Increase In Child ‘Baker Act’ Cases Draws Attention

July 30, 2017

With a dramatic increase in the number of children being taken in for involuntary psychiatric examinations, a state panel  began looking to address the “Baker Act” issue. More than 32,000 children were subject to examinations under Florida’s Baker Act during the 2015-16 fiscal year, an increase of nearly 50 percent statewide over five years. Six counties saw increases of more than 100 percent over the same period. Under the Baker Act, people can be held against their will for up to 72 hours, until doctors determine whether they will likely hurt themselves or others. Legislation passed this year required minors to be seen within 12 hours of arriving at facilities. It also created the Task Force on Involuntary Examination of Minors within the Department of Children and Families to address the issue. That group held its first meeting in Tallahassee. April Lott, CEO of Directions For Living, a community mental-health agency in Pinellas County, said many people don’t know how to help children and see the Baker Act as their only option. She said mental-health services, behavioral-health services and intensive family services often aren’t accessible. “It’s not available to everybody,” Lott said. “Then they get at their wits end, and teachers, parents, and other caregivers don’t know what to do other than to use the Baker Act system.” John Bryant, assistant secretary for mental health and substance abuse at the Department of Children and Families, said he thinks more resources are needed to help address issues before they get out of control. “One of the recommendations might be that we supplement the activities and the level of professional staff that are available to address these problems within the public school system,” Bryant said.

by The News Service of Florida

Comments

7 Responses to “Increase In Child ‘Baker Act’ Cases Draws Attention”

  1. Ann crutch on August 1st, 2017 11:38 am

    People are abusing this program to help receive social security disability for their kids, never thinking about the child’s self esteem, and problems that will follow these children forever, parents see $$$ signs, never worked a day in their life, it’s easy money to them, seen it happen

  2. No Excuses on July 31st, 2017 10:55 am

    I’d be interested to see more data – for example, how old are the “children”? If they are teens, then I would suspect illicit drug use is responsible for at least a part of the increase. Some kids do have mental issues and need the care, but I’d suspect drugs have more to do with it than actual mental issues.

    Is there a study we can read?

  3. Esc co leo on July 30th, 2017 11:14 pm

    @ Nod

    The law does not punish people for spanking. We do punish people for excessive corporal punishment, such as using items that leave loop marks, cause bruising or bleeding, etc.

    Reasonable corporal punishment is allowed.

  4. Nod on July 30th, 2017 2:00 pm

    If the law would not punish parents for trying to discipline their children, we would not have this problem.

  5. anne 1of2 on July 30th, 2017 11:42 am

    Children do not raise themselves! They are acting out for attention. Attention and respect would bring those numbers down. When I see two parents at a table in a restaurant, both on their cell phones with 3 kids fighting over a tray of hamburgers and fries, I want to cry. Those parents have no conversation with those children during the meal at all. I thank God for the parents I had every day of my life and pray for the children of today.

  6. Just saying on July 30th, 2017 9:55 am

    Smokey you and I are on the same wavelength. Most children are in desperate need of parenting, consequences, and spankings. (And before the haters start in on child abuse Do not think I’m advocating beatings… there is a difference in spankings and beatings)

  7. Smokey on July 30th, 2017 7:47 am

    Spanking them butts would bring them numbers down.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News