Opinion ID: 2167237
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Andy Thompson

Text: Andy Thompson, a child care advocate at Sinnissippi Centers in Rochelle, Illinois, testified that DCFS referred respondents for participation in the parenting program. Beginning in late August 1995, and continuing for a period of about nine months, Thompson worked with respondents once or twice a week in their home. Thompson first spoke to respondents by telephone on August 30, 1995. When Thompson identified herself, Mark became angry and told Thompson that DCFS was harassing him. Respondents' dissatisfaction with DCFS came up at almost every session. Thompson testified that, overall, respondents were not cooperative and their attendance at the parenting sessions was sporadic. On five or six occasions, respondents were not home. On approximately four occasions, respondents were home, but said they had forgotten about the session. On other occasions, Diane did not arrive home until after the session had already started. On yet another occasion, Diane said her time was limited because she had an appointment elsewhere. Finally, on one occasion Diane did not participate because she was asleep on the couch and Mark's efforts to wake her were unsuccessful. Thompson also testified that one session was delayed by 20 minutes while respondents searched for jewelry supposedly stolen by a house guest. According to Thompson, respondents made little progress in the parenting classes. Although respondents scored high on a pretest and understood the book material, they did not put into practice the concepts they learned. Respondents continued to display negative behaviors discussed in prior sessions. Sinnissippi terminated services when respondents moved out of the area.