Drug abuse by parents is a major reason behind maltreatment of children, often leading to their death, a recent report by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reveals. It says that a majority of children who had died of abuse and neglect in the state had a substance abusing parent to blame.

Such children who had suffered fatalities had either been smothered in their sleep, or were drowned when they were in the bathtub. Some of the children had succumbed to the trauma, while yet others died when they were left unattended in a hot car. It was also evident from the report that children who were driven around by inebriated parents had high risks of dying of negligence.

Overall, the report indicated that the numbers of child abuse and negligence fatalities had dropped by 22.5 percent in 2017. However, nearly half of the deaths happened as a result of parental drug or alcohol use. The findings were similar to the previous year (2016) report. Half of the 222 children who died were under the supervision of a parent or caregiver who was on drugs or alcohol.

Some key findings of the report are:

In the last five years or so, children aged 3 years or younger formed a major chunk (80 percent) of the abuse and neglect fatalities.
52 percent of the fatalities were caused due to a substance abusing parent.
23 percent of the child abuse victims had a parent or a caregiver with mental health condition.
Incidents of domestic violence were responsible for 17 percent of child fatalities.
More than 57 percent of children who had died from abuse or neglect in fiscal 2017 were too young for school and were not enrolled in day care. In 2016, the numbers were 40 percent.
History of domestic violence was noticed in 40 percent of child fatalities.
The 2017 report also stated that marijuana was the most commonly used substance connected to child abuse and deaths caused by negligence, followed by alcohol, cocaine and methamphetamine; and sometimes a combination of substances.
Drug use and impact on children
Unfortunately, many parents do not realize how their substance abuse impacts parenting. As they stone themselves with marijuana, they feel that they are just doing weed and their child is unlikely to be harmed. However, a stoned parent is unlikely to mete out the same levels of love and care that someone who is not addicted to any substance can provide.

Dimple Patel, associate director of public policy at TexProtects – an organization focused on child welfare policy – said every case is a “different and unique situation” and that sometimes parents can be functioning drug users who don’t impact the safety and well-being of their kids. One of the reasons why parents are unable to access the right kind of treatment is due to fact that they cannot take time off from work or lack the support system that would ensure that their kids are being taken care of while they are treated.

Choosing a life devoid of drugs

One can easily choose a life devoid of drugs. However, before embarking on this journey, it is necessary to remove the traces of toxins from one’s system. Detoxification is the first step to attain recovery. Therefore, it is important that the detox facility chosen is equipped with all the conveniences that make the path to sobriety easier and effective, thus paving the way for a successful recovery. Enrolling in a program at any of the accredited rapid detox centers can make the journey less cumbersome.

When a loved one is placed in the care of a nursing home, a great level of trust is placed in the staff members to care for the patients. However, investigations by Adult Protective Services in Texas confirmed nearly 45,000 instances of abuse, suggesting that many nursing facilities violate this trust. When abuse or neglect occurs, patients may be injured, for which the responsible party can face both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit. Victims of this offense and their families can often seek compensation for the injuries inflicted and other damages.

Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 19 of the Texas Administrative Code outlines that nursing homes are required to provide a certain quality of care for their patients, including a certain number of staff members, a number of health services and safety. Many elderly patients require reliable supervision, and even simply neglecting basic needs is a common cause for nursing home abuse. Although the transition to living in a nursing home can be stressful, there are certain signs that may indicate that more serious problems are occurring, such as:

• Bruises, burns, abrasions, or other physical trauma
• Weight loss, poor hygiene or other signs of neglect
• Depression, withdrawal, or other changes in mood
• Sudden or drastic changes in financial situations, which may indicate someone taking advantage of the patient’s financial information
• Difficult relationships with caregivers or arguments with staff
• Sudden, uncharacteristic behavior

If abuse or neglect is determined to be the cause of any of these signs, it is important to take immediate action. Abuse, neglect, and exploitation of the elderly is defined in Texas Human Resources Code Chapter 48 to include a range of offenses from willful infliction of injury to a staff member taking advantage of a patient for financial gain.

Criminal charges of neglect or abuse may be filed under Texas Penal Code § 22.04, but victims can also file a civil lawsuit. This claim can be used to pursue what is called a “tort”, meaning a civil wrong that harms another. The two main types of torts that typically arise in nursing home cases are negligence and an intentional tort.

Negligence means that the accused individuals owed a “duty of care” to the victim and failed to uphold this trust. This includes a wide range of scenarios in an elder care setting, including failing to provide clean surroundings, denying residents adequate nutrition, or neglecting medical concerns. These may sound like minor concerns, but negligence can lead to serious health problems or discomfort.

