Court rules foster parents can adopt abused child instead of grandmother

Judge Thomas J. Munley placed too much emphasis on the biological tie between the maternal grandmother and the girl, who at 3 months old was blinded after someone put a cleaning product in her eyes, the court said. It overturned his ruling that ordered the child be returned to the grandmother and directed the now 4-year-old girl remain with the foster parents who cared for her since she was 6 months old. Neither the foster parents nor biological mother or grandmother are identified by name in the ruling.

More >> Court rules foster parents can adopt abused child instead of grandmother

Oregon Department of Human Services sued for $10 million

A $10 million lawsuit has been filed against the Oregon Department of Human Services and the Dallas Police Department following the death of a 2-year-old boy.

More >> Oregon Department of Human Services sued for $10 million

Australians rally nationwide to voice anger at child abuse in detention centres

Hundreds of people rallied in cities across Australia calling for fundamental change over the treatment of children being held in juvenile detention centres. Protesters gathered to express shock and outrage at footage aired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) which showed children being abused whilst in custody.

More >> Australians rally nationwide to voice anger at child abuse in detention centres

A Wiradjuri grandmother’s sad story: ‘The Stolen Generations have never stopped’

Laura Lyons is a 48-year-old Wiradjuri woman living in Sydney. She alleges that three of her children as well as four of her grandchildren have been stolen from her by the Australian government. Laura is a member of Grandmothers Against Removal (GMAR), a group of grandmothers who are fighting to get their stolen children and grandchildren back. This is Laura’s story in her own words as told to Camille Nakhid.


More >> A Wiradjuri grandmother’s sad story: ‘The Stolen Generations have never stopped’

Kansas foster mother calls audit of state system 'devastating'

A Kansas foster parent calls the latest audit of the state’s foster care system devastating, but she believes that it can be fixed.

More >> Kansas foster mother calls audit of state system 'devastating'

Foster Youth are Traumatized Enough: Why Psych Meds Should be Better Regulated

I had always been a good student, getting A’s and B’s, but everything changed in tenth grade when I failed English, one of my favorite classes. Although we were reading books I had read before and loved, like Brave New World, I couldn’t stay awake to participate in class discussions. In fact, I could barely keep my head up.

More >> Foster Youth are Traumatized Enough: Why Psych Meds Should be Better Regulated

Woman charged with abducting 7-month-old son from foster home

A woman was charged Thursday in connection with the abduction of her 7-month-old son from a foster home earlier this week.

More >> Woman charged with abducting 7-month-old son from foster home

Police: Wausau man molested foster child

Marathon County officials on Friday said they could not answer specific questions about a 31-year-old Wausau man accused of sexually molesting one of his foster children.

More >> Police: Wausau man molested foster child

Man pleads guilty to sexually abusing foster child

A Co Down foster father has been jailed for four years for sexually abusing a young girl placed in his care.

More >> Man pleads guilty to sexually abusing foster child

• Foster father jailed for sexually abusing girl in his care aged five

Foster Mom Arraigned In Alleged Child Abuse Case

One of two women accused of abusing a special needs child faces a judge.  Marsha Gray appeared for arraignment in Union County District Court.

More >> Foster Mom Arraigned In Alleged Child Abuse Case

Foster dad charged with child sexual assault in Marathon Co.

A 31-year-old Marathon County man is behind bars on $100,000 after he charged with sexually abusing a foster child in his care.

More >> Foster dad charged with child sexual assault in Marathon Co.

To keep young kids out of trouble, New York City wants schools to stop suspending them

It seems counterintuitive at first: keeping kids from misbehaving by not suspending them for misbehavior.

More >>To keep young kids out of trouble, New York City wants schools to stop suspending them

Colorado man forced to pay child support despite DNA test results

Chris Atkins leads a life that might be stranger than any episode of "The Maury Povich Show."

More >> Colorado man forced to pay child support despite DNA test results

Foster kids in motels 'not a crisis'

A children's lobby group denies union claims the NSW foster care system is in crisis following reports vulnerable and abused children are having to sleep in motels.

More >> Foster kids in motels 'not a crisis'

Former Santa Maria foster father sentenced to 125 years in sex abuse case

The mother of a then-8-year-old girl, who was sexually abused under the care of her foster father for two years, stayed calm as she unleashed a flurry of angry words at the defendant during sentencing Wednesday morning at Santa Maria Superior Court.

More >> Former Santa Maria foster father sentenced to 125 years in sex abuse case

Seattle social worker put away for sex crimes as lawyer slept

A Seattle social worker convicted of molesting two girls now claims his defense attorney repeatedly fell asleep during his trial – and he has a judge to back him up.

More >> Seattle social worker put away for sex crimes as lawyer slept

Scottish plan for every child to have 'named person' breaches rights

Judges at the supreme court have ruled that the Scottish government’s controversial “named person” scheme risks breaching rights to privacy and a family life under the european convention on human rights, and thus over-reaches the legislative competence of the Holyrood parliament.

More >> Scottish plan for every child to have 'named person' breaches rights

Poor parents have right to representation when challenging private adoptions, NJ Supreme Court rules

The New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously recognized a right to free legal representation for low-income parents challenging private adoptions of their children. This Supreme Court decision found for the first time in New Jersey that low-income parents have a right to counsel in proceedings to end parental rights, even when the adoption is initiated by a private party.


