Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Seriously?
I have written 9 reports (at 20 pages each). I received feedback on my first three reports and made corrections to those reports. I just received feedback on the next two reports, and got the same feedback as on the first three. Well of course, because I submitted seven reports before I got the first feedback. Thus seven of the reports will have the same problems. I am wondering if I will have to have three of four meetings where I get the same feedback.
One of THOSE days
The kind of day that you find yourself, head hung, eyes closes, contemplating the un-reality of the situation, that’s where I am today.
Have you ever worked with this guy?
Here is how I want you to do this job (Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, etc.) and here is a previous one to help you understand (a template/example). Later you receive and “update” and a new example that is somewhat (or outlandishly) different. Even later, you receive yet another “update” to the process, where in this one fails to even bear a likeness to the original. So you, as a conscientious worker, ask which one you are to utilize and are told of a fourth method, which is significantly different that the previous 3. Well, you have to complete the work so you follow your directions and submit the product, you are also under a deadline to get the work completed (two weeks) and a full 13 days have been wasted on the changes in the process. This does not alter the deadline! Then after your timely submission, where in you have given up significant things in the other aspects of your life to meet this strict deadline, you receive feedback on your performance. This of course occurs more than 4 weeks after the deadline. Where in numerous comments are made about what needs to occur, and of this feedback there is an eclectic mixture of comments from all four of the sets of directions. Have you ever had one of those days?
Here is another example: I was provided a rather robust example of how to put together a summary of results for a particular test. I was sent an e-mail a set of specific verbiage. I used the suggested verbiage, but when given feedback I was told that it was insufficient and I will be sent an e-mail with a better example. Of course when the e-mail arrives it’s exactly the same as the first one. In an attempt to try and do good work, I asked about this. I was told that, I was sent the wrong e-mail and the correct one could not be located, but to just rework that bit. This was followed by a huge rambling verbal example.
So my head hangs,
It shakes in disbelief,
I feel the damage of the disorganized,
But I am happy,
As someone cares -
enough to even -
give feedback.
Have you ever worked with this guy?
Here is how I want you to do this job (Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, etc.) and here is a previous one to help you understand (a template/example). Later you receive and “update” and a new example that is somewhat (or outlandishly) different. Even later, you receive yet another “update” to the process, where in this one fails to even bear a likeness to the original. So you, as a conscientious worker, ask which one you are to utilize and are told of a fourth method, which is significantly different that the previous 3. Well, you have to complete the work so you follow your directions and submit the product, you are also under a deadline to get the work completed (two weeks) and a full 13 days have been wasted on the changes in the process. This does not alter the deadline! Then after your timely submission, where in you have given up significant things in the other aspects of your life to meet this strict deadline, you receive feedback on your performance. This of course occurs more than 4 weeks after the deadline. Where in numerous comments are made about what needs to occur, and of this feedback there is an eclectic mixture of comments from all four of the sets of directions. Have you ever had one of those days?
Here is another example: I was provided a rather robust example of how to put together a summary of results for a particular test. I was sent an e-mail a set of specific verbiage. I used the suggested verbiage, but when given feedback I was told that it was insufficient and I will be sent an e-mail with a better example. Of course when the e-mail arrives it’s exactly the same as the first one. In an attempt to try and do good work, I asked about this. I was told that, I was sent the wrong e-mail and the correct one could not be located, but to just rework that bit. This was followed by a huge rambling verbal example.
So my head hangs,
It shakes in disbelief,
I feel the damage of the disorganized,
But I am happy,
As someone cares -
enough to even -
give feedback.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
I quit!
It has come to this. I am quitting as a Treatment Foster Parent.
Perhaps we simply out-grew the agency we worked for, or perhaps the agency failed to meet its obligations, but in any event I cannot bring myself to continue a relationship with them.
In retrospect, the agency has not provided what it was obligated to do. At least from a parental support role. I take some responsibility for this, as I know I intimidated the agency staff, and I did little or nothing to dispel that. This is still not a justifiable reason to fail to support their homes or fail to work in the best interests of the children they are charged with.
To this agency I say fu*k you! You need to figure out what your job is and then do it.
To the manager of this agency - You need to understand that all of the agencies (courts, county, private care, mental health providers, schools, ect.) DO NOT work well together. They all have different priorities and that causes friction. When you stop thinking that its one big happy family and start seeing the dysfunction you will be able to problems solve. Right now all you can do is slap band-aids all over the place and they don't fix sh!t!
For the kids I have been able to care for - I am looking forward to getting my house back and if any of you wish to send cash to repair the damage to my domicile, cars, personal property or anything else you busted, you know where I am!
Perhaps we simply out-grew the agency we worked for, or perhaps the agency failed to meet its obligations, but in any event I cannot bring myself to continue a relationship with them.
