When Dillon and Melissa Bright’s infant son fell from a chair and bumped his head, they rushed him to Texas Children’s Hospital to get him checked out. It began a months-long nightmare encounter with Child Protective Services that reached its climax on November 8, when state district Judge Michael Schneider issued an unprecedented sanction of $127,000 against the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for wrongful removal. Just this week, the Brights’ attorneys revealed shocking new allegations that CPS put pressure on local law enforcement to file criminal charges against Melissa Bright after Judge Schneider’s sanction order.
The case highlights the desperate need for greater transparency and accountability in CPS investigations.
More >> State should have to meet higher bar before removing children from home
Monday, December 17, 2018
Kansas Sued Over Foster Care That’s Bounced Several Children Between 100 Homes
A lawsuit filed Friday contends Kansas violates foster children’s civil rights by moving them too often, adding to their trauma and restricting their access to necessary mental health treatment.
The National Center for Youth Law, Children’s Rights and Kansas Appleseed filed the suit against Gov. Jeff Colyer and the heads of the Department for Children and Families, the Department for Aging and Disability Services and the Department of Health and Environment.
More >> Kansas Sued Over Foster Care That’s Bounced Several Children Between 100 Homes
The National Center for Youth Law, Children’s Rights and Kansas Appleseed filed the suit against Gov. Jeff Colyer and the heads of the Department for Children and Families, the Department for Aging and Disability Services and the Department of Health and Environment.
More >> Kansas Sued Over Foster Care That’s Bounced Several Children Between 100 Homes
Hundreds of trafficked children ‘lost’ by local authorities
A quarter of trafficked children who were in the care of local authorities in the UK last year have going missing from the system, according to new research by two British charities that work with vulnerable children.
The new figures raise serious questions about the capacity of local authorities to provide a safe environment for vulnerable children who arrive in the UK alone, or after being rescued from trafficking gangs. The report – to be published this week and seen by the Observer – shows that of the 1,015 children reported by local authorities as identified or suspected victims of trafficking in 2017, 24% – 276 – have gone missing from the care system.
More >> Hundreds of trafficked children ‘lost’ by local authorities
The new figures raise serious questions about the capacity of local authorities to provide a safe environment for vulnerable children who arrive in the UK alone, or after being rescued from trafficking gangs. The report – to be published this week and seen by the Observer – shows that of the 1,015 children reported by local authorities as identified or suspected victims of trafficking in 2017, 24% – 276 – have gone missing from the care system.
More >> Hundreds of trafficked children ‘lost’ by local authorities
Mother in viral video where New York police yank toddler from her arms speaks out
A mother who had her toddler yanked from her arms by New York police in a widely seen video said in an interview published Sunday that she went into "defense mode."
"In my head, I told myself they're not going to let me leave," Jazmine Headley told The New York Times. "I was so afraid. I was combative with my thoughts."
More >> Mother in viral video where New York police yank toddler from her arms speaks out
"In my head, I told myself they're not going to let me leave," Jazmine Headley told The New York Times. "I was so afraid. I was combative with my thoughts."
More >> Mother in viral video where New York police yank toddler from her arms speaks out
Sunday, December 16, 2018
When Families Un-Adopt a Child
The little girl in the photograph squints and smiles broadly in the sunlight. According to a now-deleted public post on Second Chance Adoptions’ Facebook page, the girl, who the agency calls “Reese” to protect her privacy, is 10 years old, and she has been a member of her family since she was born—first in foster care, then legally adopted just before her first birthday. She loves to laugh, her adopted mom says, and she smiles all the time. She loves pink. She has no special needs. But she needs a new home.
More >> When Families Un-Adopt a Child
More >> When Families Un-Adopt a Child
Siblings separated in foster care celebrate the holidays together
Circus’ Adventuredome hosted St. Jude’s Ranch for Children’s their annual “Gift of Giving” for siblings separated in foster care, Saturday.
The event brought brothers and sisters, who live in different foster homes, together to celebrate the Holidays.
More >> Siblings separated in foster care celebrate the holidays together
The event brought brothers and sisters, who live in different foster homes, together to celebrate the Holidays.
