Grandfather of boy abandoned at Colorado hospital pleads for help as lawmakers consider overhaul of child welfare and behavioral health systems
Grandfather of boy abandoned at Colorado hospital pleads for help as lawmakers consider overhaul of child welfare and behavioral health systems CBS News
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The Urgent Need for Care and Support for Children with Autism in Colorado
As the grandfather of a Colorado boy with autism who was abandoned by his father at a Longmont hospital, Dennis Kelley is pleading for help. The case of his grandson highlights a growing issue where parents are surrendering custody of their children in order to access the care they need. This has resulted in children with autism being left in emergency rooms and county offices for extended periods of time, as there are no suitable facilities available for them.
The Plight of Kelley’s Grandson
Six weeks ago, Kelley’s grandson was left at UCHealth’s Longs Peak Hospital by his father. The boy, who recently celebrated his fourteenth birthday alone in the hospital, does not belong there according to hospital staff. An email from a hospital employee to state representative Judy Amabile revealed that it could take months to find a suitable placement for the boy through Human Services.
Kelley explains that his grandson has faced abandonment throughout his life. His father left him at birth and refused to take him in after his mother’s tragic overdose. As a result, the boy has been shuffled between various homes and foster care.
The Worsening Youth Mental Health Crisis
Dr. K. Ron-Li Liaw, Mental Health In-Chief at Children’s Hospital Colorado, addressed an interim legislative committee on child welfare and highlighted the worsening youth mental health crisis. She reported a spike in children boarding in emergency departments, with waitlists for care ranging from six months to a year. Insurance often does not cover the necessary mental health services, leading to a disparity in care compared to physical health conditions.
The Need for Sustainable Funding and Insurance Coverage
While one-time funding has been approved for additional residential treatment beds, Ron-Li Liaw emphasizes the need for long-term sustainable funding to meet the growing demand. She also calls on legislators to pass a law that requires insurers to cover the actual cost of mental health care, regardless of whether the provider is in-network.
Becky Miller Updike, executive director of the Colorado Association of Family and Children’s Agencies, highlights the limited availability of residential treatment facilities in Colorado. These facilities often rely on fundraising to stay operational. Miller argues that it is unacceptable for essential services for young children to be lacking, especially when they are experiencing severe mental health issues.
A Call for Help
Kelley emphasizes that his grandson is a good kid who needs a home, not a hospital. As a 76-year-old with cancer, Kelley is desperate to find a loving and caring environment for his grandson before it’s too late. He pleads for someone in Colorado to step forward and provide the support and means necessary to take in his grandson.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses the issues faced by children with mental health problems, specifically a boy with autism who was abandoned by his father and left in a hospital. These issues are connected to SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all, including mental health. The article also highlights the lack of appropriate care and support for these children, which relates to SDG 4, which focuses on quality education and inclusive learning opportunities. Additionally, the article mentions the need for long-term sustainable funding and legislation to address the challenges faced by these children, which aligns with SDG 10 and SDG 16.
2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs
- SDG 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
- SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- SDG 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.
The targets identified under the relevant SDGs include reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promoting mental health and well-being (SDG 3.4), ensuring inclusive and quality education for all (SDG 4.7), promoting social, economic, and political inclusion (SDG 10.2), and ensuring responsive and inclusive decision-making (SDG 16.7).
3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article
- Number of children with mental health issues staying in emergency rooms and county offices for extended periods.
- Waitlists for mental health care services lasting six months to a year.
- Lack of funding for residential treatment facilities.
- Difficulty in finding appropriate placements for children with mental health issues.
The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include the number of children with mental health issues staying in emergency rooms and county offices for extended periods, the length of waitlists for mental health care services, the availability of funding for residential treatment facilities, and the ease of finding appropriate placements for children with mental health issues.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. | – Number of children with mental health issues staying in emergency rooms and county offices for extended periods. – Waitlists for mental health care services lasting six months to a year. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles. | – Lack of appropriate placements for children with mental health issues. – Difficulty in finding appropriate placements for children with mental health issues. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | – Lack of funding for residential treatment facilities. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | SDG 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels. | N/A |
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Source: cbsnews.com
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