An intentional tort involves acts that are directly intended to cause harm to the victim. These can include situations ranging from harmful touching to wrongful imprisonment through unjustified restraints. This type of actions can result in physical and psychological damages to the patient.

Victims who have suffered abuse at a nursing home may be able to seek out compensation for a range of damages. These can include economic costs, such as medical bills or the costs of a new care provider, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. A claim may also include exemplary damages, which are punitive costs meant to punish the caregiver for gross negligence or intentional harm. Texas Administrative Code Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 19, Sub-chapter V states that a nursing facility may also face a loss of licensing if certain violations are discovered. A personal injury attorney licensed in Texas may be beneficial in assessing what compensation would be reasonably sought in a particular situation.

Texas law does place a statute of limitations on claims, however. This means that any civil claim must be filed within two years of when the injuries were discovered. In the case of abuse or neglect, this makes it important to quickly prepare assessments and other documents to seek out compensation.

Family caregiving sometimes brings out the worst in families. It’s hardly ever totally easy even with everyone on the same page.

Imagine then that some of these scenarios were going on in your caregiving family. If they aren’t, then you are already far better off than you thought.

I’m going to set aside the obvious pictures of inadequacy. The errant son who comes home to barely take care of Dad, while running that little methamphetamine lab out in the garden shed. Clearly, everyone knows that’s bad.

It’s when you get to white-collar caregiver bad-hats that the age-old battle of siblings becomes — well — sometimes quite astonishing.

For example, the sister who drove all the way to Indianapolis from Santa Fe to kidnap her mother in the middle of the night from the senior apartment complex where her mother was living very happily. She put everything in her SUV that fitted and the rest they left behind. Then she drove her mother to the southwest, installed her in her home and never told her sister where their mother was.

Consider the two sisters who removed their father from their brother’s house, where he was being happily and properly looked after. They installed him in an assisted living facility he didn’t want to be in and forbade their brother to visit his father there.

The East coast brother who wouldn’t let his West coast sister care for their father at home, who then took that father and placed him in a care facility where he didn’t visit him.

The two sisters who took their mother back to Kansas, leaving her second husband behind in Arizona. Two more sisters who refused to let their 98-year-old father live in the care of his good friends in the town he’d lived in for most of his life. Instead one of them took him to Texas, not to live with her, but to be put in a care facility there.

What is this all about? It’s the special behavior of siblings behaving badly. Most often, it’s the final playing out of old family struggles, siblings unable to forgive some perceived inequality of love. The examples I give here did not involve parental neglect or abuse.

Sometimes it’s the final revenge for not getting equal attention in childhood. Sometimes it’s grabbing final control over a parent who somehow affronted the adult children, often through remarrying after the death of the other parent.

As a longtime observer of caregiver families behaving badly, not much surprises me. In fact, the quite unusual scene of a family behaving very well is more of a surprise — and really I’m not a cynic.

In my town, some years ago, an entire family of seven children came together from all over the United States to make a family plan for the care of their mother with dementia. They decided to help three of the siblings to purchase a property, create a care environment and give total support to the care of their mother for the next four years until her death. Now that is holy work.

It’s also what family care of elders should ideally always be about. If siblings but realized it, caring for a parent is your last chance to heal the relationship and many of your childhood wounds. Of course, it takes courage. But the rewards are immense. You never lose the strength you grew in the process.

I ran into my friend Mary yesterday, and found her in the middle of a crisis. Mary is 75 years old, and although she is active and relatively healthy for her years, she’s had some fairly serious health issues these last few years. But that hasn’t stopped her from taking on caregiving her ex-husband!

Perhaps it’s because he’s the father of her 3 children, who are dispersed across the US. Or maybe it’s knowing he has no one else nearby to care for him. None of her children live near enough to help their father as he ages, encounters serious health issues and is being moved from home to home, as facilities are not able to meet his needs. So that leaves Mary.

She looked exhausted, haggard and totally stressed! My first thought was… “Mary, why doesn’t he move to Texas, where your daughter lives, or to where one of your sons live? After all, he is their father. Shouldn’t they be taking care of him instead of you?” Mary’s reply. “Oh no, I don’t want to burden my daughter or sons with this.”

How do we get caught up in this kind of thinking? Why is Mary willing to risk her own health to take care of an ex-husband? Hard to say, but it’s oh so common.

Self Care Comes First

Having gone through this myself, when my mother was ill, I realize the stress and how easy it is in the middle of everything that’s going on, to forget to pay attention to yourself. After all, didn’t I get seriously ill within 6 months after she passed away? So I warn her… “be careful Mary, you don’t want to get sick like I did. Then your kids will have two parents to worry about!”.

