Child Death and Child Abuse Articles (for July 2015 – find your state/country here)

KARA tracks child abuse and death articles from around the nation (and some international cases). Most non death child abuse cases never make it into the media. This page is KARA’s discovery of information through July 26 2015 and is only a fraction of this child welfare news around the nation. For a look farther back in time for child abuse and child death news click here. ALL ADULTS ARE THE PROTECTORS OF ALL CHILDREN

Many of these articles are captured from Child Welfare in the News and can be found at www.childwelfare.gov

DHS Involved before Denver Child’s death July 9th 23 month old Javion Johnson –Denver Mayor orders impact team to investigate DHS

Russell Flowers arrested in beating death of Louisiana Child (Ouachita – July 19)

July 14, Hagerstown Maryland, mother and uncle charged in beating death of 9 year old boy

July 14, Federal judge orders documents released Dept of Child Protection in death of 4 year old Topeka Kansas child Mekhi Boone

July 23, man kills wife and stepsons in Forsyth County Georgia

July 14 Richmond Virginia, 3 face felony murder in death of child

July 14 Missoula Montana $200,000 bail in child death case

July 13 Florida dad accidentally fatally shoots six year old daughter in the face

July 14, SoHo New York, unlicensed daycare shut down after death of 3 month old boy

Pueblo Colorado, July 9, Foster parents enter plea in 2 year old Chassie Pietrolungo (foster child’s) death

July 15 Henrico County Virginia, Clarence raiford jr, alexis denis raiford and william corey moore charged with murder in the death of three year old Zyon Thompson

White Cloud Michigan, July 8, Matthew Bradley pleads guilty to concealing 4 month old Natallya Rich’s dead body in a car seat and hiding her in a cabinet

Syracuse New York, July 7, Father charge in 2nd degree murder of six year old daughter’s death & tampering with witness

Las Vegas Nevada, July 2, Jondrew Magil Lachaux and Kellie Cherie Phillips indicted on conspiring to abandon their medically fragile 3 year old child.

Chicago Illinois, July 5, 7 year old Amari Brown accidently shot dead by gang member

Bloomington Illinois, July 1, Thomas Meece seeking release from state mental health facility 5 years after not guilty by reason of insanity verdict in brutal murder of 14 month old daughter Erika Meece.

AK: Angels among us: Care for Alaska’s children
Alaska Dispatch News – July 23, 2015
Across the state, there are over 2,600 children who are in out-of-home care, most residing in foster care. Additionally, while Alaska Native children make up about 17 percent of the state’s overall population, they represent 62 percent of our foster care population. Alaska Native foster families are especially needed for these children.
http://www.adn.com/article/20150723/angels-among-us-care-alaskas-children

CA: Settlement reached in tortured teen case (Video)
News 10 NBC – July 23, 2015
Sacramento County Child Protective Services and a teen that was tortured for seven years reached a multi-million dollar settlement.
http://www.news10.net/videos/news/local/sacramento/2015/07/24/settlement-reached-in-tortured-teen-case/30606247/

CO: A Brighter Day Selects Automated Marketing Group to Launch New Site and Social Media Initiatives (Press release)
PR Log – July 23, 2015
Automated Marketing Group, a full-service marketing agency, has been selected by A Brighter Day to redesign their website and launch a social media and email marketing campaign. A Brighter Day is a Colorado nonprofit that provides child placement and foster care services.
http://www.prlog.org/12478110-brighter-day-selects-automated-marketing-group-to-launch-new-site-and-social-media-initiatives.html

CT: Other states reduce dependence on group homes
Post and Courier – July 23, 2015
The Connecticut department’s most “urgent focus” was the high number of children in group homes, according to a report published earlier this year by the Annie E. Casey Foundation called “The Connecticut Turnaround.” (http://www.aecf.org/resources/the-connecticut-turnaround/) Information Gateway Resource: Outcomes in Group and Residential Care: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/outofhome/group-residential-care/outcomes/
http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20150723/PC16/150709448/1006&source=RSS

FL: Community Spotlight: Manatee Community Action Agency Receives Five-Year, $4.98 Million Annual Head Start Grant
The Bradenton Times – July 24, 2015
Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide early education to children from birth to five years of age, whose families live at or below the poverty level, who are homeless, whose families receive public assistance, to children in foster care, and to children with disabilities. MCAA has operated Head Start and Early Head Start programs continuously since 1968.
http://www.thebradentontimes.com/news/2015/07/24/community_spotlight/community_spotlight_manatee_community_action_agency_receives_five_year_4.98_million_annual_head_start_grant/

FL: DCF: Nearly 1,400 new foster homes licensed in 2014
Florida News Service – July 24, 2015
There are now more than 4,800 providers statewide, caring for roughly 10,000 kids at any given time.
http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/dcf-nearly-new-foster-homes-licensed-in/article_c98399d2-31e7-11e5-8daa-17444a1c3882.html

HI: Mom Challenges State’s Child Abuse Registry
Courthouse News – July 23, 2015
Eight years after the death of her newborn daughter, a mother is grappling with the system that listed her in Hawaii’s child abuse registry.
http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/07/23/mom-challenges-states-child-abuse-registry.htm

MA: Despite Court Ruling, Survey Finds Child Welfare Professionals Oppose Corporal Punishment
NewsWise – July 23, 2015
Tulane University researcher Catherine Taylor surveyed more than 500 mental health professionals, physicians and other members of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), a national organization for professionals who work to prevent and respond to child abuse, this summer to gauge their opinions on corporal punishment, including spanking, and whether they felt comfortable advising parents on this topic. Almost 75 percent of respondents said spanking is harmful for children and a majority believe it is a bad disciplinary technique; leads to the child being more, not less, aggressive; seldom or never leads to better self-control and sometimes leads to the child being physically abused.
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/637618/?sc=rsla

MS: Child advocacy group says some foster children in critical situations
Mississippi News Now – July 24, 2015
An update on the long running foster care lawsuit against the State of Mississippi; The state may consider making the child welfare unit a separate agency. U.S. District Judge Tom Lee signed an order Thursday. The state agrees to hire consultants who will recommend changes to the system, including whether the unit should become separate from the Department of Human Services. Also: Child welfare may be spun off: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/07/23/child-welfare-may-spun/30597611/ Also: Agreement could lead to separate Miss. child welfare agency: http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Agreement-could-lead-to-separate-Miss-child/e2zKN9A6FE6MtnE3q8R2Mg.cspx
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/29622201/child-advocacy-group-says-some-foster-children-in-critical-situations

MS: Foster care failures can’t continue (Opinion)
Meridian Star – July 23, 2015
Eleven years ago, a child advocacy group filed a lawsuit against the state of Mississippi on behalf of eight children in the state’s child foster care system. Eleven years later, the state has yet to meet minimum requirements mandated under two court-ordered settlements that were a result of the lawsuit.
http://www.meridianstar.com/opinion/foster-care-failures-can-t-continue/article_2286a83e-30ea-11e5-808e-8baf31351a03.html

NY: Investigative Post: Child abuse unit still struggling
WGRZ – July 23, 2015
Kim Henderson lasted a year as a caseworker investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect.
http://www.wgrz.com/story/news/2015/07/23/erie-county-cps/30589501/

NY: New lawsuit addresses ‘irreparable’ harm in foster care system
Amsterdam News – July 23, 2015
Last Wednesday afternoon, Public Advocate Letitia James confirmed what many have been suspecting for years: Children are being abused and neglected in the New York City’s foster care system.
http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2015/jul/23/new-lawsuit-addresses-irreparable-harm-foster-care/

SC: Abuse allegations haunt lucrative group homes (Includes video)
Post and Courier – July 23, 2015
A high-profile child sex abuse lawsuit forced this group home to close last year — the campus has since reopened as a Christian campground. But that was too late for John Roe, who says he was repeatedly molested by a Boys Home of the South worker more than a decade ago.
http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20150723/PC16/150709450/1006&source=RSS

SC: Warehousing Our Children: South Carolina laws hide child abuse inside group homes
Post and Courier – July 23, 2015
An untold number of foster children in South Carolina custody are neglected, drugged, beaten and molested in group homes and institutions where the state warehouses them for millions of dollars a year at taxpayer expense.
http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20150723/PC16/150709453

WA: Fixes to juvenile justice must be done carefully (Opinion)
Tri-City Herald – July 24, 2015
An effort to reauthorize the more than 40-year-old Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act is making its way through Congress, and if approved, one particular piece of it would affect Washington more than any other state.
http://tdn.com/news/opinion/fixes-to-juvenile-justice-must-be-done-carefully/article_97358078-d667-5bbc-b1af-dbd2a7dc2f9f.html

US: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service Releases Comprehensive Report on Status of Care for Unaccompanied Children
PRNewswire (Press Release) – July 23, 2015
The report, titled “At the Crossroads for Unaccompanied Migrant Children”, was informed by a series of three national roundtable meetings convened in 2014 by a diverse group of legal and social service providers at the peak of the arrivals of Central American children and families seeking protection in the United States. Report: http://lirs.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/LIRS_RoundtableReport_WEB.pdf Also: Feds leave illegal immigrant children in lurch: Report: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jul/23/feds-leave-illegal-children-lurch-report/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lutheran-immigration-and-refugee-service-releases-comprehensive-report-on-status-of-care-for-unaccompanied-children-300117632.html

US: Fact Sheet: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the ADA
White House (Press Release) – July 20, 2015
In July, HHS’s Office For Civil Rights, in collaboration with the Administration for Children and Families and The Department of Justice, will release a Dear Colleague letter reminding State and local child welfare agencies and courts of their legal obligation to ensure that individuals with disabilities are afforded equal access and opportunities to benefit from and participate in child welfare programs, services, and activities. This is part of a planned guidance series that will address the applicability of federal civil rights laws to child welfare programs and activities. The ADA Legacy Project website: http://www.adalegacy.com/ada25
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/07/20/fact-sheet-celebrating-25th-anniversary-ada

INTERNATIONAL

Bulgaria: The other faces of adoption
Bulgaria National Radio (BNR) – July 23, 2015
Mariana is a social worker. Her adventure of 1,650 km is in support of the legislative changes, related to the secret of adoption. “The right of anyone to know his or her roots, also medical reasons related with history of family diseases and a prevention of the chance of marriages between relatives”: these are the main reasons given for the dropping of the adoption secret.
http://bnr.bg/en/post/100583350/the-other-faces-of-adoption

Canada: Assembly of First Nations National Chief Says UN Human Rights Committee Report More Evidence on Need to Close the Gap Between First Nations and Canada, Way Forward is Action on First Nations Rights
Canada Newswire – July 23, 2015
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde stated that today’s five year review report by the United Nations Human Rights Committee on its Concluding Observations on Canada reinforces Canada’s obligations to close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations and Canada by upholding Indigenous rights. Also: Canadian Council of Child and Youth Advocates calls on provincial and federal leaders to take immediate actions to reducing indigenous children in care: http://investor.wallstreetselect.com/wss/news/read?GUID=30315512
http://www.bloomberg.com/research/markets/news/article.asp?docKey=600-201507231344CANADANWCANADAPR_C8308-1

India: US adopts most Indian orphans, followed by Italians and Spaniards
The Economic Times – July 24, 2015
The US adopts most number of Indian children from various orphanages across the country, followed by Italy and Spain, the government said today. According to the data provided by Women and Child Development Ministry in a written reply in Lok Sabha, America adopted 108, 156, 133 and 36 children in 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/us-adopts-most-indian-orphans-followed-by-italians-and-spaniards/articleshow/48202809.cms

Uganda: CSO’S demand amendment of Children’s Act
New Vision – July 23, 2015
The coalitions of Civil Society Organisations (CSO) want the Children Act 2015 to be amended to promote adoption within Uganda. This, they say, will reduce the rampant child trafficking in the country.
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/671318-cso-s-demand-amendment-of-children-s-act.html

AR: Paying it Forward to South Arkansas Organization that Helps Children in Foster Care
Myarklamiss.com – July 22, 2015
A simple drive across town turned into an opportunity for a South Arkansas woman to make a difference for foster children in Union County.
http://www.myarklamiss.com/story/d/story/paying-it-forward-to-south-arkansas-organization-t/56655/fbAQSdTMtEaIDqTZ8JtyGw

AZ: Arizona still ranks near bottom of Kids Count data
Today’s New Herald – July 23, 2015
Despite improvement in 11 of 15 child welfare indicators, Arizona still ranks near the bottom of a national ranking of child health, education and welfare statistics.
http://www.havasunews.com/news/arizona-still-ranks-near-bottom-of-kids-count-data/article_cb634718-30eb-11e5-bbb8-1fa4d0aa3186.html

AZ: DCS vows to speed up licensing time for new foster parents
KPHO/KTVK – July 23, 2015
Arizona is in desperate need of more foster families. As some families are finding out, though, signing up to help is a process that takes quite a long time.
http://www.kpho.com/story/29612697/dcs-vows-to-speed-up-licensing-time-for-new-foster-parents

CA: Educators Take Aim at Needs of Younger Foster Youth
Chronicle of Social Change – July 22, 2015
California’s biggest school district put most of its funding for foster youth into extra high school services. But research, and advocates for youth in care, suggest that the problems start far earlier. Information Gateway Resource: Educational Issues and Services in Out-of-Home Care: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/outofhome/casework/children/educational-issues-and-services-in-out-of-home-care/
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/news/educators-take-aim-at-needs-of-younger-foster-youth/10795

CA: LA Child Welfare Community Waits for Final Word on Child Protection Office Director
The Chronicle of Social Change – July 22, 2015
After conducting two rounds of interviews with the four finalists, Los Angeles’ Board of Supervisors has still not decided who will be hired as the Director of the county’s recently formed Office of Child Protection.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/news/l-a-child-welfare-community-waits-for-final-word-on-child-protection-office-director/10856

CA: Social Worker, and Part-Time Hacker, Builds Apps for Child Welfare (Includes video)
Chronicle of Social Change – July 21, 2015
Social worker Ruby Guillen’s shift at the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the largest child welfare agency in the U.S., starts at 4 p.m. and ends at 2:30 a.m.–except when serious incidents occur and keep her on the job even longer.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/news/social-worker-turned-hacker-builds-apps-for-child-welfare/10842

FL: Increase in foster care homes in Florida
WJXT – July 22, 2015
CBC lead agencies throughout the state recruit, license and match foster parents with children in need of short and long-term homes. Each CBC works to address the unique needs of their communities when recruiting foster parents.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/increase-in-foster-care-homes-in-florida/34294554

FL: One path to green card: Cite child abuse
Miami Herald – July 22, 2015
A label mostly scorned and feared by mothers and fathers in the United States, the designation “offending parent,” is being embraced and sought by parents thousands of miles away.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article28368841.html

MN: $23.35 Million Allotted for Minn. Child Protection Services
WDIO – July 22, 2015
County child protection services across Minnesota are seeing $23.35 in additional funding after the legislature approved is based on recommendations from Gov. Mark Dayton’s Task Force on the Protection of Children.
http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/s3858629.shtml

MN: Minnesota broke own rules in sending disabled teen to St. Peter mental hospital
Minneapolis Star Tribune – July 22, 2015
The Minnesota Department of Human Services violated a federal court order when it sent a violent, developmentally disabled teenager to the state’s adult psychiatric hospital in St. Peter, where he brutally assaulted a staff member on July 13, according to court documents reviewed by the Star Tribune.
http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-broke-own-rules-in-sending-disabled-teen-to-st-peter-mental-hospital/318229941/