More >> Poor parents have right to representation when challenging private adoptions, NJ Supreme Court rules

Audit blasts Kansas foster care system over missed visits, background checks

Auditors released a scathing review of the state’s foster care system Wednesday, revealing that the Department for Children and Families doesn’t check the backgrounds of people in foster homes as often as needed, doesn’t ensure monthly in-person visits take place, and grants nearly all requests for exceptions to rules governing foster homes.

More >> Audit blasts Kansas foster care system over missed visits, background checks

• Faust-Goudeau: DCF goal should be bringing families back together

Head of Kansas foster care system devalues scathing audit

Some Kansas Democrats want the head of the Department for Children and Families to resign.  It comes after a new government report issued Wednesday uncovered several problems with the state's foster care system.

More >> Head of Kansas foster care system devalues scathing audit

Audit: Kansas failing to protect safety of children in foster care and adoption programs

An audit released Wednesday accused the Kansas Department for Children and Families of failing in many cases to protect the safety of children in the state's foster care and adoption programs, prompting two House Democrats to call for the immediate resignation of DCF Secretary Phyllis Gilmore.

More >> Audit: Kansas failing to protect safety of children in foster care and adoption programs

• Audit: Kansas foster care system puts children at risk

‘Foster home’ abuse investigation may be expanded

The Government is to consider expanding a commission of investigation examining abuse allegations at a “foster home” in the southeast to similar cases.

More >> ‘Foster home’ abuse investigation may be expanded

Norway’s Stolen Children?

Why are so many parents in Norway claiming that the state is kidnapping their children? With a spike in cases in recent years and accusations of racial intolerance, Dateline asks whether these children are being saved, or stolen.

More >> Norway’s Stolen Children?

We're putting too many kids in foster care

Two studies involving more than 15,000 typical cases found that children left in their own homes typically fared better.

More >> We're putting too many kids in foster care 

Ex-Children's Home staffer accused of sexually assaulting 3

A former staff member at The Children's Home of Easton is accused of sexually assaulting three teenage girls there over two years.

More >> Ex-Children's Home staffer accused of sexually assaulting 3

Comment: The very worst that can happen with child protection

Natasha and Erik’s twins were taken away by Norway’s child protection service as soon as they were born. Now the family are fugitives in Poland, in a case that’s appalled psychologist Einar Salvesen.

More >> Comment: The very worst that can happen with child protection

N.J. Supreme Court rules birth mom has right to lawyer in custody case

 The state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday in favor of an indigent mother who left her daughter in foster care in 2012 and then wound up in court nearly two years later, without an attorney, losing her parental rights and her child.

More >> N.J. Supreme Court rules birth mom has right to lawyer in custody case

District Court judge reprimanded by state judicial standards board

A Scott County District Court judge has been publicly reprimanded by the state’s judicial review board for actions deemed inappropriate in divorce and custody hearings.

More >> District Court judge reprimanded by state judicial standards board

Australia: PM orders inquiry into juvenile prison abuse

Footage from youth detention centre shows Aboriginal teens tear-gassed, stripped naked and chained to chairs.

More >> Australia: PM orders inquiry into juvenile prison abuse

• Images reveal child abuse in Oz prison

Caseworker vs. DCS

Despite a caseworker’s lawsuit against the Indiana Department of Child Services, her employer says she’s right: There aren’t enough caseworkers to handle the exploding growth in cases of Indiana children and families in crisis. But that’s where the agreement ends.

More >> Caseworker vs. DCS

State settles suit to make it easier for immigrants to get birth certificates for citizen children

Texas has settled a federal lawsuit that accused the state of making it impossible for many undocumented workers to get copies of birth certificates for their children born in the U.S.


More >> State settles suit to make it easier for immigrants to get birth certificates for citizen children

Stafford man gets 6 months for foster child’s death

A Stafford man will serve just six months for the death of his 1-year-old foster son.

More >> Stafford man gets 6 months for foster child’s death

Family reunited after death of 7-year-old girl

The four children of Michael Wartena and Tiffany Stewart, whose daughter was found drowned behind the La Kiva Hotel on Wednesday, were returned to their parents Monday after Child Protective Services said their decision to take custody of the children was based on what police initially told them.

More >> Family reunited after death of 7-year-old girl

• Alexis Wartena's parents get custody of children from CPS and are going back home to California

Wartena Family Speaks Out

Alexis Wartena's parents get custody of children from CPS and are going back home to California

Nightmare Keeps Repeating for Girl In Texas Foster Care System

Less than 24 hours after state child welfare workers were warned of the risks of suddenly relocating a 16-year-old foster care child with severe medical and psychological problems to a new home, the girl was hospitalized, and her former caretakers fear for her health.

More >> Nightmare Keeps Repeating for Girl In Texas Foster Care System

U.S., child welfare systems get failing got grades, report says

All three branches of the federal government and every state have failed to meet minimum standards to protect abused and neglected children, according to a report issued Tuesday that lambasted the American child-welfare system.

More >> U.S., child welfare systems get failing got grades, report says

Social Workers Say What It's Like To Deal With Foster Kids Living In The Office

Kelly Paluso has been a child welfare worker with the Oregon Department of Health for 10 years.

More >> Social Workers Say What It's Like To Deal With Foster Kids Living In The Office

DCS Named In Sexual Battery Lawsuit Involving Former Caseworker

The Department of Children's Services was named in a civil lawsuit involving a former caseworker charged with sexual battery, accusing the department of negligence.

