We're trying very hard to get a 16yo special-needs child home to his family across several states; he was here to offer his parents respite care but now has become homesick. Neither family has the financial resources to drive or fly him home... any advice?
2007-07-15 09:45:00 · 5 answers · asked by Giovanni 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Special Education
Sorry, forgot to add all details and didn't want to infringe upon privacy issues...but we need to drive him from Arkansas to West Virginia or fly from Memphis to Pittsburgh. Thanks for answering!
2007-07-15 10:39:09 · update #1
How about a local "Childrens' Home Society" or a childrens advocacy center? Since you haven't stated what states you need to cross its hard to give SPECIFIC info.
EDIT
You are in luck- I'm in WV - If the child is really a normally resident here I would contact the WV Dept of HHR and see if they have any special assistance grants- or WV Advocates and see what they say. Sounds like he may not be able to travel alone. I sent you an email as well.
2007-07-15 10:00:48 · answer #1 · answered by professorc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You and the parents must have had plans in place to get the child back home at the end of his stay. I would look at adapting thos plans. If he was going to fly, contact the airlines (the parents will have to do it tho since they are the legal gaurdians) and explain the situation. Many airlines will let you re-book a ticket with only a minimal fee. If the plan was to drive him home, then am hoping there was some level of planning in place for that as well, so just adapt it..maybe meet half way rather than have one family drive the complete trip.
You don't mention what the child's special needs are or how long he has been at your home. You also don't mention if he has ever spent time there, extended time with you and/or extended time away from his family. If the child has been to your home before, knows you well and in generally happy to be with you, than it might be a good idea to try and ride out the homesickness for another few days. Almost all kids, special needs or not, will have homesickness when away from home for the first time. Of course, if he is acting out in ways that are hard to control,dangerous to himself and others or causing him to be physically ill, then he should go home.
2007-07-16 00:19:17 · answer #2 · answered by Annie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try Angel Flight, but they may only do medical emergencies. Their website is http://www.angelflightmidatlantic.org/
Many kids become homesick, especially if they don't go away very often. Are you sure there isn't any way that you can deal with the homesickness? Maybe you can consult an experienced camp counselor or therapist for the best way to handle it based on the child's functioning level. If the parents were willing to send him out of state for respite care they may REALLY need a break!
How was he going to get home at the end of the respite care time? If he was going to fly, maybe if you talk to the airline they'll waive any fees for changing flights, and if the family was going to drive, they may need to beg borrow and steal so they can get him home. Since this isn't an emergency it may be very difficult to get help.
Good luck!
2007-07-15 18:15:10 · answer #3 · answered by TeacherLady 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the states most childern with special needs and low income families have Medicaid and SSI, these funds should be for the child. If the child has orthopedic problems you may get help form the Shriners, vision deficites the Lions Club, hearing loss the Sertoma Club. Other wise, I say wait for his next disability check and use the funds for transportation assistance.
2007-07-15 12:39:49 · answer #4 · answered by itchianna 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-10-19 04:56:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