The State Senate is considering legislation that would change the rules regarding services provided to children with mental health problems. Currently, state-providedservices for mentally ill children are – for the most part – restricted to kids in the custody of the State or whose parents are receiving assistance. Senator Michael Gibbons of Kirkwood, whose bill aims to change this, says good parents without a lot of money are forced to do the unthinkable: relinquish control of their children. Donna Uhlmansiek of St. Charles has a child with mental problems. She tells a Senate Committee the current situation led to an action she never wanted to take. Handing over a child to the State could land the parents on the Child Abuse and Neglect Registry as neglectful parents.
