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SUCCESS STORIES Lessons for Geraldine Five year old Geraldine* loved to attend weekly Spanish and piano classes at Language and Music School in Oak Park, Illinois. She always looked forward to class and would be ready to go at the drop of a hat. After about one year in the program, the school told Geraldine’s foster parent that Geraldine could not longer attend classes due to an outstanding balance of $1500. Apparently, Child Link, the agency responsible for paying for the classes had stopped paying for the program and had refused to pay the outstanding balance owed. This left Geraldine saddened and upset. She would not be able to graduate with her classmates. Upon hearing this, Geraldine’s attorney/GAL filed a service appeal through DCFS. Initially the service appeal was dismissed but the GAL filed a complaint with the Chancery Court and in November 2007 the Department agreed to send the case for a hearing. At the hearing the Administrative Law Judge granted the appeal and determined it was not in Geraldine’s best interest to have her classes discontinued and recommended that Child Link pay the outstanding balance. The Administrative Law judge also stated that Child Link should refer Geraldine for future piano and Spanish lessons including make up lessons for the months she missed. We are happy to report that Geraldine is now enrolled in Spanish and piano classes. She recently wrote her GAL a note which simply said GRACIAS (thank you). *names changed to protect client confidentiality Wrongly withheld board payments. Tyler * is a 22 year old former DCFS ward. His case was closed when he reached 21 years old. There was time where Tyler’s whereabouts were unknown. He had moved from home to home trying to find a safe place to live. Eventually Tyler ended up at his first foster parents home. His foster parent welcomed him home and he lived with her and his sibling for over a year. The agency, LSSI knew he was living with his sibling in this home but refused to authorize this placement. Neither Tyler nor his foster parent received any board payments during this year. After hearing about Tyler’s situation, his attorney/GAL filed a compliant with the court of Claims for the board payments. After months of going back and forth DCFS legal and the GAL came to an agreement that DCFS would issue Tyler a check for over $3,500. Ms. Robbins delivered the check to Tyler recently and he was so appreciative. He plans to use this money to set up a household for his family. *names changed to protect client confidentiality
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