“Ghost” and “phantom networks” describe directories maintained by managed care organizations, listing healthcare providers who are unavailable for their members. However, these networks often include…
Posts published by “Rick Wheat”
Rick Wheat serves as CEO of Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services. His lifelong interest is to understand and improve services for children, child welfare systems, child well-being, and the impact of state systems on the lives of children and their families.
One hears occasional anecdotal reports. There was a sentence in the Report of Governor Edwards’ 2016 Transition Committee on Children and Family Services, which states,…
Mental Health “Boarding” or “psychiatric boarding” occurs when children are kept in a hospital emergency department (“ED”) because the intensive mental health treatment services they…
Have you wondered how to call your Louisiana legislators? Have you wanted to share your thoughts about a bill but did not know how? You…
Data makes it clear that the number of Louisiana children in foster care is increasing. Louisiana does not have enough foster homes available to handle…
Louisiana’s Office of Children’s Ombudsman is a missing piece of child well-being infrastructure. I believe the concept of “Child Well-Being Infrastructure” is essential. I think…
Children’s Ombuds are independent public officials responsible for protecting children’s rights in their interactions with state agencies by hearing complaints, helping resolve legitimate complaints, and…
Parents use Ombudsman services for children. Parents are more likely to communicate their concerns to a State Ombuds for Children than to the employees of…
The Louisiana Legislature is Active on Children’s Bills, but Louisiana Ranks Poorly on Child Well-being. Would an Office of Children’s Ombudsman Help? Louisiana’s Legislature is…
A Children’s Ombud is a state employee who acts as “an independent, impartial public official with authority and responsibility to receive, investigate or informally address…