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<b>UPDATE 6/19</b><br><br>
Today I went for the appt - which was another ordeal. I took US1 instead of 95 to get there today and got lost, I called the number on my appt slip which was the direct number for Clinic A to let them know I was going to a be a few minutes late and to get better directions. I was lucky enough to get Wanda on the phone, when I stated that I had a 9am appt (it was now 9:01), that I was lost and needed directions - I was told "hold on" and placed on hold. a little over 10 minutes later I was disconnected without ever speaking to anyone. I called back 4 times, only to be placed directly onto hold (no real person ever got on the phone). Eventually I did find the place on my own. I was on hold just before entering the building, I hung up, walked the 30 secs into the building and into clinic A to find Wanda sitting behind the front desk involved in a conversation with a coworker. When she looked up and asked if I needed something, I said yes, I waited on hold for over 15 minutes for directions cuz I was lost and now late for my 9am appt as a result. She did not even acknowledge me, just pointed at the door and said to go check in.<br>
I did check in (only to be told by the clerk that he had never seen an appt for a religious exemption before!) and wait in the waiting area for atleast another 15-20 minutes. I was finally called to the appt (via a HIPPA violation - full name and location to report to over the intercom) and met with nurse Heather. She began by informing me that if I requested a religious exemption, the following things would happpen to my child.<br><br>
1. if an outbreak occurred, he would not only be removed from school (which I knew) but also quarentined to our home for the length of the outbreak (which she states is generally 6 months) - specifically stated that he would not be allowed to leave our home for any reason, no trips to the park, grocery store, family, etc. Is this in fact true? Even the exemption form doesn't mention this - only states that he could be removed from school.<br><br>
2. "he will never go to college" When I pressed further, I was told that "no college accepts a religious exemption" and that he would be required to have all of them anyway if I wanted him to have any kind of an education. When I asked if this was just a Florida college thing, as I never encountered any difficulty with college myself, she responded that ALL state colleges and universities nation wide are like this, and maybe some small private colleges would accept him but that it was unlikely. I went to a state funded county college without any issues whatsoever - that was even in a healthcare field degree program! How valid is this threat?<br><br>
3. that the exemption I have is only good until he goes to school, she actually wrote "HOME" on the top margin of my form!! She stated that any time we move or he goes to a new preschool/elementary school, etc we need to come back and get a new form. I told her that I was only aware of the statue stating that we had to get the one form, and that my understanding was that one form was good - period. That since it was STATE issued in accordance to STATE statutes, the purpose of the form or we where lived did not matter. She insisted again that it was required for "tracking purposes in the event of an outbreak and the need to quarentine your son - we need to know exactly where to find him."<br><br>
4. When I refused the video, I first requested written materials - to be told that nothing like that was available. Surprising considering it is the county health department. And more suprising since hanging in a shelving unit on the wall behind her was a bunch of folders label "chicken pox (english)" "chicken pox (spanish)" etc for all the required vax, in addition to folders labelled fevers, diarrhea and dehydration, etc. I was told that the only information available was in this video - that it was a video about parents talking about what happened as a result of their kids not getting vaxed. Propaganda and scare tactics - no thank you. I politely declined, stated that I have researched myself and made an informed decision in addition to this being a religious decision. Then I was told that it was better for me to just watch the video now, cuz when I had to come back for the next form so my son could enter kindergarten, I would be required to watch if or they would not issue the form. I challenged her on the need for another form and refused the video.<br><br>
In addition to speaking with Vivienne up in Tallahassee again (which didn't seem to make much of a difference after all) - where can I file a written complaint against this department and its staff. The veil of concern and politely phrased scare tactics and intimidation is just ridiculous. I don't know if some of the treatment (such as waiting on hold over 15 minutes when they knew I was lost) was retaliation for called Vivienne, but that is what it seemed like. Even if that isn't the case, Wanda is HORRIBLE at her job. It seemed like they were trying to cover their butts a bit too as a result of the phone call - ever so sweetly (with a strong hit of sarcasism) starting off the appt with saying "Now I am not trying to change your mind about anything or provide any sort of counseling, but I have to make you aware of a few things." They knew ahead of time that I stated I intended to refuse the video, yet it was still an issue and still something toted as being "required."<br><br>
If they thought that simply cuz I had my 681 form I would tolerate this treatment and just be thankful to have the ordeal over with they are sadly mistaken. Today just fueled my anger further and has me even more committed to seeing things change at that health department.<br><br>