More >> Siblings separated in foster care celebrate the holidays together
A couple who agreed to adopt a baby were devastated after learning that the mother was never pregnant in the first place
A couple in California say they're victims of an "emotional crime" after their adoption process turned out to be a hoax allegedly made up by the woman who told them they could have her baby.
Matt and Laura Trayte, from Lake Forest, California, met Beth Jones, of Nickelsville, Virginia, on Facebook after a months-long attempt at adopting a child, according to the Orange County Register.
More >> A couple who agreed to adopt a baby were devastated after learning that the mother was never pregnant in the first place
Matt and Laura Trayte, from Lake Forest, California, met Beth Jones, of Nickelsville, Virginia, on Facebook after a months-long attempt at adopting a child, according to the Orange County Register.
More >> A couple who agreed to adopt a baby were devastated after learning that the mother was never pregnant in the first place
Text of Marijuana Notice Posted at Springfield YMCA
Please be advised there have been several complaints about parents, guardians and other adults smelling of marijuana entering and leaving our YMCA facilities (the downtown facility as well as afterschool locations).
Staff at the YMCA of Greater Springfield have smelled some of you out and have been instructed to document instances of anyone suspected of being under the influence.
More >> Text of Marijuana Notice Posted at Springfield YMCA
Staff at the YMCA of Greater Springfield have smelled some of you out and have been instructed to document instances of anyone suspected of being under the influence.
More >> Text of Marijuana Notice Posted at Springfield YMCA
Saturday, December 15, 2018
System failed Manitoba girl returned to parent without support, checks: advocate
Manitoba's advocate for children and youth says a girl who suffered repeated sexual abuse and died of a drug overdose was failed over and over again by the province's child welfare system.
The girl -- identified only as Angel -- was born to a mother with addiction issues and was apprehended by social workers 14 times by the time she was 12, says a 118-page report from Daphne Penrose released Thursday.
More >> System failed Manitoba girl returned to parent without support, checks: advocate
The girl -- identified only as Angel -- was born to a mother with addiction issues and was apprehended by social workers 14 times by the time she was 12, says a 118-page report from Daphne Penrose released Thursday.
More >> System failed Manitoba girl returned to parent without support, checks: advocate
Detained migrant could lose daughter, who's a U.S. citizen
For the last seven months, Vilma Carrillo has been separated from her 11-year-old daughter after arriving in the U.S. to seek asylum, having fled her native Guatemala and a husband who she says beat her.
“I’m sick, my head hurts, I just want to see my daughter,” Carrillo, 38, said in Spanish by phone from a detention center in Irwin, Georgia.
More >> Detained migrant could lose daughter, who's a U.S. citizen
“I’m sick, my head hurts, I just want to see my daughter,” Carrillo, 38, said in Spanish by phone from a detention center in Irwin, Georgia.
More >> Detained migrant could lose daughter, who's a U.S. citizen
Teenager who died in care was under the age of two when she was first sexually assaulted, life didn’t get much better says report
The life and death of a 17-year-old First Nations girl is the subject of a new ‘disturbing’ report released by the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth.
The report titled In Need of Protection: Angel’s Story documents the teen’s, who is only referred to by her first name, involvement with Child and Family Services beginning at the age of one and ending with her tragic death in 2015.
More >> Teenager who died in care was under the age of two when she was first sexually assaulted, life didn’t get much better says report
The report titled In Need of Protection: Angel’s Story documents the teen’s, who is only referred to by her first name, involvement with Child and Family Services beginning at the age of one and ending with her tragic death in 2015.
More >> Teenager who died in care was under the age of two when she was first sexually assaulted, life didn’t get much better says report
Child Abuse In Shelter Homes: Central Team Continues Inspection
A day after the Central team accused the Odisha Government of not following the guidelines on protection of children at shelter homes, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) continued its inspection in various Child Care Institutions (CCIs) across the State on Friday.
The NCPCR team along with officials of Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR), Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and Angul District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) carried out inspection at Adrut Children Home and Bajirout Chhatrabas in the district.
More >> Child Abuse In Shelter Homes: Central Team Continues Inspection
The NCPCR team along with officials of Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR), Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and Angul District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) carried out inspection at Adrut Children Home and Bajirout Chhatrabas in the district.
More >> Child Abuse In Shelter Homes: Central Team Continues Inspection
Child abuse at care home not properly investigated, council admits
A council has admitted failings at a care home where a worker sexually abused young boys.
