Shared Custody Battle Goes Federal
Last week a federal lawsuit was filed against the state of Pennsylvania by the Indiana Civil Rights Council and like-minded groups such as the American Coalition for Fathers and Children. These and similar organizations plan to sue all 50 states and U.S. territories. At least 40 suits have already been filed, according to the Council.
The lawsuits use a wide range of constitutional grounds to argue that a child's parents both have an equal right to custody and directly challenge the commonly utilized legal standard known as "the best interest of the child."
The lawsuits ...
Pepe Le Pew? The Commission’s Report on Children in Foster Care
In late May the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care released its final report. The Commission "was charged to develop a practical set of policy recommendations to reform federal child welfare financing and strengthen court oversight of child welfare cases."
I must admit that I was and continue to be a bit skeptical about the Commission and its underlying premise. Who exactly charged the Commission with this mission? Who identified "child welfare financing" and "court oversight" as the critical issues facing child welfare and foster care?
The Commission was ...
Confidential Child Welfare Records Released on the Internet
In another black eye for Florida's child-welfare agency, officials acknowledged that confidential records for nearly 4,000 abused and neglected children were available on the Internet until last week.
The files were accessible on the Web site of Kids Central, a privately run child welfare agency. They included the names of foster children, birth dates, Social Security numbers, photographs and case histories. They even provided directions and maps to children's foster homes.
Kids Central began phasing in the computer system, called CoBRIS, around April or May. It was ...
State v. Nguyen
In this Oregon case, the parents appealed a judgment terminating their parental rights in their three-year-old son Matthew. They argued that the state failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that they are unfit parents, that reintegration into their home is improbable within a reasonable time because they are unlikely to change, and that termination of their parental rights was in Matthew's best interest.
The TPR was filed after one of the parents inflicted serious abuse on Matthew's sibling, four-month old Martha, repeatedly breaking her limbs and fracturing ...
MEPA Bombshell Hits Hamilton County Ohio
In an unprecedented move, the federal Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a Letter of Finding to Hamilton County Ohio with a determination that the county violated the civil rights of children eligible for adoption and of foster families and other prospective adoptive families. After an extensive investigation OCR discovered that the county violated MEPA by making adoption determinations on the basis of race, rather than on the basis of the individual needs of the children.
The cited violations included instances where non-African-American foster families were imprope...
Judge’s Adopted Preschool Daughter Left Alone
I don't believe in sparing any sacred cows (or mad cows for that matter) and now it's time for the legal system - a judge no less - to take some hits. Apparently in late November a Fulton County, Georgia juvenile court judge left her 4-year-old adopted daughter home alone at 11 PM to retrieve a piece of luggage from the airport. The girl was found alone on the street late at night after she fled the house. The judge has agreed that she will not sit in judgment of other parents until authorities have completed their investigation into her conduct.
Read all about it at ...
New York State Citizens’ Coalition for Children
This website never ceases to amaze me. For a great example of an exceptional foster parent / child advocacy / adoption / permanency / sibling rights / children's rights organization website visit the New York State Citizens' Coalition for Children. Not only does Executive Director Judith Ashton put out some great information (she's been doing this since 1975!), she also advocates, lobbies and puts on a fantastic annual conference. Whether you are in New York or New Delhi, a visit to NYSCCC's site will enrich your mind and provide a great model of grassroots advocacy. Way ...