Child placements are costly

Child placements are costly | BrainerdDispatch.com | Brainerd, Minnesota

The number of children in out-of-home placements is taking a significant bite out of Crow Wing County’s budget.

Community Services Director Beth Wilms reported year-to-date expenditures for out-of-home placements, when children are placed in foster care or other facilities outside their family home, is $1,032,523 of a $2.8 million budget. The expenses are eating up the budget at a quicker pace than planned for the year. The county had 140 children in out-of-home placements in March. The monthly average this year has been 137. The monthly average in 2010 was 133 and it was 130 in 2009.

Child Support Overpayments: Lawsuit Alleges State Withholds Too Much Money, Unfairly Charging Parents and U.S. Taxpayers

Child Support Overpayments: Lawsuit Alleges State Withholds Too Much Money, Unfairly Charging Parents and U.S. Taxpayers - PR Newswire - sacbee.com

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2011 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A class action lawsuit filed on Friday, 6 May 2011, claims Ohio's Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) over collects child support payments in violation of state statutes and federal regulations. Records indicate in excess of $176 million has been wrongfully taken from over 114,000 child support payers. The suit further alleges ODJFS knowingly and willfully deceives parents concerning the status of their child support records while receiving tens of millions of dollars in unearned incentive and reimbursement payments from U.S. taxpayers.

Foster mom arrested, but not charged for baby's 'abusive head trauma'

Foster mom arrested, but not charged for baby's 'abusive head trauma' | NewsFirst5.com | Colorado Springs | Pueblo |

Baby Abraham will never walk on his own, care for himself, maybe even be able to say "I love you" to his mother, or father who wakes up early for eight hours of physical therapy before eight hours on the grave yard shift every day.

Expert: Be aware of possible bias in child welfare

Expert: Be aware of possible bias in child welfare

To those who deal with reports of possible child abuse through the child welfare system: Be aware of your potential biases, and remember to have empathy for others.

Bill toughening regulation of child/family investigators passes final vote

Bill toughening regulation of child/family investigators passes final vote - Denver News - The Latest Word

As the state's legislative session draws to a close, a group of parents involved in grim custody battles are celebrating a quiet victory -- the passage of a bill that strips court-appointed child/family investigators, or CFIs, of their long-running immunity from state oversight and regulations that apply to other mental-health professionals.

Women's Rights Petition: Do not allow NC Judge to take Alaina Giordano's children just because she has cancer!

Women's Rights Petition: Do not allow NC Judge to take Alaina Giordano's children just because she has cancer! | Change.org

My sister, a loving and devoted mother, lost custody of her children last Monday due to the fact that she has cancer. The North Carolina Judge stated that she was uncomfortable not knowing how long Alaina had to live. So she must give up FULL CUSTODY to their father. He moved to another state months ago and was never more than a weekend dad at best. The children do not want to go live with him, uproot their lives and most of all leave their mother. They are Sofia, age 11 and Bud, age 5. Please help us to get this story out so my sister has a chance to overturn this ruling and keep her children. Please hear our voice! She should only be fighting cancer, not to have to keep her children.

Thank You, Lauren Giordano-Kupillas

Judge refuses to delay law on Planned Parenthood cuts

Judge refuses to delay law on Planned Parenthood cuts - 13 WTHR

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A judge has refused to delay an Indiana law defunding Planned Parenthood, marking a victory for Gov. Mitch Daniels.