Would Child Welfare Programs Still Be Failing If They Were Anti-Poverty Instead of Anti-Abuse?

Would Child Welfare Programs Still Be Failing If They Were Anti-Poverty Instead of Anti-Abuse? :

The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families plunged into its current wave of trouble in December 2013, when a five-year-old named Jeremiah Oliver disappeared, and his disappearance went unreported for months, despite his family being under investigation from child services. In the spring of 2014, his body was found in a suitcase.

Girl, 10, alleges abuse in foster care, sues DSHS

Girl, 10, alleges abuse in foster care, sues DSHS | The Columbian:

A 10-year-old girl has filed a lawsuit against the state Department of Social & Health Services for placing her in a foster home where she allegedly was sexually abused by another foster child.

Mississippi trying to fix foster care crisis

Mississippi trying to fix foster care crisis:

JACKSON - Gov. Phil Bryant and the executive director of the Division of Family and Children’s Services David Chandler are taking each other seriously.

Blythewood resident writes story of growing up in foster care in NY

Blythewood resident writes story of growing up in foster care in NY | January 29, 2016 | www.thecolumbiastar.com | Columbia Star:

Jones story is truly horrifying. She was beaten, starved, and abandoned by her caretakers and her health was neglected to a degree she should have not survived. Jones wants her readers to know that many children do, in fact, die in foster care, because of poor treatment by the people in the homes they are placed in, and many children suffer extreme abuse at the hands of those who are trusted to take care of them.

East Windsor police arrest foster mother in child abuse case

East Windsor police arrest foster mother in child abuse case | FOX 61:                            EAST WINDSOR — Police arrested a foster mother in connection with injuries suffered by a 6-month-old in August. Police were called to The Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford on August 5 for a baby with injuries to the front and back of its head, torso, eyes and arms. The injuries were described as serious but not life threatening.

Adoptive parents in Watertown arrested for confining kids to bathroom as punishment

Adoptive parents in Watertown arrested for confining kids to bathroom as punishment | FOX 61:

WATERTOWN — A man and woman have been arrested for allegedly locking their adopted children in a bathroom for months at a time as punishment. George Barnes, 45, and his wife Nancie Barnes, 46, both of Watertown, were arrested on Thursday and charged with two counts of cruelty to persons, unlawful restraint in the second degree and risk of injury to a minor.

Bay State has most kid abuse reports

Bay State has most kid abuse reports | Boston Herald:

Massachusetts topped the country in the rate of child abuse and neglect in 2014, according to a federal report released this week. According to the report released Monday by the Department of Health and Human Services, there were 31,863 child victims in the Bay State in 2014 — up 30 percent from 2010, and representing a rate of 22.9 victims per 1,000 children.

Dad who wants custody after mom marries convicted sex offender takes case to Supreme Court

Dad who wants custody after mom marries convicted sex offender takes case to Supreme Court - Omaha.com: Crime & Courts:

LINCOLN — The final word on this child custody dispute may come down to the meaning of the phrase “significant risk.”Backstory first: A mother with custody of two young girls marries a man convicted of sexually assaulting a former stepdaughter. The father of the two girls asks the court to give him the kids and remove his children from what he calls a high-risk environment.

Does child-abuse law loophole exempt medical profession from background checks?

Does child-abuse law loophole exempt medical profession from background checks?:

Jerry Sandusky, convicted pedophile, is behind bars.But the types of crimes he committed continue almost unabated.“I can tell you our office deals with cases of child abuse every single day,” Lebanon County District Attorney Dave Arnold said. “Every single day our prosecutors and our detectives work on cases of child abuse and it’s absolutely heartbreaking.”

Working 4 You: Gun Fired During DHS Case Worker Visit

Working 4 You: Gun Fired During DHS Case Worker Visit - Story:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Department of Human Services is considering policy changes to protect family services caseworkers after two in the past month have faced families armed with guns when caseworkers arrived, one of which wasn't arrested by law enforcement.

Independence father denied custody after loophole adoption

Independence father denied custody after loophole adoption - KCTV5:
KCTV5

INDEPENDENCE, MO (KCTV) -
An Independence father is heartbroken after losing the battle to get his daughter back after she was adopted without his permission.

CPS Takes Wrong Boy From School, Doesn't Apologize For It

CPS Takes Wrong Boy From School, Doesn't Apologize For It:

When a Minnesota mom sent her son to school one day, she didn’t think it would end in so many uncomfortable questions and confusion. But when she went to pick him up, she was given horrific news about a sickening mistake the school made. Unfortunately, it was already too late.

