Miami Injury Lawyer Blog
Florida has been on the radar of many child-welfare agencies after it was discovered that the state has been funneling sick and disabled children into nursing homes designed for elderly patients. The Department of Children & Families has created new policies essentially raising the bar for children to be admitted to nursing homes. The new policies require “high-level approval before any child in state care can be admitted to a nursing home, or move from any institution to another.” DCF is also seeking out more foster parents who are trained and willing to care for special needs children in an effort to reduce the need for nursing homes.
DCF has custody of almost 15% of children who currently live in nursing homes, but child-welfare bosses have no authority of the care of the minors once they go into the nursing homes. According to insiders, this new policy states that DCF no longer favors institutionalizing children, which goes against the Agency for Health Care Administration, “whose funding formula has forced some parents to put their disabled kids into institutions.”
AHCA’s decision to place children in the nursing homes has come under fire by both state and federal officials. Notably, the United States Department of Justice has threatened to sue the state for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which “requires that people with disabilities be allowed to live and receive care outside large, segregated institutions.” Federal officials state that forcing children to live in adult nursing homes causes isolation and lack of socialization that can curtail their development and lead to psychological disorders; further, at many nursing homes, children receive little education or stimulation and “spend their days in virtual isolation.”
DCF wants its kids out of nursing homes, www.miamiherald.com December 04, 2012.
Putting an adult loved one in a nursing home is an emotionally difficult decision, but sending your child away to a home can be a traumatic decision. When placing your loved one in a nursing home, you are entrusting their life with the staff. You expect your loved one will get all of the care and attention they need. Unfortunately, many nursing homes are either inadequately staffed or operating with unqualified staff. If your loved one has died as a result of nursing home negligence or abuse, call the child injury attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona immediately. Jonathan R. Friedland and Michael J. Carmona are expert nursing home abuse attorneys who also specialize in wrongful death cases. The Friedland | Carmona is dedicated to helping you and your loved one recover the compensation you deserve!
The Miami personal injury attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona handle all types of negligence cases throughout the state of Florida, including Boca Raton, Homestead, North Miami, South Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Pembroke Pines, Hialeah, Kendall, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. The Friedland | Carmona handles all types of personal injury cases, including wrongful death, defective products, medical malpractice, slip and falls and construction site injuries. Call the Miami personal injury attorneys at (305) 661-2008 for your free consultation. Call today and let our family take care of your family!