More >> DCS Named In Sexual Battery Lawsuit Involving Former Caseworker

Man, Woman Indicted for Prostitution Underage Girls

A man and a woman were indicted for prostituting underage girls in Hidalgo County. The allegations stem from several incidents earlier this year.

More >> Man, Woman Indicted for Prostitution Underage Girls

Former foster dad heartbroken that teen is tied to crime surrounding death of KCK police captain

An Overland Park man says Daqon Sipple`s life didn`t have to end up with him answering to charges that include assault on a law enforcement officer. At one point, he made it out of his environment, with all its temptations and challenges and had a real chance to do great things in the world, according to his former foster father.

More >> Former foster dad heartbroken that teen is tied to crime surrounding death of KCK police captain

Mormon church moves to quash subpoena of President Monson in Navajo abuse case

The LDS Church is asking a federal court to quash a subpoena requiring President Thomas S. Monson to testify at a deposition concerning the alleged sexual abuse of four Navajos.

More >> Mormon church moves to quash subpoena of President Monson in Navajo abuse case

Correction: Foster Parent-Sex Abuse Story

In a story March 18 about a foster parent who is charged with sex abuse, The Associated Press misspelled the suspect's last name. He is Cesar Gonzales-Mugaburu, not Cesar Gonzalez-Mugaburu.

More >> Correction: Foster Parent-Sex Abuse Story

Inside the shocking child detention centre where six boys in isolation cells were allegedly tear gassed

SIX boys held in isolation cells were allegedly tear gassed at a juvenile detention centre in the Northern Territory.

More >> Inside the shocking child detention centre where six boys in isolation cells were allegedly tear gassed

Seven-month-old Tampa girl dies while in state care

A 7-month-old baby girl in the care of the state died this week after she slept next to a 10-year-old child on a couch.

More >> Seven-month-old Tampa girl dies while in state care

Correction: Foster Parent-Arrest story

In a story March 17 about the arrest of a foster parent on sex abuse charges, The Associated Press misspelled the suspect's last name. He is Cesar Gonzales-Mugaburu, not Cesar Gonzalez-Mugaburu.

More >> Correction: Foster Parent-Arrest story

Foster parent sentenced for raping three girls in his care

A Central Point man has been sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison for raping and sexually abusing three girls who were in his care — including one who was 11 when he began raping her.

More >> Foster parent sentenced for raping three girls in his care

• Foster parent gets 12 years in prison for raping 3 girls

Mother of murdered Central Texas foster child calls for changes

Three years later, Mary Sweeney hasn’t stopped thinking about how close she believed she was to getting her 2-year-old daughter Alex back. Sweeney told a judge she had left her abusive boyfriend, remained drug-and seizure-free for months, and complied with orders to go to parenting classes and therapy.

More >> Mother of murdered Central Texas foster child calls for changes

Deputy: Video shows foster child being abused, 2 arrested

Two western Kentucky women have been arrested after video surfaced appearing to show them confining an 11-year-old special needs foster child who was struggling to get away.

More >> Deputy: Video shows foster child being abused, 2 arrested

Florida Sheriff’s Deputies Seize Man’s Phone While Assisting CPS in Warrantless Removal of Family’s Children

A Florida sheriff’s deputy seized a man’s phone without a warrant after arriving with Department of Children and Families workers to seize a woman’s children, who were also apparently seized without a warrant.

More >> Florida Sheriff’s Deputies Seize Man’s Phone While Assisting CPS in Warrantless Removal of Family’s Children

The death of a grandchild and how Child Protective Services restricts vital information

The horror of the system known as Child Protective Services is never far from my mind. But it came to the fore when news reports detailed how the Department of Social Services tried to quietly insert language into a budget bill to protect the “system” at the cost of the children it claims to serve.

More >> The death of a grandchild and how Child Protective Services restricts vital information

School staff could face PRISON if they fail to report child abuse

School staff could face jail if they fail to raise the alarm about child abuse.

Dinner ladies, caretakers and school secretaries could come under new government rules.

More >> School staff could face PRISON if they fail to report child abuse

Child in NT government care missing for three weeks; family not told she ran away

The 11-year-old girl who was arrested and handcuffed by police in front of shocked classmates at her Northern Territory primary school last year has been missing for at least three weeks.

More >> Child in NT government care missing for three weeks; family not told she ran away

Dependency Treatment Court Helps The Youngest Foster Kids By Helping Their Parents

Jessica Rodriguez has told her story many times.

“Let me tell you a little about me, my case originally started due to a domestic violence phone call,” she recently told a few women gathered in a room for a pre-assessment group at Terros, a Valley healthcare organization that offers primary care, as well as substance use treatment.

More >> Dependency Treatment Court Helps The Youngest Foster Kids By Helping Their Parents

On camera: Mom, daughter abuse special needs foster child

A Kentucky mother and her daughter were arrested after a cell phone video showed the pair abusing a special needs foster child who they have been fostering for years.

More >> On camera: Mom, daughter abuse special needs foster child

Shadow Children: Putting An End To Re-homing Adopted Children In Massachusetts

Children who are re-homed can face many unknown dangers. In the most high-profile case, an Arkansas State Representative re-homed two of his female children adopted from Haiti to a man who later sexually assaulted one of the girls, who was 6-years-old at the time. Children identified in the Reuters report have gone missing. Others have lived to tell of heartbreaking abuse.

