Group Home Visitation Restrictions

Summary

Cheryls special needs son, Jimmy, faced visitation restrictions after a hospital discharge due to missing prescriptions. Despite being his power of attorney, Cheryl can only see Jimmy in public with staff present. The state and group home are investigating the missing prescriptions. Cheryl, living on disability, seeks free or low-cost legal aid to resolve the issue and restore her visitation rights.

Full Conversation

My special needs son lives in a group home. Jimmy was in a hospital for psych help and the hospital called me to get jimmy. I am mom and power of attorney. I said okay. I got there and they couldn't get a hold of his staff at greater heart in Lancaster. Do I got them to call in 3 days of meds for jimmy. I had no meds no clothes for him. I left hospital with * paper list of meds he came in with and the paper said discharge. But no information. Then I left with jimmy. After 2 days group home came and picked up jimmy. Then I was accused of taking his proscriptions that I never got do now protective services is involved and I can only see him in publiv. I worked for penn mar for 7 years same type of angentice. I told them everything needed to go to the group home and there pharmacy. Now I can't bring my son home or see him there. That's not fair the hospital messed up.
Did you receive any formal notice or documentation from the protective services regarding the accusations and the restrictions placed on your visits?
No
I see. Have you had any further contact or communication with the protective services since our last conversation?
No nothing at all
What is your current situation regarding the accusations and restrictions on your visits?
Nothing has changed
What steps have you taken to address the accusations and restrictions on your visits?
I don't know what to do the state says I have to wait
What state are you currently residing in? This will help me provide you with the most accurate information regarding your situation.
Pa
What specific accusations and restrictions are you facing? In Pennsylvania, child protective services usually intervene when there's a report of child abuse or neglect.
I can't go on any appointments with him or be alone with him or bring him home
What is the reason given by the state for these restrictions?
They can't find his proscriptions
What do you mean by "they can't find his proscriptions"? Could you please clarify?
His prescriptions they wrote
What is the nature of these prescriptions? Are they related to a medical condition?
They adjusted his anxiety meds mood meds and sleep meds
Who adjusted the prescriptions - a medical professional or someone else?
Lancaster general hospital behavior unit
What is the relationship between you and the person whose prescriptions were adjusted at Lancaster General Hospital Behavior Unit?
My son
What is the age of your son?
* he is neurological impaired
What is the nature of the neurological impairment your son has?
Autism and mhmr
What specific legal assistance are you seeking in relation to your son's situation?
I just want to see my son without being in public. They messed up not me
What is the current custody arrangement for your son?
I am power of attorney
What specific restrictions have been placed on your power of attorney by the state?
None
What actions have been taken by Lancaster General Hospital Behavior Unit regarding your son's prescriptions?
None and he needs them
What steps have you taken to communicate with Lancaster General Hospital Behavior Unit about your son's prescriptions?
I have called there * times alli get is a run around
What was the response from Lancaster General Hospital Behavior Unit when you called them regarding your son's prescriptions?
They said I have them I said no I didn't leave with them I told you to sent them to a group home
What is the name and location of the group home where your son's prescriptions were supposed to be sent?
Grater heart Lancaster pa
What is the response from Grater Heart group home in Lancaster, PA regarding your son's prescriptions?
They contacted protective services I never heard anything from protective service just the state and greater heart
What was the response from the state and Grater Heart regarding the situation?
I have to wait on the investigation
What is the nature of the investigation being conducted by the state and Grater Heart?
I don't exactly know I just been told about the meds
What was the last communication you received from the state or Grater Heart about the investigation?
They are investigating what happened to the meds
What was the last date you communicated with the state or Grater Heart about the investigation?
Nothing
What is the current status of the investigation regarding the missing prescriptions?
That it will take time
What is the timeline given by the state for the completion of the investigation?
They don't have one
What actions have you taken since the state and Grater Heart started their investigation?
I have just been doing what they say. I don't know what to do. It's been * weeks
Have you considered seeking legal representation to help expedite the investigation and clarify your rights as a power of attorney?
Yes but I live on disability
What is your financial situation? Are you able to afford a lawyer or do you need assistance finding free or low-cost legal aid?
I can't afford a lawyer I live in md my son lives in pa but I have been sick and in the hospital more than I have been home that why I am staying in Hanover pa because to of my medical problems
What steps have you taken to apply for free or low-cost legal aid in Pennsylvania?
I didn't know if I could
Did you know that Pennsylvania has several legal aid organizations that provide free or low-cost legal services to those who qualify? Would you like assistance in contacting them?
Yes
What is the nature of your medical problems that have kept you in the hospital?
My immune system doesn't work I get pneumonia every month also COVID pneumonia * times and pancreatitis and ulcerative colitis as well
I'm sorry to hear about your health issues. Have you considered applying for disability benefits in Pennsylvania?
I get disability from the government
What type of disability benefits are you receiving from the government?
Social security disability
What is the amount of Social Security Disability benefits you receive monthly?
*.*
What is the name of the protective services agency that is conducting the investigation?
I don't know
What is the name of the state agency that communicated with you about the investigation?
Pa mhmr
What is the full form of "Pa mhmr" and what was their exact communication to you?
Mental health mental retardation
Mental health mental retardation
What specific communication have you received from the Pennsylvania Mental Health and Mental Retardation (MHMR) department regarding your son's situation?
A tecx message from his service coordination
What was the content of the text message you received from the service coordination?
That there is a investigation and that I have to be in public and I can't be involved in anything going on with jimmy
That there is an protective service investigation and I have to be in public with staff with jimmy and can't be in his appointments or any about jimmy. Until investigation is done
I was just talking to you. The state told me to not be alone with jimmy only in public with staff. I can't go to appointments or anything to do with jimmy
Did you receive any formal notice or court order regarding these restrictions?
No
What state are you currently residing in? This will help me provide you with the most accurate information.
I live in md but now staying in pa because I'm sick jimmy is in pa
What is your relationship with Jimmy and why are there restrictions on your interactions with him?
I just went thru all of this with you and got knocked off line
I'm sorry for the inconvenience, ****. Can you please tell me if there's a legal case involved in this situation?
All I know is I can't see my son but in public because of protective service
What is the reason given by the protective services for these restrictions?
They can't find jiimys ores
What does "ores" refer to in this context?