It’s easy to loose track of yourself, as you scramble to keep up with another person’s life. But no matter how important this person is to you, you must remember that if you get too stressed and fall ill, you become the recipient of care rather than the caregiver, and are no help to anyone.

It’s OK to Put Yourself First

A wonderful process in dealing with overwhelming situations is to prioritize. First focus on taking care of yourself, then worry about taking care of others. It makes sense that when you take care to protect your own energy, you have more left to give to others. Caring ceases to be a good thing when it’s at the expense of your own health.

If you find yourself in a major caregiving role and you’re all alone, remember to reach out for some help. Help comes in many forms: friends, family, pastors, churches and support groups. Whatever you do, don’t take it all on by yourself!

Some of the ways you can minister to yourself and relieve some of the stress of caregiving, is to remember to make time to do the things that bring you joy and relaxation. My friend Mary regularly attended an exercise class, and she loved it. But over the 6 months since she’d taken on helping her ex-husband, she had not attended one class. As a friend, I made her promise me she’d be at the very next class. She was immediately less stressed once she agreed.

Warning Signs That You’re Overdoing It…

Loss of energy or joy of life
Emotional or physical exhaustion
Depression
Health problems
Disturbed sleep – not enough or sleeping too much
Changes of appetite – not eating or eating too much
Marital problems
Family problems
Alcohol or drug abuse
Neglect or abuse of the older person

Strategies to Better Manage Stress

1. Have realistic expectations
2. Ask for help
o get your family involved
o find support groups
o consult professionals
3. Take are of yourself
o Talk with someone about how you’re feeling
o Mind your own health
o Put aside time for yourself to do things you enjoy
o Eat nutritious meals
o Exercise regularly
4. Keep up your social contacts

Providing care for an elderly loved one can certainly be stressful, but there are ways to reduce the stress. Becoming aware is the first step. It’s necessary to realize your situation and start paying attention to yourself and how well you’re managing, before you can begin to do something about it.

A business sign is the immediate identity of your company. It helps create instant awareness about your store and builds up a steady clientele. Choosing the right company to handle your business signs is a crucial task. It is of paramount importance to ensure that a sign company has everything that it takes to create and manufacture signs that will boost your business further.

Choosing the best company can be a daunting task if you don’t know where to start. This article will help you decide the best signage manufacturers in your area. If you are in the process of hunting the most deserving company, try to consider the following:

1. Manpower and Staffing

If you want an indoor or outdoor signage for your new store, you want it to be there the moment you open your business or else it is of no use. Thus, make sure that the company you’re choosing has enough staff to handle the job on time. Besides this, you also need to take a look at their skills and qualifications. Select a company with competent layout artists and graphics designers that will turn your vision for the best sign into reality.

2. Sophisticated Equipment

Monument signs speak a great deal about your business. To ensure that your business sign will be made with the highest quality, assess the facilities and equipment of the sign design company. Old fashioned printers and manual fabrication will not be enough for intricate details of your signage. Companies that use cutting edge technologies in signage making have the edge as they have more flexibility in accepting business signs regardless of materials and layouts.

3. Installation Services

For a holistic service, choose a sign company with the capability to install your brand signage anytime, anywhere. It is recommended to select a firm that offers installation services to avoid spending additional money for installing the signs. Attempting to do-it-yourself is not recommended as any damage to the signage can void its warranty.

4. Check Previous Sign Projects

It pays off to check finished products previously done by the signage company for other clients. Should you feel that the product is not up to par with your standards, continue doing your hunt until you have found the company that suits your taste to get the job done well.

Never allow a second-rate signage represent your business. To ensure that you are not taken advantage of by scam signage companies, make it a habit of taking these tips into consideration in searching for the best manufacturer in your area.

If you are a shopaholic, Kansas City is surely going to be a paradise for you. Kansas City is known to be loved by shoppers from around the world since the city has a unique collection of various kinds of arts and crafts, jewellery, designer collections, apparels and footwear. The first outdoor shopping mall in the US was started here and that was just a beginning of the shopping revolution. Kansas City stores are filled with varied collections for different tastes. They have numerous items that you would love to take back home as souvenirs and if you are fond of collecting world arts, this city will truly amaze you.

Where to Shop

Kansas City shopping is filled with options for every shopaholic. You can go to local boutiques, beautiful shops, departmental stores, promotional stores, discount outlets and vintage stores that offer you a traditional shopping experience. If you want to spend a day understanding the shopping culture of this locality, you must visit The Country Club Plaza. It is the entertainment hub of the city and has everything you need to shop till you drop.

