Prison, Foster Care, and the Systemic Punishment of Black Mothers

Prison, Foster Care, and the Systemic Punishment of Black Mothers « UCLA Law Review:

This Article analyzes how the U.S. prison and foster care systems work together to punish black mothers in the service of preserving race, gender, and class inequality in a neoliberal age. The intersection of these systems is only one example of many forms of overpolicing that overlap and converge in the lives of poor women of color. I examine the statistical overlap between the prison and foster care populations, the simultaneous explosion of both systems in recent decades, the injuries that each system inflicts on black communities, and the way in which their intersection in the lives of black mothers helps to naturalize social inequality. I hope to elucidate how state mechanisms of surveillance and punishment function jointly to penalize the most marginalized women in our society while blaming them for their own disadvantaged positions.

Don’t ask your grandson how his jaw got broken, say social workers

Don’t ask your grandson how his jaw got broken, say social workers - Telegraph:

An alarming story about a boy in foster care raises concern over 'child protection

A chilling recent episode exemplifies what, to an outsider, is yet another a shocking feature of our state “child protection” system. This is the ruthless way in which, when children are taken into care, social workers try to drive a wedge between their new charges and members of their families who have done them no harm and are closer to them than anyone else in the world.

Children's Rights Calls Mass. Child Welfare System Fifth Worse-Run Nationally

Bill Lichtenstein: Children's Rights Calls Mass. Child Welfare System Fifth Worse-Run Nationally:

In a scathing 171-page report, filed in a federal class-action lawsuit against Mass. Gov. Duval Patrick, the New York-based Children's Rights terms the Mass. child welfare system the fifth worst-managed in the country, and says that the mismanagement has resulted in the neglect and abuse of one-in-five kids in state custody. Massachusetts currently ranks eight worst nationally for child abuse and neglect, according to Children's Rights.

What state is First worst in the Nation, NH?

Maine agency says sitter also to blame for baby’s death; Police focus is on sitter’s daughter

Maine agency says sitter also to blame for baby’s death; Police focus is on sitter’s daughter - The Washington Post:

PORTLAND, Maine — Maine’s child welfare agency and a mother whose baby was allegedly killed by a 10-year-old girl agree — the girl’s mother also is to blame.

NY State Appellate Court Says Father Did Not Mistreat Children

NY State Appellate Court Says Father Did Not Mistreat Children - Albany CPS and Family Court | Examiner.com:

A unanimous four-member panel of the Second Judicial Department of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a father did not abuse or neglect his children, in spite of the fact that Child Protective Services claimed he did and filed an indicated report against him and a hearing officer sided with Child Protective Services. While the ruling did not give details of the case, Matter of Brian M., it stated "Here, even crediting the testimony of the Child Protective Services caseworker, the petitioner's actions with respect to the subject child did not, under the circumstances here, constitute maltreatment."

Feds order Nebraska HHS to pay back $3.2 million

Feds order Nebraska HHS to pay back $3.2 million - Omaha.com:

LINCOLN — The cost of Nebraska's experiment in privatizing child welfare services has jumped by $3.2 million.

10-Year-Old Charged With Manslaughter After Allegedly Drugging, Suffocating Infant

10-Year-Old Charged With Manslaughter After Allegedly Drugging, Suffocating Infant:

"A 10-year-old girl has been charged with manslaughter after the death of an infant her mother was babysitting. She is the youngest person to be charged with manslaughter in the state of Maine in nearly 25 years."