More >> Shadow Children: Putting An End To Re-homing Adopted Children In Massachusetts

Klapheke Case: Former CPS Supervisor Wants Charge Dismissed

A former Abilene CPS supervisor charged in connection to the fatal Tiffany Klapheke child abuse case is trying to get her charge dismissed.

More >> Klapheke Case: Former CPS Supervisor Wants Charge Dismissed

Report due on foster home abuse

The Irish Examiner understands the report into the HSE’s reaction to claims officials covered-up how a woman with severe intellectual disabilities was left at an abusive home is due to be handed to Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath in the next 48 hours.

More >> Report due on foster home abuse

Report criticizes state youth facility where teen died

A new report commissioned by state child welfare officials reveals systemic breakdowns and deficiencies threatening the safety of children placed at Allendale Association, a north suburban residential facility where a teen died earlier this year.

More >> Report criticizes state youth facility where teen died

Paula Simons: Alberta's auditor general gives child welfare system a failing grade

Only 16 per cent of Alberta’s child welfare case workers are complying with provincial rules that require them to make personal contact on a regular basis with the foster children they supervise.

More >> Paula Simons: Alberta's auditor general gives child welfare system a failing grade

Foster mom accused of abuse out of jail; father remains in custody

24 hours after Cape Coral Police arrested two parents for abusing their 10 adopted and foster children, the mother children's mother is out of jail.

More >> Foster mom accused of abuse out of jail; father remains in custody

Lawsuit filed against SC DSS in death of baby

As the South Carolina Department of Social Services announced an increase in child neglect and abuse-related fatalities, attorneys shared details of a lawsuit filed against the agency in the death of a 1-year-old boy.

More >> Lawsuit filed against SC DSS in death of baby

Woman files federal lawsuit against social caseworker over intimate pictures

In a federal lawsuit, a Sedgwick County woman claims a caseworker assigned to help her, instead, acted inappropriately.

More >> Woman files federal lawsuit against social caseworker over intimate pictures

A 6-month-old child who police say was abducted from a foster care agency in the Bronx has been found safe.

More >> 6-MONTH-OLD BABY ALLEGEDLY ABDUCTED FROM BRONX FOSTER CARE FOUND SAFE

St Vincent man jailed for raping foster child

 A 63-year-old man was sentenced to 12 years in prison after he was found guilty of three counts of rape and one count of indecent assault against his foster daughter, 12 years ago.

More >> St Vincent man jailed for raping foster child

Foster home shortage forces kids to leave friends behind

Good kids who’ve suffered through their parents’ struggles are having to leave not just their homes, but the community they know, as child-welfare authorities struggle with a foster home shortage.

More >> Foster home shortage forces kids to leave friends behind

Lawsuit: Worker for state contractor sexually coerced mother seeking to get back children

A caseworker for a Kansas foster care and family preservation contractor sexually harassed and coerced a mother seeking to regain custody of her children, forcing her to send him sexually-charged messages and photos, a new federal lawsuit alleges.

More >> Lawsuit: Worker for state contractor sexually coerced mother seeking to get back children

Marijuana use not grounds for termination of parental rights

Recent Case: Marijuana use under the level of chemical dependency not grounds for termination of parental rights

Father appeals from the judgment terminating his parental rights. Grounds for termination of parental rights require clear and convincing evidence, so Court of Appeals examines evidence contrary to judgment.  Grounds include abuse or neglect and failure to rectify.  In this case there was not substantial evidence to support the trial court’s finding that Father’s marijuana use constituted a “chemical dependency” as defined in Section 211.447.5(2)(b) or Section 211.447.5(3)(d). Therefore, that condition cannot support termination on grounds of either abuse and neglect or failure to rectify.

More >> Marijuana use not grounds for termination of parental rights

Paedophile foster father confesses to child sex offending mid-trial in Mount Gambier

A FOSTER father accused of sexually abusing a girl in his care over a three-year period has pleaded guilty, mid-trial, after hearing her sworn evidence.

More >> Paedophile foster father confesses to child sex offending mid-trial in Mount Gambier

U.S. Senate must fix foster care reform bill

Years of painstaking reforms have gone into California’s foster care system. One of the major victories of this reform has been the California Continuum of Care act, enacted in October 2015 to increase standards of care for foster children, add support for their caregivers, and reduce the number of children held in group home placements.

Unfortunately, Congress may undo much of California’s hard work.

More >> U.S. Senate must fix foster care reform bill

Nonprofit admits more children in state care were forced to sleep in offices than previously acknowledged

Air mattresses placed on office floors served as make-do sleeping quarters for dozens of Hillsborough County foster children, a crisis that the contractor responsible for taking care of the children repeatedly failed to report to the state.

More >> Nonprofit admits more children in state care were forced to sleep in offices than previously acknowledged

Cape couple charged with abuse of foster, adopted children

A 47-year-old Cape Coral man faces multiple charges in connection with alleged abuse of foster and adopted children at a SE 11th Place home.

More >> Cape couple charged with abuse of foster, adopted children

• Cape foster parents arrested for sexual and physical abuse

Laws blocked Leo Varadkar disclosing foster abuse cases

The now Social Protection Minister confirmed the situation amid fresh controversy over care standards in the region caused by a previously hidden report into the crisis obtained by RTÉ last week.

