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  • Report:  #1061954

Complaint Review: Lancaster County Children and Youth

Lancaster County Children and Youth THE HORROR THAT IS CHILDREN AND YOUTH Lancaster Pennsylvania

  • Reported By:
    anya99 — Manheim Pennsylvania
  • Submitted:
    Tue, June 25, 2013
  • Updated:
    Wed, June 26, 2013
*Consumer Comment: Suitable inhabitation

 Anastasia and Isabel Antes were taken from their home by CYS of Lancaster on 10/26/10. I am not a teen-aged mother, a crack addict, an alcoholic or an abusive parent.  My crime is that my housework suffered due to illness and my home was deemed "unsafe" for my children and "unsanitary". This conclusion was based on the falsehoods and inaccurate statements submitted by a caseworker, and the absurd report from the agency's own psychologist, Dr. Gransee, who even the presiding judge did not seem to take seriously.
 
I have fibromyalgia and receive disability compensation.  At the time of the CYS "investigation", I was under a substantial amount of stress due to the actions of my ex-husband in the matters of custody, support, and his inappropriate behavior while the girls were in his care.  My fibromyalgia symptoms were exacerbated due to the extreme stress, so at that time my only concern was caring for my daughters.  Admittedly, my house was a mess, but, unfortunately for me, that's when CYA came knocking.
 
 In addition to the excruciating pain of having my children taken away, I have had to endure a great amount of personal invasion with caseworkersfrom CYSand CAP visiting constantly.  I was charged with the duty of finding doctors, on my own, who accepted medicare and to whom I could travel despite my lack of transportation. I have been under the care of a psychiatrist for the purpose of evaluating my medication. I have been seeing a psychologist who was to determine if I was "fit" to participate in Personalized Parent Training.

 



 My primary physician was furious upon reading Dr. Gransee's parental fitness report and responded with his estimation of my capabilities.  He stated that Dr. Gransee was not qualified to make such determinations on medical or psychiatric matters and that he was certainly unprofessional. The psychologist I went to at the insistence of CYS also sent a letter refuting claims made in Dr. Gransee's report, said that he saw no need for me to participate in a parenting class, as well as stating that Dr. Gransee's evaluations were inaccurate and unprofessional.  "Dr." Gransee also wanted a second opinion on a twenty year old diagnosis.
 
 One of the most difficult expectations of CYS is that I maintain a stable home environment for the children's return.  The check I received and the checks made out to my children made up our total household income of $2,200.  My daughters' checks were immediately diverted to CYS, and yet I am supposed to maintain a suitable residence on $1,100.  How is that even possible?  I am now residing with my elderly parents.
 
 Instead of concentrating on all of the evidence in my favor, CYS is only looking at what they consider evidence to the contrary, inaccurate as most of it is. I cannot imagine any greater pain than what I have suffered since my girls were taken from me. I get visitation at CYS for TWO HOURS PER MONTH. One hour every other week. I have repeatedly inquired as to why I don't get more visitation and have yet to receive an answer.
 
 I am 51 years old, and have successfully raised two sons who are now twenty-five and twenty-six.  I don't need to be trained to be a parent, I am a parent. Anyone who has had any interaction with my children will tell you that I am a great parent.
 
 The thought that I might not get my girls back is abhorrent to me. Especially when based on the exaggeration and fabrication contained in the reports submitted by a caseworker and the agency's psychologist. There are times when all people should be treated equally, but there are also times when a person should be judged on his or her own merit.  This is definitely one of those times.

1 Updates & Rebuttals

MochaG

Springfield,

Suitable inhabitation

#2Consumer Comment

Wed, June 26, 2013

One of the most difficult expectations of CYS is that I maintain a stable home environment for the children's return.  The check I received and the checks made out to my children made up our total household income of $2,200.  My daughters' checks were immediately diverted to CYS, and yet I am supposed to maintain a suitable residence on $1,100.  How is that even possible?  I am now residing with my elderly parents.

 

The stable/suitable living envirnoment is not directly or totally tied to money. You need to be able to make the house like home, clean, and welcoming to anyone who visits your house. If the house appears to be neclected (dirty & untidy), it is the first red flag that the environment is not suitable. Your standard of cleanliness may not be up to the same level as those from CYS expected.

So once you clean and tidy up your house, that should at least give some senses of suitable living environment. Next would be to prove that you have no issue with your personality/mental. From what you said in the report, you may have enough to prove it.

One thing that bother me from the quote above is that you seem to be worried about MONEY more than your daugther. Because the girl is no longer with you, your income is cut to half. Other parts of your report is about give excuses about why you did not do this or that. And the last part is to give yourself credit about raising 2 children. If you want a prove of that, ask them to write a confirmation letter for you as a proof that you are capable of being a single parent raising a child.

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