I thought of another example (see previous post) on how bureaucracy harms more than helps.
In the checklist of items to do before being initially licensed was a CPR certification for the adults in the home. The agency offered a link to a website where you could do a chintzy online quiz to get your certification (the same one I've done every year before school starts as part of back-to-school PD for teachers). I knew it was a joke and I wanted us to all be truly prepared--even our oldest son since I knew he'd be watching the kids sometimes.
So, back then I signed up Theo, Seth (then 16) and I for a 4 hour class, in person, with real CPR dummies, an AED practice thingy, first aid materials, etc. We paid about $60 per person out of our own pocket. Since we were the only people in the class we were able to focus on infant and child CPR and scenarios that might come up, like choking. In the weeks after the class we talked about it and also taught Gus (then 12) a few things. It was a good thing and I just felt more prepared for helping anyone, not just a foster child.
The CPR/First Aid class we took from the American Red Cross certified all of us for two years (if I remember correctly, maybe it's actually longer). But, that is irrelevant to the state.
Even though we gave them copies of the card that was issued to us, the agency still requires us to do the online class because that's the only one they "recognize".
So, here's what I do. I log on, I scroll to the bottom of the screen without reading one word or watching one video, I click the NEXT button, and I repeat that for about 5-6 screens. At the end, because our agency has instructed us we don't need to take the quiz, I take a screenshot of the "You're done!" text and email that to our licensing worker.
I literally was done in about 30 seconds and did not read one word but now I'm "certified". In fact, I'm more certified than I was after taking the 4 hour in-person class because I took the "recognized" class our agency accepts.
On one hand I should be grateful it's so easy, right? But I guess it's a quirk of my personality that I don't feel grateful for being complicit in a meaningless task just so the state can cover their ass when a foster child dies in a home.
In the checklist of items to do before being initially licensed was a CPR certification for the adults in the home. The agency offered a link to a website where you could do a chintzy online quiz to get your certification (the same one I've done every year before school starts as part of back-to-school PD for teachers). I knew it was a joke and I wanted us to all be truly prepared--even our oldest son since I knew he'd be watching the kids sometimes.
So, back then I signed up Theo, Seth (then 16) and I for a 4 hour class, in person, with real CPR dummies, an AED practice thingy, first aid materials, etc. We paid about $60 per person out of our own pocket. Since we were the only people in the class we were able to focus on infant and child CPR and scenarios that might come up, like choking. In the weeks after the class we talked about it and also taught Gus (then 12) a few things. It was a good thing and I just felt more prepared for helping anyone, not just a foster child.
The CPR/First Aid class we took from the American Red Cross certified all of us for two years (if I remember correctly, maybe it's actually longer). But, that is irrelevant to the state.
Even though we gave them copies of the card that was issued to us, the agency still requires us to do the online class because that's the only one they "recognize".
So, here's what I do. I log on, I scroll to the bottom of the screen without reading one word or watching one video, I click the NEXT button, and I repeat that for about 5-6 screens. At the end, because our agency has instructed us we don't need to take the quiz, I take a screenshot of the "You're done!" text and email that to our licensing worker.
I literally was done in about 30 seconds and did not read one word but now I'm "certified". In fact, I'm more certified than I was after taking the 4 hour in-person class because I took the "recognized" class our agency accepts.
On one hand I should be grateful it's so easy, right? But I guess it's a quirk of my personality that I don't feel grateful for being complicit in a meaningless task just so the state can cover their ass when a foster child dies in a home.
Comments
Post a Comment