More >> Laws blocked Leo Varadkar disclosing foster abuse cases

Judge denies request to dismiss case against social workers in child abuse case

A judge has rejected arguments to dismiss charges against two former Los Angeles County social workers and their supervisors, charged with child abuse and falsifying records that resulted from the death of an 8-year-old Palmdale boy.

More >> Judge denies request to dismiss case against social workers in child abuse case

• Judge Refuses to Dismiss Charges Against Social Workers For Allegedly Falsifying Records in Child Abuse Death

Heaven Woods case sparked changes to DFCS system, but problems persist

In the past two years, Georgia’s Department of Family and Children Services, DFCS, has spent more than $3 million to catch up on past-due investigations and received millions more to hire 625 new caseworkers.

More >> Heaven Woods case sparked changes to DFCS system, but problems persist

HSE aware of 'Mary' case much earlier than admitted

New records uncovered by RTÉ's This Week reveal the HSE was involved in the case of a young woman with intellectual disabilities deemed to be at risk much earlier than it previously admitted.

More >> HSE aware of 'Mary' case much earlier than admitted

Armstrong County CYF clears Leechburg SD employees of wrongdoing in reporting abuse claims

An Armstrong County child protection agency has cleared Leechburg Area School District administrators and one teacher of any wrongdoing related to reporting accusations that a substitute teacher inappropriately touched female students, Channel 11’s news exchange partners at TribLIVE reported.

More >> Armstrong County CYF clears Leechburg SD employees of wrongdoing in reporting abuse claims

Timeline: DCYF's long history of trouble

In her pledge last summer to reform the troubled Department of Children, Youth and Families, Governor Raimondo described Rhode Island's child-welfare system, including state foster care, as "extremely dysfunctional."

More >> Timeline: DCYF's long history of trouble

Texas child welfare, foster care overhaul is urgent

The Texas child welfare and foster care system is in crisis. There can be no higher priority for state officials than to set it straight.

More >> Texas child welfare, foster care overhaul is urgent

A Baton Rouge Woman Will Not Face Prosecution for Allegedly Beating Her Delinquent Children

On June 20, Schaquana Spears, 30, was arrested in Baton Rouge, La. on felony cruelty charges for allegedly beating her 10-, 12-, and 13-year-old sons after they allegedly robbed a neighbor’s house.

More >> A Baton Rouge Woman Will Not Face Prosecution for Allegedly Beating Her Delinquent Children

Illinois Family Wants to Adopt Foster Child — But May Be Forced to Give Up Their Second Amendment Rights to Do So

Kenneth and Colleen Shults are hoping to formally adopt a foster child into their family, but in a federal suit filed this week, they are claiming they would be forced to give up their Second Amendment rights to do so.

More >> Illinois Family Wants to Adopt Foster Child — But May Be Forced to Give Up Their Second Amendment Rights to Do So

State calls for more foster homes to meet growing need

Maine is stealing too many kids again!!!

Maine Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew and local foster parents gathered Thursday at Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine on Main Street to encourage more families to open their homes to children in need.

More >> State calls for more foster homes to meet growing need

A Massachusetts Department of Children and Families employee accused of pointing a loaded gun at a couple in a New Hampshire road-rage incident has pleaded not guilty

A Massachusetts Department of Children and Families employee accused of pointing a loaded gun at a couple in a New Hampshire road-rage incident has pleaded not guilty.

More >> A Massachusetts Department of Children and Families employee accused of pointing a loaded gun at a couple in a New Hampshire road-rage incident has pleaded not guilty

FOSTER PARENTS SUE STATE FOR PULLING 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS

The state of Illinois is being sued again over its gun restrictions.

This time it’s because the state’s agencies prohibit foster parents from having protective weapons available in their homes.

More >> FOSTER PARENTS SUE STATE FOR PULLING 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS

Note: Yeah, and what about the constitutional rights of the real parents?

SA recognises pain of forced adoptions

Australia's legacy of forced adoption highlights the need to ensure families are kept together wherever possible, South Australia's premier says.

More >> SA recognises pain of forced adoptions

Privacy commissioner to investigate health department over foster care breaches

Victoria's leak-plagued human services department will be investigated by the state's privacy watchdog after revelations the addresses of protected foster children were handed to violent criminals.

More >> Privacy commissioner to investigate health department over foster care breaches

Foster children bond with siblings at Henderson water park

Although Carlos, 15, and Qiana, 13, stayed together, adoption separated them from their older sister.

More >Foster children bond with siblings at Henderson water park

Flawed, Rushed Family First Bill Undermines Thoughtful Child Welfare Reform

In the world of policy, decision makers try to balance the needs of various constituencies to drive toward incremental change. Reform efforts that start with the best of intentions can have unintended consequences, often for the very people they are trying to help. However, when we know what the consequences are before legislation is passed, we can follow the cardinal rule of any intervention: First, do no harm.

More >> Flawed, Rushed Family First Bill Undermines Thoughtful Child Welfare Reform

Testimony: Greg Schiano, Tom Bradley knew about Sandusky abuse

While they were assistant coaches at Penn State, Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano and UCLA defensive coordinator Tom Bradley knew as early as the early 1990s that Jerry Sandusky was sexually abusing young boys, according to testimony unsealed by a Philadelphia court on Tuesday.