Bill could give ‘preference’ to heterosexual couples in adoption, foster care in Utah

Bill could give ‘preference’ to heterosexual couples in adoption, foster care in Utah | fox13now.com:

SALT LAKE CITY -- A pair of bills are being filed in the Utah State Legislature dealing with the words "husband" and "wife."One bill drops them from Utah foster care and adoption law, reflecting the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex marriage. The other could potentially give a "preference" to heterosexual couples in foster care and adoptions, but also add same-sex couples to state law.

Wayne man found not guilty of tossing infant son down stairs

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- A 40-year-old Maine man has been found not guilty of throwing his 3-month-old son down a flight of stairs inside his Wayne home.

The Kennebec Journal reports (http://bit.ly/1JHnELU ) William Lord was cleared Wednesday by a Kennebec County jury on charges of aggravated assault and domestic violence assault on a child less than 6 years old.

Couple in foster child abuse case gets 5 years probation

Youngstown News, Couple in foster child abuse case gets 5 years probation - Newswatch:

YOUNGSTOWN — An East Lucius Avenue couple accused of starving a foster child in their care in 2014 were sentenced today in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Wright County Foster Care Provider’s License Revoked After Drug Charges

Wright County Foster Care Provider’s License Revoked After Drug Charges | KSTP TV - Minneapolis and St. Paul:

State officials say a Minnesota woman who opened her home to take in vulnerable adults is  facing drug charges.

According to officials, two vulnerable adults—one with mental health issues, the other, severely autistic—moved into Rita Rudnitski’s large farmhouse along Minnesota Highway 24. There were no complaints about living conditions until last fall.

Budget adds public defenders, social workers

Budget adds public defenders, social workers:

Kentucky's public defenders would get long-sought relief from crushing caseloads and state social workers could see a pay increase aimed at reducing worker burnout and high turnover under the budget proposal unveiled by Gov. Matt Bevin on Tuesday.

HSE accused of ‘lying’ to PAC over apology in abuse case

HSE accused of ‘lying’ to PAC over apology in abuse case:

Vulnerable adult left in foster home for 13 years after it was subject to abuse allegations

Senior Health Service Executive (HSE) officials have been accused of “lying” to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over claims it apologised to a vulnerable adult who was left in a foster home for than 13 years after it became the subject of abuse allegations.

First Nations child welfare ruling a precedent for other on-reserve issues, lawyers say

First Nations child welfare ruling a precedent for other on-reserve issues, lawyers say - Aboriginal - CBC:

Aboriginal lawyers are cautiously optimistic Tuesday's human rights ruling that Canada fails to provide equal services for children on reserves will legally oblige the government to fix other inequities facing First Nations, including education, housing, access to clean water and health care.

County Blasts Court Order to Pay Social Worker Fired After Boy's Torture-Murder

County Blasts Court Order to Pay Social Worker Fired After...:

County Supervisor Michael Antonovich blasted the ruling for interfering with the county's ability to protect innocent children from abuse. A county supervisor today blasted a judge’s ruling that the county must resume paying a Department of Children and Family Services worker who was fired after the 2013 beating death of an 8-year-old Palmdale boy.

Bronx man abandoned as a baby posts emotional video to find biological parents

Bronx man abandoned as a baby posts emotional video to find biological parents | New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV:

MORRIS HEIGHTS, The Bronx — A Bronx man has taken to social media to find his biological parents in a heartbreaking video.In a nearly eight minute video posted Sunday, Jordan Christopher asks for help to fill in the missing pieces of his past.

Social work conference urges greater ‘father-friendly’ culture in child protection

Care Appointments | Social work conference urges greater ‘father-friendly’ culture in child protection:

When family difficulties mean that children are at risk of abuse or neglect and face being taken into care or becoming candidates for adoption, how can their fathers be brought back into the equation? 

Federal, Local Authorities Form Child Exploitation Task Force

Federal, Local Authorities Form Child Exploitation Task Force:

HARLINGEN – Federal authorities announced a new task force in the lower Rio Grande Valley to combat crimes against children. Investigators with Homeland Security Investigations are teaming up with Brownsville police, Harlingen police, the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office and the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office.

Supervising social worker in case of abused Palmdale boy can have his job back, judge rules

Supervising social worker in case of abused Palmdale boy can have his job back, judge rules:

A judge has allowed a supervising social worker who was fired amid an investigation into the death of an 8-year-old Palmdale boy to have his job back until a court hearing on the employee’s firing is held in May.

Trailblazing therapy helps warring parents work together in the interests of their children

Trailblazing therapy helps warring parents work together in the interests of their children:

The Parents in Dispute Therapeutic programme engages with the most difficult cases and provides an alternative to protracted and damaging court battles for separated couples and their children

A new programme has demonstrated that it is possible to successfully engage parents 'entrenched' in emotionally damaging and costly legal disputes surrounding the care of their children.

