Letter: Child-abuse protection violates parents' rights

Letter: Child-abuse protection violates parents' rights:

ISSUE | CHILD ABUSE

Parents at risk

Janet Ginzberg's commentary is spot-on about the unintended but not inconsequential consequences of Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law ("Sandusky case fallout goes on," Sunday).The law mandates that teachers and those who come into contact with children report suspected abuse to authorities. Failure to do so is a crime. It empowers protective agencies to investigate those reports.

Report blasts state agency for employee theft from Cayuga Nation trust fund

Report blasts state agency for employee theft from Cayuga Nation trust fund | Local News | auburnpub.com:

A lack of procedures and oversight from the Office of Children and Family Services led to the theft of nearly $20,000 from Cayuga Nation minors' trust fund accounts, the state Inspector General's office announced Tuesday. 

Court Finds Abuse Claims Baseless — but a Mom Still Can't See Her Son

Court Finds Abuse Claims Baseless — but a Mom Still Can't See Her Son | News | Seven Days | Vermont's Independent Voice:

Family court is the Vermont Judiciary's fight club, that clenched-jaw, stress-provoking arena in which the state's most punishing bouts are fought. It's where divorcing couples scratch and claw over alimony, child support and who gets the family dog. It's where battered spouses use their own bruised bodies as Exhibit A to plead for protection from abusive partners. And it's where parental rights and child custody are granted and taken away.

Juries agree that DCF wronged abuse victims, but Legislature stalls payment

Juries agree that DCF wronged abuse victims, but Legislature stalls payment | Tampa Bay Times:

TALLAHASSEE — Time is running out for lawmakers to compensate a Spring Hill man who, as a young boy, was sexually abused by a foster child living in his home.

A jury awarded the man $5 million because the state Department of Children and Families failed to disclose the foster child's violent history to the family that took him in.

But in order for the man to collect, the state Legislature must approve what's known as a "claim bill." And so far, Senate leaders have held up about two dozen such bills, calling the process flawed.

Foster parent who confessed sexual offending to police spared jail

Foster parent who confessed sexual offending to police spared jail:

A man who went to police to confess to sexually abusing his foster child has been spared jail, partly because the case would never have reached the courts had he not admitted his wrongdoing.

Legislation would form state agency to handle foster care issues

Legislation would form state agency to handle foster care issues | SunHerald:

JACKSON -- A seven-member committee would be established to help with the creation of the freestanding state Division of Child Protection Services, which is being formed as part of the settlement of a federal lawsuit.

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/news/politics-government/article63395497.html#storylink=cpy

Federal Government Tells Parents: “We Are Your Equals”

Federal Government Tells Parents: “We Are Your Equals”:

Last December, the United States Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services released a draft policy document outlining how the federal government can better “help” children and families. On page one, the federal agencies made this stunning declaration:

“It is the position of the Departments that all early childhood programs and schools recognize families as equal partners in improving children’s development, learning and wellness across all settings, and over the course of their children’s developmental and educational experiences.” (emphasis added)