Poll of the Day > Pennsylvania School THREATENS to put KIDS in FOSTER CARE for UNPAID DEBTS!!!

(+) Yeah! (+)

Wyoming Valley West School District in Pennsylvania is warning parents that their CHILDREN will be in FOSTER CARE if they don't pay up their overdue school lunch bills!!

The letters were sent out to 1000 parents that have led to complaints from parents and a stern rebuke from Pennsylvania's Luzerne County Child Welfare authorities

The district says they have more than 20,000 in overdue bills and that other methods to get them to pay wasn't successful as 4 parents owe at least $450 a piece

The unpaid bills could lead to dependency hearings and removal of their kids for not providing them with food as the letter said "You can be sent to dependency court for neglecting your child's right to food. The result may be your child being taken from your home and placed in foster care"

After outrage, they plan to send out "less threatening" letters as the child welfare agency director has written to the district to stop making false claims as they call it troubling and a misrepresentation of how they handle the foster care program

Joanne Van Saun said "It's just not true. We do not remove children from families for unpaid bills" and that in her 33 years working in the dept,t hey've never removed a child from their home for unpaid bills and never will

School VP David Usavage said when he read the letter, the top of his HEAD almost came off!!

He said the school could have done other things to get involved without "harsh" language and said "The only thing in that letter that was missing was when we are going to put them in cages and send them to Mexico"

But the LAWYER for the district, Charles Coslett said these letters were NOT threatening who said "Hopefully, that gets their attention and it certainly did, didn't it? I mean if you think about it, you're here this morning because some parents cried foul because he or she doesn't want to pay a debt attributed to feeding their kids. How shameful"

The district also considered giving kids with debt only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches but were advised against it as now they plan to pursue other legal avenues ot get the debt but DON'T APOLOGIZE for their actions because they want their money..

Do you think this letter to threaten to take their kids away for not paying a debt was appropriate?

The letter -




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LOL if people actually think this letter was sent out of concern for the kids well being! They just want their money.
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They actually told the truth though, if you send your child to school without food, over a period of time, it is a concern to the adults at the school, and it will probably be investigated. We always just paid for the child's food if that happened, but I'm pretty sure every single time someone started an investigation process.

We (the teachers) were not a part of that process mind you, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen.

So yeah, it's pretty much the truth, if you send your kid to school with no money and no food, people will indeed feed them, but they will also be VERY worried for the child's well being.

I should mention that at least at the schools where I went, it was possible to get children free meals if you had under a certain income, and the children without had parents that didn't care enough to fill out the application, pay for a lunch or send them in with food.
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Maybe its not the same in Pennsylvania but last I heard in California the school has to provide food weather the childs bill has been paid or not, so if anyone is neglecting the child's right to food its the school for refusing to provide food to the hungry child. If they want the money from the parents then just sue them and put a garnishment on their wages but its remarkably actually not their fault, with the way the system is set up, if the child goes without food at school.
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aDirtyShisno posted...

Maybe its not the same in Pennsylvania but last I heard in California the school has to provide food weather the childs bill has been paid or not, so if anyone is neglecting the child's right to food its the school for refusing to provide food to the hungry child. If they want the money from the parents then just sue them and put a garnishment on their wages but its remarkably actually not their fault, with the way the system is set up, if the child goes without food at school.

They have been feeding the children according to the notices etc, I think it's pretty much universal for now that they have to, but I believe I read the current administration was trying to remove that.

Most of the time, any situation like this was a sign of much larger problems. I really can't talk about specifics, but when a parent ignores a child's need completely, it's usually not just at school. I have had students that only ate at school, which is exactly what I did when I was a kid, so I know how much it sucks, especially over weekends.

I'm not being mean when I say that someone always reports such situations, because it needs to be reported. It has never been that common even at the poorest schools I worked at (El Roble had about 50% of it's parents unable to speak English for instance).

Most of the schools I worked at had after school programs as well, that provide snacks later in the afternoon (4pm or so) and were free if the family had under a certain income, that could allow a child to get 3 "meals" a day, even if the 3rd was pretty minor (just fruit + snack (chips/juicers/muffin etc)+milk generally.

I also worked at Champions which always provided a much larger/full snack (might as well have been a meal). I would often get little ceasars pizza on Wed for the kids for instance (used to be $5 on Wed every week!!). We made corn dogs, burritos etc. While not free, it did have a program for those who were low income as well.

Should almost always be a way to ensure your children get food if you care enough to try. It's really sad that there are some that don't even bother with that.
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Threatening to put the kids in foster care is too far, but I'd be totally fine w/ the school being able to put a lien on the parents' income/welfare checks to recoup the balance

tbh, if parents can't afford to care for their children, the kids probably should be taken away.

RedSox342 posted...

LOL if people actually think this letter was sent out of concern for the kids well being! They just want their money.

LOL if you actually believe that and aren't just trolling. Nobody is getting rich off subsidized lunches.
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Zeus posted...

tbh, if parents can't afford to care for their children, the kids probably should be taken away.

RedSox342 posted...