DCYF report: Staff burnout, turnover rate reaches all-time high

DCYF report: Staff burnout, turnover rate reaches all-time high | Health - WMUR Home:

DCYF currently has 176 child protection service workers, with a turnover rate around 50 percent in the past two years.The report states that staffing is inadequate and burnout is at an all-time high.

How Smart Do You Have to Be to Raise a Child?

How Smart Do You Have to Be to Raise a Child? -- The Cut:

The state said a 19-year-old with an intellectual disability wasn’t equipped to look after her baby and whisked the newborn off to another family just after birth—a decision the mother was ready to fight. But how smart do you have to be to raise a child?

Banning spankings at home will punish good parents – church

Banning spankings at home will punish good parents – church | City Press:

Good parents would end up in prison if legislative amendments go ahead prohibiting children from being spanked at home.

Foster care needs overhaul: Walker dragging ball and chain in Sarnia-Ottawa walk to press for overhaul of foster care system

Foster care needs overhaul: Walker | Peterborough Examiner:

 "A man who grew up in foster care is walking more than 750 kilometres with nearly 40 pounds shackled to his ankle to shine light on a system that he said is failing kids.

Jessie McVicar was raised in foster care in Alberta from the time he was nine years old."

Georgia failed to protect girl who died in foster care

Georgia failed to protect girl who died in foster care | www.ajc.com:

Georgia’s child protection agency removed 2-year-old Laila Marie Daniel from her troubled mother and placed her in foster care.That is among the state’s strongest exercises of power over an individual: to take your kids away.

Robert 'LaVoy' Finicum, killed in Oregon shooting, was Arizona foster parent and rancher

Robert 'LaVoy' Finicum, killed in Oregon shooting, was Arizona foster parent and rancher | OregonLive.com:

Robert "LaVoy" Finicum was killed in a shootout Tuesday while traveling from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to John Day for a public meeting, sources have told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Grinning on her way to prison: Foster mother is jailed for six years for shaking toddler to death

Foster mother Wendy Hardy jailed for 6 years for shaking toddler to death | Daily Mail Online:

Wendy Hardy, 46, assaulted Harry Aspley just months after taking him in

Baby was struggling to eat without vomiting when Hardy flew into a rage

Shook him so violently 23-month-old was left with massive brain injuries

Dumped him back in his cot and did nothing until her husband came home

Pleaded guilty to manslaughter and wrongly claiming £27,000 in foster fees

A smiling foster mother has been jailed for more than six years after shaking a 23-month-old baby to death and blowing £27,000 of ill-gotten child care fees on a holiday and car.

Rhode Island Proposes NEW Insanity: “Children Under 10 Shall Not Be Left Home Alone, Even Briefly”

Rhode Island Proposes NEW Insanity: “Children Under 10 Shall Not Be Left Home Alone, Even Briefly” | Free Range Kids:

Is there a war on parents in Rhode Island? Recall that this is the state that once wanted to make it illegal for a child under age 12 to get off the school bus unless an adult was waiting there to walk the child home. (That bill was eventually scrapped.) Then there was the bill considered just a couple of weeks ago that would make it illegal to let a child under age 7 wait in the car, under penalty of the state revoking the parent’s license for THREE YEARS. That one is still in play. Now comes THIS LAW that is to be debated on Tuesday:

Barahona attempted murder case set for Palm Beach County trial in July

Barahona attempted murder case set for Palm Beach County trial in July - Sun Sentinel:

It's been almost five years since Jorge Barahona allegedly used toxic chemicals in an attempt to kill his adopted son, Victor, in Palm Beach County. Now plans are on track for the Miami man's high-profile trial this summer.

Mom accused of child abuse hauls seven kids to Oregon for surreal performance before armed militants

Mom accused of child abuse hauls seven kids to Oregon for surreal performance before armed militants:

A Kansas mom who took her singing kids to entertain the armed militants at the occupied wildlife refuge in Oregon once had a son taken from her after he ran away because he was “unhappy” with the “wholesome and pure path” she had planned for him.

Former worker suggests changes for Child and Family Services

Former worker suggests changes for Child and Family Services - Houston Chronicle:

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Some people who have complained about the way the Division of Child and Family Serviceshave handled their cases are justified in their complaints, the agency's former field services administrator told theProtect Montana Kids Commission on Tuesday.

For 2-year-old who died in foster care, a short, tragic life

For 2-year-old who died in foster care, a short, tragic life | www.ajc.com:

Jennifer Rosenbaum seems nothing like the people who are typically charged in the death of a child. She isn’t the drug-addled mother guilty of neglect, or the live-in boyfriend who lashes out, or the father who traps his child in his own mental illness.

She appeared to be a promising foster parent.

