Acknowledging the Human Efforts Amidst Systemic Failures

Recognizing Dedication Amidst Systemic Challenges

In my ongoing journey navigating Minnesota's children's mental health system, there have been individuals and teams whose unwavering commitment and empathy have made a meaningful impact on my family’s well-being. Despite the profoundly flawed, seemingly corrupt, and overwhelming system, many professionals have gone above and beyond their roles to ensure my daughter receives the care she needs.? I endure a world where my free time is dedicated to writing grievances for my daughter about the harm many systems and agencies are causing her.? In writing this, I am combatting the feeling of defeat, uncertainty, and hopelessness with a sense and expression of gratitude, hope, and encouragement.

As I previously detailed in “The Failures of Minnesota’s Children's Mental Health Programs: The Urgent Need for Reform ,” systemic failures have intensified the emotional toll on my daughter and me. We have encountered breakdowns in communication, inadequate treatment planning, and a system ill-equipped to meet the needs of children with severe emotional disturbances—particularly those from marginalized communities and specifically Black families. However, within this imperfect system, some individuals and teams deserve recognition for their dedication, passion, and tenacity. They have worked tirelessly to bridge the gaps, offering suitable support beyond the limitations of the structures they operate within.

These professionals work beyond rigid and cookie-cutter guidelines. Their willingness to engage intentionally with my family’s challenges, even when the resources and support structures are scarce and unavailable, has made all the difference. They bring a level of care that recognizes the complexities of severe emotional disturbances and the unique dynamics that impact children like my daughter. These individuals understand that healing cannot be confined to a checklist or standard treatment plan; it requires flexibility, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is necessary for the families they serve.

Working beyond one’s formal responsibilities is no easy task, particularly in a system that often lacks the necessary tools, funding, and cultural competence to provide adequate care. Nevertheless, these professionals remain engaged, driven by a deep sense of responsibility for their work and the humanity behind it. They have consistently shown a willingness to navigate the rugged terrain of crisis, trauma, and systemic dysfunction with compassion and grace. Their dedication is a testament to what is possible when individuals prioritize the well-being of those they serve over bureaucratic constraints or institutional pressures.

I appreciate their persistence in remaining by our side, even when disengaging or moving on would have been easier. Their determination to see my daughter not as a "case" or "problem" but as a child needing understanding and care has provided stability when our world often feels chaotic. In a system that so frequently fails families like mine, their presence has been a lifeline, offering hope and support in ways that extend beyond any job description.

Their passion, perseverance, and willingness to invest in my daughter's well-being deserve recognition. In a system that often feels indifferent or hostile, these individuals have shown that change is possible—one person, one family at a time. Their engagement reminds us that even within the most dysfunctional systems, some people work tirelessly to make a difference, uphold the true values of care, and stand with families in their time of greatest need. For that, I am deeply and forever grateful.? There are people in the larger systems who are not named here who supported me in the process of getting my daughter “SMRT’d” and approved for “TEFRA,” which offered critical support for the medical cost that was severely eating into my monthly budget.? I have not forgotten you, although I forgot which department in the larger system you represent.? Thank you, and I appreciate you with much gratitude.

Minneapolis Public Schools Special Education Team: A Model for What is Possible

The Minneapolis Public Schools Special Education Team, particularly at Lucy Laney and Online School, has worked diligently to ensure that my daughter’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is well crafted and intentional in addressing her ongoing needs. While the system itself has not been perfect, their commitment to creating a plan that is both supportive and adaptable has been instrumental in keeping my daughter engaged in her education. They have shown a willingness to meet her where she is and continually adapt as her needs evolve, ensuring that her education remains relevant and worthy despite the many obstacles we face.

In stark contrast, my daughter’s experience in the Saint Paul Public Schools system demonstrated how devastating it can be when these supports are absent. Saint Paul Public Schools failed my daughter by neglecting to read her IEP, allowing her to experience bullying without proper intervention, and penalizing her for standing up for herself. Before anyone at Creative Arts even facilitated an IEP meeting or reviewed her plan, they suspended her, compounding her feelings of isolation and frustration. This failure to address her needs appropriately caused lasting emotional harm and demonstrated a lack of care and understanding, further exacerbating the challenges she faced.

