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Nicholas Alahverdian

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Nicholas Alahverdian
Born(1987-07-11)July 11, 1987
DiedFebruary 29, 2020(2020-02-29) (aged 32)
OccupationChild welfare activist

Nicholas Alahverdian (July 11, 1987 – February 29, 2020) was a child welfare advocate.

Alahverdian claimed that he suffered abuse and negligence in the state child welfare system, the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF). Over this allegation, he sued the DCYF in 2011 in federal court, then voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit when Rhode Island waived his over $200,000 medical expenses debt.

In January 2020, local news outlets reported that Alahverdian was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In February 2020, news outlets reported that Alahverdian had died from the disease.

Early life

Alahverdian's parents were "abusive and alcoholic", wrote The Brown Daily Herald. Alahverdian's family "couldn’t take care of him", wrote The Providence Journal, hence Alahverdian as a child was placed under the care of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). At some point, Alahverdian attended Hope High School.

Starting from March 2002, and lasting for 15 months, Alahverdian alleged, the DCYF placed Alahverdian in their "night-to-night" program: he would spend his day at a DCYF building in Pawtucket, and he would spend his night at one of several shelters around Rhode Island, at locations such as Central Falls, Providence, Narragansett, or Woonsocket. Alahverdian did not attend school during this period. According to Alahverdian, the other youth stole his items, and he was "threatened, assaulted" in this period. The night-to-night program was described as a "stifling" experience by The Providence Journal, that Alahverdian was "denied a substantial chunk of his childhood".

Alahverdian took up a job of being a legislative aide in the Rhode Island House of Representatives at age 15, reported The Brown Daily Herald. However, The Providence Journal, citing a lawsuit filed by Alahverdian, reported that Alahverdian was 14 when he worked as a legislative aide. WPRI reported that Alahverdian was a "general assembly page" by age 14. Alahverdian said that he informed lawmakers about his negative experience in DCYF care, but received no help.

The Brown Daily Herald reported that in 2002, or before, Alahverdian quit his legislative aide job to become a lobbyist, starting the NexusGovernment organization for child welfare. However, Alahverdian said that he quit in March 2003. Additionally, The Providence Journal, reporting in 2011, states that NexusGovernment was only "recently formed".

The Brown Daily Herald reported that Alahverdian was sent by DCYF to facilities in Nebraska and Florida in 2002. The Providence Journal, citing the lawsuit Alahverdian filed, indicates that this occurred after May 2003. The Providence Journal reports that the facilities were Boys Town in Nebraska and Manatee Palms Youth Services in Florida; Alahverdian said he was prohibited from contacting others during this period; both the Nebraska and Florida placements were later closed for abuse and neglect. Alahverdian believes that he was sent out of state because in Rhode Island, he was "a source of information on DCYF". According to DCYF, they stopped using Manatee Palms Youth Services in 2005 due to "concerns we had with the way they were treating our kids".

Alahverdian told WPRI that he was beaten “Everyday in Florida. Everyday in Nebraska. Everyday in Rhode Island," by other youth in DCYF programs. Alahverdian told WJAR that he suffered "torture, beatings, assault" and neglect under DCYF care, until 2005. Alahverdian was sent back to Rhode Island in 2005, stated his lawsuit. Rhode Island authorities stated that there were no records of Alahverdian being abused.

Lobbyist work

In 2011, Alahverdian suspended his education at Providence College and Harvard Extension School to become a lobbyist for child welfare protections. He questioned why Rhode Island was paying for "dangerous" childcare facilities. He also advocated for Rhode Island to stop sending its foster children out of state.

In March 2011, after meeting Alahverdian, state representative Roberto DaSilva submitted a proposal to increase restrictions on DCYF from using facilities out of Rhode Island; which doubled as a cost-cutting measure. DaSilva has credited Alahverdian's story as inspiration for his proposed legislation. DaSilva did not pass the proposed legislation on the first try, so he re-submitted his proposal in January 2012; it was not reported whether the proposal was considered.

In May 2011, state representative Rene Menard proposed that the Rhode Island House of Representatives honour Alahverdian for having "fought for the rights and privileges of children and adolescents in state care". The proposal was referred to a state legislative committee for consideration.

The Providence Journal reported in March 2012 that when a state legislative committee was considering sponsoring a special license plate for the retired Family Court Chief Judge Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Jr., Alahverdian commented on the proposal, stating that Jeremiah "is not deserving of this honor", criticizing Jeremiah's operation of the Truancy Court he started. As a result, the proposal was amended that Jeremiah would have to pay for the special license plate. However, the reporting by The Providence Journal did not cover whether the proposal was actually voted upon.

In 2013, columnists from The Providence Phoenix urged those in power in Rhode Island to listen to Nicholas Alahverdian to reduce the "horrors for children in state care".

In April 2017, Alahverdian wrote an opinion piece for The Providence Journal, where he called for an auditing of expenditures of DCYF.

In February 2020, Rhode Island State Representative Ray Hull introduced another bill to create a DCYF legislative oversight commission in honor of Alahverdian. WPRI reported that the bill would permit "The speaker of the House to appoint nine state representatives to the commission, and they would investigate any unconstitutional or unethical procedures at DCYF that put children in harm’s way. A report would be due from the commission next May." Co-sponsors of the bill included Reps. John J. Lombardi, David Bennett, and James N. McLaughlin. As of March 2020, Hull's proposed legislation had not been voted upon.

Lawsuit against the DCYF

In February 2011, Alahverdian initiated a federal lawsuit against the DCYF, the states of Florida and Nebraska, six residential facilities, and 18 individuals, for alleged abuse of him. Among the individuals sued were Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri and Family Court Chief Judge Jeremiah Jeremiah Jr.