Healthy 17 Year Old Dies Shortly After South Dakota Takes Custody Away from Mother

Healthy 17 Year Old Dies Shortly After South Dakota Takes Custody Away from Mother:

A 17 year old boy is dead, and his mother wants answers. The answers that Dawn Van Ballegooyen has been given by the state of South Dakota don’t make sense to her, and her mother’s intuition tells her that somebody is covering up what really happened to her son, Brady Alan Folkens, while he was in state custody. 

Kentucky Parents Found Not Guilty of Charges in Criminal Court but Family Court Refuses to Return Children

Kentucky Parents Found Not Guilty of Charges in Criminal Court but Family Court Refuses to Return Children:

Whenever we publish a story at MedicalKidnap.com regarding Kentucky, we get flooded with people sharing their stories of alleged corruption with Kentucky’s Department of Child Based Services (DCBS) and the Family Court system. They share a common theme of parents alleging corruption and collusion, of DCBS using hearsay as substantiated evidence without ever doing investigations into the truth, of Family Courts, attorneys, and social workers being corrupt giving parents little hope of ever getting their children back.

Children With Disabilities Are 1.4 Times More Likely To Be Re-Referred To Child Protective Services

Children With Disabilities Are 1.4 Times More Likely To Be Re-Referred To Child Protective Services - OPEN MINDS:

Unsubstantiated maltreatment allegations involving children with disabilities are 1.4 times likely to be re-referred to child protective services than children without disabilities. A review of 489,176 unsubstantiated maltreatment reports from 33 states (including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia) found that 45% of those involving children with disabilities were later re-referred for maltreatment. About 36% of reports involving children without disabilities were re-referred for maltreatment.

The hidden harms of the US foster-care system

The hidden harms of the US foster-care system - EconoTimes:

Firestorms regarding child-protective systems have become sadly commonplace, occurring recently inMassachusetts, Colorado and Florida. Elected officials and the general public often don’t pay much attention to child protection systems until a child dies in a family known to the state agency charged with protecting children at risk.

Happy 16th Birthday Austin!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUSTIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We love and miss you. Please don't forget us, your REAL Family. The Family who never gave up on you. The Family you were forcibly and illegally STOLEN from and then drugged and illegally adopted by the State of New Hampshire.
Please contact us. We are still waiting for your return!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Love always and forever, your entire REAL Family!

What is Title IV-E, and why is it such a critical issue?

An Introduction to Child Welfare Funding, and How States Use It | Child Trends:
What is Title IV-E, and why is it such a critical issue?
Title IV-E of the Social Security Act is the largest federal funding stream for child welfare activities. Of $12.7 billion in federal funds for child welfare in SFY 2012, nearly $6.5 billion were from Title IV-E. The funding stream supports foster care, adoption assistance, and guardianship assistance programs; states receive a level of reimbursements from the federal government for eligible claims. It also includes the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, a capped entitlement for which states are entitled to reimbursement for claims it submits to the federal government, up to a certain level.4 





Although Title IV-E provides the majority of federal funds to child welfare programs across the country, leaders did note some challenges accessing these dollars. To be eligible for the Title IV-E Foster Care Program, the vehicle through which states receive Title IV-E funds for children in foster care, children must: 

Comment: This is the reason CPS/DCYF does NOT place children with relatives. They would LOSE money!

be in out‐of‐home placements,

have been removed from families that are considered “needy” (based on measures in place in 1996 under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program),

have entered care through a judicial determination or voluntary placement, and be in licensed or approved foster care placements.5 

An Introduction to Child Welfare Funding Where does the money come from?

An Introduction to Child Welfare Funding, and How States Use It | Child Trends:

Where does the money come from?

Funding for child welfare services, supports, and programs comes from a combination of federal and state or local dollars. Historically, about half of annual child welfare expenditures ($12.7 billion out of $28.2 billion in SFY 2012) have been from federal sources, and our most recent estimates predict similar ratios for SFY 2014. While the remaining half of child welfare expenditures come from state and local sources (10.9 billion and $4.6 billion respectively, in SFY 2012), much more is known about expenditures of federal dollars, due to the highly regulated nature of the funding streams.

An Introduction to Child Welfare Funding, and How States Use It

An Introduction to Child Welfare Funding, and How States Use It | Child Trends:

Child welfare agencies in the United States are charged with ensuring the safety, permanency, and well-being of children who have been abused or neglected, and those who are at risk of abuse or neglect. The services provided by states and by counties vary widely, and include services for children and families to prevent abuse and neglect, child protective services such as family assessments and investigations, providing payments and supports for out of home placements such as foster care or kinship care, and adoption and guardianship services and supports for children and families.

Texas Fights Back Against Judge's Foster Care Reforms

Texas Fights Back Against Judge's Foster Care Reforms | The Texas Tribune:

Despite a federal judge's scathing findinglast month that Texas has failed to protect foster children in its care, reform advocates are steeling themselves for a lengthy battle to force state officials to make fixes ordered by the court.