Thankfully, Minneapolis Public Schools staff at Lucy Laney and the Online School have consistently made every effort to stand by my daughter and ensure she receives the necessary support. Their dedication to creating a safe and supportive learning environment has been priceless in helping her thrive. Their ability to implement her IEP to address her academic and emotional needs has made all the difference in her educational journey. I sincerely appreciate their consistent efforts to ensure that her learning environment is inclusive and safe—a success that other institutions should strive to replicate.

The Role of Education in Children’s Mental Health

Educational institutions are vital in supporting students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to ensure they experience safe and inclusive learning environments. Institute on Community Integration (ICI) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) emphasize that these students face unique challenges that require tailored strategies, emotional and social support, and collaboration among teachers, staff, and families. The combined research of these institutions suggests that a well-implemented IEP fosters academic success and a sense of belonging, which are essential for students, particularly those with emotional and behavioral difficulties.?

ICI explains that creating inclusive education environments for students with IEPs requires intentional strategies and support (Institute on Community Integration, n.d.).? We might agree that inclusive education and a supportive learning environment promote better engagement and social and academic outcomes for students with disabilities.? We discover that IEPs are designed to support students in accessing the general education curriculum while addressing their individual needs through specialized instruction and accommodations. We further learn that Inclusive environments help students build relationships with peers, improve self-advocacy, and enhance their independence, contributing to their overall well-being in academic and social settings.

NAEYC suggests that ensuring that the learning environment's physical, social, and temporal aspects are adapted to the student's needs is critical for maximizing engagement and success. We may find that Schools must create spaces that allow students to feel included and respected, which directly impacts their ability to thrive in the classroom.

Washburn Center for Children: Providing Culturally Competent and Consistent Care

The Washburn Center for Children has played a pivotal role in my daughter's care since she was two years old, offering early interventions that were timely and effective in supporting her emotional development. These interventions have proven vital, especially as my daughter experienced distressing events early in life that hindered her ability to process emotions healthily. Washburn’s dedication to providing these early interventions during the critical 0-3 years helped lay a foundation for her ongoing emotional and mental health journey.

What sets Washburn apart is its ability to provide culturally competent programming that respects our family’s unique cultural values and honors our traditions and experiences. Their approach recognizes the trauma that comes with living in a society that frequently discounts our race, ensuring that my daughter and I are seen and supported in our entire identities. This level of understanding and respect has been crucial to our sense of safety and trust in the therapeutic process.

Washburn is a leader in delivering services that target the root causes of my daughter’s behaviors, tailoring their service models, and working to address the underlying trauma. Even though my daughter is often scared to open up to some services, Washburn has been gentle and consistent in their approach. They have shown remarkable patience, always meeting her where she is and providing her with the time and space she needs to feel comfortable. Their consistency and care have been a steady presence during times of uncertainty.

When we reach a bump in the road or encounter new challenges, Washburn is always willing and able to consult with us as a family, revising our plan to accommodate my daughter’s changing needs. This flexibility and openness to collaboration have been instrumental in ensuring that her care evolves with her rather than remaining static or one-size-fits-all. It has not been an easy journey, and Washburn has supported us every step of the way, ensuring that my daughter continues to receive the care she needs, no matter how difficult the path has become.

I am forever grateful for their dedication, ability to provide culturally aware and trauma-informed care, healing-centered engagement, and unwavering support. Washburn’s involvement in my daughter’s mental health services has been a lifeline, and I honestly cannot imagine navigating this journey without them.

Intersectionality and Systemic Bias: Addressing Root Causes

French, Lewis, and Neville highlight in their article “Toward a Psychological Framework of Radical Healing in Communities of Color” that the role of critical consciousness and the need for mental health providers to address racial trauma and systemic bias to foster radical healing in BIPOC communities is critical. Families from marginalized communities often navigate systems that pathologize their behaviors, which can perpetuate racial trauma and systemic bias in mental health services (French et al., 2020).

