|
THE
INTERNATIONAL CHILD AND YOUTH CARE NETWORK
Meal times 2 I work in a treatment center for youth 10-17 and at meal time they are made to take all that is served. The youth have no choice what they want to eat - they must take the beets, chicken, egg plant etc., even if it is burnt. Then if they do not take it they are punished. They will lose all snacks and dessert for 2 days. If they cant finish all they take they are charged $.$$ out of their money account. I have a real problem with this and am wondering if it's just me. Please someone tell me Im not crazy ... Larry Y.A ____________ From: Pati Chrusch-Page WOW are you going to get a lot of response to this one. Short answer- It's a problem for about a hundred different reasons... ____________ From: maxine kelly Big ouch! Don't think you are crazy Larry, but I do believe there's a name for those kinds of rules. The age group being treated this way sounds especially worrisome, because so many other things are important then, and this approach to food becomes a 'good' issue to obsess about. ____________ From: Kim Stevens I don't think you are crazy, the system sounds punitive to me. I am not sure what part of the country you reside in but if it is Ontario I wonder what the Children Advocacy office would say ? ____________ From: Foosegurrl CYW Well Larry ... I also work in a treatment centre for co-ed youth ages 12-16. I agree that this is not a productive way to encourage youth to eat a healthy diet and experience positive interactions at meal times. There are requirements within the centre I work surrounding meal expectations. The youth are required to have a portion of every item served. If they are adamant that they do not like a food item they are typically given permission to have an additional helping of one of the other options instead. The option is usually more salad or vegetables as opposed to the main food item, which is often meat. Once they finish what is on their plates, they are welcome to have seconds of whatever item they choose. In addition, there are some special exceptions for youth depending on their personal diet, whether they are vegetarians, vegans, or have food allergies. I have found that this arrangement is quite successful and we do not deal with regular defiance around this rule. When it comes to snacks, the alternative to not eating what is put out would be having a piece of fruit or something reasonable like that. In my opinion, if the food is burnt and would not normally be eaten by a staff member, the youth should also not be required to consume it. Where I work, if a resident does end up having a problem eating the required food and is not able to resolve it by compromising then they may be required to eat dinner apart from the rest of the group. The other residence that I work in allows each resident to choose a favourite meal that they would like to see on the menu each week. I certainly don't think you are crazy, and I think you have a right to question the current arrangement within the centre you work. Perhaps something new and more effective could be implemented! I would also question whether or not these measures might be considered "punitive" and detrimental to the success of the youth in your program. Best of luck to you! ____________ From: csnell@adcrf.ns.ca Larry You are not crazy! Food should never be used in any way as a punishment. Charlene A.D.C.R.F. ____________ From: Jon DeActis Sorry Larry, you are crazy.... crazy for working in such an archaic environment. Don't bet for one minute that you work in a treatment centre, it is more like a punishment center that is refusing to work with teens from a developmental and treatment perspective. Hang in there and become the catalyst for change that is needed in your program. This food issue that continues to arise in treatment centres all across our programs seems to be based more on the staff than the clients and it has been going on way too long. Jon ____________ From: Dickson, Jean Larry, You are not crazy. This issue came up a couple months ago regarding kids and mealtime on CYC.net. Forcing kids to eat is certainly no way to build a relationship with them. This sounds more like an organizational problem. Who makes the rules? Have you spoken to your supervisor? The kitchen? The director? Punishment around food issues is inappropriate and needs to be looked at carefully. If it is the organization's policy, you may just want to find a more kid friendly and kid directed program. If this is the policy around food, I would be concerned on how they are running the rest of the programs? Jean ____________ From: darri sanders No, in my opinion you are not crazy ... I say that if it feels wrong to you then it is up to you to say something. In my expereince food and meal times for children and youth can bring up alot of issues; some may want to hoard any and all food that they get or some may have issues with eating all together. My feeling on this is that children should not be forced where food is concerned, where is the choice? Yes i understand that perhaps the institution wants the children to eat a balanced meal and with that said i think that it is unfair that a child would get charged money for not finishing a meal. Do the "powers that be" at this institution go by the same rules? Food is not a privilage it is a right! Darri :) ____________ From: Candice Miller Hi Larry, I'm new to CYC net, but not new to youth care work. I have a real problem with that meal time situation also. Eating is so basic and fundamental to being human. We all have different needs and preferences when it comes to food. Where I work, we will not make food an issue or use it as a means of control or power struggle over what and how much a youth eats. Seems like a perfect recipe for stuggle and promoting eating disorders. I come from a Native American background, my father kept more to traditional ways, so this may color my thinking also. Non-punitive