Lawyer: State law makes parental rights difficult for grandparents

Lawyer: State law makes parental rights difficult for grandparents | WINK NEWS:

NORTH PORT, Fla. – Chance Walsh’s grandparents believe they could’ve made a difference in the infant’s life – if state laws were different.

State officials want foster care reform requirements blocked

State officials want foster care reform requirements blocked | www.mystatesman.com:

State officials are asking a federal appeals court to suspend a series of requirements that a federal judge ruled were needed to improve the troubled Texas foster care system.

Foster care children at risk for sex trafficking predators

Foster care children at risk for sex trafficking predators - Story | KTBC:

January is Human Trafficking and Awareness and Prevention Month across the country. And in Austin on Wednesday, state and local agencies joined forces to learn how to better identify the signs.

The Center for Missing and Exploited Children says the number of kids reported to them as missing in 2015 were also likely to be sex trafficking victims. And out of those victims, 74% were in foster care.

Oregon standoff: Militia member loses foster kids, blames ‘pressure from the feds’

Oregon standoff: Militia member loses foster kids, blames ‘pressure from the feds’ — RT USA:
One of the most visible members of the armed militia that took over a wildlife refuge in Oregon says his four foster sons were taken away due to his involvement in the standoff, and he blames the federal government who “must have gotten to the governor.”
Also:
Digging a Bit Deeper on This

American Judicial System for Sale: Bribes and Corruption now the Norm

American Judicial System for Sale: Bribes and Corruption now the Norm:

Since Health Impact News started reporting on medical kidnappings taking place in the United States, we have briefly touched upon the topic of corrupt judges and the courts that allow this to happen. See:

Medical Kidnapping Business: Judges Skirting the Law for Federal Funds

Retired Arizona Judge Reveals Corruption in Legal System

Who is Trying to Silence Filmmaker and Judicial Watchdog Bill Windsor, Currently Held in County Jail?

KS DCF worker stalks mother for her blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby

KS DCF worker stalks mother for her blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby – Kansas Exposed:

When Nicole called Kansas’ Department for Children and Families to report the father of her children for neglect, she never expected that she herself would eventually end up in the agency’s cross-hairs.

Pediatrician Mike Ginsberg's Facebook Vaccine Rant

Pediatrician Mike Ginsberg's Facebook Vaccine Rant : snopes.com:

On 2 February 2015, the Facebook page The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe published a picture of a Facebook comment attributed to a doctor identifying himself as Mike Ginsberg. The comment was offered during a then-current outbreak of measles that had been traced back to the Disney theme parks in California which had intensified an ongoing debate over vaccinations and the effects of a decline in vaccination rates: 

Former State Social Worker Sentenced To Probation

Former State Social Worker Sentenced To Probation - LEX18.com | Continuous News and StormTracker Weather:

After pleading guilty to using a child under his supervision as a bargaining chip for drugs, a former social worker learned his fate.Chard Buckley was sentenced to two years probation. Buckley's attorney calls his client's actions a grave mistake, one that cost him his career.

Head Of Oregon DHS Says Not All Foster Care Kids Are Safe

Head Of Oregon DHS Says Not All Foster Care Kids Are Safe . News | OPB:

The head of Oregon’s Department of Human Services told lawmakers Thursday that he didn’t believe all children in the state’s foster care system are safe.

Council of Italian Bishops Endorses Shared Parenting After Divorce

Council of Italian Bishops Endorses Shared Parenting After Divorce - EconoTimes:

BOSTON, Jan. 15, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Parents Organization welcomes the stunning news that the Council of Italian Bishops (Conferenza Episcopale Italiana, or CEI) has endorsed shared parenting after divorce or separation, based on a full-page spread that appeared in its official newspaper, Avvenire ("Future") on the Sunday before Christmas. The article was written by the Chief Editor of Avvenire, Luciano Moia. The article urges family courts to not only state support for shared parenting, but to also ensure the arrangement actually occurs in practice. Also, the article was supportive of legislative efforts that encourage shared parenting.

Are kids safe in foster care? DHS director: 'No'

Are kids safe in foster care? DHS director: 'No':

SALEM, Ore. (KOIN) — A hearing Thursday morning was a chance for a handful of state lawmakers to ask direct questions of the Director of the Department of Human Services about the safety of kids in foster care.

The Family Courts

The Family Courts | IAALS:

Our civil courts do not just deal with torts, contracts, and property cases. They also deal with family cases. In fact, more than one half of cases in state civil courts are family cases of one type or another. We have jumped into that fray to try to assure that the family court process works better for people as well. After all, it is the place where most Americans come into contact with the courts—and at a very vulnerable time in their lives, and their children’s lives.