MN: Olmsted County adds child protection workers
PostBulletin.com – July 22, 2015
Olmsted County is set to add four new child protection positions to its Child and Family Services Division with the help of $492,800 in state funding.
http://www.postbulletin.com/news/local/olmsted-county-adds-child-protection-workers/article_28a8d658-8dce-5ec1-94b8-1d77630627d7.html

NY: EC Department of Social Services Monthly Legislative Report Reveals Drop in Caseloads, Rise in Closed Cases
Office of Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz (Press Release) – July 22, 2015
The Erie County Department of Social Services’ monthly report to the Erie County Legislature for June 2015 shows a significant decrease in both the total Child Protective Services (“CPS”) caseload size across the Department as well as in the number of cases closed by the last day of the month.
http://www2.erie.gov/exec/index.php?q=72215-ec-department-social-services-monthly-legislative-report-reveals-drop-caseloads-rise-closed-ca

OK: Askins Plans to Focus on Foster Children Plan
Oklahoma Watch – July 22, 2015
Former Lt. Gov. Jari Askins said she’s focused on overcoming obstacles hindering the implementation of the state’s Pinnacle Plan to help foster children and not seeking to become a cabinet secretary or the director of a state agency.
http://oklahomawatch.org/2015/07/22/askins-wants-focus-on-foster-children-plan/

PA: Armstrong agencies keeping close watch on state budget woes
TribLIVE – July 23, 2015
A pair of social agencies in Armstrong County are working to ensure services won’t be interrupted if a state budget isn’t adopted soon.
http://triblive.com/news/armstrong/8786997-74/services-budget-state#axzz3gikjF3TJ

TN: Child Advocacy Center discusses handling of child abuse cases (Includes video)
FOX 13 – July 22, 2015
Wight could not talk specifics about two-week-old Christian Moore’s case. She did tell FOX13 they are seeing an increase in caseloads because more people are reporting child abuse, adding there are still some afraid to report.
http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/29610110/child-advocacy-center-says-abuse-cases-can-take-time

TX: Expert says potty training a common cause of child abuse (Includes video)
KXAN – July 22, 2015
“I think it’s horrifying for the child not only today, but for their future,” said Amanda Van Hoozer, Director of Program Services with the Center for Child Protection. “What’s going to happen to this kid? How is this kiddo going to be effected by what has happened?” Van Hoozer said she’s not only concerned for Davis’ little girl, but other children going through similar situations.
http://kxan.com/2015/07/22/expert-says-potty-training-a-common-cause-of-child-abuse/

VA: Police say be on the lookout for child abuse during summer (Includes video)
WSLS – July 22, 2015
Most child abuse cases during the year are reported by adults who work in the school system. Reports greatly decrease during the summer months. Police say not because the abuse decreases, but because there are less people around to detect it.
http://wsls.com/2015/07/22/police-say-be-on-the-lookout-for-child-abuse-during-summer/

WV: Finding A Family–Adoption Law
WBOY – July 22, 2015
“It’s really touching when a child comes from a difficult home and a family has opened up their doors and taken them in as their own,” said Hausman. “That’s always a nice ending.”
http://www.wboy.com/story/29610613/finding-a-family-adoption-law

US: Class Action Consequences: The Dangers of Measuring Quantity Instead of Quality
Chronicle of Social Change – July 22, 2015
Obviously, these legal advocates are trying to help children caught up in these systems. However, as a social worker in the District of Columbia for five years, I was surprised to learn that court oversight often hindered my ability to help my clients
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/opinion/class-action-consequences-the-dangers-of-measuring-quantity-instead-of-quality/10797

INTERNATIONAL

Spain: Spain raises minimum marriage age from 14 to 16 to boost child protection
Fox News – July 23, 2015
Spain has raised the minimum age for marriage from 14 to 16 to boost protection of minors and bring the country in line with its European Union neighbors. The legislation came into effect Thursday and follows recommendations from United Nations experts and child protection groups
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/07/23/spain-raises-minimum-marriage-age-from-14-to-16-to-boost-child-protection/

United Kingdom: MI5 child abuse cover-up after security chief said it would ’embarrass Government’
Express – July 23, 2015
A senior MP suspected of child abuse was let off the hook by MI5 because it would “embarrass the Government”, an explosive secret document has revealed.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/593210/MI5-child-abuse-cover-up-sex-paedophile-ring-Government-MP-Margaret-Thatcher-security

United Kingdom: Let her appeal! MPs back gran, 58, branded too old to adopt granddaughter: Decision labelled ‘disturbing’ as campaigners say couple must be allowed to argue their case
Daily Mail – July 22, 2015
Pressure was growing yesterday for the couple prevented from adopting their only grandchild because they were ‘too old’ to be allowed to appeal. MPs and campaigners branded the case ‘disturbing’ and said the grandparents must be given a chance to argue their case.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3171486/Let-appeal-MPs-gran-58-branded-old-adopt-granddaughter-Decision-labelled-disturbing-campaigners-say-couple-allowed-argue-case.html

AL: Report: Nearly 300,000 of Alabama’s children live in poverty (Includes video)
WBMA – July 21, 2015
A new report on child welfare suggests there are more U.S. Children living in poverty than before 2008 at the beginning of the great recession. While on average 22 percent of children are living in poverty across the nation, in Alabama that number jumps to 27 percent. The information comes from the latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
http://www.abc3340.com/story/29601294/report-nearly-300000-of-alabamas-children-live-in-poverty

CA: Uncharted Waters: Data Analytics and Child Protection in Los Angeles
Chronicle of Social Change – July 20, 2015
Los Angeles County is home to the largest child welfare system in the world. Last year, child abuse investigators working for the sprawling Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) fought through a crush of 220,000 reports of child abuse. In an effort to help these harried investigators make better decisions, the department contracted with SAS, the world’s largest private software firm, to test out risk modeling.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/analysis/uncharted-waters-data-analytics-and-child-protection-in-los-angeles/10826

FL: Children’s group gets $7.3M Microsoft grant
Pensacola News Journal – July 21, 2015
Children’s Home Society of Florida, the state’s leading provider of services to vulnerable children and families, has been awarded a $7.3 million grant from Microsoft’s YouthSpark Software Grants program. The award will help bridge the digital learning divide for disadvantaged youth. In addition, Microsoft employee volunteers will help Children’s Home Society of Florida change the technological face of child welfare in Florida and the nation.
http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/community/2015/07/21/childrens-home-society-microsoft/30481579/

GA: Bibb County ranks near bottom of state for children living in poverty
The Telegraph – July 21, 2015
In Georgia, more than one in four children are living in poverty, and the numbers get worse in Bibb County, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s annual Kids Count report.
http://www.macon.com/2015/07/21/3853306_bibb-county-ranks-near-bottom.html?rh=1

IL: More Illinois kids living in poverty than before recession, report says
Daily News – July 22, 2015
More Illinois children lived in poverty in 2013 than before the recession, consistent with a troubling national trend that runs contrary to news of an economic rebound, according to a new report on child welfare.
http://www.dailynews724.com/business/more-illinois-kids-living-in-poverty-than-before-recession-report-says-h529785.html

KS: Latest Kids Count Rankings Show Kansas Up In Child Health, Down In Poverty
KCUR – July 21, 2015
Kansas improved its ranking in child health but dropped in child poverty in the latest data released by a national nonprofit that advocates for children.
http://kcur.org/post/latest-kids-count-rankings-show-kansas-child-health-down-poverty

LA: Older children often neglected in adoption process
Shreveport Times – July 21, 2015
According to the Children’s Action Network “several foster care alumni studies show that without a lifelong connection to a caring adult, these older youth are often left vulnerable to a host of adverse situations.”
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2015/07/21/older-children-often-neglected-adoption-process/30465763/

LA: School Board debates employment of convicted felons
Associated Press – July 17, 2015
A proposal before the Calcasieu Parish School Board will allow for the hiring of people who were convicted of a felony not listed in the state Child Protection Act.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/07/16/school-board-debates-employment-of-convicted_ap.html?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mrss

MD: Area children are in “dire need” of foster homes
SoMdNews – July 22, 2015
In St. Mary’s, Charles and Calvert counties, there is an extreme shortage of resource families to act as foster parents. The low number of resource families in these counties places a strain on the handful that currently exist. Simultaneously, the shortage is leaving children and youth in dire need of homes that provide for their emotional, social, physical and developmental needs.
http://www.somdnews.com/article/20150722/OPINION/150729956/1084/area-children-are-in-x2018-dire-need-x2019-of-foster-homes&template=southernMaryland

MI: Watchdog agency probing child-welfare workers’ actions in toddlers’ deaths
MLive.com – July 21, 2015
The watchdog agency for the state’s child welfare system is probing whether Children’s Protective Services workers did enough to prevent the recent deaths of two Kalamazoo-area toddlers.
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/07/watchdog_agency_probing_child-.html

MS: Foster Care Overhaul Coming to Mississippi?
Jackson Free Press – July 21, 2015
The state admitted that it has not met court-order requirements in a 7-year-old lawsuit, Olivia Y v. Bryant, intended to change the state’s foster care system. Also: New agreement reached in foster care lawsuit: http://www.sunherald.com/2015/07/21/6330991_new-agreement-reached-in-mississippi.html?rh=1
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/weblogs/jackblog/2015/jul/21/mississippi-acknowledges-non-compliance-in-foster-/

NC: Five Programmatic Lessons in Scaling Impact
Stanford Social Innovation Review (Blog) – July 21, 2015
A look at how a number of Social Innovation Fund subgrantees are successfully developing program strategies for greater growth and impact.
http://www.ssireview.org/blog/entry/five_programmatic_lessons_in_scaling_impact

NC: What’s at stake in the budget debate (Opinion)
Triangle Tribune – July 21, 2015
The annual Kids Count survey by the Annie E. Casey Foundation that tracks child welfare in states was released this week and couldn’t have come at a better time, as lawmakers are putting a final state budget together and setting priorities for public investments.
http://www.triangletribune.com/news/2015/07/21/opinion/what-s-at-stake-in-the-budget-debate/

NY: Report: More Children In Poverty Now Than During The Recession
WXXI – July 21, 2015
In New York State, 23 percent of children are living in poverty, up from 19 percent in 2008. Studies have shown that over half of Rochester children live in poverty.
http://wxxinews.org/post/report-more-children-poverty-now-during-recession

OH: Wife of National Guardsman sentenced in case linked to ‘re-homing’
Reuters – July 21, 2015
The wife of an Ohio National Guardsman was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in prison for trying to cover up her husband’s sexual abuse of three young girls in their care. At the time of the abuse, Emily Kruse, 37, was participating in an underground network used to send unwanted adopted children from family to family.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/21/us-usa-adoption-sentencing-idUSKCN0PV2D220150721

PA: Commissioners support child abuse center in Blair
Altoona Mirror – July 22, 2015
Blair County commissioners offered their support Tuesday for submission of a grant request that, if awarded, could help the county move a step closer toward establishing a child advocacy center or alternative improvements.
http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/616054.html

RI: Rhode Island Children’s Cabinet meets for first time in eight years
WRPI – July 21, 2015
Governor Gina Raimondo (D-Rhode Island) has reconvened the Children’s Cabinet. The group hasn’t met since 2007. Also: Raimondo Sets Vision to Expand Opportunity for Children, Families: Governor Convenes Children’s Cabinet, Takes Action to Strengthen Supports for Kids: http://www.ri.gov/press/view/25371
http://wpri.com/2015/07/21/rhode-island-childrens-cabinet-meets-for-first-time-in-eight-years/

SC: South Carolina Ranks 42nd For Child Well-Being (Includes video)
WTLX – July 21, 2015
South Carolina went from ranking 45th to 42nd in children’s overall well-being. The report done by The Annie E. Casey Foundation looks at health, economic well-being and education across the county and then breaks it down by state.
http://www.wltx.com/story/news/2015/07/21/sc-ranks-42-in-child-welfare/30491901/

TN: National child welfare report ranks Tennessee 36th
Associated Press – July 22, 2015
The report ranks child well-being across four domains with Tennessee ranking 38th in economic well-being, 36th in education, 30th in health and 37th in family and community. The state improved or remained the same on 11 of 16 measures.
http://wjhl.com/ap/national-child-welfare-report-ranks-tennessee-36th/

TN: Infant safe after abuse caught on camera (Includes video)
WMC – July 21, 2015
The video has been watched over 100,000 times on Facebook. A woman was abusing an infant, throwing and kicking her 19-day-old baby.
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/29600591/infant-safe-after-abuse-caught-on-camera

UT: Same-sex Couples Join Ranks of Utah Foster Families
Associated Press – July 22, 2015
The couple married shortly after a federal judge struck down Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage in December 2013, and they applied to become foster parents after the state started recognizing the unions nearly a year later.
http://magicvalley.com/news/local/same-sex-couples-join-ranks-of-utah-foster-families/article_4897a118-c3a7-5b3f-a4f4-c5c68bce01c2.html

UT: Report shows well-being of Utah children has improved
Associated Press – July 21, 2015
A relatively strong economy has helped Utah rank among the top 10 states for the well-being of children, even though the number living in poverty increased, according to a national child welfare report released Tuesday.
http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Report-shows-Utah-kids-doing-better-but-issues-6397367.php

US: Kidsave brings children in need of homes and US families together
Christian Science Monitor – July 21, 2015
Terry Baugh and Ms. Thompson were compelled to find a way to help. They founded Kidsave, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding permanent homes and families for children in orphanages. It also seeks to help often-forgotten older orphans and foster children grow up in a family environment and connected to adults who will provide care and nurturing.
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/Change-Agent/2015/0721/Kidsave-brings-children-in-need-of-homes-and-US-families-together

US: Talking Adoption: How Adoption Became a Christian “Trend”
Pantheos – July 21, 2015
Little did I know that adoption and foster care have a longstanding tradition within evangelicalism, fundamentalism, and other modern non-denominational churches. In 2013, the New York Times called it an “orphan boom.” Leaders like Rick Warren have called for Christians to become foster parents. The movement has been so big that it’s inspired a backlash; the first result on a Google search for “Christian adoption” is a scathing tell-all about a fundamentalist family’s four failed adoptions of children from Liberia.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/surprisingfaith/2015/07/talking-adoption-how-adoption-became-a-christian-trend/

INTERNATIONAL

Still Creek Ranch — Memorial Service for Margaret O’Quinn
KTBX – July 22, 2015
Memorial Service for Margaret O’Quinn, co-founder and longtime director of Still Creek Ranch. During her lifetime, Margaret O’Quinn impacted hundreds of children’s lives, providing them with hope and a future through the saving truth of Jesus Christ. O’Quinn and her husband, Danny, founded and ran the ranch for abused, neglected and abandoned children for 24 years.
http://www.kbtx.com/bvtm/headlines/StillCreekRanch-318109841.html

Canada: Child welfare needs fresh approach (Opinion)
Winnipeg Sun – July 21, 2015
Manitoba’s NDP government had more than 15 years to overhaul the province’s child welfare system, a system they criticized relentlessly when they were in opposition.
http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/07/21/child-welfare-needs-fresh-approach

India: Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi urges Assam to adopt strategy to curb trafficking
IBN Live – July 21, 2015
A state-level action plan for prevention of trafficking with a state-level steering committee headed by the chief minister and appointment of a nodal officer at the Assam Resident Commissioner’s office in Delhi were the other two suggestions put forward by him.
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/nobel-peace-prize-winner-kailash-satyarthi-urges-assam-to-adopt-strategy-to-curb-trafficking-1023817.html