Our journey has also been a blunt reminder of the intersections between race, mental health, and systemic bias. Families like mine often navigate a world that pathologizes our behaviors and struggles, viewing them through a lens of suspicion rather than empathy. The cultural competence demonstrated by organizations like Washburn is essential, but unfortunately, such understanding is not the norm.

Policymakers and institutions must invest in systemic change that addresses the root causes of these disparities. We need mental health care that is trauma-informed, culturally competent, healing-centered, and free from bias. NAEYC says tailoring strategies to meet individual needs through culturally responsive and supportive care is essential for fostering engagement in inclusive environments (NAEYC, n.d.).? Our systems should lift marginalized families, not perpetuate cycles of harm.

Nexus Facts - Systemic Family Therapy: Restoring Hope and Shaping Futures

Although newer to the team, the Nexus Facts Systemic Family Therapy (SFT) team has demonstrated a remarkable dedication to wellness and adaptability in supporting my daughter’s healing journey. Their approach has been instrumental in restoring hope and shaping our future, offering therapeutic interventions that are both relevant and impactful. In many ways, the SFT team brings a sense of validity and purpose to the Nexus Family Healing organization by strategically implementing therapeutic models tailored to our complex human needs.

Their efforts focus not only on psychoeducation and therapeutic strategies but also on fostering an understanding of my daughter’s emotions and meeting her where she is in her healing process. They are more than just therapists—they actively listen, provide honest and critical feedback, and help me see where I can improve as a parent and caregiver while affirming my strengths. Their ability to deliver individualized care adapted to our unique needs has helped us move forward on a path toward healing.?

In the article “SCORE Family Assessment Questionnaire: A Decade of Progress,” Carr and Straton describe systemic therapy, which focuses not only on the individual but also considers the entire family system, promoting interactions that foster healing and emotional regulation across family members. It recognizes the interconnectedness of family dynamics and emphasizes the importance of active listening, providing critical feedback, and helping families navigate their complex emotional landscapes (Carr & Stratton, 2017).? I value the rapport between my family and the Nexus Facts – SFT team. They bring relevance and innovation to a system that too often falls short, and to an agency that falls shorter.

Crane and Christenson, in “The medical offset effect: Patterns in outpatient services reduction for high utilizers of health care,” report that studies show that therapists who offer individualized care, adapting their interventions to the specific and evolving needs of families, typically see positive outcomes, such as improved emotional regulation, better communication, and stronger family bonds (Crane et al., 2010).? I credit SFT for their effective therapy modeling; I also have to pat myself on the back for my willingness to engage my daughter where she is and learn more about the models used for our care.? I measure my daughter's behavior patterns in nano, micro, intermediate, and significant progress.? Each level of progress brings its natural reward, just as behavioral relapses bring natural consequences.? I intentionally acknowledge nano and micro progress because it is the level of progress we often overlook and discount in our children as success.? Success is a success, no matter how big or small the success is.?

Nexus Facts - Systemic Family Therapy’s strategic and thoughtful approach and ability to offer wellness programs aligned with our needs give us the tools and confidence to keep moving onward and upward. I am incredibly grateful for their presence in our lives. They consistently strive to ensure that our care is comprehensive, compassionate, and human-centered, so they are welcomed into my home to deliver their services.

Nexus Facts - Family Resource Team (FRT)

Although I have only used the services of the Nexus Facts Family Resource Team (FRT) a handful of times, each experience has been met with genuine care and concern, particularly during moments of crisis. Their team has consistently provided very useful support, entering our home to assist in the immediate situation and brainstorm solutions focusing on safety planning and reconnecting my daughter and me.? The Family Resource Team (FRT) 's ability to offer tailored support during crises is also backed by research that shows systemic family therapy is particularly effective in high-stress situations, as it helps stabilize emotional responses and create actionable plans for safety and reconnection (Christenson et al., 2014).