also where can I file a complaint re: the HIPPA violation???<br><br>
they messed with the wrong girl this time around.....<br><br><br>
original post:<br><br>
I need help dealing with the FLA health dept and the little power trip they are on regarding issuing me a religious exemption form for DS.<br><br>
I used the links to get all the necessary info regarding getting a religious exemption in Florida - we just moved here last week. According to the KNOW website, all I needed to do was get a form 681 signed by the county branch of the dept of health.<br>
I called the office TWICE to find out if I needed to see anyone specific, schedule an appt, etc to obtain this form. "No, just report to clinic A and they will issue it to you"<br>
So I took yesterday to drive the more than 30 min drive to the office, only to be told by the nasty woman Wanda in Clinic A that I am "required" to have a "relgious exemption appt" with a specific nurse that is only at 9am and 2pm and involves watching a video, an exam of my son, filing paperwork, and counseling.<br>
I argued with her that the statue does not say anything about this nor did anyone I spoke to over the phone - only to be told that she doesn't know "nothing about none of that" - her standard reply to every question such as how long the appt is, the content or length of the video, why my son needs an exam, etc. Needless to say I made an appt and need to show up next Tuesday at 9am with DS in tow. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">:<br>
I called back and spoke with the woman in charge of the Immunization Clinic to be informed that only one person is qualified to sign the exemptions, hence the appt. And when I really pressed her and asked why I was being forced to watch a video for a religous exemption - that it was disrepectful and harassing me would not change my religious views - she admitted that it was "recommended" not required. And that it "is policy" that I meet with the nurse, my son be examined by the nurse, and we both recieve counseling before an exemption will be issued. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">:<br><br>
Aside from writing a scathing complaint about harassment and religious persecution (who do I even send it to???) - what can I do? I am livid. They are making me jump thru hoops - when all they need BY LAW is a signed statement from me - which I tried to provide them with yesterday but Wanda refused to take. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">: I hate letting them win in this intimindation game and power struggle - which I feel like I am doing by meekly obeying and complying with their stupid policies.<br><br><br>
Can someone help me out here? What sort of legal leg to stand on do I have? Should I contact a director of the health dept directly? What should I do next???
Today I went for the appt - which was another ordeal. I took US1 instead of 95 to get there today and got lost, I called the number on my appt slip which was the direct number for Clinic A to let them know I was going to a be a few minutes late and to get better directions. I was lucky enough to get Wanda on the phone, when I stated that I had a 9am appt (it was now 9:01), that I was lost and needed directions - I was told "hold on" and placed on hold. a little over 10 minutes later I was disconnected without ever speaking to anyone. I called back 4 times, only to be placed directly onto hold (no real person ever got on the phone). Eventually I did find the place on my own. I was on hold just before entering the building, I hung up, walked the 30 secs into the building and into clinic A to find Wanda sitting behind the front desk involved in a conversation with a coworker. When she looked up and asked if I needed something, I said yes, I waited on hold for over 15 minutes for directions cuz I was lost and now late for my 9am appt as a result. She did not even acknowledge me, just pointed at the door and said to go check in.<br>
I did check in (only to be told by the clerk that he had never seen an appt for a religious exemption before!) and wait in the waiting area for atleast another 15-20 minutes. I was finally called to the appt (via a HIPPA violation - full name and location to report to over the intercom) and met with nurse Heather. She began by informing me that if I requested a religious exemption, the following things would happpen to my child.<br><br>
1. if an outbreak occurred, he would not only be removed from school (which I knew) but also quarentined to our home for the length of the outbreak (which she states is generally 6 months) - specifically stated that he would not be allowed to leave our home for any reason, no trips to the park, grocery store, family, etc. Is this in fact true? Even the exemption form doesn't mention this - only states that he could be removed from school.<br><br>
2. "he will never go to college" When I pressed further, I was told that "no college accepts a religious exemption" and that he would be required to have all of them anyway if I wanted him to have any kind of an education. When I asked if this was just a Florida college thing, as I never encountered any difficulty with college myself, she responded that ALL state colleges and universities nation wide are like this, and maybe some small private colleges would accept him but that it was unlikely. I went to a state funded county college without any issues whatsoever - that was even in a healthcare field degree program! How valid is this threat?<br><br>