Ireland: Foster care in ancient Ireland was an ancient and beloved tradition
Irish Central – July 22, 2015
Ireland has a strange history when it comes to the care of its children. Sometimes, it seems as if they were treated as possessions to be traded rather than flesh and blood to be cherished, our country’s future.
http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/Child-adoption-laws-in-ancient-Ireland-put-the-Magdalene-laundries-to-shame.html

AZ: Goldwater Institute Seeks Protection for Native American Children
Tucson Weekly – July 20, 2015
Recently, the Goldwater Institute held a press conference announcing the filing of a class action lawsuit challenging race based separate and unequal treatment regarding foster and adoptive placement of Native American children.
http://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2015/07/20/goldwater-institute-seeks-protection-for-native-american-children

AZ: No surprise: Cutting child services has had negative consequences (Opinion)
Arizona Daily Star – July 18, 2015
A new independent analysis of Arizona’s child welfare has found evidence of what many in the field already know to be true: during the recession, the Legislature cut funding for the vital safety net services, like subsidized day care, precisely when an increasing number of struggling families needed them most.
http://tucson.com/news/opinion/no-surprise-cutting-child-services-has-had-negative-consequences/article_92e5255c-6e37-5c82-8fd0-f9ae312d59b9.html

CA: County Not Liable for Social Worker’s Assault on Foster Child
Metropolitan News-Enterprise – July 20, 2015
A county is not liable for the acts of an employee who sexually assaulted a foster child at the social worker’s apartment, the Fourth District Court of Appeal has ruled. Div. Three affirmed Riverside Superior Court Judge Matthew C. Perantoni’s order granting summary judgment in favor of Riverside County, rejecting the claims of the now-20-year-old plaintiff, identified only as Z.V. The June 17 opinion was certified Thursday for publication.
http://www.metnews.com/articles/2015/zv072015.htm

CO: Boulder DA cites VineLife Church’s ‘disturbing culture of secrecy’ in sex-abuse cover-up
Boulder Daily Camera – July 20, 2015
Boulder prosecutors allege the four VineLife Church officials accused of covering up reports that a youth pastor at the church sexually assaulted a teenaged congregant have refused to accept responsibility for their actions and created a “disturbing culture of secrecy and non-disclosure” at the church.
http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_28512966/boulder-da-cites-vinelife-churchs-disturbing-culture-secrecy

CT: Editorial: Connecticut must do a better job of protecting children
New Haven Register – July 20, 2015
In what appears to be a disconcerting trend, 2013 marked the highest number of children killed in Connecticut than in any previous year, according to the Office of the Child Advocate’s Child Fatality Report: Children Birth to 3. There were 10 homicides of children age 3 and younger.
http://www.nhregister.com/opinion/20150720/editorial-connecticut-must-do-a-better-job-of-protecting-children

IN: Flashpoint: Striving to make improvements at Indiana DCS
Tribune Star – July 19, 2015
At the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS), we believe that any instance of child abuse or neglect is one case too many. That’s why it’s so heartbreaking to read statistics showing child abuse and neglect cases rising across the United States. Unfortunately, Indiana is not immune from such trends. Here at DCS, we received more than 198,000 reports of child abuse or neglect in 2014.
http://www.tribstar.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/flashpoint-striving-to-make-improvements-at-indiana-dcs/article_eb30f3d3-1aee-5d3d-84d8-3a258ef4d931.html

IN: Case manager sues child welfare agency
Wabash Plain Dealer – July 18, 2015
A family case manager has filed a class action lawsuit against the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) this month due to an alleged failure of DCS to adequately staff departments as required by Indiana law.
http://www.chronicle-tribune.com/wabashplaindealer/case-manager-sues-child-welfare-agency/article_6ae7d60c-2d5c-11e5-b82a-27fcb0111095.html

LA: Incarcerated women, girls suffer abuse/ neglect in justice system
Afro-American Newspaper – July 20, 2015
U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) recently held a panel of juvenile court judges and young women to discuss how Congress should address the specific needs of women and girls in the judicial system. The panel, on June 26, focused on issues impacting women and young girls in prison, including abuse and neglect during incarceration. The panel also addressed the disproportionate number of female prisoners formerly in the foster care system and who have suffered childhood physical abuse, sexual molestation, and abandonment. Information Gateway Resource: Youth Involved With Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/youth/collaboration/dualsystem/
http://www.louisianaweekly.com/incarcerated-women-girls-suffer-abuse-neglect-in-justice-system/

MN: Best in the U.S. for Children (Includes audio)
Public News Service – July 21, 2015
The latest Kids Count report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation has the state ranked number one, based on 16 indicators including economic well-being, family and community, education and health.
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2015-07-21/childrens-issues/minnesota-best-in-the-u-s-for-children/a47111-1

ND: State beginning study on county social services takeover
Bismarck Tribune – July 18, 2015
During the recent legislative session $23 million was approved for the state to take over a portion of county social service programs. A related study also was approved to develop a plan for shifting the cost of programs from county property tax levies to state general fund dollars.
http://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/state-beginning-study-on-county-social-services-takeover/article_68109d21-ab95-5afe-b8f3-418630da2061.html

OH: Bill would extend foster care 3 years: Plan hopes for better future to help state’s most vulnerable youth
Columbus Dispatch – July 18, 2015
She has been working with advocates to urge passage of a bill to extend foster-care programs in Ohio to age 21, a change that would offer three more years of assistance to some of the state’ most vulnerable youths. Supporters had hoped that the bill, which also includes “bill of rights” provisions for wards in guardianship cases, would be approved along with the biennial budget. Now, they’re aiming for action yet this year.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/07/18/fostering-a-better-future.html

PA: Service providers face tough decisions if budget stalemate drags on
News Works – July 20, 2015
Nonprofit organizations that receive funding from Pennsylvania are preparing to make some difficult decisions if the commonwealth budget stalemate stretches through August.
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/homepage-feature/item/84336-pa-service-providers-face-tough-decisions-if-stalemate-drags-on

PA: Social changes making adoption process tougher across Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Post Gazette – July 19, 2015
The number of adoptions in Allegheny County and statewide has been down in recent years amid shifting views of parenthood, changes in the child-welfare system and decreased availability of foreign children.
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2015/07/19/Social-changes-making-adoption-process-tougher-in-Allegheny-County-Pennsylvania/stories/201506140003

PA: Child advocacy center opening in Cambria County
Tribune Democrat – July 18, 2015
After more than two years of planning, seeking grants and other funding, Cambria County’s own child advocacy center is scheduled to open sometime this fall, organizers say.
http://www.tribdem.com/news/child-advocacy-center-opening-in-cambria-county/article_dcc1d008-2dce-11e5-9c4b-d3443da09784.html

PA: Homeless youth hiding in Allentown woods get a helping hand (Includes video)
Morning Call – July 18, 2015
Funded by a federal grant of $63,694 for each of three years, the Synergy Project is run by Valley Youth House, an Allentown-based nonprofit that aids abused, neglected, and homeless youth and their families throughout the region. Burroughs started the first Synergy Project in Bucks County in 2009, then launched the Allentown program last year.
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-allentown-homeless-teens-synergy-project-20150718-story.html#page=1

TX: Texas A&M Health Science Center awarded federal funding in a nationwide effort to reduce teen pregnancies
North Texas e-News – July 19, 2015
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Adolescent Health has awarded a 7.5 million dollar grant to the Center for Community Health Development (CCHD) at the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Public Health. The funding will help develop new programming to reduce teen pregnancies.
http://www.ntxe-news.com/artman/publish/article_96349.shtml

VT: Are they safe? Substance abuse poses threats in home visits
St Albans Messenger – July 20, 2015
Each day, Department for Children and Families (DCF) case workers find out, entering a number of those houses to check on child welfare. What DCF is discovering more and more, according to St. Albans District director Alix Gibson, is that there are increasing numbers of children living in households with substance abuse.
http://www.samessenger.com/are-they-safe/

US: Report on child welfare suggests many US children were left behind in economic recovery
Associated Press – July 21, 2015
A new report on child welfare suggests that there are more U.S. children living in poverty than before the Great Recession. The latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation says 22 percent of American children were living in poverty in 2013 compared with 18 percent in 2008. Poverty rates were nearly double among African-Americans and American Indians and were most severe in South and Southwest.
http://krqe.com/ap/report-on-child-welfare-suggests-many-us-children-were-left-behind-in-economic-recovery/

US: The One Question Foster Care Workers Need to Ask Themselves
Youth Today – July 20, 2015
“Well, you have a student who is failing most of their classes, and who is not able to do their current work. How are they ever going to be able to become a doctor? It’s unrealistic.” I thought for a moment about what she was saying. It was something I saw a lot in the court system. “Why is it your job to tell them no?” I asked.
http://youthtoday.org/2015/07/the-one-question-foster-care-workers-need-to-ask-themselves/

INTERNATIONAL

International: The Booming Global Economy of Sex Slaves
Indian Country Today Media Network – July 18, 2015
Foster Care Children in and out of the programs are targeted by traffickers as well as non-profits raising money to place them, protect them or rescue them. Some state reports say thousands of foster children “disappear” from any contact with programs.
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/07/18/booming-global-economy-sex-slaves

United Kingdom: Rotherham abuse: South Yorkshire Police child protection ‘needs improvement’
BBC News – July 21, 2015
The police force at the centre of the Rotherham abuse scandal still needs to make “major improvements” to some child protection procedures, a report has found.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-33599061

United Kingdom: Alexis Jay on child sex abuse: ‘Politicians wanted to keep a lid on it’
The Guardian – July 13, 2015
Alexis Jay officially retired two years ago — not that you’d notice. In 2013 she stepped down from her role as Scotland’s chief social work adviser, shortly after being awarded an OBE. But rather than tending to her garden she ended up digging up horrific claims of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham. That job done, the scalps of many officials taken, she moved on to sort out Northern Ireland’s safeguarding children boards.
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/13/alexis-jay-politicians-rotherham-report-child-sex-abuse-social-worker-claims-westminster-bbc-nhs

AR: Editorial: Child Services Needs Help Today (Opinion)
Times Record – July 19, 2015
We knew things were bad at the Division of Children and Family Services at Arkansas’ Department of Human Services, but those of us who have no involvement with these services may be shocked at just how very bad things are.
http://swtimes.com/opinion/how-we-see-it/editorial-child-services-needs-help-today

CA: In Hollywood, foster care students try to finish high school
Associated Press – July 17, 2015
Tucked below the Hollywood sign, on a street where tourists stop to pose for pictures, is Beachwood House, a pale blue two-story home for foster kids without one. It’s known as the place you go if you are good.
http://www.redding.com/lifestyle/in-hollywood-foster-care-students-try-to-finish-high-school

CO: Mayor Hancock announces Child Safety Net Impact Team (Includes video)
9 News – July 17, 2015
This team will look for opportunities to build communication and make stronger partnerships with different organizations in the community, such as libraries, schools, hospitals, recreation centers and courts, to help keep kids safe.
http://www.9news.com/story/news/local/2015/07/17/child-safety-net-impact-team-announcement/30295677/

CO: Child-welfare problems could continue
Durango Herald – July 14, 2015
Child-welfare officials Tuesday told state lawmakers that without additional resources, problems will continue within the troubled Human Services Department.
http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20150714/NEWS01/150719804/-1/news01/Child-welfare-problems-could-continue–

CT: DCF taking family-first approach when removing children from homes
The Day – July 17, 2015
Connecticut calls its child welfare agency the Department of Children and Families, but for years the agency removed children from their families without considering fully whether a relative could care for the child while the parents got help for their substance abuse, mental illness or other debilitating issues. Since 2013, DCF has taken a different approach when receiving a report that children may be unsafe.
http://www.theday.com/state-news/20150717/dcf-taking-family-first-approach-when-removing-children-from-homes-

FL: Integrity Care: Foster Homes Opened to Help Troubled Boys
Lakeland Ledger – July 20, 2015
Integrity Care Executive Director Donishia Miller, along with her sister Melody Jiles, who serves as director of operations, started the foster care business six years ago with homes in Winter Haven and Auburndale. They help young boys coming from challenging family situations. Currently Integrity Care is in the process of looking for property for a community for the children in a neighborhood where they would have access to a swimming pool, tennis courts and basketball courts.
http://www.theledger.com/article/20150719/newschief/150719268

MI: Office of Children’s Ombudsman looking into W. Mich. toddler deaths (Includes video)
WWMT – July 17, 2015
The Office of Children’s Ombudsman provides oversight to Child Protective Services, and the two deaths of young children we’ve had in West Michigan in the past two weeks got the agency’s attention.
http://www.wwmt.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Office-of-Children-39-s-Ombudsman-looking-into-W-Mich-toddler-deaths-168739.shtml#.VawyIfmE30g

MS: Safe Babies Court Teams give attention to abused and neglected children
MS News Now – July 17, 2015
Children who are abused or neglected often don’t have an advocate. That’s why the Safe Babies Court Teams are expanding to a second Mississippi county. “We know by research, what? Maltreated children ended up having a higher indicators of what? Juvenile delinquency,” said Youth Court Judge Mike McPhail.
http://m.msnewsnow.com/msnewsnow/db_330626/contentdetail.htm?full=true&contentguid=FIMwnN0b&pn=&ps=#display

MS: Family Law Clinics set to help self-represented low-income people in North Mississippi
Courts.ms.gov – July 13, 2015
Schools require documentation of legal guardianship before before enrolling a child living with someone other than a parent. Grandparents and other relatives must have guardianship documents filed in Chancery Court.
http://courts.ms.gov/news/2015/07%2013%2015legal%20clinics%20N%20%20MS.pdf

NC: Mentoring program helps children in foster care
Raleigh News & Observer – July 19, 2015
Johnson was one of the 24 former foster care children I met last week at St. Mark United Methodist Church. They were all participants in the Methodist Home for Children scholarship and mentoring program HELP — Hackley Education and Learning Program — and had gathered to hear the founder of that program speak
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/barry-saunders/article27884215.html

NC: Appalachian business professors help develop Foster Care Family Act
Appalachian Today – July 17, 2015
David C. Marlett has been a department chair, college professor and insurance industry professional, but it’s his recent work in foster care advocacy that he says has been most rewarding.
http://www.news.appstate.edu/2015/07/17/foster-care-family-act/

NE: Governor: New CEO of health and human services is ‘a doer’
Lincoln Journal Star – July 19, 2015
Courtney Phillips, the 36-year-old, who has an undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University in kinesiology — the study of human movement — even talks at full tilt, with a whiff of a twang from her home state. She is a “get it done” woman, just what a new governor wanted to run the agency that had slogged through problem after problem in the last administration.
http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/governor-new-ceo-of-health-and-human-services-is-a/article_5ae91c91-49fc-503a-a684-4ae2ffd070f1.html

NE: HHS extends case management contract
Lincoln Journal Star – July 19, 2015
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Nebraska Families Collaborative have agreed to extend their public-private case management contract.
http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/hhs-extends-case-management-contract/article_0a10afcd-c108-59aa-ae0d-8529a71fc3f4.html

NE: Q&A: Kathy Park works to reduce racial inequalities in Madison’s social service systems
Capital Times – July 19, 2015
Park is the executive director/CEO of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, a nonprofit that promotes equitable justice through research and public policy. The organization works to improve decision-making in the child welfare, justice, education and other social service systems.
http://host.madison.com/news/local/writers/ogechi-emechebe/q-a-kathy-park-works-to-reduce-racial-inequalities-in/article_2f77c400-342b-500e-b039-608d594999b7.html