The limitations of their services were communicated from the start, ensuring that my expectations were realistic. Their follow-up was always encouraging, offering continued support even after they left. In some of the most challenging moments, their presence has been a source of stability, creating a space for dialogue and understanding despite the systemic barriers that often hinder progress. Their dedication to ensuring we feel supported in these difficult times has reinforced our ability to navigate these crises.

Minneapolis Police Department 4th Precinct

In a society where mental health is often criminalized, especially when severe emotional disturbances involve behaviors like the use of weapons or property damage, the Minneapolis Police Department's 4th Precinct has delivered a human-centered, inclusive, and equitable service. Many might view such behaviors as delinquent or intentional, but the officers who have come to our home have consistently taken a compassionate and understanding approach. They have shown respect for my role as a parent, affirmed my efforts, and acknowledged our struggles and the systemic barriers contributing to these crises.

While law enforcement is often needed in many other places, these officers have given us time and space to address our emotional needs, which, historically, are usually overlooked in such situations. Their willingness to step back from immediate judgment and focus on understanding the complexities of my daughter’s emotional disturbances has made a significant difference.

I want to express my deep gratitude for their public service and their willingness to resist the standard paramilitary style of ancient police practices that can often escalate situations, particularly for marginalized families. We live in a world where police involvement for families like mine could be life-threatening. Still, the 4th Precinct has consistently offered quality public safety during each interaction, with equity and fair engagement. Their commitment to providing compassionate and respectful service is a testament to their dedication to serving the community in a way that prioritizes humanity over control.

I value their presence, and I sincerely appreciate their consistent efforts to support us with care and dignity rather than resorting to criminalization while demonstrating what research shows: compassionate, human-centered approaches in policing mental health crises can lead to better outcomes. Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs train officers to de-escalate situations and collaborate with mental health providers, reducing arrests and promoting treatment during crises, which prioritizes understanding over punishment in these situations (NAMI, n.d.).

Minneapolis Behavioral Crisis Response (BCR) Team

Although we have only engaged with the Minneapolis Behavioral Crisis Response (BCR) Team a few times, each experience has been worthwhile. Their interventions have resulted in fewer police calls and law enforcement interactions, significantly reducing the need for more escalated responses. The BCR team’s partnership with law enforcement has been essential in ensuring that mental health needs are prioritized and that my daughter is centered and treated with care amid a crisis. The partnership between MPD and BCR affirms and validates the IACP article “A Review of Co-Responder Team Evaluations.”? Readers learn that co-responder programs have been shown to reduce the need for force and improve outcomes by ensuring that individuals in crisis receive the care they need without escalating into a criminal justice issue (The International Association of Chiefs of Police, 2021)

Their approach has consistently helped de-escalate situations involving my daughter without leading to criminal justice involvement, allowing for a more human-centered and resource-oriented response. This proactive method of addressing mental health crises deserves recognition, as it underscores the importance of having mental health professionals respond to situations, supporting a relevant and intentional response. The team’s ability to address the root of the crisis while ensuring my daughter’s dignity remains intact has been a helpful resource during our most difficult moments.

The CADI Waiver: Hope for Tailored Support

Additionally, we have been approved for a CADI waiver, which offers hope for more flexible, tailored programming. This is crucial for addressing my daughter’s complex needs, particularly as we strive to address the root causes of her severe emotional disturbances, which stem from chronic post-traumatic stress and potential undiagnosed intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

While we are still learning the full possibilities of this service, I remain hopeful that it will be a great alternative solution in the face of other systemic failures, such as what we experienced with the PRTF. The CADI waiver can create a more individualized and responsive approach to my daughter’s care—something missing from many other services we have encountered. As we continue to explore what this waiver can offer, I hope it will help fill the gaps left by other programs that fell short of meeting her needs.

Research highlights that Medicaid waivers, like CADI, "reduce unmet mental health needs" and help provide […] adequate mental health care coverage for children with severe emotional disturbances, allowing for more individualized and responsive care (Graaf & Snowden, 2017). This ensures that children receive the individualized and responsive care necessary for their complex emotional and behavioral challenges, filling gaps left by other programs.

