My letter to the Pantagraph was published today. (As opposed to the edited version on the east side of I-74 from us where the ‘news’ edit to their heart’s delight. )

Sunday morning I was reading the paper and had seen enough of Jerry Stermer’s spiel that I mumbled to Pat that it was time to write a letter.

Voices for Illinois Children and other paid proponents are benefiting from and writing the Blueprint in order to

"Strengthen children’s social and emotional well-being" with other early intervention, prevention and treatment services for kids from birth to age 18. This FY2007 funding also would help launch a public-awareness campaign to eliminate the hurtful stigma associated with the mental health difficulties many children face.

Sound good to some? Remember who is benefiting the very most from it: From EdWatch:

    Federal central planners should not be hooking states on dangerous and invasive mental health policies for children and even infants using our tax dollars for bait. Instead of cutting funds, however, the psycho-pharmaceutical establishment’s lobbyists are resisting cuts and trying to expand funding. This has resulted in 35-300% increases in state Medicaid expenditures for mental health drugs. So far this year, they have been successful in stopping the President’s recommended cuts.(See " Major Problems with Mental Health Screening for Congress".


Here’s my letter:

After looking at Voices for Illinois Children’s Web site, I found its president’s lecture offensive in his June 18 letter, (“Get involved in education decisions,'’ Page C2, YourViews). The group appears to be a powerful Chicago based institution of the `government knows best’ variety.

Their “advocacy'’ theme is this: “Children do not vote and they do not make campaign contributions. So children need advocates who constantly speak out for them in the political process.'’ I thought parents, who know and love each individual child best should speak out for their children.

I didn’t ask Voices for Illinois Children to speak for my child with legislators.

Their agenda asks for more money from the taxpayers and more bureaucratic oversight; as evidenced in his letter giving us - parents and taxpayers - our mission. Has the money been well spent for kindergarten-12th grade programs across the state? If not, then why add to the ineffective pile with 3-year-old little ones? His real purpose - buried in the “nice'’ talk to “achieve a better day'’ - is in black and white: job creation.

Mr. Stermer states: “Many state leaders don’t believe that Illinoisans are ready to help today’s schoolchildren with today’s dollars.'’

His jobs motivator with agendas like the now-mandated Social/Emotional Learning Standards and demands for more money for school mental health supports aren’t “truly necessary,'’ but Orwellian.

Children don’t need institutionalized interventions, pushed by groups such as Voices for Illinois Children and the governor’s other collaborators, such as Illinois Association for Infant Mental Health. Legal mandates are usually touted by those who will benefit financially. Not a dime need be spent assuming that most parents/families know best rather than groups with names such as Voices for Illinois Children. I don’t have the voice that they have, but no one advocates for my children more than their father and me.

Susan Ryan

And remember what groups like this do for those who need help the most:


At least 696 Ohio children who were newborn to 3 years old received mental-health drugs through Medicaid in July. Hydroxyzine was prescribed most often, with about three-quarters taking it.

The drug, a long-acting antihistamine, has many uses. It relieves itching caused by allergies, controls vomiting and reduces anxiety. It’s given most often to young children for its sedative effects.

‘‘It’s generally calming, has low side effects and is pretty inexpensive," said Bob Reid, pharmacy program director for Job and Family Services. ‘‘It’s a real bargain."

But Bassuk, the Harvard psychiatrist, says doctors should avoid giving babies, especially those still in diapers, unnecessary medications.

‘‘Sure, there are drugs that make kids sleepy, but what’s the point if they don’t have any medical purposes?" she said.

More than 90 of the children were on another antihistamine, 48 were taking anti-anxiety medication and 28 were prescribed antidepressants, including Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft, which have been found to increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in some children. Twenty-seven received Valium, and 18 were on antipsychotics.


I don’t think Voices for Illinois Children are good voices for children.