3. that the exemption I have is only good until he goes to school, she actually wrote "HOME" on the top margin of my form!! She stated that any time we move or he goes to a new preschool/elementary school, etc we need to come back and get a new form. I told her that I was only aware of the statue stating that we had to get the one form, and that my understanding was that one form was good - period. That since it was STATE issued in accordance to STATE statutes, the purpose of the form or we where lived did not matter. She insisted again that it was required for "tracking purposes in the event of an outbreak and the need to quarentine your son - we need to know exactly where to find him."<br><br>
4. When I refused the video, I first requested written materials - to be told that nothing like that was available. Surprising considering it is the county health department. And more suprising since hanging in a shelving unit on the wall behind her was a bunch of folders label "chicken pox (english)" "chicken pox (spanish)" etc for all the required vax, in addition to folders labelled fevers, diarrhea and dehydration, etc. I was told that the only information available was in this video - that it was a video about parents talking about what happened as a result of their kids not getting vaxed. Propaganda and scare tactics - no thank you. I politely declined, stated that I have researched myself and made an informed decision in addition to this being a religious decision. Then I was told that it was better for me to just watch the video now, cuz when I had to come back for the next form so my son could enter kindergarten, I would be required to watch if or they would not issue the form. I challenged her on the need for another form and refused the video.<br><br>
In addition to speaking with Vivienne up in Tallahassee again (which didn't seem to make much of a difference after all) - where can I file a written complaint against this department and its staff. The veil of concern and politely phrased scare tactics and intimidation is just ridiculous. I don't know if some of the treatment (such as waiting on hold over 15 minutes when they knew I was lost) was retaliation for called Vivienne, but that is what it seemed like. Even if that isn't the case, Wanda is HORRIBLE at her job. It seemed like they were trying to cover their butts a bit too as a result of the phone call - ever so sweetly (with a strong hit of sarcasism) starting off the appt with saying "Now I am not trying to change your mind about anything or provide any sort of counseling, but I have to make you aware of a few things." They knew ahead of time that I stated I intended to refuse the video, yet it was still an issue and still something toted as being "required."<br><br>
If they thought that simply cuz I had my 681 form I would tolerate this treatment and just be thankful to have the ordeal over with they are sadly mistaken. Today just fueled my anger further and has me even more committed to seeing things change at that health department.<br><br>
also where can I file a complaint re: the HIPPA violation???<br><br>
they messed with the wrong girl this time around.....<br><br><br>
original post:<br><br>
I need help dealing with the FLA health dept and the little power trip they are on regarding issuing me a religious exemption form for DS.<br><br>
I used the links to get all the necessary info regarding getting a religious exemption in Florida - we just moved here last week. According to the KNOW website, all I needed to do was get a form 681 signed by the county branch of the dept of health.<br>
I called the office TWICE to find out if I needed to see anyone specific, schedule an appt, etc to obtain this form. "No, just report to clinic A and they will issue it to you"<br>
So I took yesterday to drive the more than 30 min drive to the office, only to be told by the nasty woman Wanda in Clinic A that I am "required" to have a "relgious exemption appt" with a specific nurse that is only at 9am and 2pm and involves watching a video, an exam of my son, filing paperwork, and counseling.<br>
I argued with her that the statue does not say anything about this nor did anyone I spoke to over the phone - only to be told that she doesn't know "nothing about none of that" - her standard reply to every question such as how long the appt is, the content or length of the video, why my son needs an exam, etc. Needless to say I made an appt and need to show up next Tuesday at 9am with DS in tow. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">:<br>
I called back and spoke with the woman in charge of the Immunization Clinic to be informed that only one person is qualified to sign the exemptions, hence the appt. And when I really pressed her and asked why I was being forced to watch a video for a religous exemption - that it was disrepectful and harassing me would not change my religious views - she admitted that it was "recommended" not required. And that it "is policy" that I meet with the nurse, my son be examined by the nurse, and we both recieve counseling before an exemption will be issued. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">:<br><br>
Aside from writing a scathing complaint about harassment and religious persecution (who do I even send it to???) - what can I do? I am livid. They are making me jump thru hoops - when all they need BY LAW is a signed statement from me - which I tried to provide them with yesterday but Wanda refused to take. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">: I hate letting them win in this intimindation game and power struggle - which I feel like I am doing by meekly obeying and complying with their stupid policies.<br><br><br>
Can someone help me out here? What sort of legal leg to stand on do I have? Should I contact a director of the health dept directly? What should I do next???