Cromwell Man Gets Jail Time For Threatening Judge

Cromwell Man Gets Jail Time For Threatening Judge - Hartford Courant:

MIDDLETOWN — Saying threats of violence are "punishable" speech not protected by the First Amendment, a Superior Court judge Tuesday sentenced a Cromwell man to 18 months in prison for threatening to shoot a family court judge who was overseeing his contentious divorce case.

Top judge says justice system is now unaffordable to most

Top judge says justice system is now unaffordable to most | Law | The Guardian:

Civil justice is unaffordable for most people, more people are being forced to represent themselves, and judges – whose pensions have been cut – feel underappreciated, according to the lord chief justice. 

Opioid Abuse Leading to More Children Sent Into Foster Care

Opioid Abuse Leading to More Children Sent Into Foster Care - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids:

More children are being sent into foster care as a result of the abuse of heroin and opioid painkillers, The Wall Street Journal reports. Officials say opioid abuse is straining child welfare agencies.

PERRIS: Foster parents convicted in child abuse case

PERRIS: Foster parents convicted in child abuse case - Press Enterprise:

A child abuse case involving seven kids under age 12 has ended with guilty verdicts against their foster parents whom authorities say also operated a strip club in their Perris home.

A Critical Look at Foster Care: Incentives to Foster Parents

A Critical Look at Foster Care: Incentives to Foster Parents:

While there are many dedicated people willing to open their homes and hearts to children in distress, it can not be denied that financial gain is among a number of significant incentives leading some to become foster parents.

As the number of licensed foster homes has dropped to a low of 100,000 for the nations' estimated 500,000 foster care children, so has the quality of foster care homes unquestionably diminished over the years.

Child Abuse in Foster Care

Couple kept adopted daughter in 'glorified cage'

Couple kept adopted daughter in 'glorified cage' - World - NZ Herald News:

A husband and wife in Sarasota, Florida, have been accused of child abuse after they allegedly told authorities that they routinely tied up and locked their 12-year-old daughter inside a playhouse.

THE EVIDENCE IS IN Foster Care vs. Keeping Families Together: The Definitive Studies

THE EVIDENCE IS INFoster Care vs. Keeping Families Together:The Definitive Studies 

NCCPR long has argued that many children now trapped in foster care would be far better off if
they had remained with their own families and those families had been given the right kinds of help.
Turns out that’s not quite right.
In fact, many children now trapped in foster care would be far better off if they remained with their
own families even if those families got only the typical help (which tends to be little help, wrong help, or no help) commonly offered by child welfare agencies.
That’s the message from the largest studies ever undertaken to compare the impact on children
of foster care versus keeping comparably maltreated children with their own families. The first study was the subject of a front-page story in USA Today. The full study is available here.
The first study, published in 2007, looked at outcomes for more than 15,000 children. It
compared foster children not to the general population but to comparably-maltreated children left in their own homes. The result: On measure after measure the children left in their own homes do better.
Please click on the above link:

Foster care scandal deepens: 'Every single staff person has a criminal record'

Foster care scandal deepens: 'Every single staff person has a criminal record' | OregonLive.com:

Back in February 2009, the head of Oregon's child welfare programs emailed her boss with worries about Portland foster care provider Give Us This Day.

Infant death cited as another foster care failing

Infant death cited as another foster care failing - The Donaldson Adoption Institute:

An infant in foster care died five days after arriving in a home that caseworkers had never inspected, according to a court monitor’s report.

British police woman demands New York return baby

British police woman demands New York return baby - Yahoo News:

New York (AFP) - A British police officer has gone to court in New York, demanding the return of her baby who was given to an LGBT activist foster mother after he was left alone in a hotel.

Movement To Provide the Poor with Access to Lawyers in Civil Cases Takes Hold in Connecticut

Movement To Provide the Poor with Access to Lawyers in Civil Cases Takes Hold in Connecticut - Hartford Courant:

HARTFORD – Unable to afford a rent increase, Anthony Culver fell behind on his payments and ended up one recent Tuesday standing before a judge in a Hartford courthouse, struggling to articulate his case without a lawyer.

Why the Child Protective Services Social Worker Isn’t Helping You

Why the Child Protective Services Social Worker Isn’t Helping You | Parents Rights Blog:

Child Protective Services social workers may act friendly but often turn rude, some even lie in court to take children from their parents.

Sourced through Scoop.it from:fightcps.com

Social worker arrested over Dyess toddler death

Social worker arrested over Dyess toddler death:

Another Texas state employee has been implicated in the 2012 Dyess Air Force Base case in which three sisters were found neglected, including a 22-month-old who died.

