Opinion ID: 2167237
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Amelia Apperson

Text: Amelia Apperson, a DCFS child welfare specialist, was the primary case worker between March 1995 and September 1996. At the time she assumed responsibility for the case, Mark and Diane resided together. In August 1995, Apperson evaluated Diane's progress with respect to the February 1995 service plan goal of return home. Apperson rated Diane's progress unsatisfactory. Apperson testified that Diane was uncooperative and failed to complete tasks and objectives set forth in the client service plan. Diane failed to attend counseling on a regular basis, continued to deny any responsibility for the abuse of her children, and, notwithstanding her completion of a parenting class, failed to exhibit appropriate parenting skills during visits with C.N. Based on Apperson's own observations, and a recommendation from Amy Unterborn, Diane's counselor, Apperson suggested in-home parenting classes involving both Diane and Mark. Apperson explained to them the specific behaviors with which she was concerned. Although at this point paternity testing had not yet been completed, Mark told Apperson that he knew he was C.N.'s father. The August 1995 service plan was therefore directed to Diane, Marin, and Mark. In drafting the August 1995 service plan, Apperson took into account an assessment of C.N. which indicated that she was developmentally delayed by six months due to a prior lack of stimulation and nurturing. The plan specified that, during supervised visits, Diane spend more time interacting with C.N., rather than with the visit supervisor. Apperson further testified regarding a September 8, 1995, visit by respondents with C.N. at the DCFS office. Apperson's supervisor terminated the visit after respondents became visibly angry in response to a parenting suggestion made by the visit supervisor. Diane raised her voice and hit a wall outside the visiting room. Mark commented that it was bullshit and a Gestapo regime. Apperson testified that this visit was the first in a long line of visits which appeared to cause C.N. great stress. C.N. would cry, bite herself, pull her hair out, and bang her head. During the period November 1995 to January 1996, Apperson felt that respondents had failed to make progress toward the goal of return home. Although Diane consistently attended counseling sessions, the couple's progress in the in-home parenting classes was inconsistent. In addition, visits with C.N. were still going poorly. In late February 1996, Apperson rated respondents' progress unsatisfactory. Apperson cited Diane's lack of cooperation with DCFS service providers, her failure to be present for all in-home appointments, her inconsistent attendance at counseling, her failure to address the past abuse, her failure to keep rent and utilities current, and her poor judgment in allowing various individuals to live with her and Mark. Apperson's written evaluation reflected many of the same concerns about Mark. Apperson also testified that respondents failed to complete in-home parenting classes. In the February 1996 service plan, Apperson changed the permanency goal from return home to foster parent placement, but testified that the goal could be changed at any time, based on the cooperation and progress of the parents. In March 1996, Apperson had discussions with Mark concerning his plan to obtain custody of C.N. Apperson was concerned about Mark's understanding of C.N.'s emotional health. Other than regaining custody, Mark had no plan to deal with C.N.'s emotional needs. Apperson further testified that sometime during the period of March 1996 through May 1996, Amy Unterborn discharged Diane from counseling. Diane's attendance was poor and her efforts in therapy were sporadic. Believing that the commute to Unterborn's office may have been a problem for Diane, Apperson referred Diane to the Sinnissippi Centers, an agency closer to Diane's home. Diane did not complete the initial assessment at Sinnissippi, explaining to Apperson that she would not discuss her personal life with a counselor. Apperson was also concerned about the stability in respondents' present home because they continued to allow other persons to live with them. Diane reported that one of the women who lived with them had stolen from her, and that a cousin had taken one of respondents' vehicles to Arkansas without their permission. Mark also reported an incident in which he discovered one of the persons who was living with them going through their belongings. Following the circuit court's determination that Mark is C.N.'s father, Apperson did not explore the possibility of returning C.N. to Mark because he continued to live with Diane. Apperson was also concerned about Mark's judgment and ability to care for C.N. Mark admitted that he had been involved in C.N.'s life before she had been placed in foster care. C.N., however, was developmentally delayed due to a lack of stimulation and nurturing. In addition, Mark continued to minimize the impact of the abuse on C.N. Mark felt that if he simply brought C.N. home and loved her, she would get better. Apperson explained that C.N. had special needs, requiring serious therapy, serious structure, serious care. In August 1996, Apperson evaluated respondents' progress under the February 1996 service plan. Apperson rated Diane's cooperation and completion of tasks unsatisfactory, citing Diane's unsuccessful discharge from counseling with Amy Unterborn, her failure to complete the assessment at Sinnissippi Centers, and her failure to advise Apperson at one point that she was homeless. Apperson rated Mark's cooperation unsatisfactory, noting the adversarial role he took with her and his failure to sign certain releases, thus preventing referrals for counseling. Apperson also rated respondents' progress in demonstrating adequate parenting skills unsatisfactory. Apperson relied on her own observations, as well as reports from the visit supervisor and the in-home educator. Apperson testified that during the August 1996 administrative case review, as she discussed the reduced visitation schedule with respondents, they became belligerent and the reviewer asked them to leave.