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features.propublica.org features.propublica.org
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In these cases, the longer they’re held in psychiatric hospitals, the more difficult it becomes to move them to the proper settings.
This is so unfortunate for these children. Their placements being restricted due to the level of their mental and behavioral disorders, something that they did not ask for.
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64 Days: Children in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services who were held beyond medical necessity in psychiatric hospitals spent an average of 64 days in the hospital. That is about six times the national average.
This fact made me question why Illinois has had consistent issues with the care of children in psychiatric hospitals? What about the state of Illinois makes it so difficult to release these children versus a state like Nevada?
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“Once the treatment is completed and the child is ready for discharge, then they’re just being housed there,” Bellonci said. “The child is not getting educated. They’re really not getting treatment. They’re just waiting, which in the life of a child is deeply problematic.”
How is this situation that much different from a jail sentence? Awaiting behind bars and not receiving support, this limits the growth of these individuals and their ability to make it in the real world once they’re released.
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“We have a problem,” she said. “We know we’ve got a problem.”
Admitting fault is a good step in the right direction, but actions speak louder than words. These children are supposed to be in care but this institution has dealt with years of recurring neglect. As a taxpayer, I do not want my money contributing towards the unnecessary hospitalization of these children who should be released.
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Unnecessarily prolonged hospital stays often have detrimental effects on children. Doctors in some of these cases said the delays caused the children to deteriorate emotionally and behaviorally. Some child welfare advocates said the children slipped behind their peers in their behavioral and social development, often dramatically.
This is an example of restricting these children of their human rights. Especially when they’re cleared and being kept for a prolonged amount of time. Lack of social interaction and educational support will severely set back these children in the future.
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