Victims of Brian Newman came forward following the Jimmy Saville scandal and a report has revealed numerous problems at the Woodhead Road children’s unit, where the abuse took place between 1990 and 1996.
More >> Child abuse at care home not properly investigated, council admits
Victims of Brian Newman came forward following the Jimmy Saville scandal and a report has revealed numerous problems at the Woodhead Road children’s unit, where the abuse took place between 1990 and 1996.
More >> Child abuse at care home not properly investigated, council admits
How American Politicians Abandoned Family Values for Tax Cuts and Debt Relief
In 2009, California Representative and future Republican House Majority Leader and dad Kevin McCarthy said that he was worried about the America he was building for his kids. “When I think of the future, I think of my 15-year-old son Connor and my 12-year-old daughter Meghan,” he said. “I worry about the future because your kids are as important to you as mine are to me.”
Less than ten years later, McCarthy led his party’s effort to cut the rescissions package, effectively killing funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which insures 11 million American children and had previously been given bipartisan rubber-stamp treatment. Although the Senate ultimately rejected those cuts, McCarthy’s realpolitiking put the lives of thousands of kids in danger in service of paying down a national debt. McCarthy then voted to cut taxes.
More >> How American Politicians Abandoned Family Values for Tax Cuts and Debt Relief
Less than ten years later, McCarthy led his party’s effort to cut the rescissions package, effectively killing funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which insures 11 million American children and had previously been given bipartisan rubber-stamp treatment. Although the Senate ultimately rejected those cuts, McCarthy’s realpolitiking put the lives of thousands of kids in danger in service of paying down a national debt. McCarthy then voted to cut taxes.
More >> How American Politicians Abandoned Family Values for Tax Cuts and Debt Relief
White House Rejects Responsibility for Death of Migrant Child in US Custody
The Trump administration does not take responsibility for the death of a 7-year-old girl in US immigration custody, White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley told reporters.
More >> White House Rejects Responsibility for Death of Migrant Child in US Custody
More >> White House Rejects Responsibility for Death of Migrant Child in US Custody
New Lawsuit Accuses DCFS of ‘Warehousing’ Children in Psych Hospitals
Fifteen-year-old Skyler was placed inside Hartgrove Behavioral Health System, a psychiatric hospital on Chicago’s West Side, for what was supposed to be a three-month stay in November 2014. But three months came and went, and Skyler wasn’t allowed to leave the hospital.
More >> New Lawsuit Accuses DCFS of ‘Warehousing’ Children in Psych Hospitals
More >> New Lawsuit Accuses DCFS of ‘Warehousing’ Children in Psych Hospitals
Report: Pa. DHS failing vulnerable children due to lack of oversight at placement facilities
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has failed the state’s most vulnerable children by allowing its system of residentialSubscribe to read more!
More >> Report: Pa. DHS failing vulnerable children due to lack of oversight at placement facilities
More >> Report: Pa. DHS failing vulnerable children due to lack of oversight at placement facilities
Illinois DCFS Sued Over Care of Mentally Ill Foster Children
A county public guardian in Illinois is suing the state's Department of Children and Family Services over what it contends is the "immense harm" the agency is doing to mentally ill foster children that are kept in psychiatric hospitals beyond their medical discharge dates.
The federal lawsuit that was filed by Cook County's public guardian after reports by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois about the issue contends that repeated budget cuts for appropriate treatment facilities and foster care worsens the conditions of the children's lives and that keeping them so long at the psychiatric hospitals is "inhumane" and costs taxpayers more than $125,000 a month.
More >> Illinois DCFS Sued Over Care of Mentally Ill Foster Children
The federal lawsuit that was filed by Cook County's public guardian after reports by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois about the issue contends that repeated budget cuts for appropriate treatment facilities and foster care worsens the conditions of the children's lives and that keeping them so long at the psychiatric hospitals is "inhumane" and costs taxpayers more than $125,000 a month.
More >> Illinois DCFS Sued Over Care of Mentally Ill Foster Children
The foster care-to-prison pipeline
Nelson Mandela once said that a society’s soul should be judged by the way it treats its children. In the United States, the soul of our society would be judged harshly, particularly because of the way we treat wards of the state.