More >> Testimony: Greg Schiano, Tom Bradley knew about Sandusky abuse

Foster mother gets 9 months in prison for abusing baby

An Enfield Superior Court judge gave an East Windsor foster mother nine months in prison for abusing a 6½-month-old boy in her care last summer.

More >> Foster mother gets 9 months in prison for abusing baby

Kansas DCF reaches settlement in lawsuit over 4-year-old boy's beating death

The Kansas Department for Children and Families has reached a settlement in a federal lawsuit that charged the agency made mistakes prior to the beating death of a 4-year-old boy.

More >> Kansas DCF reaches settlement in lawsuit over 4-year-old boy's beating death

DHS cites neglect by foster home worker

The Minnesota Department of Human Services has found neglect in the case of a St. Cloud adult foster home worker who admitted helping a resident obtain drugs.

More >> DHS cites neglect by foster home worker

Bail lowered in case of Wasilla mother charged with starving adopted kids

A judge has reduced the $100,000 bail of a Wasilla woman accused of starving and abusing three of her adopted daughters.

More >> Bail lowered in case of Wasilla mother charged with starving adopted kids

Questions Over Parents’ Constitutional Rights Suppressed in Texas CPS Reform Hearing

Two Texas House hearings have been held to address nightmares with the Texas Child Protective Services agency. During one of those hearings, a state representative who was chairman of the committee, angrily shut-out a discussion of the due process and other constitutional rights of parents.

More >> Questions Over Parents’ Constitutional Rights Suppressed in Texas CPS Reform Hearing

Prevention funding for at-risk families could keep kids out of foster care

As a pediatrician working with at­-risk families and children in foster care in east Texas, I am increasingly concerned about the inconsistencies in the care they receive and the resources available to them. Our state's child welfare system is broken, as revealed by the recent high-­profile death of four­-year­-old Leiliana Wright, whose overburdened case worker was unable to visit her in Grand Prairie for 36 days, which was too late to save her life.

More >> Prevention funding for at-risk families could keep kids out of foster care

Federal legislation could worsen Texas' foster care bed shortage, CPS chief warns

Texas' top protective services official and two members of a foster care advisory panel on Tuesday warned that a bill under consideration by the U.S. Senate could worsen the state's already worrisome shortage of foster care beds.

More >> Federal legislation could worsen Texas' foster care bed shortage, CPS chief warns

Texas lawmakers explore solutions for 'broken' CPS

For the first time as the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) commissioner, Henry "Hank" Whitman laid out his plan to legislators.

More >> Texas lawmakers explore solutions for 'broken' CPS

• A "fix" for broken CPS system
• Texas in Desperate Need of Foster Parents, CPS Says - Because they steal too many kids.  (Arizona wannabe's)
• New commissioner calls for more accountability at CPS
• New Texas child welfare chief calls on Legislature for action

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden Pushes Bill To Keep Kids Out Of Foster Care

Oregon is in the middle of a foster care crisis: Kids are being housed in hotels and state offices because homes can’t be found.

More >> Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden Pushes Bill To Keep Kids Out Of Foster Care

New commissioner will testify on Texas foster care system Tuesday

Henry “Hank” Whitman will testify for the first time before a committee at the Capitol on Tuesday as the new commissioner of the state’s troubled child and family welfare agency.

More >> New commissioner will testify on Texas foster care system Tuesday

Foster care security breach prompts Victorian child protection system review

The Andrews government has ordered a "full review" of security breaches in Victoria's child protection system after social workers gave a violent criminal the address of children removed from his care for their own safety.

More >> Foster care security breach prompts Victorian child protection system review

Bolster ‘re-homing’ solutions

South Carolina has recently taken hopeful steps toward ensuring the safety of foster children, as a result of a class-action lawsuit won by 11 young plaintiffs. Such measures include placing more children in foster homes rather than institutions and giving them better medical care.

More >> Bolster ‘re-homing’ solutions

Government gives violent father address of his children in foster care

A father jailed for violently attacking his sons was accidentally handed a confidential court report by Victoria's child protection agency containing the exact location of the other children removed from his care due to abuse and neglect.

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Man remanded on foster mother murder charge

A man has appeared in court to deny murdering a former foster carer who looked after dozens of children.

More >> Man remanded on foster mother murder charge

Siblings separated in foster care reunite at Cowabunga Bay water park

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children’s Child Focus program will reunite nearly 100 foster care children on Wednesday, thanks to Cowabunga Bay Water Park.

More >> Siblings separated in foster care reunite at Cowabunga Bay water park

Couple sues DSHS claiming children were wrongly taken away

More than three years ago, a little boy named David Roberts collapsed at a daycare on North Whidbey. He died a few days later.

More >> Couple sues DSHS claiming children were wrongly taken away

Out-of-home spending outweighs Arizona's DCS prevention costs

The Arizona Department of Child Safety spent far more in the last fiscal year on services for children in out-of-home care than it did working to keep families intact, a new report shows.

More >> Out-of-home spending outweighs Arizona's DCS prevention costs

One mother's view on fast-track adoption: 'I want my children back'

Anne wants to tell a mother's story. But if she can't find a lawyer to go to the Supreme Court, she fears her children will be adopted without her voice being heard.

More >> One mother's view on fast-track adoption: 'I want my children back'

Santa Clarita family wants to take tribal custody case to state Supreme Court

The foster parents of a 6-year-old Native American girl pledged Friday to take their fight to keep her to the state Supreme Court after a lower court ruled that the child was to live with extended family in Utah.

