Monterey Bay Forum

The overall goal is to get everyone on the same page: you as parent, MD, therapist, regular ed and special education teacher(s), school nurse, school psychologist, and any government agencies that are involved (e.g., County Mental Health, Child Protective Service for children in foster care).

Unfortunately, what often happens is that the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. You as parent need to get in the driver’s seat and see that all the “horses” – school, professionals, hospitals, government agencies — move ahead in the right direction.

And that should include that everyone knows what the others have learned. So, make sure that Releases to share information are signed so everybody can communicate, receive records and communicate.


Here’s an example. An elementary school child is in foster care and receives services through Child Protective Service and County Mental Health. To clarify diagnosis the County wants the child to go to nearby Stanford Hospital (LPCH). So what needs to happen? Hopefully, CPS and County Mental Health will see that their mental health records together with the the child’s pediatric MD records and appropriate school records accompany the referral.

Another example: You as parent have concerns and go to your pediatrician. The pediatrician thinks that your child needs additional assessment and your doctor refers to a large, near by hospital complex (UC-SF, Stanford Hospital, Kaisier Permanente). Be sure that you as parent take along with you all relevant school assessments, school grades, and medical records. Get all the players on the same page. And be sure that all the players can talk to each other and exchange information.

Here’s some general ‘how to’ directions for parents of a child with ADHD or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD): (more…)

How to stop–at least put a major crimp — in gang violence? What are YOUR ideas?

These are mine. By the way, this is NOT a Saul Alinsky COPA approach ….

1. UNIFORMS: Public schools will agree that they will require that all students (K- grade 12) wear uniforms at school and to and from school. To and from school, note. Schools will enforce the uniform rule Consequences for breaking the uniform rule will be clearly set out and enforced. The parents will choose what kind of uniforms and what consequences for breaking the rule. The uniforms must fit the students in a reasonable, normal manner — not extremely tight or loose. Top of the pants can be no lower than an agreed upon number of inches from the waist.

2) NO TATOOS, MAKE UP AND CLEAN APPEARANCE. Girls and boys are to be clean and wear clean clothing. No cosmetic make-up or visible tatoos allowed for school age boys or girls. Consequences stated for breaking the rule. Dirty hair and clothing? Go to thegym and take a shower and put on clean clothing.

3) FAMILIES WILL CONTROL WHERE & WHEN CHILDREN GO. Families commit to control where & when children go out from after school to time to be home for the night. Both schools and faith organizations can assist in making these Agreements. This has to be by choice and made indvidually by families and children with schools and thier faith organizations.

4) COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WILL SUPPORT FAMIY COMMITMENT TO CONTROL CHILDREN’S BEHAVIOR. Strengthen School/ Parent and Faith Organization/ Family Agreements with school/ community events (pot lucks, park activities, athletic events for families) which provide structured time for families to do fun, safe activities together. Provide weekly safe activities for families.

COMMUNITY NON-PROFITS. Faith organizations and community organizations should collaborate to strengthen values of honesty, non-violence, and cooperative behavior. Possible ways could include Affirmation of Family Values (akin to renewal of baptismal vows) done by faith organizations with their members.

POLICE: Spread Neighborhood Watch (know your neighbor, make your neighborhood safe for children, report suspicious behavior, increase more police walking the beat).

This is to start a conversation… What say you? written by Cameron Jackson, Ph.D., J.D. DrCameronJackson@gmail.com