NH HB 1166-FN-AN ACT appointing personal representatives for persons who had founded petitions before the house committee on redress of grievances.

http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_Status/billText.aspx?id=595&txtFormat=html

HOUSE BILL 1166-FN

AN ACT appointing personal representatives for persons who had founded petitions before the house committee on redress of grievances.

Note:Extremely important Bill. Recommendations of the Redress Grievance Committee pertaining to my daughter's Founded Petition were:the Committee believes this matter should be thoroughly investigated with a view to revisiting the decision to returning the child to the custody of relatives or its actual mother. 

And I don't want to hear, the child would be traumatized by taking her from the family she's been with for the last ten year's. What about ALL the children taken from their Biological families? They're traumatized, but the State thinks nothing about taking them!

SPONSORS: Rep. Brewster, Merr. 21

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

-----------------------------------------------------------------

ANALYSIS

This bill requires the appointment of a non-bar attorney to act as a personal representative for persons who were determined to have founded petitions by the house committee on redress of grievances.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

16-2396

10/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Sixteen

AN ACT appointing personal representatives for persons who had founded petitions before the house committee on redress of grievances.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1  Appointment of Personal Representatives; House Committee on Redress of Grievances.  The speaker of the house of representatives shall within 90 days of this act appoint a personal representative, from a list of qualified non-bar attorneys, to act on behalf of persons whose petitions were determined by the house committee on redress of grievances to be founded in order to allow the petitioner to pursue the legislative remedies contained in the report of the committee.  Any cost shall be paid from the legislative branch budget.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.

LBAO

16-2396

11/5/15

1166-FN - FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT appointing personal representatives for persons who had founded petitions before the house committee on redress of grievances.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Legislative Branch states this bill, as introduced, may have an indeterminable impact on state expenditures in FY 2016 and each year thereafter.  This bill will have no fiscal impact on county and local expenditures or state, county, and local revenue.

METHODOLOGY:

The Legislative Branch states this bill requires the appointment of a non-bar attorney to act as a personal representative for persons determined to have founded petitions by the house committee on redress of grievances.  The house committee on redress of grievances was discontinued as of November 5, 2015.  This bill may increase state expenditures by an indeterminable amount.  The Legislative Branch states any costs arising from this bill, which are unknown at this time,  shall be paid from the legislative branch budget.                     

NH HB1249 AN ACT providing that persons who provide false or misleading information in an abuse or neglect proceeding shall be guilty of the crime of false swearing.

http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_Status/billText.aspx?id=411&txtFormat=html

HOUSE BILL 1249-Introduced Jan.6,2016

This Bill was needed ten years ago, when the DCYF Lawyer lied to Judge Leary pertaining to my granddaughter Isabella. It also would have come in handy for the Counselor who lied on the stand. Isabella would be here at home today if it weren't for these two liars!

AN ACT providing that persons who provide false or misleading information in an abuse or neglect proceeding shall be guilty of the crime of false swearing.

SPONSORS: Rep. Itse, Rock. 10; Rep. Ingbretson, Graf. 15; Rep. K. Rice, Hills. 37; Rep. Edelblut, Hills. 38; Rep. Oligny, Rock. 34; Rep. Lachance, Hills. 8; Rep. Seidel, Hills. 28; Rep. Hull, Graf. 9; Sen. Avard, Dist 12

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

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ANALYSIS

This bill provides that a person who submits false or misleading information, or a professional who withholds exculpatory information in an abuse or neglect proceeding, shall be guilty of the crime of false swearing.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

16-2177

05/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Sixteen

AN ACT providing that persons who provide false or misleading information in an abuse or neglect proceeding shall be guilty of the crime of false swearing.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Statement of Findings.  The general court finds that the relationship between children and their parents is so fundamental to the wellbeing of society that intentional, unwarranted interference in that relationship deserves swift and certain punishment.

2 Child Reporting Law; Immunity from Liability; Penalty for False Information.  Amend RSA 169-C:31 to read as follows:

169-C:31  Immunity From Liability; Penalty for False Information.

I.  Anyone participating in good faith in the making of a report pursuant to this chapter is immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed.  Any such participant has the same immunity with respect to participation in any investigation by the department or judicial proceeding resulting from such report.

II.  Anyone who knowingly provides false information entered as evidence in a hearing, and any professional person engaged in an investigation or employee of the department who withholds exculpatory information, shall be guilty of false swearing under RSA 641:2.

3  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

NH HB 1434-FN-AN ACT relative to out-of-home placements under the child protection act.

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=326&type=4

State of New Hampshire HOUSE BILL 1434-FN has been introduced in the House and is being heard Jan. 12th,2016 at 10:30 AM. This is an extremely important Bill. Anyone in NH whose children were removed without instances of abuse or neglect, such as my grandchildren and I'm sure many more, it is of the utmost importance to attend this hearing in Concord.