NE: Department of Health and Human Services’ past troubles
Lincoln Journal Star – July 18, 2015
The new Department of Health and Human Services CEO is moving forward from a list of issues the state’s largest agency waded through in the past decade before Gov. Pete Ricketts took office.
http://journalstar.com/department-of-health-and-human-services-past-troubles/article_28ac2b12-6d1c-559d-803f-846ff8c89d17.html

NY: Eleanor Ann Bongiovi (nee Fitzpatrick), 90, worked tirelessly for child welfare services
Williamsburg Yorktown Daily – July 17, 2015
Eleanor was a longtime member of the Women’s Club of Massapequa, New York. She served as president and worked tirelessly for child welfare services.
http://wydaily.com/2015/07/17/obits-eleanor-ann-bongiovi-nee-fitzpatrick-90-worked-tirelessly-for-child-welfare-services/

OH: Aging out, beating the odds in a ‘broken’ system
WCPO – July 18, 2015
To him, family are those who helped and supported him along the way. People like Kathy King from ProKids, who has watched him grow into a remarkable man, despite a turbulent childhood?a time in his life when he endured moving in and out of 16 different schools, 26 foster placements; and repeated abuse in home after home.
http://www.wcpo.com/news/insider/aging-out-beating-the-odds-in-a-broken-system

PA: Erie County explores public health approach to curb violence (Includes video)
Erie Times-News – July 20, 2015
Violence and infectious diseases have a few things in common. Each thrives in certain conditions, can lead to more serious problems, and will spread if unchecked. Melissa Lyon, director of the Erie County Department of Health, buys into that theory — and wants to help the Erie region attack crime and its symptoms in ways that are similar to how doctors treat the spread of disease.
http://www.goerie.com/erie-county-explores-public-health-approach-to-curb-violence

TX: New CPS court created for McLennan, Coryell counties
Waco Tribune – July 20, 2015
A disconcerting two-year increase in the number of neglected or abused children in Central Texas has prompted the creation of a new court solely to handle Child Protective Services cases.
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/courts_and_trials/new-cps-court-created-for-mclennan-coryell-counties/article_95dc9c5a-0f85-5b41-90ef-83c20f74bcbb.html

TX: New crime division to focus on child abuse cases
The Monitor – July 17, 2015
A new crimes division created by the Hidalgo County District Attorney is set to focus on persecuting crimes against children, announced District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez Friday.
http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/new-crime-division-to-focus-on-child-abuse-cases/article_f00a3a5c-2cb5-11e5-8189-43d2ecf6aad5.html

US: Attempting to Provide Care for Vulnerable Children: Psychopharmacology and the Foster Care System
Psychology Today – July 19, 2015
There are bitter complaints that psychiatric medications are overused in children in foster care. Compared to non-foster-care children receiving Medicaid, children in foster care receive two to eight times more prescribed psychiatric medications.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-child-does-not-have-bipolar-disorder/201507/attempting-provide-care-vulnerable-children

US: For some train orphans, last stop was despair
Daily Town Talk – July 19, 2015
The Orphan Train, a prequel to the foster care movement, carried an estimated 150,000 orphans primarily from New York to the Midwest and the South from 1854-1929. Most were placed by the New York Foundling Hospital and New York City?s Children?s Aid Society.
http://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2015/07/18/train-orphans-last-stop-despair/30352981/

US: Aging Out: Life After Foster Care
Black Press USA – July 17, 2015
The report also showed that Black youth are often in foster longer. And though the number of African Americans entering the system has decreased by 10 percent in the past 10 years, the percent of youth who stay until they age out has increased. Those youth are more likely to face homelessness, unemployment and incarceration once they leave the foster care system.
http://www.blackpressusa.com/aging-out-life-after-foster-care/#sthash.VeWJMnqX.dpbs

US: Expose the Lies Told About ICWA
Indian Country Today Media Network – July 17, 2015
The announcement of A.D., et al. v. Washburn by the conservative group known as the Goldwater Institute comes with a bitter deja vu of “haven’t we heard this before?” I’ve got a few things that I can say are wrong with the pleadings filed by Goldwater on behalf of minor American Indian children, “next friend,” and potential adoptive parents. Mostly, however, I?ve got even more to say on the one-sided EPIC report they have produced to coincide with their summation that ICWA should be declared unconstitutional.
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/07/17/expose-lies-told-about-icwa

US: LGBT “Treatment” Programs Are Often Child Abuse (Opinion)
Huffington Post – July 17, 2015
On Tuesday, July 14, I spoke in front of the U.S. Capitol Building to call for federal regulation of the residential treatment programs that claim to help troubled teens. I was proud to be joined by Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) who introduced the “Stop Child Abuse in Residential Treatment Programs for Teens Act” that would regulate this multi-million dollar industry known for its abuse of youth.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lorri-l-jean/lgbt-treatment-programs_b_7814860.html

US: Senate-passed Education Bill Includes Grassley Provisions on Gifted and Talented Children, Foster Youth, Civics Education (Press release)
Charles Grassley – July 16, 2015
Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa included provisions in the education bill passed by the Senate today on gifted and talented students, school stability for foster youth, and civics education involving the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
http://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-passed-education-bill-includes-grassley-provisions-gifted-and-talented

INTERNATIONAL

India: Building child-friendly cities and commitment to children’s rights is top priority for Indian urban development agenda
PWC – July 17, 2015
Urban children, especially those from disadvantaged sections, are susceptible to ill-health, poor access to water and sanitation, insufficient education, urban disasters and lack of protection. Indian cities need to have a system of local governance that is committed to fulfil children’s rights. The focus of the major urban development schemes need to be on smaller urban centres where 68 percent of the urban population is concentrated.
http://press.pwc.com/global/building-child-friendly-cities-and-commitment-to-children-s-rights-is-top-priority-for-indian-urban-/s/EDEFE53F-A266-47F4-A7FB-29DB0EC38A2B

International: Renewed Focus and New Goals Must Make Child Protection a Priority
Huffington Post – July 17, 2015
Last month, UNICEF’s most recent Progress for Children report provided a sobering reminder of the many challenges that remain in building a world that is safe, healthy and hopeful for the poorest children. Report: http://www.unicef.org/publications/index_82231.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-goddard/renewed-focus-and-new-goa_b_7817788.html

Ireland: ‘Child agency facing a crisis a year’
Irish Examiner – July 20, 2015
The Government has been warned that it faces “a crisis a year” unless it starts ploughing additional funds into the cash-strapped Child and Family Agency, Tusla. Chief Executive of Tusla, Gordon Jeyes, told RTÉ the agency believes the number of cases awaiting an allocated social worker is closer to 5,000. Also: Lack of social service resources leave vulnerable children at risk – report: http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0719/715835-child-abuse-resources/
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/child-agency-facing-a-crisis-a-year-343462.html
AL: Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore appoints judge, landmark lesbian adoption case to proceed
AL.com – July 16, 2015
Cari Searcy, who fought a landmark case to overturn Alabama’s ban on same-sex marriage, is set to become the legal parent of her wife’s biological child next week.
http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2015/07/roy_moore_appoints_judge_landm.html

AR: Hutchinson explains plan to lower amount of foster kids without homes (Includes video)
KAIT – July 16, 2015
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson visited Jonesboro Thursday to speak with the Craighead County Bar Association with 1 of his talking points involving a study done on the Division of Children and Family Services in the state’s child welfare system. Also: In light of an independent review conducted of the Division of Child and Family Services, Governor Asa Hutchinson commits to 11 recommendations to improve the care of kids in state custody (Includes video): http://www.arkansasmatters.com/story/d/story/gov-hutchinson-commits-to-changes-in-child-welfare/22052/OJhOez8Gx0KVqf7dkB4CCA Report: http://ee-governor-2015.ark.org/images/uploads/Arkansas_Report_7.6.pdf
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/29566389/hutchinson-explains-plan-to-lower-amount-of-foster-kids-without-homes

AR: Increase in child deaths in cases investigated State agency reveals increase in child deaths
KHBS/KHOG – July 16, 2015
Division of Children and Family Services Review, an agency within DHS, reveals an increase in child deaths where the family had been investigated before by DHS.
http://www.4029tv.com/news/increase-in-child-deaths-in-cases-investigate-state-agency-reveals-increase-in-child-deaths/34196792

CA: California Law Limits Paternity’s Influence on Adoption Proceedings
Chronicle of Social Change – July 16, 2015
Assembly Bill 1049, signed into law by California Governor Jerry Brown (D) on Tuesday, clarifies a judge?s ability to consider an offer or refusal to sign a voluntary declaration of paternity as a factor in establishing or terminating parental rights, according to a press release from California Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R), who introduced the bill.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/news/california-law-limits-paternitys-influence-on-adoption-proceedings/10785

CA: Gov. Brown Signs Lara’s Bill to Add Civil Court Protections for Minors in Sexual Abuse Cases
Long Beach Post – July 16, 2015
Authored by Lara, SB 14 effectively aligns civil court code with penal code, ensuring that a child victim’s sexual history will not be used against him or her in determining underage consent and making it more difficult to imply consent between a minor and an adult.
http://lbpost.com/news/2000006610-gov-brown-signs-lara-s-bill-regarding-the-age-of-consent-for-minors

CO: Denver child welfare department now under heavy scrutiny
Denver Post – July 17, 2015
After the recent deaths of two children–and five reviews launched by Colorado’s child watchdog in the last two years–Denver’s child protection system will undergo heavy scrutiny during the next few months.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_28496703/denver-child-welfare-department-now-under-heavy-scrutiny

GA: Town hall meeting to discuss impacts of child welfare reform
WTOC – July 17, 2015
The director of Georgia’s Family and Children Services, Bobby Cagle, and Chairwoman of Gov. Deal’s Child Welfare Reform Council, Stephanie Bank, are coming to Savannah to discuss the impact of child welfare reform in Georgia. The tour, called the “Blueprint for Change” Roadshow, will stop in Chatham and Glynn counties, July 27-30.
http://www.wtoc.com/story/29565828/town-hall-meeting-to-discuss-impacts-of-child-welfare-reform-in-georgia

IN: Finding Mom: Adoptees take to Facebook to find their birth mothers (Includes video)
WTHR – July 16, 2015
It’s probably something most of us take for granted –knowing our mother. But it’s estimated that more than 300,000 Hoosiers not only don’t know their own birth mother, they have almost no way of finding out. Many are turning to social media as a way of finding mom.
http://www.wthr.com/story/29566983/tonight-at-11pm-on-wthr-in-search-of-birth-families

KS: Douglas County judge’s letter on rumored foster care changes raises concern
Lawrence Journal-World – July 16, 2015
Douglas County Judge Peggy Kittel raised concern this week about unconfirmed reports that Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration is considering policy changes that would prohibit unmarried couples from becoming foster parents.
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2015/jul/16/judges-letter-foster-care-changes-raises-concern/

ME: More families opening homes to foster children
WMTU – July 16, 2015
The Department of Health and Human Services said hundreds of people are taking steps to become foster parents after putting out a plea from the department’s commissioner. Nationwide, up to 35 percent of kids in state care are placed in group or institutional settings. Maine has reduced that rate to five percent.
http://www.wmtw.com/news/more-maine-families-opening-homes-to-foster-children/34202166?absolute=true

MI: Prosecutor weighs Omarion Humphrey case; parents hope to reunite with kids
MLive – July 17, 2015
The state is investigating the Burton agency to ensure it followed licensing regulations. The investigations could take up to two months, according to Bob Wheaton, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2015/07/parents_of_omarion_humphrey_wa.html

PA: Rep. Phillips-Hill to host seminar on child abuse law
York Dispatch – July 17, 2015
During the seminar, a representative from the state Department of Human Services will go over those changes and others. The representative will have handouts so attendees can take the information back to volunteer groups.
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/breaking/ci_28497960/rep-phillips-hill-host-seminar-child-abuse-law#

PA: Bucks County lawmaker introduces bill that would exempt emergency responders from background clearance fees
Bucks Local News – July 16, 2015
Flanked by first responders from the Newportville and William Penn fire companies, State Rep. Tina Davis (D-Bristol Township) on Thursday introduced legislation that would exempt first responders from state and federal background clearance fees totaling more than $47.
http://buckslocalnews.com/articles/2015/07/16/bristol_pilot/news/doc555e39c03ff32890727669.txt

WA: Nurse-Family Partnership is changing lives
KEPR-TV – July 16, 2015
Thursday evening a group of at-risk mothers are graduating from a program in Franklin County that helps them through pregnancy and the first two years of their child’s life. The Nurse-Family Partnership is new to our region, and is changing lives, one mother and child at a time.
http://www.keprtv.com/Nurse-Family-Partnership-is-changing-lives-316052301.html

US: Aging out: Life after foster care
Dallas Examiner – July 17, 2015
For many youth across the nation, the transition into adulthood comes with questions. Questions such as: Where will they go to college or where they will get their first “real” job? Yet, for the youth raised through the foster care system the questions may be grimmer.
http://thewestsidegazette.com/aging-out-life-after-foster-care/

US: Mandated Reporters Need Training — Even If It’s Not Mandated (Opinion)
Youth Today – July 17, 2015
While each state’s law is clear that certain professions (and in some states volunteers who work with children and youth) must report abuse, it is unclear about how professionals are supposed to receive mandated reporter training. Much of the mandated reporter training is left up to organizations to implement, and it is only encouraged, not required. Information Gateway Resource: Mandated Reporting: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/responding/reporting/mandated/
http://youthtoday.org/2015/07/mandated-reporters-need-training-even-if-its-not-mandated/

US: TLC cancels Duggars’s ’19 Kids and Counting,’ plans documentary on child abuse
Los Angeles Times – July 16, 2015
The series has been off the air since May, when it was reported that the couple’s eldest son, Josh, inappropriately touched five underage girls–four of them his sisters, the other a baby sitter–when he was a minor. Josh Duggar, now 27, was never arrested or charged. Also: Why TLC is dumping the Duggar’s ’19 Kids and Counting?’: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2015/0716/Why-TLC-is-dumping-the-Duggar-s-19-Kids-and-Counting-video
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-tlc-cancels-19-kids-and-counting-20150716-story.html

US: U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) Applauds Passage of Bill to Waive Visa Renewal Fees for Adoptions from Democratic Republic of the Congo (Press release)
senate.gov – July 16, 2015
This bill, authored by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and cosponsored by Portman, would allow the State Department to waive visa renewal fees for families adopting children from abroad in circumstances when children are unable to immigrate to the United States in a timely manner. The Adoptive Family Relief Act would immediately assist American families that have adopted children from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has refused to issue exit permits to legally-adopted children since September 2013.
http://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7ed80edb-1d5b-49cb-9675-3637b456b8f4

AR: Child welfare report: Improvement needed in home care, caseworker loads
Arkansas Times – July 16, 2015
Gov. Asa Hutchinson will meet reporters at 10:30 a.m. today to talk about consultant Paul Vincent’s report on his review of a review of the Division of Children and Family Services. Report: http://ee-governor-2015.ark.org/images/uploads/Arkansas_Report_7.6.pdf
http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/07/16/report-today-on-state-child-welfare-efforts

AZ: State and Tribal Leaders Hold First Senate Committee Meeting On Indian Country Issues
KJZZ – July 15, 2015
Among the discussion was the academic achievement gap facing the state’s Native students and the recent lawsuit filed by the Goldwater Institute against the Indian Child Welfare Act.
http://kjzz.org/content/166592/state-and-tribal-leaders-hold-first-senate-committee-meeting-indian-country-issues

