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Isa9862 · Jan 14, 2010, 08:15 PM

My son has had a PINS petition file on him due to truancy from school (suffering from anxiety and depression). His PINS (probation) officer insists on yelling at him at each meeting loudly enough that every word she says can be heard down the hall, around the corner and through a closed door. She doesn't care (told me that herself). Do I have any recourse? She yells at me, as well. My son suffers from depression and anxiety, and we are dealing with mental health professionals to solve the problem, yet are being threatened with foster care at least 4 hours away w/in the next month if he can't get to school every day. The PINS was only filed 1.5 months ago, and he has made SOME progress, but not as much as I would like. Each meeting with the PINS officer leaves us both drained and y son more depressed than ever.

Fr_Chuck · Jan 14, 2010, 08:40 PM

No, this is there job to try to put some fear of God into them. And truancy is missing school, normally without permission,

So why are you not making your child go to school ? I would say you may let them yell and back up the PO and perhaps it may have some effect on their behavior.

Sorry I think you are taking the wrong side, and should be doing more yelling than the PO

this8384 · Jan 15, 2010, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by Isa9862

My son has had a PINS petition file on him due to truancy from school (suffering from anxiety and depression). His PINS (probation) officer insists on yelling at him at each meeting loudly enough that every word she says can be heard down the hall, around the corner and through a closed door. She doesn't care (told me that herself). Do I have any recourse? She yells at me, as well. My son suffers from depression and anxiety, and we are dealing with mental health professionals to solve the problem, yet are being threatened with foster care at least 4 hours away w/in the next month if he can't get to school every day. The PINS was only filed 1.5 months ago, and he has made SOME progress, but not as much as I would like. Each meeting with the PINS officer leaves us both drained and y son more depressed than ever.

When all of this excessive "yelling" is going on, is the building empty? Is there nobody else hearing it? The way I see it, one of two things is happening. Either a)the PO is out-of-line and her superior and/or co-workers won't do anything about it or b)you're giving us a slanted view of the situation. Personally, I'm going to say it's the latter.

You say your son has anxiety and depression; how old is he? Has he been to a doctor and been prescribed medication to deal with this? Why does meeting with his PO depress your son?

You also say that he hasn't made as much progress as you would like; why not? Who is/isn't at home making sure he gets up and gets to school every day?

excon · Jan 16, 2010, 05:46 AM

Hello I:

They're not nice people. You can try to get a new PO for your son, but if you complain and it DOESN'T work, it'll be 10 times worse for your son.

If it was me, I'd let her yell. Frankly, if it was me, I'd yell back, but I'm not suggesting you do that.

excon

artlady · Jan 16, 2010, 06:09 AM

If you feel that her hard line stance is adversely affecting you son,get a statement from his doctor and speak to her supervisor.

On the other hand,it may be the only way to affect a change.

Sometimes a little tough love is just what the doctor ordered.
If she is using abusive language and being derogatory in any way,that is another issue.

Seems that a wake up call is in order and you might be better served to be on her side here lest your son ends up in foster care.

emacon · Jan 16, 2010, 10:54 AM

You would be making a huge mistake complaining to a probation officers supervisor. If you think that probation officer is bad now wait until she finds out you complained to her supervisor.

Also, do you think you would be the first person to complain about a probation officer? Most people think a probation officer is just picking on them or in your case just picking on their child.

twinkiedooter · Jan 16, 2010, 05:37 PM

Be happy you are not in some of the states where they incarcerate the truant's parents when they habitually miss school.

Have you spoken to the son and have gotten to the bottom of just why he ducks school?

The PO is just doing their job and obviously your son does not like any form of authority. You could schedule a meeting with the PO and speak one on one with the individual to find out why the yelling is happening.