When I woke up this morning I knew that I had to meet with two separate clients with staff from a different agency. I planned accordingly. I knew that I had to close three referrals due tomorrow. I planned accordingly. I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my afternoon at my desk running back ground checks on people and inputting documentation. I planned accordingly. I knew that when I went home I wanted to start and finish some homework, go to prayer meeting, go running, and finish some more homework. I planned according.
I did NOT plan to get a call at 1:30 pm alerting me of an immediate general neglect case at Delano Regional Medical Center. Mother and baby girl both tested positive to amphetamines and the mother admitted to using meth the night before she delivered. Mother received no prenatal care. Mother has three other children. Mother has CPS history.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This was my first pos tox (positive toxicology) baby, and I was a little nervous because 1) I’m new 2) my supervisor was out sick 3) I didn’t know if I would be taking four kids into custody. Luckily, the Lord smiled on me and the other three kids were safe at home, and I put a hold on the baby and the baby won’t be discharged. Poor baby was in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) with an IV, etc.
It’s hard to believe that I’m telling a woman that’s older than me that she needs to remember that SHE HAS CHILDREN to take care of and drugs should be the furthest thing from her mind.
::sigh:: Another day of social work.
6 comments:
Oh girl, I know how you feel. All of the babies Kerrie has taken care of came from this very situation. Over and over again Kerrie has drilled it into the heads of these mothers when she would take these babies to visitation that they have a beautiful precious child to take care of and drugs should be the furthest thing from their mind.
For 7 years Kerrie has dealt with this. Get ready girlfriend, I am afraid you will be faced with more of these situations. But don't become overwhelmed. God has placed you where you are for a reason. Do your calling and do it well. Love you!
This is a very sad, sad situation but how the Lord can work wonders. I was one of those mothers who was addicted to many many drugs and used through my first pregnacy. I am so grateful that my child made it through alive and is healthy now and we are both serving the Lord. Addiction is so hard to understand but I just pray that God give you the strenth to do the job he has called you to.
Love your blog
Ugh stories like this make me sad and mad at the same time. I have very strong views on parents and their children. I believe in big time government intervention. . .I wont get into that though because if you couple my strong social views with my economic beliefs I would be considered a populist and then people will start comparing me to Hitler. . . .
God has called you for such a time as this. My heart breaks for these poor children. Many blessings to you! You're the best.
Chandra,
If anyone can do it, you can! It is a sad, sad world that we live in. However, even though I only know you from blogland, it is not hard to tell that God's hand is upon you. As detail oriented and conscientious as you are, you are one of the good ones out there lady. Keep on "keepin' on!" (And may God continue to lead and guide you through the process....) :)
Chandra,
You dont know me; I am from Saskatoon, Canada. I happened upon your blog today, and read this post. The reason I comment, is I am going to school to be a social worker. It is my first year of university, and things like you described are things few people understand. Keep up the good work!
God Bless
Fellow UPCer...
Rachel Peterson
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