AZ: Want to fix child services? There are better ways (Opinion)
azcentral.com – July 15, 2015
Here are four readily available solutions to the state’s chronic child-welfare crisis – if leaders will simply act on them.
http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2015/07/15/arizona-department-child-safety-paine/30208557/

CA: Good Neighbors: Foster youths looking for someone to care
Contra Costa Times – July 15, 2015
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers are ordinary people doing extraordinary work for abused, neglected and abandoned children and youth in foster care in our community. There are more than 60 children and youths in Contra Costa County waiting for an adult friend who will guide them through adulthood in the foster care system.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/lafayette/ci_28487720/good-neighbors-foster-youths-looking-someone-care

CO: Pitkin County sees rise in child welfare referrals
Aspen Daily News – July 16, 2015
Since 2009, such referrals have more than doubled, according to a presentation brought before the Pitkin County commissioners on Tuesday.
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/167483

CO: Child-welfare problems could continue
Durango Herald – July 14, 2015
Child-welfare officials Tuesday told state lawmakers that without additional resources, problems will continue within the troubled Human Services Department.
http://m.durangoherald.com/article/20150714/NEWS01/150719804/-1/AcroPDF.PDF/Child-welfare-problems-could-continue–

KS: Judge asks agency if Kansas is going to require foster parents to be married
Topeka Capital-Journal – July 15, 2015
Rumors that the Department for Children and Families could soon require foster parents to be married has prompted a Douglas County judge to ask the agency for clarification.
http://m.cjonline.com/news/2015-07-15/judge-asks-agency-if-kansas-going-require-foster-parents-be-married#gsc.tab=0

LA: DCFS releases internal investigation about malnourished teen (Includes video)
WAFB – July 15, 2015
After allegations that the Department of Children and Family Services received reports of abuse or neglect about Rose Holland and her 15-year-old son, officials initiated an internal investigation and held a news conference Wednesday to explain the results.
http://www.wsfa.com/story/29556839/dcfs-releases-internal-investigation-about-malnourished-teen

ME: Judiciary can establish rule against shackling kids in court (Opinion)
centralmaine.com – July 16, 2015
Maine continues to have no written, publicly accessible statewide policy on the shackling of juveniles in court. But it should.
http://www.centralmaine.com/2015/07/16/judiciary-can-establish-rule-against-shackling-kids-in-court/

MI: Michigan has rules, guidelines to protect foster kids
WNEM – July 15, 2015
In the case of 9 year-old Omarion Humphrey, questions have swirled about his foster family’s supervision of him and their training in dealing with autistic children.
http://www.wnem.com/story/29558814/michigan-has-rules-guidelines-to-protect-foster-kids

MO: New recruitment program aims to find family connections for foster kids (Includes video)
KY3 – July 15, 2015
Here in Southwest Missouri there aren’t enough people like Hay who are up for the challenge. In Greene County there are 848 kids in foster care and only 208 foster homes. That’s where organizations like the Midwest Foster Care and Adoption Association (MFCAA) come in. Information Gateway Resources: Strategic Planning in Recruitment of Foster and Adoptive Parents: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/adoption/adopt-managers/strategic/recruitment/
http://www.ky3.com/news/local/new-recruitment-program-aims-to-find-forever-families-for-foster-kids/21048998_34174454#_methods=onPlusOne%2C_ready%2C_close%2C_open%2C_resizeMe%2C_renderstart%2Concircle

NC: Paid sick leave helps small businesses (Opinion)
The News & Observer – July 15, 2015
There is a bill before the North Carolina General Assembly now that would allow working North Carolinians to earn paid sick days. I think the title of the bill says a great deal about why we need it: “An act providing for healthy families and healthy workplaces by ensuring that all workers have earned paid sick days to address their own health needs and the needs of their families.”
http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/op-ed/article27342943.html

NE: Law Officers to Get New Tool for Child Abuse Cases
Associated Press – July 15, 2015
Attorney General Doug Peterson announced Wednesday that all of Nebraska’s law enforcement agencies will receive an eight-part DVD series with instructions on how to handle reported cases of child abuse. Also: Child-abuse investigation training project will go statewide: http://fremonttribune.com/news/local/child-abuse-investigation-training-project-will-go-statewide/article_d345bc17-0215-5746-9236-5368a8ae09d0.html
http://www.1011now.com/home/headlines/Nebraska-Law-Officers-to-Get-New-Tool-for-Child-Abuse-Cases-315436751.html

NJ: Parenting with Pete: Screaming at an infant or toddler can do long-term damage
nj.com – July 16, 2015
Screaming at a crying infant or toddler doesn’t work. Worse, it may also cause long-term damage to the child’s brain development. There are also long-term consequences for a young child’s brain development when a caregiver consistently ignores a child’s needs or responds to the child with screams or hits.
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2015/07/parenting_with_pete_screaming_at_an_infant_or_todd.html

NJ: After 2nd assault, N.J. lawmaker calls for mandatory police protection for child welfare workers
nj.com – July 15, 2015
Two state lawmakers concerned about the latest assault on child welfare employees accused the state of failing to protect workers who are “risking their lives to help remove children from grave situations.”
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/07/lawmakers_call_for_better_protection_of_child_welf.html

NV: Washoe County board approves $280K for preserving families
KRNV & MyNews4.com – July 15, 2015
The Board of Washoe County Commissioners on Tuesday approved $280,674, to help parents and children in Child Protective Services pay for home repairs, rental assistance, utility bills, food and other living expenses.
http://www.mynews4.com/news/local/story/Washoe-County-board-approves-280K-for-preserving/ptsvLrJ9d0GI8LyBDyM8bA.cspx

OH: Foster Care Advocates Call for Extending Resources For 3 Years (Includes audio)
WCBE 90.5 FM – July 15, 2015
About 1,000 foster care kids turn 18 every year in Ohio. That’s 1,000 young people cast out into adulthood without the proper amount of training, according to Mark Mecum, executive director of the Ohio Association of Child Caring Agencies. He says the extra three years will make a big difference and that Ohio will follow in the footsteps of other states that have already increased the age-out age to 21.
http://wcbe.org/post/foster-care-advocates-call-extending-resources-3-years

OR: Experiments in multigenerational foster care aim to increase stability and normalcy (Includes video)
The Oregonian – July 15, 2015
The two efforts aim to provide foster children the same benefits: broadening their access to adult mentors and role models and making it easier for them to achieve stability and normalcy.
http://www.oregonlive.com/kiddo/index.ssf/2015/07/multigenerational_foster_care.html

PA: Report: State lags on mandated child abuse reporting
The Intelligencer – July 16, 2015
What those summaries also show is a lag in the release of the finalized reports with details of the deaths that are required under Act 33, a 2008 law designed to provide child advocates and others with detailed accounts of the circumstances surrounding child deaths and near deaths in the state. Act 33 reports address details such as if the county child welfare organization was involved with the family, if the agency met compliance with any laws or regulations and makes recommendations to prevent future incidents.
http://www.theintell.com/news/communities/report-state-lags-on-mandated-child-abuse-reporting/article_a0e714fe-a85e-50cc-a940-b7123aca9072.html

TX: A look inside WilCo Family and Protective Services (Includes video)
KVUE – July 15, 2015
Case workers with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services often have a heavy caseload and heavy turnover, but workers in Williamson County said it’s also rewarding.
http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/williamson-county/2015/07/15/a-look-inside-wilco-family-and-protective-services/30209983/

TX: Martin House Children’s Advocacy Center expanding facility, services to meet growing child abuse caseload (Includes video)
KYTX – July 15, 2015
The Martin House Children’s Advocacy Center provides a collaborative multidisciplinary response to the investigation, prosecution, and treatment of child abuse. Last year, more than 500 East Texas children who were suspected victims of sexual or physical abuse or witnesses to violence received services at their Center in Longview.
http://www.cbs19.tv/story/29558332/martin-house-childrens-advocacy-center-expanding-facility-services-to-meet-growing-child-abuse-caseload

VA: Foster Children Returned to Convicted Child Molester’s Home (Includes video)
WSET – July 15, 2015
The Smelsers say they could’ve done more to keep the child from returning to the Smith home. But Downey argues state and federal laws mandate that judges in these cases make very difficult decisions, in a limited time frame and that the goal is almost always to send the child back to the parental home.
http://www.wset.com/story/29558003/adopted-children-returned-to-smith-home

US: Facebook Post Offering 4-Year-Old for Adoption Prompts Investigation
Parenting.com (Blog) – July 15, 2015
Woman offers a 4-year-old child for adoption in a Facebook moms group, and the moms call the cops.
http://www.parenting.com/news-break/facebook-post-offering-4-year-old-adoption-prompts-investigation

US: Report: U.S. children still at risk in Katrina-like disasters
The Times-Picayune – July 14, 2015
De Marrais said one key to addressing these problems is ensuring that disaster preparedness discussions always include the voices of people who work with and serve children. “What we’re seeing in practice is if you don’t have a lead at the table, the decision making table, children’s needs are not going to be prioritized,” she said. Report: http://www.savethechildren.org/atf/cf/%7B9def2ebe-10ae-432c-9bd0-df91d2eba74a%7D/DISASTERREPORT_2015.PDF
http://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf/2015/07/report_us_children_still_at_ri.html

INTERNATIONAL

Australia: Child welfare workers overwhelmed by non-critical cases
Herald Sun – July 16, 2015
The overwhelmed child protection unit is being clogged by thousands of non-critical cases of domestic violence, diverting staff from Victoria’s most at-risk children.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/child-welfare-workers-overwhelmed-by-non-critical-cases/story-fni0fit3-1227443945071

Canada: BC Judge Finds Ministry of Child Protection Failed to Investigate Sexual Abuse
Kelowna Now – July 15, 2015
A B.C. Supreme Court Judge has handed down a startling ruling that says the Ministry of Child Protection abused its power in a case where a father sexually abused his infant children.
http://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Provincial/15/07/15/BC_Judge_Finds_Ministry_of_Child_Protection_Failed_to_Investigate_Sexual_Abuse

Chile: Chilean administration open to approval of adoption by homosexual couples
Angelus – July 16, 2015
Shortly after the legalization of same-sex civil unions in Chile, the nation’s secretary of justice said in an interview last week that the government “is not going to oppose” a bill legalizing the adoption of children by homosexual couples.
http://www.angelusnews.com/news/world/chilean-administration-open-to-approval-of-adoption-by-homosexual-couples-8432/

India: Bombay HC gives land mark ruling in adoption
Indian Express – July 16, 2015
The court, in a first, will also set detailed guidelines so that there is no ambiguity in cases of adoption where a married couple of which one is an Indian and the other is a foreign national.
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/bombay-hc-gives-land-mark-ruling-in-adoption/

Pakistan: Can CRM help reduce child abuse?
Daily Times – July 16, 2015
The Pakistan Child Right Movement (CRM) has welcomed progress on the pending legislation related to child rights at the federal level including the National Commission on the Rights of the Children (NCRC) Bill.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/islamabad/16-Jul-2015/can-crm-help-reduce-child-abuse

South Africa: Campaign’s aim to help women
News24 – July 15, 2015
The National Adoption Coalition of South Africa (NACSA) has launched Choose to Care, an initiative focusing on crisis pregnancy in a bid to raise awareness of the various alternatives for women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Local/Express-News/Campaigns-aim-to-help-women-20150713

United Kingdom: Rise in the number of children placed for adoption
ITV News – July 16, 2015
The first annual report by the National Adoption Service of Wales has revealed an increase in the number of children being placed for adoption and that they are being placed more quickly. Report: http://www.adoptcymru.com/en/news-and-events/annualreport
http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2015-07-16/rise-in-the-number-of-children-placed-for-adoption/

United Kingdom: Abuse commissioner: ‘Institutions must never again be allowed to silence a child’
The Guardian – July 14, 2015
Institutions including religious organisations, schools and sporting groups must never again be allowed to silence children or fail to protect them, according to the chair of the royal commission into child sexual abuse.
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/15/abuse-commissioner-institutions-must-never-again-be-allowed-to-silence-a-child

AL: Group homes not best option for kids
Montgomery Advertiser – July 13, 2015
Making more progress makes sense fiscally, as well as for children’s well-being, according to the report. Keeping a child in a group setting costs seven to 10 times that of family or foster home placement.
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/opinion/editorials/2015/07/13/group-homes-best-option-kids-taxpayers/30096809/

AR: Allegations in daycare abuse case expand to DHS employees (Includes video)
Arkansas Times – July 14, 2015
More parents have come forward with allegations of physical punishment — which is prohibited by state law at daycare centers — and the attorney has also said that two Department of Human Services employees who work at the center, perhaps as volunteer, were aware of or participated in the physical abuse. DHS workers are expected to report physical abuse of children.
http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/07/14/allegations-in-daycare-abuse-case-expand-to-dhs-employees

CA: Contra Costa Times editorial: Foster kids bills shouldn’t give doctors a pass
Contra Costa Times – July 13, 2015
The legislation may not be enough. But it’s a good start, even though it steers clear of imposing requirements directly on doctors who prescribe the drugs to foster kids. The bills are worthy and they should become law.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/editorial/ci_28478415/contra-costa-times-editorial-foster-kids-bills-shouldnt

CA: New Money for Community Colleges to Serve Foster Youth
Chronicle of Social Change – July 09, 2015
This year, California’s budget has carved out $15 million for the state’s most vulnerable community college students. Foster youth are the least likely of peers from similar socioeconomic status to finish high school, enroll in community colleges or remain in community colleges after their first year, according to a report generated by the Stuart Foundation, a San Francisco-based charitable foundation. Report: http://www.stuartfoundation.org/docs/default-document-library/at-greater-risk-california-foster-youth-and-the-path-from-high-school-to-college.pdf?sfvrsn=6
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/news/new-money-for-community-colleges-to-serve-foster-youth/10683

CO: Department of Human Services fixing issues on child protection (Opinion)
The Denver Post – July 14, 2015
Bicha said that even though the office is doing everything auditors and legislators have requested, there still more work to do — including for the legislative budget-writers, law enforcement and local communities.
http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2015/07/14/department-of-human-services-fixing-issues-on-child-protection/122097/

CO: Moffat County hires new social services director
Craig Daily Press – July 14, 2015
Dollie Rose replaces Kerri Klein who resigned from the position after a series of executive sessions with Moffat County Commissioners. Child Welfare Supervisor Matt Harris also left. It’s unknown why Klein and Harris are no longer with the department, as their departures were categorized as personnel matters.
http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2015/jul/14/moffat-county-hires-new-social-services-director/

FL: New rules bring focus to LGBT youth in foster care
News Service of Florida – July 13, 2015
As the state Department of Children and Families considers a new rule governing group homes for foster kids, advocates are pushing to include provisions requiring better treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youths who live in such facilities.
http://jacksonville.com/news/2015-07-13/story/new-rules-bring-focus-lgbt-youth-foster-care-florida

IL: Kane County opens special exam room to help child abuse victims
Chicago Daily Herald – July 15, 2015
The agreement with the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford will send a medical team to the CAC Annex in Geneva once a month to examine victims of abuse.
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150715/news/150719424/