More >> Santa Clarita family wants to take tribal custody case to state Supreme Court

Foster family of girl, six, who was taken from them after four years because she is 1.5 percent Native American lose appeal to bring her home

The six-year-old California girl who was ripped away from her foster family because she has 1.5 percent Native American blood will not be allowed to return to their home.

More >> Foster family of girl, six, who was taken from them after four years because she is 1.5 percent Native American lose appeal to bring her home

Note: Awwwww.

Foster parent accused of child molestation

The first time it happened, the man told him not to tell anyone.

That was a year and a half ago, in December 2014, when William Brenner, a chief financial officer with a local Kindred Healthcare hospital, was fostering a 6-year-old boy in his Greenwood home.

More >> Foster parent accused of child molestation

Judge holds Arizona Department of Child Safety in contempt

A Juvenile Court judge is holding the Department of Child Safety in contempt for ignoring three orders in a child's case, reflecting frustration with the agency's follow-through on efforts to help families.

More >> Judge holds Arizona Department of Child Safety in contempt

Smeared Feces, Fire on Desk: Former case manager describes behavior of foster kids who had to sleep in offices

8 on Your Side is learning more about the conditions of kids sleeping in offices in Hillsborough County. A former case manager who quit her job in the past month spoke to 8 On Your Side about her experience.

More >> Smeared Feces, Fire on Desk: Former case manager describes behavior of foster kids who had to sleep in offices

Foster carers facing allegations of abuse 'need better support'

Note: This is one assholes opinion.

New research finds that foster carers who have faced unproven allegations of abuse from the children they are looking after often have little support afterwards.

Foster carers facing allegations of abuse 'need better support'

If you get into bed with the devil, you will suffer the consequences sooner or later.  Remember that.

Appeals Court Tells Texas Foster Care Reforms Must Continue

Texas must continue drafting court-ordered plans to fix its broken foster care system, according to a new order from the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

More >> Appeals Court Tells Texas Foster Care Reforms Must Continue

• Appeals court rejects Texas' bid to scuttle federal judge's naming of special masters in foster care suit

Foster agency closed by the state for several violations

The foster placement center Alternatives for Children and Families is now closed by the state for several violations.

More >> Foster agency closed by the state for several violations

With Foster Care System 'Crisis,' Oregon Puts Kids In Hotel Rooms

A couple of weeks ago, the group’s Facebook page contained the following post: “10 year old boy… spent the night in the office with two staff last night.  For the past two days he’s been sitting in a DHS office waiting to find out where he’ll go next.”

More >> With Foster Care System 'Crisis,' Oregon Puts Kids In Hotel Rooms

Foster agency connected to autistic boy who drowned agrees to close

The foster care agency connected to the disappearance and drowning of a severely autistic boy has closed under an agreement with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

More >> Foster agency connected to autistic boy who drowned agrees to close

• Foster care agency surrenders license, one year after child's death

Grand Jury: Chaotic DHHS failing children

Del Norte County’s Department of Health and Human Services is a house divided — underfunded, understaffed with clients “falling through the cracks” to create a “near epidemic rate” of child abuse and neglect cases, according to the latest Grand Jury report.

More >> Grand Jury: Chaotic DHHS failing children

Mother Of Child Thrown From Bridge Wants To Sue DCF

A year after her infant son was thrown off the Arrigoni Bridge and into the Connecticut River, the mother of Aaden Moreno has filed two separate claims totaling $15 million against the state Department of Children and Families.

More >> Mother Of Child Thrown From Bridge Wants To Sue DCF

St. Paul foster mom loses license over 8-year-old's 2015 joyride

A St. Paul woman’s foster care license has been revoked more than a year after an 8-year-old boy in her care sneaked out of her home and took a car for a joyride through the east metro.

More >> St. Paul foster mom loses license over 8-year-old's 2015 joyride

Social worker wanted girl out of Bemidji foster home a year before 2-year-old died there

A social worker urged that 2-year-old Kira Friedman be removed from her foster parents more than a year before the girl drowned in their home, according to court records.

More >> Social worker wanted girl out of Bemidji foster home a year before 2-year-old died there

Rising number of Texas foster kids left without homes

A crisis in Texas is highlighting the shortage of foster care families leading to a growing number of children left without homes.

More >> Rising number of Texas foster kids left without homes

Feds pressed on child welfare before inquiry

A leading advocate for the welfare of First Nations children and families says she'll have little faith in the upcoming inquiry on murdered and missing indigenous women unless a funding gap is closed first.

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Orphanages a shame to Uganda

The Children’s Act of 1997 describes a child as a person below the age of 18 years. A child is entitled to education and guidance, immunisation, adequate diet, clothing, shelter and medical attention. The Act makes mention of child protection from discrimination, violence, abuse and neglect and also caters for ‘a probation and social welfare officer’ and a minister to approve homes for children.

More >> Orphanages a shame to Uganda

Sperm-Donor Kids Ask About Their Biological Fathers At Age Three

Where's my daddy? Children who were born of sperm donors and raised by single moms ask about their fathers from as young as aged three. The major study is the first to analyze the emotions of sperm-donor kids.

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Children seek their dads

The Alexandra cluster of Social Development is looking for the father of Siyathemba Makhubalo, born on 7 January 1999; and Caroline Ziphokazi Makhubalo, born on 7 May 2006, are both looking for their unknown father/fathers. The late mother of the children was Sindiswa Mildred Makhubalo.