In August 2013, the federal lawsuit was dismissed, as agreed to by Alahverdian, because Rhode Island waived over $200,000 of debt Alahverdian had incurred for medical expenses during state care, reported WPRI. The lawsuit concluded with Rhode Island not admitting any "liability or culpability regarding the allegations", stated the DCYF's deputy director Kevin Aucoin. Alahverdian acknowledged that he had released Rhode Island and its government employees from liability. The court itself did not reveal details of the settlement to end the lawsuit. Alahverdian also agreed to dismiss two other lawsuits he had filed, one which accused DCYF of violating a confidentiality agreement, and another against state sheriffs.

Other activities

In April 2011, WPRI reported that Alahverdian had requested a restraining order against his mother and his step-father. Alahverdian alleged that this request led to a courthouse sheriff attacking him, leading to an investigation of the sheriff.

In 2016, Alahverdian accused local politician Brian Coogan of stealing Coogan's political opponent's signs, while stating that Coogan had "threatened" Alahverdian. WJAR described Alahverdian of being Coogan's "former campaign manager".

Death

In January 2020, multiple news agencies revealed that Alahverdian had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which later caused his death on February 29, 2020. He was survived by his wife and two children. His wife has said that Alahverdian would be cremated and the remains would be scattered at sea.

The Rhode Island House of Representatives, "as a further mark of respect", voted to adjourn in memory of Nicholas Alahverdian, as well as in memory of Louis Perrotta Sr., at 4.50pm on March 3, 2020. A House Resolution was passed extending "deepest condolences on the passing of Nicholas Alahverdian" on March 11.

References

  1. ^ Buteau, Walt (March 3, 2020). "Child welfare activist, DCYF critic loses battle with cancer". WPRI News. Archived from the original on March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  2. "Obituary: Nicholas Alahverdian". East Providence Reporter. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  3. "Nicholas Alahverdian, R.I. child welfare activist, dies at 32". MSN.com. March 4, 2020. Archived from the original on March 5, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  4. ^ "Longtime child welfare advocate fighting cancer". WJAR. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  5. "Accusations of abuse, neglect in DCYF homes". GoLocalProv. March 2, 2011. Archived from the original on December 2, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  6. ^ Heller, Mathias (February 9, 2012). "Legislation spotlights domestic abuse". The Daily Herald. Archived from the original on February 13, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  7. Buteau, Walt. "Street Stories: DCYF". WPRI on YouTube. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  8. Kerr, Bob (November 24, 2002). "A survivor tells the story of kid dumping". The Providence Journal-Bulletin. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  9. ^ Klamkin, Steve (January 9, 2020). "DCYF critic, diagnosed with cancer, speaks out on troubled agency". WPRO News. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  10. ^ Tomison, Bill (February 18, 2020). "Emergency oversight commission for DCYF proposed by lawmakers". WPRI.com. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  11. ^ Cook, Scott. "Lawmakers propose 'Emergency Oversight Commission' for DCYF". ABC 6 News. Archived from the original on February 19, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  12. ^ "Child welfare activist dies of cancer". Associated Press. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  13. ^ Klamkin, Steve. "Child abuse victim Alahverdian loses his cancer fight". WPRO News. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  14. ^ "Rhode Island child welfare reform advocate dies of cancer". NBC 10 News. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  15. ^ Kerr, Bob (February 27, 2011). "He knows the system inside and out". The Providence Journal. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  16. ^ Arditi, Lynn (April 8, 2011). "Alahverdian sues DCYF for child abuse". The Providence Journal. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  17. ^ Kerr, Bob (April 20, 2012). "A hard lesson in what a state can do to a kid". The Providence Journal. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  18. ^ Buteau, Walt (March 19, 2011). "Victim of abuse works for DCYF overhaul". WPRI. Archived from the original on May 14, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  19. ^ Jaehnig, Dan (March 1, 2011). "Man claims he was abused in DCYF care". WJAR. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  20. ^ Klepper, David (August 14, 2011). "RI pays millions to send children out of state". Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 13, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  21. Mancinho, Shana (March 21, 2011). "DaSilva bill keeps children under DCYF care in-state" (Press release). Providence, Rhode Island: State of Rhode Island General Assembly. Legislative Press Bureau. Archived from the original on November 15, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  22. Lord, Peter. "Rep. DaSilva says R.I. pays hundreds of thousands of dollars for out-of-state care for children in state custody". Politifact. Poynter Institute. Archived from the original on December 2, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  23. "DaSilva reintroduces bill to keep children under DCYF care in state". GoLocalProv. Archived from the original on April 16, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  24. McCabe, Brenna (January 18, 2012). "DaSilva reintroduces bill to keep kids under DCYF care in-state" (Press release). Providence, Rhode Island: State of Rhode Island General Assembly. Legislative Press Bureau. Archived from the original on November 13, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  25. "House Resolution Congratulating Nicholas Alahverdian". rilin.state.ri.us. State of Rhode Island. Archived from the original on October 8, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  26. Breton, Tracy (March 30, 2012). "Amended bill would make Jeremiah pay for plate". The Providence Journal. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
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  28. Alahverdian, Nicholas (April 7, 2017). "DCYF workers need help to keep kids safe". The Providence Journal. Archived from the original on November 14, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  29. "House Resolution Creating an Emergency Oversight Commission on the Department of Children, Youth, and Families" (PDF). State of Rhode Island General Assembly. February 14, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  30. ^ Buteau, Walt. "Suit against DCYF settled". WPRI.com. CBS News. Archived from the original on December 3, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
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  34. San Miguel, Michelle (October 26, 2016). "Former RI state rep says he didn't steal political signs". NBC 10 News. Archived from the original on November 6, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
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  37. "House Resolution Expressing Condolences on the Passing of Nicholas Alahverdian" (PDF). Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved March 11, 2020.

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