all children have a serious dysfunction. This report has heavy prints of the drug manufacturing companies all over it. The world wide stats in other countries aren’t as high as what they are quoting for the US.
2. Expulsion rates in Indiana schools are higher than nation wide average, implementing this program & assessing or diagnosing children with a mental illness will prohibit them from being expelled thus lowering the rate. The alternative will be immediate referral to Madison Center and RX for behavioral issues. Expulsion rates will drop but there will be a tremendous increase in young Hoosiers on psycho tropic drugs.
3. While touting this plan as "not mandatory", it still lists parameters and "indicators" by which groups will be automatic and which groups will not be. African-American & Hispanic children are flagged as "indicators" as well as all foster children. Any child whose parents have ever taken any kind of psycho tropic drug will be flagged as well.
4. This comprehensive plan includes launching pediatricians into the "front line" indicators for newborn and infants. Mental health assessments of babies is a "reform" sweeping the country. In Illinois, they are beginning to track pregnant women who "might be" bent toward post pardom issues.
5. Central data bank for tracking people and linking various agency information together, including HIPPA, doctor/pediatrician visits, assessments, school, etc. into one databank. (Legally mandate sharing of information).
6. The risk of regulating/legislating ALL Hoosier children, whether in public, private or home school situations to try to find the 5% that are in need of mental health assistance. A mis-diagnosis can cost a child his constitutional right to bear arms as well as limit his/her job opportunities.
7. The cost of Medicaid will skyrocket with this plan. While Federal funds will be used to "entice" votes in the Legislature…when the Federal funds are gone, it will be up to States to pay for the program.
8. The CANS (Child & Adolescent Needs & Strengths) Assessemnt tool (test) is new with NO proven track record. It’s completely a subjective test with consequences.
9. Offer financial incentives (tax money) to attract more mental heatlh professionals to Indiana to take up the "workload’ we are going to manufacture.
10. Integrate Mental Health Assessment and tools into school curriculums state wide to reach an even broader audience.
Untitled Comment
Posted by morningsunshine on Tuesday 29 August 2006 at 1:51 PM - Link
grrrrrrrlllllllllll. follow the money.
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