LOL if people actually think this letter was sent out of concern for the kids well being! They just want their money.

LOL if you actually believe that and aren't just trolling. Nobody is getting rich off subsidized lunches.

>The district says they have more than 20,000 in overdue bills and that other methods to get them to pay wasn't successful as 4 parents owe at least $450 a piece
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Zeus strawmans and has fungus in his bungus
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This is 20miles from my home. Maybe if the district didn't outsource the kitchen to a for profit company this wouldn't happen.... If they ain't paid up the get a cheese sandwich and a piece of fruit, to meet nutrition Needs.... Asshats
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Zeus posted...

tbh, if parents can't afford to care for their children, the kids probably should be taken away.

All parents can afford to take care of their children in the US, so if parents just don't care enough or are too lazy to take care of their children, yes, they should be taken away.
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wolfy42 posted...

Zeus posted...

tbh, if parents can't afford to care for their children, the kids probably should be taken away.

All parents can afford to take care of their children in the US, so if parents just don't care enough or are too lazy to take care of their children, yes, they should be taken away.

I love how anyone can say dumb shit online and spread lies and there's no consequences
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RedSox342 posted...

wolfy42 posted...

Zeus posted...

tbh, if parents can't afford to care for their children, the kids probably should be taken away.

All parents can afford to take care of their children in the US, so if parents just don't care enough or are too lazy to take care of their children, yes, they should be taken away.

I love how anyone can say dumb shit online and spread lies and there's no consequences

Shrug, it's the truth. There are programs to help, and honestly you can do so making min wage in most of the US with just 1 parent. If you can't in your area because min wage is so low, move with your kids somewhere you can.

Kids should be a priority, and with school programs and gov assistance if you have kids (food stamps etc), yes, you can ensure they are taken care of. That isn't to say everyone DOES...sadly there are tons of selfish people, or people with mental illness (not their fault, but they shouldn't be taken care of their kids in that case) etc.

I grew up in the projects all across the country and I saw many "parents" who had kids to get more benefits and did not spend anything on their kids. I'm a bit...prejudiced because of that. Nothing makes me angrier then seeing adults take advantage of their kids, and spend money/resources meant for them on themselves.
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RedSox342 posted...

I love how anyone can say dumb shit online and spread lies and there's no consequences

because it's true.

food stamps exist, and that is what their primary purpose is for.

to feed your children when you otherwise cannot afford to.

but what, rarely, sometimes happens is that you have parents who don't care. they would rather sell their food stamps for money. it's shitty and abhorrent, but it does happen. in cases like that, it wouldn't be such a terrible idea for child services to get involved.
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Bulbasaur posted...

RedSox342 posted...

I love how anyone can say dumb shit online and spread lies and there's no consequences

because it's true.

food stamps exist, and that is what their primary purpose is for.

to feed your children when you otherwise cannot afford to.

but what, rarely, sometimes happens is that you have parents who don't care. they would rather sell their food stamps for money. it's shitty and abhorrent, but it does happen. in cases like that, it wouldn't be such a terrible idea for child services to get involved.

The funny thing is that schools dont take food stamps and anyone who qualified for food stamps would also qualify for free food from the school.
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wolfy42 posted...

RedSox342 posted...

wolfy42 posted...

Zeus posted...

tbh, if parents can't afford to care for their children, the kids probably should be taken away.

All parents can afford to take care of their children in the US, so if parents just don't care enough or are too lazy to take care of their children, yes, they should be taken away.

I love how anyone can say dumb shit online and spread lies and there's no consequences

Shrug, it's the truth. There are programs to help, and honestly you can do so making min wage in most of the US with just 1 parent. If you can't in your area because min wage is so low, move with your kids somewhere you can.

Kids should be a priority, and with school programs and gov assistance if you have kids (food stamps etc), yes, you can ensure they are taken care of. That isn't to say everyone DOES...sadly there are tons of selfish people, or people with mental illness (not their fault, but they shouldn't be taken care of their kids in that case) etc.

I grew up in the projects all across the country and I saw many "parents" who had kids to get more benefits and did not spend anything on their kids. I'm a bit...prejudiced because of that. Nothing makes me angrier then seeing adults take advantage of their kids, and spend money/resources meant for them on themselves.

you're suggesting their getting put in foster care is preferential to this? you had a rough life, but that's insane, at their ages no one will be interested in adoption, ok?

and uprooting them and placing them with total strangers with zero interest in their future success is just as despicable as their parents behavior, ok?
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No these are the unwilling people who came criminal the projects, and bought up.... Every company and Corp in America continues to make billions, but they can't pay more than 7.25 and do so..... After a billion in profit per quarter every other dollar should be spent on employees and r&d. Without tax breaks... And subsidies and whatever else they came up with. I have the world's first cable company's still serviced wires 1.8 miles from my home. In the 70s we tried to split the cost or running the coax down here.... Nope. I Duno but 30 homes at 40ish a month for 50 years sounds like it would have paid off. Than we give them subsidies to run anything at all, while they still give out multi million bonuses..... I hope the HAM guys set us free from wires soon.
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aDirtyShisno posted...

