On April 27, 2000 ADAPT WV and the Parent Empowerment Network met with Cathy King of Child Protective Services (CPS). We asked that the bill of rights for parents with disabilities be included in their policies and procedures. At that time she said she did not have the authority to make that dicision. Her follow up letter indicates that CPS's position is that the rights of disabled parents are protected in the existing guidlines. We strongly disagree! We will continue to use every means at our disposal to fight discrimiation against disabled parents.
Parent Empowerment Network
505Timberline Apartments Apt E 5
Morgantown, WV. 26505
(304) 598-0171
March 23, 2000
A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR PARENTS WITH DISABILITIES
The guiding principles of West Virginia Child Protective Services (CPS) read as follows:
1. We will offer service in a fashion which promotes independence.
2. We will treat all clients with respect and courtesy.
3. We will involve the client in planning and goal-setting to the fullest extent possible.
4. We will intervene as little as possible in the client’s life.
5. We will encourage participation by the public in shaping social policies.
In adherence with these principles West Virginia Child Protective Services (CPS) guarantees the following rights to parents with disabilities.
1. We will base our judgements and actions only on substantiated documented evidence and first hand observations after a formal comprehensive review.
2. We will not intervene in the life of a parent based only on the fact that they have a disability.
3. We will work hand in hand with parents with disabilities to develop individualized supports to assist them in keeping their family intact.
4. We will enlist the assistance of individuals and groups who support people with disabilities such as Life Quilters, Family Resource Networks, and advocates to assist us in keeping families with disabilities intact.
5. We will ensure that individualized planning teams are developed for families at risk to prevent out of home placement.
6. We will ensure that CPS workers are provided training specific to disabilities before being assigned to any case.
7. West Virginia Child Protective Services (CPS) will not discriminate against any individual based on disability, race, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status. Our determinations will be based only on the best interests of the child.
I Cathy King will keep communication open with Parent Empowerment Network and the disability community to begin the process of bringing together the necessary resources to enact the Bill of Rights stated above. Please review and comment on this Bill of Rights.
Signature___________________________________________________
Date_______________________________________________________
IMPORTANT!
IDEA and IEP training
Update.
Pat Haberbosch Director of WVPTI and her staff are interested in doing a Teleconference concerning a overview of IDEA and IEP training. We need at least 8 to 10 people ( or More ) to participate. If you are interested please contact me at 1-877-860-1995 or 304-598-0171 or email me at wvpen@labyrinth.net.
I will let you know when it will be as soon as I talk to Pat and the training is set up
February 1, 2001
Dear Ms. Bodkins,
Thank you for meeting with us last week. We look forward to working with you in the coming months. Within the next two weeks, we will send you a clean copy of the coloring book and the release to copy it.
We are also developing a list of parents and individuals who would be interested in presenting through a speakers bureau.
We are now in the process of gathering stories from around West Virginia about personal experiences with the school system. We hope these stories will help you in planning work with local school systems.
Sincerely,
Darla Ervin
For PEN
Dee agreed to give the schools 800 disability awareness coloring books throughout the state and she agreed to develop a speakers bureau.