IL: DCFS tells providers to prepare for 10 percent cuts as budget impasse continues
WBEZ – July 14, 2015
The threat of reduced services comes as a federal judge mandated the state continue the same level of care for vulnerable children during the ongoing impasse as it did at the end of the previous fiscal year, which ended June 30. The agency has given no indication of when the 10 percent reduction in contracts would be implemented, leaving child welfare service providers little direction for how to plan their own budgets.
http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/news/dcfs-tells-providers-prepare-10-percent-cuts-budget-impasse-continues-112389

IN: Lawsuit seeks the hiring of more child welfare workers (Includes video)
WNDU – July 14, 2015
State law mandates that a case manager supervise a maximum of 17 children at any one time. Mary Price, the Marion County case manager who filed the suit, along with the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, now supervises 43. Information Gateway Resource: National Caseload/Workload Studies and Reports: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/management/workforce/retention/workforce-retention/workload/studies-reports/ Also: Manager suing state child welfare agency over caseload http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/307859ae58e14124a0172a14035f9760/IN–DCS-Lawsuit
http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/Lawsuit-Indiana-Department-of-Child-Services-violates-caseload-law-314952441.html

LA: State representative calls for independent investigation of DCFS (Includes video)
WAFB – July 14, 2015
Although DCFS says it will change its policies, Williams believes an independent investigator will find out if DCFS is doing its job. He is also asking the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate to come up with a committee that would review the performance of DCFS.
http://www.live5news.com/story/29548787/state-representative-calls-for-independent-investigation-of-dcfs

MN: Cass HHVS challenged by new state child protection mandates
Pilot Independent – July 14, 2015
Competition to hire social workers will be stiff, because the new regulations affect all counties statewide. Wells said DHS anticipates more than 200 social workers will be needed. “I don’t know where the pool of workers will come from,” he declared. “And I don’t see how, with existing staff, we can meet state expectations.”
http://www.walkermn.com/news/cass-hhvs-challenged-by-new-state-child-protection-mandates/article_8857789a-2a24-11e5-9421-f7cd7463f038.html

MS: UPDATE: Hancock County starts juvenile drug court and parent representation program
Sea Coast Echo – July 14, 2015
Hancock County has a new juvenile drug court and a new program to provide legal representation for indigent parents accused of abuse and neglect of children. The new programs are intended to help address the large number of Hancock County children who have been taken into the custody of the Department of Human Services.
http://www.seacoastecho.com/article_8956.shtml#.VaZdMvmE03g

NJ: 2 child protection caseworkers attacked on job
Associated Press – July 15, 2015
Officials say two New Jersey child protection caseworkers were attacked and injured while removing a child from a suspected abusive home.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jul/15/2-new-jersey-child-protection-caseworkers-attacked/

OH: Only On 11: Same-sex couple fights for equal adoption rights (Includes video)
Toledo News Now – July 13, 2015
The Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage a few weeks ago was considered a victory by the LGBT community. It did not, however, change the adoption laws for same-sex couples in Ohio. One Toledo couple talked exclusively with WTOL about their fight for equal adoption rights.
http://www.toledonewsnow.com/story/29537850/only-on-11-same-sex-couple-fights-for-equal-adoption-rights-in-ohio

TX: Legislature Creates Ombudsman to Serve Foster Youth
Chronicle of Social Change – July 02, 2015
The ombudsman will work for the Health and Human Services Commission and oversee and review complaints submitted by any of Texas’ 30,000 foster youth.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/news/texas-passes-legislation-creating-ombudsman-to-serve-foster-youth/10644

UT: More same-sex married couples applying to become foster parents, state officials say (Includes video)
Fox 13 Salt Lake City – July 13, 2015
After the Supreme Court declined to hear Utah’s appeal to overturn the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, the Department of Child and Family services immediately changed its policy to allow same-sex couples to foster children.
http://fox13now.com/2015/07/13/more-same-sex-married-couples-applying-to-become-foster-parents-state-officials-say/

WI: Taking an ‘alternative response’ to child welfare
Post-Crescent Media – July 14, 2015
Under the new model, social workers engage the parent in the investigation, instead of the traditional model of a social worker first speaking to the child without mom or dad present, like by pulling the child out of school. In those cases, though sometimes necessary for their safety, it can be tougher on the children.
http://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/local/2015/07/14/taking-alternative-response-child-welfare/30161451/

US: 12 years in, sex abuse charter faces ongoing challenges
Catholic San Francisco – July 14, 2015
“We have made significant strides in the church to deal with questions of sexual abuse, and many aspects of the charter are now instituted in dioceses and parishes,” said Cesareo, who is president of Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts. “But we have to make sure that we pay attention to the details in the charter and be diligent.”
http://www.catholic-sf.org/ns.php?newsid=1&id=63686

US: Parenting In the Black Community: Why Raising Children Is Different for Us (Opinion)
Atlanta Black Star – July 14, 2015
It’s also no surprise that the way a child is raised shapes the way he/she sees the world. Discipline and child-rearing (or lack thereof) also determines how the world sees a child.
http://atlantablackstar.com/2015/07/14/psychology-parenting-exploring-new-ideas-black-motherhood-fatherhood/

US: These Congress Members Want to Stop Conversion Therapy at ‘Boot Camps’
The Advocate – July 14, 2015
Reps. Adam Schiff and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen are demanding an end to the abusive, discredited practices seen at poorly regulated ‘treatment centers’ for so-called troubled teens. A bipartisan pair of Congress members introduced a bill today that would prohibit counselors at so-called boot camps from engaging in efforts to try to change a camper’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
http://www.advocate.com/youth/2015/07/14/these-congress-members-want-stop-conversion-therapy-boot-camps

INTERNATIONAL

Bulgaria: Up to 2,000 abandoned children enter social homes annually: expert
Focus – July 15, 2015
“1,500 to 2,000 abandoned newborns and children enter the social homes in Bulgaria every year,” Ivanka Shalapatova, executive director of the For Our Children Foundation, said speaking for Radio FOCUS.
http://www.focus-fen.net/news/2015/07/15/378075/up-to-2000-abandoned-children-enter-bulgarias-social-homes-annually-expert.html

China: Paid Sex with Underage Girls to Be Categorized as Rape?
Yibada (English Ed.) – July 15, 2015
Speaking during the panel discussion of the 15th session of the 12th NPC Standing Committee on June 26, Shen made the proposal in light of the plans of the committee to amend the Criminal Law. Shen Yueyue, president of All-China Women’s Federation (ACWF) and vice-chairperson of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, wants the present law pertaining to paid sex with female minors be made as a criminal offense categorized as rape.
http://en.yibada.com/articles/45485/20150715/paid-sex-with-underage-girls-to-be-categorized-as-rape.htm

Kenya: Lawyers Fight Adoption Ban
AllAfrica.com – July 14, 2015
“The best interests of children are paramount. Any law that attempts to limit their rights is null and void. Children’s rights are not a gift from the State. They cannot be suspended on the whims of any State organ,” said Mr Gitonga.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201507150460.html

Mexico: Judge wants to allow same-sex couples to adopt children nationwide
Tucson Sentinel – July 14, 2015
This would make adoption laws already approved in the Mexican capital, a heartland of socially liberal reforms, effective throughout the country, including in much more conservative states.
http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/nationworld/report/071415_mexico_adoption/mexican-judge-wants-allow-same-sex-couples-adopt-children/

United Kingdom: Child abuse scandal shows why sexual consent education should be compulsory, says Green MP
The Independent – July 15, 2015
The MP says recent high-profile sexual abuse scandals have shown the need for children to be better informed about the issues surrounding consent and sex in general.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/child-abuse-scandal-shows-why-sexual-consent-education-should-be-compulsory-says-green-mp-10389612.html

United Kingdom: CQC say ‘unacceptable’ lack of progress over child abuse in Rotherham
Care Appointments – July 14, 2015
The review, by the CQC’s dedicated child safeguarding team, assessed acute and community healthcare services and concluded that there is still a lack of understanding about roles and responsibilities in safeguarding, in particular in Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), and that this is surprising following the publication of Alexis Jay’s inquiry last August.
http://www.careappointments.co.uk/care-news/england/item/37671-cqc-say-unacceptable-lack-of-progress-over-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham

AR: Analysis: Marriage ruling opens fight within Arkansas GOP (Includes video)
Associated Press – July 11, 2015
A social conservative who once called for banning gay couples from becoming foster parents, Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson was an unlikely foil for members of his own party outraged at the U.S. Supreme Court decision to strike down same-sex marriage bans nationwide.
http://m.ctpost.com/news/article/Analysis-Marriage-ruling-opens-fight-within-6379272.php

FL: Who’s watching your children? Criminals working in child care (Includes video)
ABC Action News – July 13, 2015
Basically, it’s a waiver for those who fail a criminal background check and still want to become day care workers or foster parents.
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/i-team-investigates/whos-watching-your-children-criminals-working-in-child-care

FL: Pennypacker protects children by keeping them out of the system
Gainesville Sun – July 12, 2015
When he was an attorney and administrator with the Florida Department of Children and Families in Tallahassee, Stephen Pennypacker helped write the new rules used by investigators that include gathering more information from families to assess their children’s safety. Since returning to Gainesville as president and CEO of the Partnership for Strong Families in April 2014, he is now implementing those changes on the ground level.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20150712/articles/150719980

GA: More than 300 kids in state need forever families
WFXG – July 12, 2015
The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services is looking for adoptive families for over 300 children in its care. A large number of those kids are right here in Augusta.
http://www.wtoc.com/story/29529483/more-than-300-kids-in-georgia-need-forever-families

KS: In their children, fathers find redemption
North Andover Eagle-Tribune – July 12, 2015
As gender roles shift nationwide, state custody laws are rewritten and more fathers seek a role in their lives of their children, Fatherhood Programs in Lawrence and around the state are working with men who may have the most to learn about how to reconnect with their children. The programs are run by county Probation Departments and are targeted at men on parole or probation, but a criminal record is not required to get in. The program began in Wareham in 1994 and was brought to Lawrence three years later by Essex County Probation Officer Frank Audy.
http://www.eagletribune.com/news/in-their-children-fathers-find-redemption/article_e9bce78f-bf59-533d-961b-84aa7627086c.html

MA: Clive McFarlane: State spending putting higher priority on children (Opinion)
Worcester Telegram & Gazette – July 13, 2015
Many residents might not be able to fully understand the construction of a new state budget, but they generally can feel its impact almost immediately. This is particularly true of those who depend greatly on the safety net provided through public funding, which is why advocates for children were cheering the Legislature’s fiscal 2016 budget last week.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20150713/NEWS/150719730/101118/sports08

MI: Spotlight on foster agency linked to missing boy found dead in lake
MLive.com – July 13, 2015
The state is investigating the Burton agency that oversaw the foster home where Omarion Humphrey was placed, trying to determine if the 9-year-old autistic boy was properly cared for and supervised before his disappearance at Lake Callis Recreation Complex in Davison Township.
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2015/07/state_investigating_burton_age.html

NY: Up Close: Foster care lawsuit (Video)
WABC – July 12, 2015
Bill Ritter talks with Marcia Lowry, a long-time child rights lawyer who filed a lawsuit to force reform in the city’s foster care system.
http://7online.com/family/up-close-foster-care-lawsuit/845342/

OH: 3,000 reasons to support youth who age out of foster care: Mark Mecum, Ohio Fostering Connections (Opinion)
Cleveland.com – July 12, 2015
At this moment, there are 3,000 young Ohioans between the ages of 18-21 who are struggling to survive after aging out of foster care, with limited means and support. Three thousand young people who face obstacles to success, including unemployment and insufficient education. Three thousand young people more likely to experience homelessness, incarceration, or dependence on public assistance.
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2015/07/3000_reasons_to_support_youth.html

OH: Babies born into addiction up 750 percent
Marion Star – July 12, 2015
Since 2004, the state has seen a 750 percent increase in the number of babies diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome; essentially withdrawal from the drugs their mother used. On average, there were five drug-dependent babies admitted to Ohio hospitals each day of 2013 with 87 percent of them on Medicaid, according to a recent report from the Ohio Department of Health. Preliminary Report: http://www.healthy.ohio.gov/~/media/HealthyOhio/ASSETS/Files/injury%20prevention/NAS%20Summary%20Report%200317b.pdf nformation Gateway Resource: Responding to Substance-Exposed Newborns: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/substance/casework/res-sens/
http://www.marionstar.com/story/news/local/2015/07/11/ohio-babies-born-addiction-percent/30017755/

PA: Report: Fatalities and near fatalities from child abuse in Luzerne County 9th highest in state
Wilkes Barre Times-Leader – July 13, 2015
Luzerne County ranks among the top nine statewide in the number of recorded fatalities or near-fatalities resulting from child abuse or neglect, according to a recent report that reviewed data from Jan. 1, 2010 through Sept. 30, 2014.
http://timesleader.com/news/local/373293/report-fatalities-and-near-fatalities-from-child-abuse-in-luzerne-county-9th-highest-in-state

TN: Editorial: DCS registry creates ‘scarlet letter’
Commercial Appeal – July 12, 2015
This may sound strange coming from an institution that consistently fights for the public’s right to know, transparency in government and access to public records. However, we are uncomfortable with the decision by the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services to share the names of people who it believes have committed child abuse or neglect — but not necessarily prosecuted — with another online, publicly accessible registry of abusers of adults maintained by the state Department of Health.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/opinion/editorials/putting-people-who-havent-been-charged-with-a-crime-on-public-childabuser-list-doesnt-seem-right_94849141

TX: State legislator continues push for bill to protect faith-based child welfare agencies
McKinney Courier-Gazette – July 11, 2015
House Bill 3864 — what Sanford calls the “Hope for Orphans and Minors Expansion (HOME) Act” — would protect faith-based foster care and adoption agencies’ “rights of conscience,” it “adverse action” from the state — such as loss of funding — for denying services because of religious beliefs. The bill would also protect the right of child welfare service providers to deny access to birth control and abortions.
http://starlocalmedia.com/mckinneycouriergazette/news/texas-legislator-continues-push-for-bill-to-protect-faith-based/article_f8505daa-27fa-11e5-8a15-abb72f817dd8.html

US: Half of hospitals don’t follow child abuse screening guidelines
Fierce Healthcare – July 13, 2015
Nearly half of children with abuse-related injuries are not properly screened for hidden fractures, in spite of that procedure’s accuracy in determining cases of abuse, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics. The study also found that race and socioeconomic status play a role in these discrepancies. Also: Hospitals may often miss signs of child abuse: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-07-hospitals-child-abuse.html
http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/half-us-hospitals-dont-follow-child-abuse-screening-guidelines/2015-07-13

US: Reducing Psychotropic Prescriptions Requires Systemic Reform (Opinion)
Chronicle of Social Change – July 13, 2015
Proposals before Congress and various state legislatures attempt to address the excessive use of psychotropic drugs for foster children. But it is important to recognize that over-reliance on psychotropic medications is a symptom of larger problems.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/opinion/reducing-psychotropic-prescriptions-requires-systemic-reform/10660

US: NARF Reacts to Goldwater Institute’s Lawsuit that Seeks to Dismantle Indian Child Welfare Act
Native News Online – July 11, 2015
In 1978, Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in an effort to address the soaring rates at which state courts and child welfare agencies were removing Native children from their families, and placing those children in non-Native foster or adoptive homes or residential institutions. Congress found that many of these removals and placements were due to state officials’ inability or unwillingness to understand tribal cultures and societies. The impact of the removals and placements was extremely detrimental to the children, their families, and their communities. Broken families, loss of culture, and forced assimilation led to identity problems, incarceration, addictions, and suicide.
http://nativenewsonline.net/currents/narf-reacts-to-goldwater-institutes-lawsuit-that-seeks-to-dismantle-indian-child-welfare-act/