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Foster father who abused girl for over one year arrested

A foster father who had allegedly sexually abused his wife's 15-year-old daughter for one year and two months by keeping a firearm and a sword to frighten her to subjugation while the mother was employed abroad, was arrested by Puttalam Police along with the firearm and the sword yesterday.

More >> Foster father who abused girl for over one year arrested

Child abuse inquiry chair quits amid ‘offensive’ comments row

The chair of a major inquiry into child abuse in Scotland has resigned following claims she made comments that were “offensive” to survivors.

More >> Child abuse inquiry chair quits amid ‘offensive’ comments row

FAMILY FORTUNATE Tear-jerking moment two long lost sisters separated at birth reunite just days after one of the women posted a Facebook appeal

A WOMAN has met her long-lost sister for the first time following a moving social media appeal.

Annette Youngson, 50, shared an emotional Facebook post in attempt to find out more about her missing sibling, Heather Ede, 49.

More >> FAMILY FORTUNATE Tear-jerking moment two long lost sisters separated at birth reunite just days after one of the women posted a Facebook appeal

Foster children taken into care ended up sleeping in Hillsborough County offices

Some of them were still traumatized after being taken from their homes because of issues like abuse, neglect or domestic violence.

More >> Foster children taken into care ended up sleeping in Hillsborough County offices

Ex-wife fights for chunk of abuse victim’s £175,000 payout

An estranged wife is attempting to secure a chunk of the £175,000 compensation that her husband received for suffering sexual abuse when he was a child.

More >> Ex-wife fights for chunk of abuse victim’s £175,000 payout

Scottish child abuse inquiry chair resigns over “unacceptable” comments allegations

Her departure comes a week after psychology professor Michael Lamb also resigned from the inquiry, saying it was “doomed” because of "repeated threats to the inquiry's independence”.

More >> Scottish child abuse inquiry chair resigns over “unacceptable” comments allegations

Govt programme slammed as 'band-aid response'

The government is scrapping an established programme for at-risk families for a new one which critics say is not as good.

More >> Govt programme slammed as 'band-aid response'

Mom loses custody battle over adopted child

A mother who consented to giving up her child for adoption has lost a legal plea to regain custody.

According to a Supreme Court judgment, directed to protect the identity of the child involved both the biological mother and the father signed formal consent for the child to be adopted.

More >> Mom loses custody battle over adopted child

Wife Floored At What She Caught Husband Doing With Child In His CPS Office

When Chellie Heckman’s husband hadn’t come home from work on time as a supervisor with the Department of Family and Children Services, she was curious about what he was up to at his office. She was absolutely floored at what she found him in the middle of that he was in no rush to stop anytime before being discovered there.

More >> Wife Floored At What She Caught Husband Doing With Child In His CPS Office

Stop CPS/DHS From Trespassing on YOUR Property

Foster children taken into care ended up sleeping in office

Some of them were still traumatized after being taken from their homes because of issues like abuse, neglect or domestic violence.

More >> Foster children taken into care ended up sleeping in office

Unwed father can contest daughter’s adoption, Utah Supreme Court rules

The Utah Supreme Court has given an unwed father another chance to contest the adoption of his daughter, ruling that a notice telling the man what he needed to do to preserve his parental rights did not include required information.

More >> Unwed father can contest daughter’s adoption, Utah Supreme Court rules

'We're failing kids': Louisiana child welfare agency crippled by 2 key factors, officials and advocates say

Average caseloads for child welfare workers in Louisiana have inched up over the past decade, as budget cuts and attrition have thinned the ranks at the agency. But the averages, already at or above nationally accepted standards, don’t paint a full picture of just how thinly stretched the agency really is: High turnover at the department means a large proportion of the staff is new hires, who work a strictly limited number of cases during their first six months on the job.

More >> 'We're failing kids': Louisiana child welfare agency crippled by 2 key factors, officials and advocates say

What Hillary Clinton’s terrible foster care law did to poor children of color

We all know about the crime law and the welfare law.  But she pushed a third law that’s just as bad – and she’s still bragging about it.

More >> What Hillary Clinton’s terrible foster care law did to poor children of color

San Bernardino County Grand Jury releases scathing report on child welfare system

San Bernardino County’s child welfare system is rife with systemic failures, including shoddy documentation practices, a communication breakdown between social workers and law enforcement that thwarts child abuse investigations, and a reluctance by social workers to remove children from abusive homes, according to grand jury findings.

More >> San Bernardino County Grand Jury releases scathing report on child welfare system

‘I’ve had 25 social workers. It’s a terrible system’

Sophie Flanagan is 21 this month. “I’ve been in residential care. I’ve been in care with families. I’ve been in care with my auntie,” she says. “I’ve been in many care systems. I’ve been to six different schools and had 25 social workers while I’ve been in care. It’s a terrible system.”

More >> ‘I’ve had 25 social workers. It’s a terrible system’

Former CPS worker gets eight years for sexual assault

A Dallas County jury convicted a former Child Protective Services investigator Friday of sexually assaulting two underage girls he met online in 2011. He was sentenced to eight years in prison.

More >> Former CPS worker gets eight years for sexual assault

Children in welfare system reunited with families

A reunification day was held through the Shasta County Child Abuse Prevention Council at Kid's Kingdom in Redding.

More >> Children in welfare system reunited with families