The funny thing is that schools dont take food stamps and anyone who qualified for food stamps would also qualify for free food from the school.

Um just buy your kids simple food and send them with it to school?

ClarkDuke posted...

you're suggesting their getting put in foster care is preferential to this? you had a rough life, but that's insane, at their ages no one will be interested in adoption, ok?

and uprooting them and placing them with total strangers with zero interest in their future success is just as despicable as their parents behavior, ok?

Better to be with a indifferent guardian who gives them their basic needs rather then a abusive parent who can't even feed their kids.

ferko420 posted...

No these are the unwilling people who came criminal the projects, and bought up.... Every company and Corp in America continues to make billions, but they can't pay more than 7.25 and do so..... After a billion in profit per quarter every other dollar should be spent on employees and r&d. Without tax breaks... And subsidies and whatever else they came up with. I have the world's first cable company's still serviced wires 1.8 miles from my home. In the 70s we tried to split the cost or running the coax down here.... Nope. I Duno but 30 homes at 40ish a month for 50 years sounds like it would have paid off. Than we give them subsidies to run anything at all, while they still give out multi million bonuses..... I hope the HAM guys set us free from wires soon.

what the fuck is this guy saying
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ClarkDuke posted...

you're suggesting their getting put in foster care is preferential to this? you had a rough life, but that's insane, at their ages no one will be interested in adoption, ok?

and uprooting them and placing them with total strangers with zero interest in their future success is just as despicable as their parents behavior, ok?

translation: why try and help because there is a slim chance that the same thing would also happen to them but with different people

are you fuckin serious my guy

ClarkDuke posted...

you're suggesting their getting put in foster care is preferential to this? you had a rough life, but that's insane, at their ages no one will be interested in adoption, ok?

and uprooting them and placing them with total strangers with zero interest in their future success is just as despicable as their parents behavior, ok?

translation: why try and help because there is a slim chance that the same thing would also happen to them but with different people

are you fuckin serious my guy
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RedSox342 posted...

>The district says they have more than 20,000 in overdue bills and that other methods to get them to pay wasn't successful as 4 parents owe at least $450 a piece

Which again comes to:
Zeus posted...

Nobody is getting rich off subsidized lunches.

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ferko420 posted...

This is 20miles from my home. Maybe if the district didn't outsource the kitchen to a for profit company this wouldn't happen.... If they ain't paid up the get a cheese sandwich and a piece of fruit, to meet nutrition Needs.... Asshats

You mean if the schools didn't outsource then parents wouldn't be deadbeats? Unlikely.

RedSox342 posted...

I love how anyone can say dumb shit online and spread lies and there's no consequences

You mean you love the ability do what you do?

wolfy42 posted...

Shrug, it's the truth. There are programs to help, and honestly you can do so making min wage in most of the US with just 1 parent. If you can't in your area because min wage is so low, move with your kids somewhere you can.

Kids should be a priority, and with school programs and gov assistance if you have kids (food stamps etc), yes, you can ensure they are taken care of. That isn't to say everyone DOES...sadly there are tons of selfish people, or people with mental illness (not their fault, but they shouldn't be taken care of their kids in that case) etc.

Yes, low-income parents often get SNAP/EBT for their children which is *supposed* to cover stuff like this. Giving free school lunches is double-dipping.

aDirtyShisno posted...

The funny thing is that schools dont take food stamps and anyone who qualified for food stamps would also qualify for free food from the school.

The funny thing is that food stamps can be used to buy food which your kids can take with them to school for lunch.
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Zeus posted...

ferko420 posted...

This is 20miles from my home. Maybe if the district didn't outsource the kitchen to a for profit company this wouldn't happen.... If they ain't paid up the get a cheese sandwich and a piece of fruit, to meet nutrition Needs.... Asshats

You mean if the schools didn't outsource then parents wouldn't be deadbeats? Unlikely.

RedSox342 posted...

I love how anyone can say dumb shit online and spread lies and there's no consequences

You mean you love the ability do what you do?

wolfy42 posted...

Shrug, it's the truth. There are programs to help, and honestly you can do so making min wage in most of the US with just 1 parent. If you can't in your area because min wage is so low, move with your kids somewhere you can.

Kids should be a priority, and with school programs and gov assistance if you have kids (food stamps etc), yes, you can ensure they are taken care of. That isn't to say everyone DOES...sadly there are tons of selfish people, or people with mental illness (not their fault, but they shouldn't be taken care of their kids in that case) etc.

Yes, low-income parents often get SNAP/EBT for their children which is *supposed* to cover stuff like this. Giving free school lunches is double-dipping.

aDirtyShisno posted...

The funny thing is that schools dont take food stamps and anyone who qualified for food stamps would also qualify for free food from the school.

The funny thing is that food stamps can be used to buy food which your kids can take with them to school for lunch.

The funny thing is that you cant read a quote. If they qualify for food stamps they automatically qualify for free lunches. The people on food stamps are not the people who arent paying their lunch bills because theyre getting lunch for free.
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