From designer labels, to local favourites, awesome accessories to fashionable apparels, you will find everything you need. With over 170 shops in this huge shopping plaza, it is no surprise that this is the most loved shopping destination here.

Few other places that offer an impeccable shopping experiences include the Oak Park mall, Zona Rosa, One Nineteen Leawood, Legends Outlets, Town Centre Plaza and many more.

Availing Discounts while Shopping

If you are a shopaholic, you will surely spend more money on shopping than you should. If you want to indulge in crazy shopping, Kansas City has a variety of discount stores where you can shop at affordable prices and take home much more in a small price. The Legends Outlets in Kansas City is a renowned discount shopping destination where you can get brands like Gap, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor and many more at reduced prices.

Feed your Mind, Body and Soul

Kansas City also has a number of malls that are all-inclusive. You can spend a complete day in the mall with shopping, indulging on delicious food, pampering yourself with spas and massages and enjoying a movie as well. With so many fun-filled activities along with shopping, it is truly going to be a day filled with happiness!

Shopping here is a complete experience filled with fashion, style, design, affordability and innovation. You will take home not just many shopping bags, but also a bag full of delightful memories.

Sometimes, no matter how much work you put into exercising, results just aren’t showing up in the intended fashion. This can become especially true for those who are a bit older, where fat deposits tend to find a solid resting place in the abdominal area. While this sort of trouble can impact both men and women, women who have undergone pregnancies are more likely to be experiencing the true frustration that comes along with wanting to lose weight, but feeling out of control when it comes to being able to actually make it work.

The good news is that there are a few different ways to get the help needed that will make diet and exercise seem to have a greater impact. One of the most common procedures in plastic surgery these days is actually a tummy tuck, which makes it possible to remove that excess fat. In addition to getting rid of the source of the problem, a tummy tuck can actually stretch the skin in a manner where there is less of a risk of experiencing any sort of drooping or sagging. This means that weight loss won’t have the unfortunate side effect of the appearance of extra skin, which can cause both men and women to think twice about sporting bare midriffs at the beach.

Whether you’re living in San Diego or Kansas City, a tummy tuck can do wonders towards improving self-confidence and making shopping for clothing easier. Since the look of a “beer gut” or chubby belly isn’t exactly what those on the dating scene might be looking for, despite what people tend to say about being open-minded, deciding to undergo the procedure can suddenly make it considerably easier to get out there and meet the right person. For women who are happily married but whose bodies are showing the wear of childbirth, the decision to get a tummy tuck can be to feel sexy again. After all of the strain of pregnancy, any woman who feels as though something as simple as a tummy tuck could reignite the flames of passion is more than justified in the decision to do something that boosts self-confidence.

It is important, when considering a tummy tuck, to remember that if there is more weight loss in the future, waiting on the procedure might be a better idea. This way, the final results will last longer and have more of an impact. Anyone else who is convinced that this is the right step on the path to a happier relationship with one’s body will find that a tummy tuck is definitely a helpful way to get things moving in the right direction.

There are several types of storage services at Kansas City self-storage. When we say ‘types’, we not only point at the different types of services offered by a facility but also the different types of facilities that exist in this industry. The concept of storing has undergone several changes and up gradation.

It has seen remarkable improvement that is in the favor of end users. Though the shift has been gradual, there still exist the old-fashioned units. Whether it is a modern day unit or a traditional one, self storage has several advantages. Here, we shall discuss the importance and the shift in this industry from a simple storing facility to a technologically advanced facility.

Advantages Of Kansas City Self-Storage Services

Basic unit – As the name suggests, the basic unit provides limited facilities. These units may not have technologically advanced services or adopt fancy measures for enhancing the customer’s experience. They simply provide a facility for storing your belongings and their objective is very clear. They know the purpose of the facility and offer simple storing solutions. The unit may not offer privacy or confidentiality. The owner can access your unit or shift your belongings if the need arises. The unit is maintained with a simple lock and key system.

This method of storing may not have state of the art services but has one major advantage, i.e. low rental. The monthly rental charges at such Kansas City self-storage is a small amount. The facility provider can offer lower rates because there aren’t any overhead costs involved. The units are not fancy. They are not staffed well and do not have special security measures. They may not offer protection from theft or natural calamities etc. These are some of the disadvantages of a storage unit. Therefore, if you are looking for a unit to store your not so important or valuable items then an old-fashioned basic unit is good enough.