In recent years, attention has been given to America’s children in the ‘School-To-Prison Pipeline.’ Zero-tolerance policies, the criminalization of adolescence and the pushing of disadvantaged children out of the classrooms have fed a number of youths into justice systems — many of them foster youth. Home and state systems, like group homes, foster care and youth institutions, set children up for emotional and relational trauma when children are uprooted from their biological families and have multiple home placements.
More >> The foster care-to-prison pipeline
In recent years, attention has been given to America’s children in the ‘School-To-Prison Pipeline.’ Zero-tolerance policies, the criminalization of adolescence and the pushing of disadvantaged children out of the classrooms have fed a number of youths into justice systems — many of them foster youth. Home and state systems, like group homes, foster care and youth institutions, set children up for emotional and relational trauma when children are uprooted from their biological families and have multiple home placements.
More >> The foster care-to-prison pipeline
Friday, December 14, 2018
6-Year-Old Separated From His Father Tells Judge He Wants to Go Home
The Salvadoran boy who appeared alone in immigration court last month returned this week with his father’s lawyer in tow. The law puts the decision to return to his family in his small hands.
More >> 6-Year-Old Separated From His Father Tells Judge He Wants to Go Home
Virginia Social Services says it will fix broken foster care system after critical audit
The Virginia Department of Social Services has vowed to fix concerns with the state’s foster care system that are detailed in a new report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission.
“The [VDSS] fully supports the findings-based recommendations of the recent [JLARC] study of our foster care system,” Cletisha Lovelace, a spokesperson for VDSS, told Watchdog.org. “The challenges outlined within the report point to critical areas of needed improvement we are aware of and have been actively working to address. While many of the recommendations within the report are underway, we recognize the need to address other areas of program improvement with urgency in order to achieve better outcomes for the children we serve.”
More >> Virginia Social Services says it will fix broken foster care system after critical audit
“The [VDSS] fully supports the findings-based recommendations of the recent [JLARC] study of our foster care system,” Cletisha Lovelace, a spokesperson for VDSS, told Watchdog.org. “The challenges outlined within the report point to critical areas of needed improvement we are aware of and have been actively working to address. While many of the recommendations within the report are underway, we recognize the need to address other areas of program improvement with urgency in order to achieve better outcomes for the children we serve.”
More >> Virginia Social Services says it will fix broken foster care system after critical audit
Teen placed in CFS 46 times before death by overdose; report calls her care 'very disturbing'
A 17-year-old girl who died of an accidental drug overdose was the victim of repeated sexual exploitation and didn't get the help she needed during her time in the child welfare system, Manitoba's children's advocate said Thursday.
The advocate released a photo and the first name of the girl, Angel, who died in September 2015, with a report that gives the Manitoba government six recommendations to address the "massive deficiencies" evident in her care and to help prevent such tragedies in the future.
More >> Teen placed in CFS 46 times before death by overdose; report calls her care 'very disturbing'
The advocate released a photo and the first name of the girl, Angel, who died in September 2015, with a report that gives the Manitoba government six recommendations to address the "massive deficiencies" evident in her care and to help prevent such tragedies in the future.
More >> Teen placed in CFS 46 times before death by overdose; report calls her care 'very disturbing'
Kids missing from group homes a common thread in Milwaukee sex trafficking
Many sex trafficking victims in Milwaukee have a history of being reported missing from group homes.
Most have experienced significant trauma — such as witnessing or being the victims of sexual assault, domestic violence or child abuse — by age 13 or younger, according to Milwaukee Police Department reports.
More >> Kids missing from group homes a common thread in Milwaukee sex trafficking
Most have experienced significant trauma — such as witnessing or being the victims of sexual assault, domestic violence or child abuse — by age 13 or younger, according to Milwaukee Police Department reports.
More >> Kids missing from group homes a common thread in Milwaukee sex trafficking
How events unfolded in cruelty case couple’s bid to regain adopted child
Karrissa Cox and Richard Carter claimed they were victims of a miscarriage of justice.
More >> How events unfolded in cruelty case couple’s bid to regain adopted child | Wirral Globe:
More >> How events unfolded in cruelty case couple’s bid to regain adopted child | Wirral Globe:
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