US: The Sex-Offender Test
The Atlantic – July 09, 2015
At 76, Gene G. Abel has devoted the majority of his psychiatric career to the minds of those whom many consider the least redeemable. He has interviewed thousands of child molesters and run federally funded research projects on how to identify them. He has taught at Columbia and Emory Universities, authored two books and more than 100 articles in scientific journals on child molestation, and testified before the United States Sentencing Commission on the subject of child pornography. But he is best known for the Abel Assessment for Sexual Interest, a test he has refined over the last two decades. When people are accused of sexually abusing children, this computerized test can help to decide their fates — in decisions about probation and parole, in custody battles, and even in criminal trials.
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/07/the-sex-offender-test/397850/

INTERNATIONAL

South Africa: ‘Substance abuse linked to child abandonment’
Eyewitness News – July 13, 2015
The organisation’s Niresh Ramklass said, “We definitely link child abandonment to substance abuse where mothers are using drugs. We have young mothers who abandon unwanted babies; that was the case a few years ago when the numbers went up to 500.”
http://ewn.co.za/2015/07/13/Number-of-child-abandonment-cases-decreases-in-CT
Child Welfare in the News

AK: Prosecutors explain sentence for teacher who admitted sex abuse (VIDEO)
NBC – 2 KTUU – July 11, 2015
Prosecutor addresses minimal sentence for 30 year old sexual assault.
http://www.ktuu.com/news/news/prosecutors-explain-sentence-for-teacher-who-admitted-sex-abuse/34116782

AZ: State develops 3 ideas to get kids out of foster care
Arizona Daily Star – July 11, 2015
“All of these strategies include really important skills and are very valuable, but I don’t think any of them specifically target reductions in group care,’ Tracey Feild, director of child welfare strategy with the Annie E. Casey Foundation said.
http://tucson.com/news/arizona-develops-ideas-to-get-kids-out-of-foster-care/article_601e3f2e-dad7-54b3-a13c-875f965c1762.html

CA: State foster children would be better protected from overprescribing physicians, under proposed new laws now in the Assembly
San Jose Mercury News – July 11, 2015
Proposed laws aimed at cracking down on the overuse of psychiatric medication in foster care require more from judges, lawyers, nurses, social workers, caregivers and state investigators to better protect children from potentially dangerous drugs.
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/health/20150711/california-foster-children-would-be-better-protected-from-overprescribing-physicians-under-proposed-new-laws-now-in-the-assembly

CO: State child welfare watchdog looking into death of 23-month-old Javion Johnson (Includes video)
7 News Denver – July 10, 2015
Colorado’s child welfare watchdog office confirms it has opened an investigation into the case of a 23-month-old boy who was killed earlier this week. The mother of 23-year-old Javion Johnson and her boyfriend have been arrested on investigation of first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death in the case.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/call7-investigators/denver-dhs/state-child-welfare-watchdog-looking-into-death-of-23-month-old-javion-johnson

FL: Cotterell: Marriage ruling will echo in Florida (Opinion)
Florida Today – July 13, 2015
Even before the justices decided, in a 5-4 decision, that states could not refuse legal recognition of gay couples, there was a heated debate in the state House last session. Voting on party lines, the chamber passed a “conscience protection act” allowing private adoption agencies to refuse to place children with couples whose living arrangements violate the agencies’ moral beliefs (read: gay couples), but the Senate didn’t take up the measure.
http://www.floridatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/07/13/cotterell-marriage-ruling-will-echo-florida/29908807/

FL: Human trafficking is here, foster care org says
Gainesville Sun – July 10, 2015
An interview with Stephen Pennypacker, president and CEO of the Partnership for Strong Families, touched on a lot more than I had room for in the business profile coming out Sunday. Pennypacker said the most scary issue the organization deals with is human trafficking, “and it’s here, not just Miami, Tampa, Orlando. It’s Gainesville, Lake City and Live Oak where we’ve got young girls who are preyed upon by men who have identified them as being vulnerable — 12-, 13-, 14-year old girls.”
http://business.blogs.gainesville.com/10224/human-trafficking-is-here-foster-care-org-says/

FL: More funds for Children’s Network of Southwest Florida
News-Press – July 10, 2015
The Legislature’s new formula to fund child welfare agencies across the state has led to an increase for the Children’s Network of Southwest Florida. The influx may lead to more services for people like Capote and her son.
http://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2015/07/09/funds-increase-swfl-childrens-network/29942641/

IL: Judge says state workers to get minimum pay
Southwest News-Herald – July 11, 2015
State Rep. Michael J. Zalewski (D-23rd), said he voted for an essential services budget that would continue state services for Illinois? most vulnerable residents amid the governor?s shutdown. These services include the salaries of probation officers, costs related to GPS tracking of sex offenders and protective services for children from child endangerment and neglect cases. While the showdown for solving the budget impasse and pension crisis has stalled, the courts ruled Tuesday that deemed critical services should continue even if a budget has not been approved. Cook County Circuit Court Judge Diane Larsen ruled Tuesday that state workers are entitled to receive only the federal minimum wage.
http://swnewsherald.com/judge-says-state-workers-to-get-minimum-pay-p5795-1.htm

IL: IDCFS selected for initiative for adoptive, guardianship families
12 KFVS – July 10, 2015
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has been selected as one of eight sites to participate in a five-year initiative to improve services for adoptive and guardianship families. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is joining with the National Quality Improvement Center for Adoption and Guardianship Support and Preservation (QIC-AG) in their efforts to find the most effective ways to support adoptive and guardianship families.
http://www.kfvs12.com/story/29521824/illinois-department-of-children-and-family-services-selected-for-initiative-to-improve-services-for-adoptive-and-guardianship-families

KY: Same-sex marriage ruling also has big impact for Kentucky couples with adopted children
Lexington Herald-Leader – July 11, 2015
The Davies hope to become even more like most American families, thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court. Sarah Davies is the birth mother of Kate and Caroline. Her wife, Summer Davies, was at the children’s birth and has co-parented them all of their short lives, but in the eyes of the law, she is only their guardian. To get that right, she had to sue her wife in court.
http://www.kentucky.com/2015/07/11/3940871_same-sex-marriage-ruling-also.html?rh=1

KY: Children’s Home Celebrates Pride
Human Rights Campaigh – July 10, 2015
On June 27, a contingent of more than 25 employees, trustees and friends from Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky (CHNK) marched in Cincinnati’s pride parade. Members of the agency wore custom made shirts and carried a banner stating, “We love equally.” The phrase highlights CHNK’s commitment to providing quality care and services to all clients, including those who are LGBT.
http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/kentucky-based-adoption-agency-celebrates-pride

MN: Feds punish Minnesota for failing foster care standards
Minneapolis Star Tribune – July 10, 2015
More than 200 children have gone through Kate and Tyree Walton’s foster home in Brooklyn Park in the past four years, but for them one child stands out. The girl was 5 in 2012, when the Waltons took her in. Over the next three years, the Waltons watched the girl treated like a yo-yo. Child protection workers sent the girl back to her drug-addicted father, only to pull her from the home and bring her back to the Waltons.
http://www.startribune.com/feds-punish-state-for-failing-foster-care-standards/313088651/

MO: Adoption laws still subject to debate
News Tribune – July 12, 2015
Missouri lawmakers this year were asked to change state law so adults who were adopted as children could get copies of their original birth certificates.
http://www.newstribune.com/news/2015/jul/12/missouris-adoption-laws-still-subject-debate/

MO: Mom Who Lost Kids Says Baby’s Medical Condition Mistaken for Abuse
NBC News – July 11, 2015
In February, at just 2 months old, her daughter, Zeydn, suffered a broken arm and three fractured ribs. The pediatrician called state child protection authorities and all the children were placed in foster care. But Wanosik and her husband, Anthony, are hopeful that the family will be reunited after consulting with a prominent Boston endocrinologist this week. Dr. Michael F. Holick diagnosed the baby with infantile rickets, caused by a vitamin D deficiency, as well as a connective tissue disorder.
http://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/mom-who-lost-kids-says-babys-medical-condition-mistaken-abuse-n390121

MO: Great Circle, Butterfield Youth Services to merge
Rolla Daily News – July 10, 2015
The boards of directors of Great Circle and Butterfield Youth Services have approved a merger of their organizations effective Aug. 1. The announcement was made Monday at a town hall meeting in Marshall, where Butterfield Youth Services is located.
http://www.therolladailynews.com/article/20150710/NEWS/150719875/1995/NEWS?rssfeed=true

NE: Nebraska on right path — child welfare flexibility welcome
Omaha World Herald – July 11, 2015
A year ago, the Legislature gave Nebraska?s child welfare system the go-ahead to try some sensible flexibility when intervening in homes. It’s encouraging now to see the positive reaction from families. A number of families have expressed appreciation for how Nebraska child welfare workers have used an approach known as “alternative response”
http://www.kearneyhub.com/opinions/nationalview/nebraska-on-right-path-child-welfare-flexibility-welcome/article_9ce89f52-2784-11e5-836b-6b8ca2ad3644.html

NE: Two new DHHS directors (Press Release)
ABC 8 – July 10, 2015
Today, Governor Pete Ricketts announced the appointment of two division directors for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Doug Weinberg will serve as the next Director of the Division of Children and Family Services. Yolanda Webb will serve as the new Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Also: Ricketts names 2 new division directors for Nebraska DHHS: http://www.nebraska.tv/story/29522061/ricketts-names-2-new-division-directors-for-nebraska-dhhs
http://www.klkntv.com/story/29522563/two-new-dhhs-directors

NV: State, Clark County seeking child welfare leaders
Las Vegas Review Journal – July 12, 2015
In filling two of Nevada’s highest-profile child welfare positions, advocates say it will be important to keep the hiring process open and transparent to the public. The vacancies are the result of the departures of Clark County Department of Family Services Director Lisa Ruiz-Lee and Nevada Division of Child and Family Services administrator Amber Howell. Ruiz-Lee announced she was stepping down on July 1. Howell’s last day was Friday.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/state-clark-county-seeking-child-welfare-leaders

OK: Department of Human Services closes Southern Oklahoma Resource Center in Pauls Valley
News OK – July 13, 2015
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services moved the last client out of Pauls Valley’s Southern Oklahoma Resource Center and declared the facility closed Friday. The facility was opened in 1907.
http://newsok.com/oklahoma-department-of-human-services-closes-pauls-valleys-southern-oklahoma-resource-center/article/5433361?custom_click=rss

OK: Urban Experience gives Colorado Springs teachers taste of life for homeless students
NewsOK – July 11, 2015
Each school year, several homeless students are in Nicole Lobato’s second-grade classroom at Monroe Elementary School. The school, at East Pikes Peak Avenue and Chelton Road, has a highly transient population, she said. Some students stay in a shelter, cars or a relative’s home. Others have been placed in foster care due to circumstances such as parental abuse or addiction.
http://newsok.com/urban-experience-gives-colorado-springs-teachers-taste-of-life-for-homeless-students/article/feed/862052?custom_click=rss

TX: State sets guidelines for nonprofit funding
Mount Pleasant Daily Tribune – July 10, 2015
The legalities of and guidelines for county governments making donations to nonprofit charities have been topics of debate and discussion across the state for decades. The Texas Attorney General’s website posts opinions on specific cases, such as a 2001 opinion that states that “Kerr County’s donations to six organizations: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Hill Country Crisis Council; Kids’ Advocacy Place, K’Star, Big Brothers and Sisters and Families & Literacy, Inc. are legal, under the state constitution because the agencies each serve a public purpose that the county is authorized to accomplish and the county adequately controls the transfer to ensure that the public purpose is accomplish.”
http://www.dailytribune.net/news/state-sets-guidelines-for-nonprofit-funding/article_67a0e624-274d-11e5-ba4d-e32e49c9a5be.html

UT: Changing landscape: Same-sex couples among Utah’s newest foster parents
Deseret News – July 12, 2015
Before the legalization of same-sex marriage, the foster care placement wouldn’t have been an option for the couple or the children. Under Utah law, people in relationships that were not “legally valid” were prohibited from fostering, adopting or providing kinship care to children in state custody.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865632457/Changing-landscape-Same-sex-couples-among-Utahs-newest-foster-parents.html

WI: New program aimed to end homelessness in teens (Includes video)
News 8 WKBT TV – July 10, 2015
About six months ago, the La Crosse Community Foundation heard just how many homeless kids there are in the community and decided to do something about it. Since then, there have been several meetings with community organizations serving homeless youth. The ending result began Friday with what’s being called the Host Home Program.
http://www.news8000.com/news/new-program-aimed-to-end-homelessness-in-teens/34105102

US: Cancer survivors may face unique challenges when trying to adopt
Medical Press – July 13, 2015
A new study has found that cancer survivors’ options for adoption may be limited by adoption agencies’ policies. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study also indicates that a training program for oncology healthcare providers can help them provide valuable information to patients who are making decisions about fertility and adoption.
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-07-cancer-survivors-unique.html

US: Couple Who Led Marriage Equality Fight Pressing On For Adoption (Includes video)
WPMI – July 13, 2015
The Mobile couple who lead the fight on Alabama’s ban on gay marriage… Has another fight on their hands: The legal adoption of their son.
http://www.utv44.com/shared/news/features/top-stories/stories/wjtc_couple-led-marriage-equality-fight-pressing-adoption-21923.shtml#.VaOtOvmE1qM

US: HHS awards Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program grants (Press reslease)
WDAM 7 – July 12, 2015
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Adolescent Health (OAH) Director Evelyn Kappeler announced today more than $86 million in teen pregnancy prevention grants to non-profit organizations, school districts, universities, and others. The 81 new grants are expected to serve more than 291,000 youth each year in communities where teen birth rates remain high.
http://www.wdam.com/story/29530076/hhs-awards-teen-pregnancy-prevention-program-grants

US: Protecting Kids from Psychiatric Drugs
Psychology Today – July 12, 2015
Foster children in the United States have long been prescribed psychiatric medications–especially antipsychotics–at a high rate than other children. Many doctors prescribe these powerful drugs “off label” even to children under five years old. (Drugs that the FDA has not approved for young children may be prescribed “off label” at the discretion of doctors).
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/suffer-the-children/201507/protecting-kids-psychiatric-drugs

US: 4 Reasons States Cite for Chemotherapy Treatment Mandate on Children
NewsMax – July 10, 2015
Children who decline chemotherapy for religious or other personal reasons have found themselves in direct conflict with state officials, including child welfare agencies and even prosecutors attempting to mandate chemotherapy treatments for minors. Related: What Is Mature Minor Doctrine?: http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/mature-minor-doctrine/2015/07/10/id/654370/
http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/children-chemotherapy-mandate/2015/07/10/id/654391/

US: Police Aren’t the Only Public Workers Wearing Body Cameras
Governing – July 10, 2015
Elsewhere, body cams can be found on code enforcement officers — who handle things like animal control and abandoned vehicles — in Pullman, Wash., and parking enforcement staff in Newark, Del. Fire marshals in Fredericksburg, Va.; Amarillo, Texas; and other jurisdictions have also made use of body cameras in their investigations. In the U.K., several large jurisdictions have introduced cameras as a means of deterring attacks on parking officers.
http://www.governing.com/topics/public-justice-safety/gov-body-cameras-employees-expansion.html