In retrospect, the agency has not provided what it was obligated to do. At least from a parental support role. I take some responsibility for this, as I know I intimidated the agency staff, and I did little or nothing to dispel that. This is still not a justifiable reason to fail to support their homes or fail to work in the best interests of the children they are charged with.
To this agency I say fu*k you! You need to figure out what your job is and then do it.
To the manager of this agency - You need to understand that all of the agencies (courts, county, private care, mental health providers, schools, ect.) DO NOT work well together. They all have different priorities and that causes friction. When you stop thinking that its one big happy family and start seeing the dysfunction you will be able to problems solve. Right now all you can do is slap band-aids all over the place and they don't fix sh!t!
For the kids I have been able to care for - I am looking forward to getting my house back and if any of you wish to send cash to repair the damage to my domicile, cars, personal property or anything else you busted, you know where I am!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Systemic & Chronic Injustice
Well the powers that be have committed yet another mortal sin. El Chupacobra has been told that his decisions and actions have harsh and bad consequences. An understanding was achieved in that if he fails to complete his school, substance abstinence, legal, and social interaction goals, he would be moved from a home setting and placed into a group home.
He is a risk to himself and others.
He was also told of his options and the consequences for his choices, but of course when it comes down to brass tacks the powers that be are failing to provide for this child.
His therapists, and other mental health professionals in his life, have advocated for structure, follow-through, and consistency. Well, as far as the agencies
go, they have consistency nailed down, dead-to-rights, locked-up, tied down, and set in stone. They are nearly perfect in their consistency. Every time they put forth a consequence, a piece of structure, or a potential response to a decision they don’t EVER do it. In every other area of his life, these people have failed, and if you think that the consistency offered above is also a failure, then they are flawless in their malfunction.
It was said that his movement to another home, and not to the professionally prescribed group home, was our idea. This is just a lie. We were told that it was state law that children must receive an education and El Chupacobra’s options were limited and finite. Should he fail in his educational goal/choice he would have to be moved to a group home or military school (where expelled students are still accepted). The reality appears to be that he is just moving to another home and being enrolled in another public school. Lies are simply sauce for the goose.
I think the agency we work with is simply looking to keep a client on the books, and thus collect money for him. They are making decisions based wholly on $ at the disastrous expense of the child.
I am left just wondering:
How do these people sleep at night?
Can they be this incompetent?
Are they brain dead?
WTF?
Conclusion: systemic failure of a profession resulting in depraved actions sacrificing children on the altar of dollars.
He is a risk to himself and others.
He was also told of his options and the consequences for his choices, but of course when it comes down to brass tacks the powers that be are failing to provide for this child.
His therapists, and other mental health professionals in his life, have advocated for structure, follow-through, and consistency. Well, as far as the agencies
go, they have consistency nailed down, dead-to-rights, locked-up, tied down, and set in stone. They are nearly perfect in their consistency. Every time they put forth a consequence, a piece of structure, or a potential response to a decision they don’t EVER do it. In every other area of his life, these people have failed, and if you think that the consistency offered above is also a failure, then they are flawless in their malfunction.It was said that his movement to another home, and not to the professionally prescribed group home, was our idea. This is just a lie. We were told that it was state law that children must receive an education and El Chupacobra’s options were limited and finite. Should he fail in his educational goal/choice he would have to be moved to a group home or military school (where expelled students are still accepted). The reality appears to be that he is just moving to another home and being enrolled in another public school. Lies are simply sauce for the goose.
I think the agency we work with is simply looking to keep a client on the books, and thus collect money for him. They are making decisions based wholly on $ at the disastrous expense of the child.
I am left just wondering:
How do these people sleep at night?
Can they be this incompetent?
Are they brain dead?
WTF?
Conclusion: systemic failure of a profession resulting in depraved actions sacrificing children on the altar of dollars.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
It should be working
Registration at school is so screwed up!
A new system was rolled out to all campuses, which was to be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but what we got was a piece of crap.
It let some people register and other not. Classes filled up and everything became total chaos.
Then out comes this nasty e-mail saying that people who registered were doing something wrong (as in bad people). The system then crashed.
So two days later you could call in your registration, but no message or information went out for that!
At any rate, I have registered, but I can't get one class that I need. This means I will have to take an extra course in the summer to catch up!
That sucks!!!
A new system was rolled out to all campuses, which was to be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but what we got was a piece of crap.
It let some people register and other not. Classes filled up and everything became total chaos.
Then out comes this nasty e-mail saying that people who registered were doing something wrong (as in bad people). The system then crashed.
So two days later you could call in your registration, but no message or information went out for that!
At any rate, I have registered, but I can't get one class that I need. This means I will have to take an extra course in the summer to catch up!
That sucks!!!
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