Posted on 07/23/2004 4:26:02 PM PDT by Reaganwuzthebest
CHICAGO -- This week, a series of public forums on a program requiring all pregnant women and children through age 18 years to be tested for mental health needs is being held this week in five different locations statewide.
One group of parents learned about the state's plans to proceed with this program and on Monday issued an alarm asking for parents and citizens concerned about the new program to voice their opinions at the forums.
"We're moving toward social training over academic training with this program," Larry Trainor, a Mt. Prospect parent of four children and a contact for Citizens Commission on Human Rights, based in Los Angeles, said today.
"Since psychiatric involvement in education, SAT scores have gone down for the past few decades. Evaluating mental conditions is not based on scientific evidence, it's subjective," he said.
The $10 million plan for the setup of the Children's Mental Health Act of 2003 is being considered at this week's public forums starting Monday, July 18 in Champaign.
Signed into law, the bill passed the Illinois General Assembly last spring, sponsored in the House by State Representatives Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) and Patricia Bellock (R-Westmont). State Senator Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) and Susan Garrett (D-Highwood) shepherded the legislation through the Senate.
The legislation passed the House with a 107 to 5 vote, and the Senate unanimously.
"What if they find a student has a math disorder, a reading disorder. Would that be a mental health disorder, one that would cause the parents to put their children with a drug for a condition they may or may not have?" Trainor asked.
The mental health program will develop a mental health system for "all children ages 0-18 years," provide for screening to "ensure appropriate and culturally relevant assessment of young children's social and emotional development with the use of standardized tools."
Also, all pregnant women will be screened for depression and thereafter following her baby's birth, up to one year. Follow-up treatment services will also be provided.
Trainor said that he is trying to get parents and citizens out to voice their opinion about the new program.
Apparently, children's mental health will be assessed along with their academic standards in the new proposed testing. The Illinois State Board of Education has been given the responsibility to develop the appropriate tests, according to last year's legislation.
The Task Force hosting the public forums this week are to send a recommendation to Governor Blagojevich by the end of the summer, according to the Act (HB 2900).
Developing story . . .
After a long day in that situation myself, I doubt it. At least, that's what it felt like. Good for you.
This is one of the scariest things I've read on FR! How did this crap get voted into law? I've read for years that this was in the "plan", but couldn't imagine it really becoming law.
If I lived in Illinois, I'd be getting the hell out of Dodge as fast as I could pack up my family.
Well, public education is complusory these days anyway... The problem is, being there every day is no guarantee that one is being educated to begin with. They're just filling seats and bringing in money for the school district. Follow the $$$$$.
That's exactly what I was going to say. :) It is very suprising Illinois beat NY with this since NY is usually the first when it comes to passing new big brother laws.
Wow, I just read that and got sick to my stomach.
It's my hunch they just want to use this a way to curb the Second Amendment, a right that many politicians in that state despise. The easiest way to keep people from legally purchasing weapons as an adult is to deem them "mentally ill" when they're kids.
Maybe it's time to get rid of big brother!
I have long stated that 1984 went from a cautionary tale, to a training manual.
I suggest that they throw in politicians too. Start with Osama Obama!
>>>ToT, thanks for the ping. Sure glad I don't live in IL but am surprised that they beat NY to the punch.
In post 95 there are two links. The last one, healthinschools has NY listed as already signed on.
Leaving is a good idea, but in the long run, the problem will simply follow until there is no safe state. Things like this need to be fought straight on, and the proponents of such statism need to be defeated.
>>>If I lived in Illinois, I'd be getting the hell out of Dodge as fast as I could pack up my family.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1177398/posts?page=99#99
Yes, indeed, starting with elections in November.
If you haven't already, check out this thread about Adult Health Surveys in Washington state.:
State to check on residents' health (Door-to door!)
A nurse on each survey team will measure blood pressure, pulse, height, weight and waist size.
A blood sample will be taken to measure cholesterol and blood sugar.
A hair sample, to measure mercury levels, will be taken from women of childbearing age and participants 60 and older.
Participants will be given a $45 gift card for their help in the survey.
Officials are not seeking volunteers; participants are being chosen to represent the diverse population of the state.
The survey is being financed by an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kansas and Arkansas also were awarded survey grants.
snip
>>>It's my hunch they just want to use this a way to curb the Second Amendment, a right that many politicians in that state despise.
The Healthy People 2010 is coming at that from various directions, not just mental health angle. Safety too. READ:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1563271/posts?page=108#108
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1165420/posts
Here's a little snippet:
But the Texas project, which promotes the use of newer, more expensive antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs, sparked off controversy when Allen Jones, an employee of the Pennsylvania Office of the Inspector General, revealed that key officials with influence over the medication plan in his state received money and perks from drug companies with a stake in the medication algorithm (15 May, p1153). He was sacked this week for speaking to the BMJ and the New York Times.
The Texas project started in 1995 as an alliance of individuals from the pharmaceutical industry, the University of Texas, and the mental health and corrections systems of Texas. The project was funded by a Robert Wood Johnson grant—and by several drug companies.
Leni
If you know any freepers that have a good understanding about NGO grants, please ping them.
I've noticed a mad rush to get the Healthy People 2010 implemented since the Feds started voter fraud investigations. Once the Healthy People 2010 is implemented, can it be UNdone? This is signing on with a UN initiative.
ARGH! Only to be expected. BTW, do they think they going to find ANY teen who could be certifiably sane? I'm living with three of them tight now and I wonder.
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