Advanced unit – As compared to the basic unit, an advanced Kansas City self-storage unit will have several facilities. For instance, it will be equipped with armed security guards, alarm systems, CCTV cameras, bio-metric card system etc. The unit will be staffed well and offer additional customer service through phone and internet. It will be accessible throughout the day or night unlike the basic unit that can be accessed only for few hours during the day. However, all these facilities will come at a premium cost; you have to pay a higher rental for such services.

State of the art unit – The advanced units have gone one-step ahead and offer technologically advanced services. There are several such state of the art facilities at Kansas City self-storage. For instance, the climate-controlled technology is a giant leap in this industry. Temperature controlled units will maintain an optimal temperature inside the unit to safeguard your belongings from humidity or weather damage. In fact, some of them will pump in dry air at regular intervals to ensure that the unit is free of humidity. Indeed, this industry has seen a lot of innovation and development.

The fashion world is driven by some of the most inspiring and creative designers whose designs have been appreciated by all and sundry. Check out the top 10 fashion designers in the world, who have given a new dimension to the world of fashion.

Marc Jacobs

A top-notch American fashion designer, Marc is the head designer of famous brands Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs. Previously, he was the creative director of French design house Louis Vuitton and his designs turned Louis Vuitton into a fashion powerhouse from a luggage firm.

Kate Spade

If you love handbags, then Kate Spade is definitely your best friend. Born in Kansas, Kate started her journey in the fashion world by designing handbags and co-founded Kate Spade Handbags along with Joel Franklin in 1993. In 1996, she was awarded America’s New Fashion Talent in Accessories, for her designs by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Tom Ford

Tom Ford is not just a fashion designer, but also a movie director. Tom gained prominence after turning the fortunes of Gucci from near bankruptcy. After leaving Gucci, he launched his line of menswear, eye-wear and other accessories.

Donatella Versace

A noted Italian fashion designer, Donatella took the Versace Group to new heights after the death of her brother Gianni Versace. Donatella ensured that Versace has its presence in major fashion centers around the world. Presently, she is the Vice-President as well the chief designer of the Versace Group.

Valentino Garavani

Valentino started his career in 1959 when he established his own fashion house in Rome. Valentino became famous for designing dresses for Jacqueline Kennedy and since then he has designed clothes for many famous and powerful people.

Ralph Lauren

A legendary fashion designer, Ralph is best known for the Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand. He is credited for inventing the first polo style logo for women’s suit that was designed around the men’s classic style. This became a rage and he is one of the first fashion designers to formulate the short sleeve shirt with the polo emblem.

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio has been in the fashion world for over four decades and he is known for his clean, tailored lines. He began his career as a window dresser and later shifted his focus to menswear. Giorgio is also known for his marketing skills in the fashion world.

Betsey Johnson

A famous American designer, Betsey is known for her feminine and whimsical designs. She designed her first line of clothes way back in 1970 and they became hugely popular among rock and roll musicians. She has also forayed into designing bags, accessories and scarves.

Karl Lagerfeld

Karl is a renowned German fashion designer, whose trademark high starched collars, black glasses and white hair make him easily recognizable in the world of fashion. Karl is also a well-known artist and photographer.

Jean Paul Gaultier

A famous French fashion designer, Jean served as the creative director of Hermès from 2003 to 2010. Apart from owning several labels, Jean has also licensed a line of perfumes in association with Puig.

It’s not uncommon to experience a family tragedy and you lose much of your life’s belongings. Along with the loss of clothes, pictures, and furniture, documents like birth certificates or marriage licenses could be destroyed. Sometimes this information is kept in a safe, but not everyone is fortunate to have one in their home. This is why Kansas vital records is the place to go if you need information on your immediate family.

Only immediate family members can retrieve information like birth, death, marriage and divorce records. This protects the information from being used in an unlawful fashion and from people taking on new identities. Most of the records can be found at the state’s Department of Vital Statistics in Topeka, with records being kept up to 1911. The county clerk of courts may have information prior to this, so it’s worth a visit.

Another place to search for information prior to 1911 is the Kansas Historical Society and much of this is available to the public. However, if you’re in need of a new birth certificate, make sure you have all information in order proving your identity. The fastest way would be to visit the office in Topeka, but make sure you come prepared. A visit to their webpage or a quick phone call prior to coming may be helpful. If you request something via mail, it can take up to three days for a reply.

Pros:
* Walk-ins are acceptable and you may only have to wait 20 minutes.
* Kansas Historical Society is open to the public.

Cons:
* Only immediate family members can get information.
* Information from another state wouldn’t be available.

Don’t despair if vital documents are lost or destroyed in a tragedy, the Kansas vital records will be available to assist your family.