Judge denies request to dismiss case against social workers in child abuse case

Judge denies request to dismiss case against social workers in child abuse case:
Four county workers sought to have charges against them dismissed in connection with the beating and torture death of 8-year-old Palmdale boy Gabriel Fernandez. 

LOS ANGELES    A judge has rejected arguments to dismiss charges against two former Los Angeles County social workers and their supervisors, charged with child abuse and falsifying records that resulted from the death of an 8-year-old Palmdale boy.

Nonprofit admits more children in state care were forced to sleep in offices than previously acknowledged

Nonprofit admits more children in state care were forced to sleep in offices than previously acknowledged | Tampa Bay Times:

TAMPA — Air mattresses placed on office floors served as make-do sleeping quarters for dozens of Hillsborough County foster children, a crisis that the contractor responsible for taking care of the children repeatedly failed to report to the state.

Marijuana use not grounds for termination of parental rights

Marijuana use not grounds for termination of parental rights | Missouri Divorce & Family Law Blog:

Recent Case: Marijuana use under the level of chemical dependency not grounds for termination of parental rights. Father appeals from the judgment terminating his parental rights. Grounds for termination of parental rights require clear and convincing evidence, so Court of Appeals examines evidence contrary to judgment.  Grounds include abuse or neglect and failure to rectify.  In this case there was not substantial evidence to support the trial court’s finding that Father’s marijuana use constituted a “chemical dependency” as defined in Section 211.447.5(2)(b) or Section 211.447.5(3)(d). Therefore, that condition cannot support termination on grounds of either abuse and neglect or failure to rectify.

Lawsuit: Worker for state contractor sexually coerced mother seeking to get back children | CJOnline.com

Lawsuit: Worker for state contractor sexually coerced mother seeking to get back children | CJOnline.com:

A caseworker for a Kansas foster care and family preservation contractor sexually harassed and coerced a mother seeking to regain custody of her children, forcing her to send him sexually-charged messages and photos, a new federal lawsuit alleges.

Gov. Raimondo vetoes grandparent adoption bill

Gov. Raimondo vetoes grandparent adoption bill - ABC6 - Providence, RI and New Bedford, MA News, Weather:

Rhode Island's governor has vetoed a bill that would have allowed grandparents who have custody of a child to petition to terminate the rights of a parent without that person's consent.

Bridging the gap between foster care and family preservation

In our opinion: Bridging the gap between foster care and family preservation | Deseret News:

Sen. Orrin Hatch and his bipartisan colleagues deserve praise for not only seeking to ensure children in at-risk homes have protections, but also, where possible, aiming to preserve families intact. The newly introduced Family First Prevention Services Act looks to free up funds for officials to take preventative action when it helps keep children at home prior to passing those children into state care.

Criminalizing Child Welfare: Retired Texas Ranger Takes Over Child Protection Agency

Criminalizing Child Welfare: Retired Texas Ranger Takes Over Child Protection Agency - Social Work Helper:

“Child welfare is a continuum of services that ensure children are safe and that families have the support they need to care for them”, according to the federal Children’s Bureau.  The complexities of serving children and families are many. But, depending on the perspective of the speaker, some are advocating for more law enforcement presence, more substance abuse treatment, or more parenting education and the list goes on.