ways are considered much healthier. I don't think you are crazy. Can you bring your feelings up at a Staff meeting? Maybe encourage a change in protocol? We really need to choose our battles wisely, I can think of much better use of natural consequences than fighting over food. Good luck! Candice CYCW/Grief and Loss counselor ____________ From: jnowosad (Juliann Nowosad) No, Larry you are not crazy ... whatever happened to meeting the needs of our youth? This simply does not apply if they are being forced to eat foods that they do not like. I am sure that the adults that are working in this facility would not eat foods that they do not like. It is really disturbing that the youth are being charged out of their own money if they do not finish all of the food on their plate. I too work in a treatment facility and we try to order foods that the youth will eat, as well, once a week we have a cooking program set up and the youth take turns in pairs at preparing a meal for the whole unit to enjoy. This has proven to be very successfull and teaches the youth life skills. I would definitly be advocating for the youth on this one. Juli ____________ From: Victoria Sounds like a "Dickens" novel. Suggest to admin to give small portions, and permit them to have seconds if desired. If they dont eat, the natural consequence is "hunger", let them decide. Either way, there should be high nutritional snacks available at all times (adolescents can eat their weight in food -not to mention brain chemistry IS the nutrition they take in ). Of course many troubled youth have eating disorders and if you attempt to "require" them to eat, they will just purge afterwards. Suggest Admin look into Motivational Interviewing Techniques Victoria ____________ From: Laura Colameco Excuse me but what a bunch of b.s. I'd like to see them apply that same rule to the staff for a week and see who thinks its effective youth work after that. If the biggest issue we need to work on with these children/youth is what they eat then we must be doing a wonderful job (can you read my sarcasm). Whats the real issue here?.....Say it with me people.....POWER STRUGGLE! P.S. No, you are by no means crazy! ____________ From: Tara Wease You are not crazy! What if someone is a vegetarian? Not to mention that opens up doors for having food "issues" later.... Food should NOT be used as a reward/punishment! Charging them for not eating everything sounds completely unethical to me..... Tara Wease, Burnaby BC ____________ From: Kathy Westelaken Hi Larry: Well I really have never responded to any e-mails on cyc-net I just read them all,but this one I could not let go by. I believe that what is being done at your facility is very wrong and borders on abuse. I would certainly be advocating for these children and try and come up with a more positive approach to what they are eating at mealtimes. I hope that there is somebody in your organization that you can talk to? Children do have rights and I believe they are being broken. In my organization we have what you call a yuck list and the kids can put 4 things down they don't like to eat but must substitute for something in the same food group. The boys are also responsible to approach whoever is on kitchen duty ahead of time to prepare their substitute and clean up after themselves. This approach works very well and no food is wasted. I have been a child care worker for 23 years and have never heard of children being treated in this manner. I can tell you that I would bet they are not in a government facility because that would never be allowed to occur on the basis of the childrens rights being abused. Stand up for what you believe in and advocate positively for these youth perhaps they themselves have some ideas. Good Luck Kathy ____________ From: shawn lechelt Wow! That sounds like something out of an 18th Century orphanage! You are not crazy but I would question whoever chose those rules! I also work in a treatment centre with youth 12-17. There are often issues around food for our kids. Over the years, I have learned where to pick my battles and this is often not one of them! Sure, we get some kids who are just spoiled and will only eat certain foods, we have one boy who says fruit is for welfare people and won't touch it! Needless to say, if that is our snack, he won't eat it and he doesn't get a substitute! I never make kids eat something I won't and never force them to finish it if they are full or don't like it. But if they choose not to eat at mealtimes, they have to wait until the next meal or snack. And our snacks are often .... Fruit!!! Charging kids for not finishing their meals is punitive and out of touch with present day child care practices (in my opinion). If a kid does waste food for no good reason, they often receive restitution, which usually means an extra chore or we serve their meals for them (they pick what they want from what is served). I hope you can change what you have going on there. Good luck! Shawn ____________ From: James Hartley If things are anywhere near close to the way you have explained them, then I agree you are not crazy. ____________ From: Smarty Maddypants Hi Larry, I am curious which country and city you live and work in. The reason I ask is to get a better understanding of who you might advocate to. Maddy ____________ From: Pauline Flavin Larry, I work for an organisation who care for and treat traumatized children. The behaviour you talk of is outrageous. It will damage the children further, encourage eating disorders at least and anyway we would lose registration if we behaved that way. Do you not have a complaints procedure? If so use it. You could always apply for a job with us!!!! Good Luck Pauline Flavin ____________ From: Bergeron, Louise Dear Larry, What is your position in all this? I think you need to address it with your supervisor or do the chain of command, ASAP. For the youth! I support you, Louise B. YCW ____________ From: Larry James I would think that this would not be in accordance with program policy or with the standards set by the state for child and youth care agencies. It sounds like the program is asking to be reviewed by the licensing governmental body. If what you say is true you better find a different place to work so your name does not appear on the law suit. May be I am being a bit over the top but I think that such an approach is beyond the scope of what is allowed. Now if you are asking for help in changing things you must start with the policy and proceedure manual and the regulations and statutes as setforth by the state. I would suggest that you call these methods into question and offer alternatives which I am sure there will be plenty of them offered. Larry ____________ From: dynell forman Hi Larry, While I understand many of the reasons for rules like these, I also don't think you're crazy. Meal times can pose some real problems when kids like different things (you can't make separate meals for each of them, etc, etc) but meal time can also offer a lot of opportunities to empower youth and connect with them - giving them input regarding the menu, helping in prep, and then making them accountable by insisting they eat what they take. And there's the added benefit of sitting down with the youth to eat, converse and connect. With all of that said you need to work within the policy guidelines that are in place. So a good place to start is to find out if these rules reflect policy or if they were imposed by someone who thinks this is the way to go. (all facilities will have a policy manual on site) If this is "policy", remember that policies change as professionals and organizations grow and learn new and better ways to do things....questioning policy is not a bad thing as long as it's constructive rather than just critical - stay respectful and provide concrete, positive examples for how to improve upon it. If this isn't about policy then it becomes a staff issue and can be addressed in the same respectful manner... have it put on the agenda for the next staff meeting and put forward your ideas and the reasons for them. In both of these situations it's unlikely that you'll change things overnight (maybe you will - other staff may feel the same way but haven't spoken up) but change takes time...and someone to advocate for it. So keep your cool, keep your eye on the prize and GOOD LUCK! Dynell Forman ____________ From: Lita Well, I have to add my little bit to this conversation too. You are definitely not crazy Larry, though the system's rules sound "crazy". I did not hear mentioned that forcing children to eat something they do not want or like can create "eating disorders" of all types later on in life. In the grand scheme of life is it really that important to have such a power struggle over the issue of food? If a child is really hungry they will eat. Having such a rule leaves an opening for a power struggle. Good for you for bringing this issue to light! Lita Children Who Witness Abuse Program ____________ From: kevin martin As a youth care work this is a form of abuse.If it were me I would put a tinny (half tye spoon) on there plate.I would not make anyone eat burnt food.We do not make anyone in my care do what I would not do my self.Your group home needs to look at thier levl of care.This may sound rude but as a worker this is unhealthy practice Kevin ____________ Larry has written in response to your many replies to his query ... I would like to thank all who have replied about this issue, it has given me more insight to what should be done. I have worked with youth for many years and never seen a place that was punitive when it came to eating or not eating food. Your insight has given me some tools to tackle this issue with the director. I have not been here for very long and did not want to step on anybody but I cannot sit by and accept something that is harmful to the kids. So, thank you all. Larry ____________ Discussion revived three months later ... From: Karen Taylor I came across Larry's query made in June ... The whole idea of using food as a punishment/consequence is a mistake. These kids possibly come from a background where food is an issue for them (ie. not enough, not healthy choices). Withholding a basic need from a child is not a proper way to teach or care for them. How can they learn to trust people and the world round them if they are denied their basic needs? It makes me angry ... NO you are not crazy!!! Karen ____________ From: Joseph [ycw@mts.net] I agree 100% that food should not be used as a punishment. However, I also agree with the fact that what is served is what is to be had. Allowing kids and/or youth to choose what they eat will only set them up for failure in my opinion. The unfortunate fact is that most kids in care will live in the lower class range for a good portion of their lives after they leave care. Here they will not be able to pick and choose what they eat as their budget will determain that. By letting these kids pick and choose while they are in care, then subjecting them to reality once they move out will only encourage things like selling drugs or other criminal activity in order for them to continue this pampered lifestyle. Dessert should be discouraged if the main meal was not consumed first. I will repeat though that kids should never, I repeat never, be denied food , nor should it be used as a punishment as food is a basic right. ____________ From: Linda Windjack I'm not sure where you are from, but in Alberta, Canada this would be a violation of standards, and is very unacceptable. ____________ From: Nicole Lepine After reading what Larry wrote I was shocked to hear that workers are treating youth that way. I agree with Karen that you can not withhold a basic need from children, though dessert is not a basic need. Has the staff Larry works with never heard of consequences that match the problem? Taking money