AN ACT relative to out-of-home placements under the child protection act.

SPONSORS: Rep. Itse, Rock. 10; Rep. Ingbretson, Graf. 15; Rep. K. Rice, Hills. 37; Rep. Oligny, Rock. 34; Rep. Lachance, Hills. 8; Rep. Seidel, Hills. 28; Sen. Avard, Dist 12

This bill requires that an order to remove a child from his or her home under the child protection act to include written findings with regard to the need for the out-of-home placement.  Payment for a placement made in pursuant to an order that does not provide such findings shall be a misdemeanor.
 1  Statement of Findings.  The general court finds that the relationship between children and their parents is so fundamental to the wellbeing of society that unwarranted interference in that relationship is a criminal harm to children, parents, and society as a whole.  Furthermore, the failure to enumerate offenses is a violation of the Constitution of the State of New Hampshire Part 1, Article 15.
2  New Paragraphs; Child's Welfare and Findings Regarding Removal.  Amend RSA 169-C:6-b by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraphs:
III.  If the court orders that a child be removed from his or her home at the preliminary hearing under RSA 169-C:15, the adjudicatory hearing under RSA 169-C:18, the dispositional hearing under RSA 169-C:19, or the final hearing under RSA 169-C:21, the court order for removal shall include specific written findings regarding the need for the out-of-home placement.  The order shall enumerate specific instances of abuse or neglect, including dates and descriptions of incidents, and summarize the evidence the court relied upon in ordering the placement.
IV.  If the removal order does not comply with the requirements of paragraph III, the department shall not authorize payment for the out-of-home placement.
V.  Payment or approval of payment for foster or institutional care of a child removed from the home in accordance with an order that does not meet the requirements of paragraph III shall be a misdemeanor A.
3  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
HB 1434-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to out-of-home placements under the child protection act.


FISCAL IMPACT:
The Department of Health and Human Services, Judicial Branch, and Department of Justice state this bill, as introduced, will have an indeterminable impact on state expenditures in FY 2017 and each year thereafter. There will be no impact on county or local expenditures, or state, county, or local revenue.

METHODOLOGY:
The Department of Health and Human Services states this bill requires that an order to remove a child from his or her home under the Child Protection Act include written findings with regard to the need for out-of-home placement.  If the removal order does not include written findings, the bill stipulates that the Department shall not pay for said placement.  The Department states that the bill's fiscal impact is indeterminable, since any cost savings that would arise from the Department's refusal to pay for out-of-home placement would depend on the number of nonconforming court orders.  In addition, the Department observes that any cost savings would be offset by the costs of services and programs otherwise provided to the child and the child's family while the child remains at home.

The Judicial Branch states the bill has two potential impacts on the Branch.  First, section III requires the court to make specific written findings regarding the need for out-of-home placement.  The Branch estimates that this requirement will require an additional 30 to 60 minutes of work per applicable case.  Although the Branch does not provide information regarding the number of such cases that are expected to be heard, it does project that the hourly cost of a judge will be $141.60 in FY 2017 and $143.77 in FY 2018.  Second, section V makes it a class A misdemeanor for one to pay or approve payment for an out-of-home placement when the court order does not meet the requirements established by the bill.  Although the Branch is unable to estimate the number of prosecutions that will be brought pursuant to this section, it notes that the average cost of processing a class A misdemeanor is projected to be $70.33 in FY 2017 and $73.73 in FY 2018.

The Department of Justice states that because is unable to estimate the number of investigations and/or prosecutions that might result from this bill, the bill's fiscal impact is indeterminable.

The Judicial Council and the New Hampshire Association of Counties state this bill will have no fiscal impact.

6 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Putting Your Kid on ADHD Medication

6 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Putting Your Kid on ADHD Medication | TIME:

Leonard Sax MD PhD is a practicing physician, psychologist, and the author of four books for parents, most recently The Collapse of Parenting.

American kids are now much more likely to be diagnosed and treated for ADHD than kids in any other country. For example, a teenager in the United States is now nearly 14 times more likely to be on medication for ADHD than a teenager in the United Kingdom. 

Former CPS Worker Arrested in Connection to Klapheke Case

Former CPS Worker Arrested in Connection to Klapheke Case - Story:

(ABILENE, TX) - A former Child Protective Services worker was arrested on charges connected to the Tiffany Klapheke neglect case. Klapheke, 25, was convicted and sentenced to serve thirty years in prison in 2014 for neglecting her three daughters, one of whom, Tamaryn Klapheke, 22 months, passed away as a result of the neglect. Gretchen Denny, 42, was arrested on December 19, 2015 on a Tampering With/Fabricating Physical Evidence charge due to allegations that surfaced during the investigation into Klapheke. She was released from jail the next day after posting a $10,000 bond.