Evaluation for Eli

Tova, 46, is a single mother to four children, ages 9-18. Tova herself did not have an easy upbringing. She grew up in poverty and suffered physical abuse as a child. Her difficult background still impacts her emotional state today. In addition to suffering from PTSD and depression, Tova has epilepsy, diabetes, liver disease and asthma.
Needless to say, Tova cannot work outside of the home and survives on disability payments.
Tova and her husband, the father of her three oldest children, divorced 12 years ago. She then had a long-term relationship with another man who is the father of her youngest child. Tova’s partner physically abused her and sexually abused her eldest daughter. Tova filed a police complaint, as a result of which he served a year and a half in prison. Once he was released, he continued to harass Tova and her children. Eventually, she was able to get a restraining order against him. The trauma of these years left an indelible mark on Tova and her children. They are all under psychological care and two of the children are medicated. Tova’s ex-husband is very supportive emotionally but cannot help much financially due to his own financial and medical situation.
Today, Tova is in therapy through social services. She is determined to turn her life around and build a normal life for her children. She is slowly making progress. In the meantime, however, Tova and her children are in dire financial straits. They live in a two-bedroom apartment, with all four children in one room. They are missing the most basic furnishings, like a kitchen table and closets. In addition to their daily expenses, Tova has very high medical bills, as well as numerous debts. There are months where she doesn’t have money for the family’s most basic needs, like food and clothing.
Tova’s most pressing concern right now is her son Eli who is in fifth grade. Eli was sexually abused at a young age and suffers from PTSD and ADD. He is under psychiatric care and is on a steady regimen of medication. Eli is an adorable, good-hearted, curious child but is also prone to angry and violent outbursts. He doesn’t understand boundaries and can be a danger to himself. He also suffers from anxiety and has bladder-control issues. Eli has severe learning disabilities and displays extreme behavioral issues in school.
Tova, Eli’s teachers and social services all want to help him in any way possible. The social workers have recommended that Eli undergo a psycho-didactic evaluation in order to help everyone decide the best direction for his care. Unfortunately, these evaluations are expensive and Tova cannot afford the cost. This young boy and his struggling mother deserve every chance to move forward.