Research shows that the Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) waiver plays a critical role in supporting children with severe emotional disturbances (SED) by providing flexible, tailored services in home and community settings. The CADI waiver enables children to receive care typically provided in institutional environments, allowing families to access resources such as behavioral support, crisis respite, and environmental modifications, which are crucial for managing mental health crises at home (Arc Minnesota, n.d.).? The CADI waiver provides "support to an individual to live where they want in the community," which is critical for children with severe emotional disturbances who need flexibility and tailored services to address their complex mental health needs (Arc Minnesota, n.d.)

The CADI waiver also offers services such as "environmental accessibility and adaptations," which include modifications to the home […] to ensure safety and accessibility, helping families manage behaviors such as property damage during emotional crises (Arc Minnesota, n.d.).? Home modifications, funded by the CADI waiver, are significant for children who may engage in property damage due to emotional disturbances. These modifications help create safer environments and ensure that children can remain in their homes, preventing the need for more restrictive interventions. By adapting homes to meet the safety and accessibility needs of children with SED, these modifications protect the child and reduce the likelihood of future property damage (Arc Minnesota, n.d.).

Forward Thinking: Growth Mindset

Recognizing Future Goals and the Need for Advocacy

I sincerely appreciate the dedication of professionals who have supported my family.? Nonetheless, broader systemic reform is urgently needed. Many marginalized communities face barriers that prevent them from accessing adequate mental health care. As research shows, these barriers include not only cost but also "a lack of culturally competent care, which leads to distrust in mental health systems" (Stanford Medicine, 2024).? Once I jumped the cost hurdle, there were more significant hurdles: cultural competency and racial inequities.?

Families like mine deserve services that are trauma-informed, healing-centered, and tailored to meet our unique needs. For this reason, I advocate for comprehensive policies that address the "systemic racism and oppression" that continue to harm Black families and others experiencing severe emotional disturbances (Drexel University, 2019).? Policymakers and institutions must work collaboratively with families, as addressing these systemic disparities is vital for fostering resilience and ensuring momentous healing.

Strength, Resilience, and the Importance of Family Involvement

My family’s journey emphasizes the importance of resilience, and research supports this. Marginalized communities often experience trauma and stress, which can make navigating mental health systems more complex. "Family involvement is a key component in managing these challenges and advocating for the well-being of our children" (Psychology Today, 2024).

I hope other families in similar situations understand they are not alone. Change is possible through resilience and persistence, and some professionals and organizations genuinely care and are ready to help.

A Call for Broader Systemic Change

While the individuals and teams we have encountered have done their best within a broken system, there is a clear need for comprehensive reform. Research highlights that marginalized families are disproportionately affected by "systemic barriers that often re-traumatize rather than heal" (Drexel University, 2019).? I have entered my therapist's tele-office countless times, seeking safety and assurance after feeling retraumatized by various touch points while advocating for my daughter’s mental health needs.

Mental health care should center on client healing rather than the biases of service providers with “good intentions” and dismantling oppressive systems. I am grateful to the professionals who uphold the "Do No Harm" principle and work tirelessly to provide compassionate care. However, we must ensure their efforts are supported and expanded across the field (Stanford Medicine, 2024).

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?6.?????? NAMI. (n.d.). Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Programs. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Crisis-Intervention

?7.?????? International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). (n.d.). A Review of Co-Responder Team Evaluations. Retrieved from https://www.theiacp.org

?8.?????? Arc Minnesota. (n.d.). Arc Guide to the Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) Waiver. Retrieved from https://arcminnesota.org/resource/arc-guide-to-the-community-access-for-disability-inclusion-cadi-waiver/

?9.?????? Graaf, G., & Snowden, L. (2017). The role of Medicaid home and community-based service policies in organizing and financing care for children with severe emotional disturbance. Children and Youth Services Review, 81, 272-283.

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