out of a child’s account should not be used as a reinforcement unless they are wasting so much food that it is costing the center extra money to buy the food. I know I over estimate how much I can eat, and sometimes waste food. These kids are being forced to take everything. I don’t take things I won’t eat. Getting no dessert for not finishing (a non-burnt) meal I think is a fair consequence, but when the food probably doesn't get eaten by the staff why should the youth have to eat it? I agree with Karen again, Larry you're not crazy but the staff you work with seem a little power hungry. Nicole ____________ From: dnogler@adcrf.ns.ca Wow...I can't believe this one is still going! Hot topic...and rightly so. In my opinion there would never be a justifiable reason to withhold healthy food from kids (or anyone for that matter); however, this of course depends on the type of food. If a balanced meal is offered to youth (and they are not given the opportunity to eat "what they want") odds are good they will chow down on at least some of it. At our facility we keep "junk" food locked away for special treats (called discretion) on the weekend. Obviously, getting input from the residents for the menu is important. For one thing, it will give them a sense of control over their environment and second it should cut down on the complaining about food and refusing to eat what is offered. Hopefully, all of the staff (or at least more than the person who originally posted this) will be reading these posts. Darrell ____________ From: Michael James Peters I do not agree with using food as a punishment. I for one would not take anything I didn't want to eat because I knew I would waste it, and the youth we work with should not have to do that either. Esspecially the fact about the burnt food -- no one likes burnt food, why should youth in care looking to us for guidance have to do something not too many people would do. If the amount of food they are are wasting begins to show on the budget then one, let them know what's going on and see if they understand, and if nothing changes then look into getting money from the youth for the wasted food. Food is one of the most important necessities in life; to take that away from anyone, let alone youth we care for, is wrong. Larry, you are not crazy we need more youth workers bringing these issues to the public. Michael ____________ From: Joyce Ottewell Food and mealtimes sure bring on lots of issues. It sounds from the original letter that staff are using the meal and the food in a power and control issue. Are there on-going behavior issues that staff are struggling with that need to be resolved before the food issue can be fully addressed? Another consideration may be if clients involved are dealing with issues such as fasd, adhd, ocd etc, these clients may have needs that make mealtimes difficult. Some times sensory issues can be easily mistaken for behavior problems, i.e., the client who won't eat anything green or only will eat veggies raw. Sensory considerations should be built into any program dealing with clients with special needs. Chairs with arms often help clients with sensory issues sit better and feel more secure, and also provides boundaries. Soft natural lighting, (pink bulbs if no natural lighting) may make meals go better. What medications are clients taking? Some may cause appetites to soar or disappear. What are the clients' backgrounds, are they used to eating at a table, do the staff sit and converse during the meal, keeping it social, fun and giving themselves the chance to role model good manners to the clients? Is the T.V. off, music kept low so that there are fewer distractions. J.E.O. ____________ From: Mandy Goble Young people could be involved in developing the menu. Preparation for this could involve a series of discussions on the necessary requirements for a healthy diet. In drawing up the menu, a list of available foods can be given to young people to ensure that the developed menu falls within the organisation's budget. The use of creative dishes could ensure that vegetables, etc, are included in a less obvious manner. Mandy ____________ From: m.h@ns.sympatico.ca Like everything in residential care, food can be used for therapeutic purposes. Of course, like safety and security, food should be a given, and not used in power struggles or in a punitive manner. That being said, we are always teaching so... Food can be locked away with healthy choices always open for snacks and when one gets the munchies. Supper can be a peanut butter and jam sandwich if the youth is not into the baked chicken. If a youth is being disrepectful around meal times and about the food, it is always a choice to have them prepare their own meals. It can be a rule you must take a sandwich prior to adding cookies and other junk food to school lunches. It is reasonable to ensure a youth has a glass of orange juice or an apple prior to leaving for a smoke in the morning. If it is chips and pop movie night and a youth is telling you off, they can have something other than that snack. I don't think food should never be used in residential care. If I am handing out homemade cake and someone tells me to screw myself, I think I will skip the particular youth, that is an in the moment choice which I think is fine. Food, like anything else may be an issue, and it may play a role in an intervention plan. I think the key to using food in a therapeutic manner is to ensure that it is discussed at team meetings and done with intent. You may decide a youth who goes without permission all evening should not have a snack when they return, or you may decide they should. You may decided someone who skips supper has the meatballs prepared, or you may decide they have peanut butter. I think if it is done with good intent, with the team, keeping in mind the intervention plan it is like any other tool we can use to teach and facilitate change. _____
______________
|