INTERNATIONAL

Canada: 200th child adopted through Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption program Wendy’s Wonderful Kids
PR Newswire – July 10, 2015
Today, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Canada proudly announces an incredible milestone — 200 children have been adopted into forever families through the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Program. The program uses child-focused recruitment strategies and finds permanent homes for the children who have traditionally waited the longest for adoption, or are most likely to age out of care — older youth, sibling groups and children with physical or emotional challenges. This program has proven that the term “unadoptable” is unacceptable and that every child can have a loving family.
http://markets.financialcontent.com/stocks/news/read?GUID=30237967

Canada: Did Quebec Bungle Abuse Probe Into Hasidic Fringe Sect?
Forward – July 10, 2015
The Quebec Human Rights Commission report, released Thursday, notes many failures in how the province’s child protection system handled the case.
http://forward.com/news/breaking-news/311809/did-quebec-bungle-abuse-probe-into-hasidic-fringe-sect/

Dominican Republic: & Vatican City: Catholic archbishop in intensive care after falling ill on day child abuse trial due to start
Daily Mirror – July 11, 2015
Wesolowski, from Poland, was discretely recalled to the Vatican by Pope Francis in 2013 after allegations surfaced in an investigative TV programme in the Dominican Republic.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/catholic-archbishop-intensive-care-after-6048507

International: How A Tennessee Pharmaceutical Entrepreneur Got Into The Business Of Saving Orphanages Worldwide
Take Part – July 10, 2015
Serving Orphans Worldwide, the nonprofit organization, located in the mountainous town of Bristol, Tennessee, funds and supports 43 orphan care facilities in more than 20 countries on five continents, including Agape Hope.
http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/07/10/saving-orphanages-worldwide?cmpid=tp-rss

Turkey: Increase in number of abandoned babies raises concern
Today’s Zaman – July 11, 2015
The number of babies left in the streets has increased significantly throughout many provinces of Turkey, over the past month in particular.
http://www.todayszaman.com/national_increase-in-number-of-abandoned-babies-raises-concern_393331.html

AL: Alabama mom speaks out after newborn is given up for adoption, says her pleas to keep baby were ignored (Includes video)
New York Daily News – July 09, 2015
The 25-year-old woman had previously agreed to give up her baby for adoption but a little more than a week before giving birth in May she announced that she had changed her mind. Apparently no one cared.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ala-mom-newborn-adoption-pleas-article-1.2287348

AZ: Some adoptive parents upset after subsidy check is a week late (Includes video)
ABC-15 – July 09, 2015
They’re used to getting a check on the first, but some adoptive parents in our state who depend on subsidy money are getting those checks a week or more late!
http://www.abc15.com/news/state/some-adoptive-parents-upset-after-subsidy-check-is-a-week-late

CO: DHS involved before Denver child’s death
KUSA – July 09, 2015
The Denver Department of Human Services was involved with a 23-month-old toddler and his family prior to the child’s death. That Colorado Department of Human Services was notified Thursday about Denver’s prior involvement.
http://www.9news.com/story/news/local/2015/07/09/dhs-involved-before-denver-childs-death/29940047/

IA: Changing lives: Drug Endangered Children task force attempts to end trends
Le Mars Daily Sentinel – July 09, 2015
The DEC task force is a collective of interdisciplinary professionals who combine efforts to change the course and improve the lives of children being exposed to drugs.
http://www.lemarssentinel.com/story/2212015.html

MD: Editorial: Maryland Safe Haven law helps protect babies (Includes video)
WBAL – July 09, 2015
Under state law, mothers who feel they cannot care for their newborn child can leave their baby in the custody of a responsible adult at any Maryland hospital or police station–no questions asked. Information Gateway Resource: Infant Safe Haven Laws: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/laws-policies/statutes/safehaven/
http://www.wbaltv.com/tv/about/editorial-maryland-safe-haven-law-helps-protect-babies/34034096

MI: Bethany Christian Services opens new office in Allegan
Holland Sentinel – July 09, 2015
Although Bethany is mainly known for adoption, the Allegan office will also offer pregnancy support, foster care, foster home licensing, foster care adoptions and family counseling.
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/article/20150709/ENTERTAINMENTLIFE/150709123/1994/NEWS?rssfeed=true

MN: Feds punish state for failing foster care standards
Minneapolis Star Tribune – July 10, 2015
What happened to the girl, considered foster care “re-entry,” has happened to more than 8,000 Minnesota children since 2007. That’s too many for the federal Children’s Bureau. Last month, the agency told the state that it was withholding more than $755,000 in child protection funding because Minnesota’s re-entry rates are too high.
http://www.startribune.com/feds-punish-state-for-failing-foster-care-standards/313088651/

NC: New governance for DSS (correction)
Wilkes Journal-Patriot – July 08, 2015
The Wilkes County commissioners on Tuesday morning voted 4-1 to abolish the Wilkes Social Services Board and assume direct control of the Wilkes Department of Social Services.
http://www.journalpatriot.com/news/new-governance-for-dss/article_86b3dcee-259d-11e5-98c0-1b6b16fc46c9.html

NY: Audit slams lack of oversight in ACS
Queens Chronicle – July 09, 2015
The city Administration for Children’s Services– the agency seeking to place juvenile detention centers near people’s homes in both South Ozone Park and Queens Village–put several children at risk and did not always comply with contract procurement guidelines for facilities in the five boroughs, according to state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.
http://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/audit-slams-lack-of-oversight-in-acs/article_ed72e471-e776-5914-97a8-5beac02a8cd2.html

TN: New additions to child-abuse registry becoming public
Associated Press – July 09, 2015
The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services has begun making publicly available the names of people who it believes have committed child abuse or neglect, despite the fact that some of them were never prosecuted for the accusations. Also: Public DCS Child Abuse Registry Raises Concern: http://www.localmemphis.com/story/d/story/public-dcs-child-abuse-registry-raising-concern/12527/VAY-mZUwSESawuPBoNFQxw Registry: https://health.state.tn.us/AbuseRegistry/default.aspx http://www.localmemphis.com/story/d/story/public-dcs-child-abuse-registry-raising-concern/12527/VAY-mZUwSESawuPBoNFQxw
http://www.wsmv.com/story/29511272/new-additions-to-child-abuse-registry-becoming-public

TX: Presidential lessons: To help foster kids, ailing seniors and more
USA Today – July 09, 2015
The lessons learned by the 60 participants in the inaugural Presidential Leadership Scholars program, co-sponsored by four presidential libraries, are being deployed to boost projects across the country…Last month, Simpson convened a small group of foster children in their late teens one evening a week for lessons in basic life skills many had missed.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/07/09/bush-clinton-presidential-leadership-scholars-projects/29813603/

WA: Fostering a modern family
Bremerton Patriot – July 09, 2015
Something rare happened at the Kitsap County Courthouse July 7. In a tiny courtroom filled with family and friends, two women adopted two boys.
http://www.bremertonpatriot.com/news/312970781.html

US: ‘Free-Range Parenting’ proves costly (Opinion)
Ford Madison Daily Democrat – July 10, 2015
There is another motivation for today’s obsessive parenting: sensationalistic news stories and 24/7 coverage about children who have been abducted. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, about 115 children are abducted each year by strangers or acquaintances. Statistically speaking, writes child-safety expert Gavin de Becker, “a child is more likely to have a heart attack than be abducted, and child heart attacks are so rare that most parents (correctly) never even consider the risk.”
http://www.dailydem.com/opinion/article_ec07a620-ee7c-5e68-9137-d1a9de689e14.html

US: After Termination of Parental Rights, Permanence Needs To Be Streamlined (Opinion)
The Chronicle of Social Change – July 09, 2015
Yet despite our understanding of developmental psychology and the statistics about poor outcomes for children when they are allowed to remain overly long in temporary care, unacceptable delays occur. We must and can do better. Child care workers need more than a pep talk. Why not adapt some successful business strategies?
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/analysis/after-termination-of-parental-rights-permanence-needs-to-be-streamlined/10634

INTERNATIONAL

Canada: Federal Government Provides Funding to Expand Alisa’s Wish Child and Youth Advocacy Centre
Marketwired (Press Release) – July 10, 2015
Child advocacy centres (CACs) and child and youth advocacy centres (CYACs) help child and youth victims and their families to navigate the criminal justice system. They provide a safe child- and youth-friendly environment where a coordinated team of professionals works to meet the specific needs of each person. The work of a multidisciplinary team in a CYAC or a CAC can greatly reduce the emotional and mental harm to child and youth victims involved in the criminal justice system.
http://markets.financialcontent.com/stocks/news/read?GUID=30236528

Canada: Adoption series: Open adoptions tricky but rewarding
Vancouver Sun – July 09, 2015
Open adoptions can be complicated and tricky, but experts agree they are beneficial. Children grow up knowing their biological family did not abandon them and maintain ties to their cultural roots. This can also be psychologically helpful to the birth parents who, while perhaps not healthy enough to raise the children, can still be a part of their lives.
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Adoption+series+Open+adoptions+tricky+rewarding/11198914/story.html

India: Govt. to launch helpline for women in distress
The Hindu – July 09, 2015
Minister for Women and Child Welfare and Mines and Geology Peethala Sujatha said here on Wednesday that the call received on the toll free number 181 will be connected to a call centre manned by the ‘One Stop Crisis Centre’ and from there, it will be transferred to the Police Control Room helpline (100) and emergency medical ambulance service (108), depending on the nature of the complaints.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/govt-to-launch-helpline-for-women-in-distress/article7400970.ece

United Kingdom: Child sex abuse inquiry will be biggest ever established in England and Wales, says judge in charge
The Independent – July 09, 2015
The judge in charge of the public inquiry into child sex abuse vowed that “no-one, no matter how powerful” will be allowed avoid its scrutiny as it emerged that the wide-ranging investigation could take as long as a decade to complete.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/child-sex-abuse-inquiry-will-be-biggest-ever-established-in-england-and-wales-says-judge-in-charge-10378835.html

United Kingdom: Getting adopted is straightforward — as long as you’re a healthy white baby
The Telegraph – July 09, 2015
The reality is that many adopters are searching for a healthy, single child under the age of two. But, of the 3,000 children waiting to be placed, many are older (although often only by a year or two) disabled, or have serious health conditions, or need to be placed together with their siblings.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/relationships/fatherhood/11729260/Getting-adopted-is-straightforward-as-long-as-youre-a-healthy-white-baby.html

AR: Arkansas’s overloaded foster care system
Arkansas Times – July 09, 2015
Part one of Children in Crisis: An Arkansas Times Special Investigation. Relatives told Ivy that her grandmother, who lived nearby, and an aunt in Texas both tried to get custody of the sisters but were told that they didn’t have sufficient space and that “that wasn’t what was best for our lives.” Instead, Ivy began a long chain of placements in foster homes and group residential facilities: to local families in Fort Smith and nearby in Cedarville, Greenwood and West Fork, but also, when the placements didn’t work out, to homes as far as Fordyce, Monticello and Texarkana. Often the girls were placed in separate homes–a common necessity when DCFS can’t find families willing to take in siblings.
http://www.arktimes.com/arkansas/arkansass-overloaded-foster-care-system/Content?oid=3948473

AZ: War of Words: ICWA Faces Multiple Assaults From Adoption Industry:
Indian Country – July 08, 2015
Washburn marks the third major legal challenge to the 38-year-old federal law since the Bureau of Indian Affairs published new ICWA guidelines in the Federal Registry in February of this year, followed by the agency’s declared intention to seek a federal rule, which would make the statute more enforceable on state courts and social service agencies.
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com//2015/07/08/war-words-icwa-faces-multiple-assaults-adoption-industry-160993

DC: Confidentiality Should Not Apply When a Young Child Disappears
Chronicle of Social Change – July 07, 2015
Children who are remaining at home with their families are not receiving adequate services, according to the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP). CSSP monitors child welfare services for the court. Of the cases CSSP reviewed where a child was receiving in-home services, “only 25 percent were rated as acceptable on ‘Implementing Supports and Services.'” Moreover, only 30- to 51 percent of the cases reviewed each month had documentation that safety was fully assessed at two or more visits as required by the court.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/opinion/confidentiality-should-not-apply-when-a-young-child-disappears/10522

FL: Child Welfare Agencies Get Cash Infusion From Lawmakers (Includes audio)
News Service of Florida – July 08, 2015
Most of the new money will go to community-based care agencies — or CBCs, as they’re known — in Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties and in Southwest Florida, areas where the state system has seen the largest increases of children coming into foster care. Also: Local child welfare program expanding: http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/community/2015/07/08/local-child-welfare-program-expanding/29887337/
http://health.wusf.usf.edu/post/child-welfare-agencies-get-cash-infusion-lawmakers

FL: Community rallies for foster-parent recruitment
TCPalm – July 08, 2015
“Not everyone can be a foster parent, but anyone with a voice and breath in their lungs can help us spread the word about foster care and our needs for more foster parents.”
http://www.tcpalm.com/niche/luminaries/indian-river-county/community-rallies-for-fosterparent-recruitment_05544401

FL: DOH Fixes Foster Care Dental Loophole In Medicaid Managed Care (Includes audio)
WFSU – July 07, 2015
The Florida Department of Health has closed a loophole in the state’s healthcare programs for low income families. The Department has made a deal to provide dental services to foster care children in eight counties.
http://news.wfsu.org/post/doh-fixes-foster-care-dental-loophole-medicaid-managed-care

MD: Officials: The best way to fight child abuse is by reporting it
Herald-Mail Media – July 07, 2015
The county averages 185 reports of child maltreatment per month, according to the most recent child welfare services data from the Maryland Department of Human Resources.
http://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/local/officials-the-best-way-to-fight-child-abuse-is-by/article_786e3c70-24f2-11e5-b683-87dc02f5a7ed.html

MN: Hennepin County starts revamping child protection efforts
Minneapolis Star Tribune – July 08, 2015
Hennepin County will soon start hiring more than 100 new employees to bolster its struggling child protection efforts following unanimous approval Tuesday by the County Board.
http://www.startribune.com/hennepin-county-starts-revamping-child-protection-efforts/312550591/

MN: State cracks down on child care assistance fraud
Associated Press – July 08, 2015
The Minnesota Department of Human Services is conducting more than a dozen investigations into the state-funded child care subsidy program for low-income families, according to officials. Also: Hennepin County starts revamping child protection efforts: http://www.startribune.com/hennepin-county-starts-revamping-child-protection-efforts/312550591/
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/state-and-regional/mn/state-cracks-down-on-child-care-assistance-fraud/article_a05d6c20-2bca-5d83-97f9-718e56da3c21.html

MO: The children of neglect (Includes video)
KTVO – July 08, 2015
A look at the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division report from last year explained just how much it affects Adair County and the state as a whole.
http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=1228031#.VZ4QItzD9gU

NV: DFS worker struggled to keep own grandchildren in safe environment
Las Vegas Review-Journal – July 08, 2015
Jody Holt was overwhelmed and outnumbered, working overtime as a supervisor with the Department of Family Services to ensure her own grandchildren were safe, often arriving home to a mess.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/dfs-worker-struggled-keep-own-grandchildren-safe-environment

NY: Public Advocate Letitia James files class-action lawsuit condemning ‘broken’ child welfare system
New York Daily News – July 08, 2015
The papers filed in Manhattan Federal Court name 10 foster children who she said were caught in “one of the most dangerous foster care systems in the country.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/letitia-james-files-lawsuit-condemning-child-welfare-system-article-1.2286158

OK: DHS Worker Investigated for Child Sex Crimes (Includes video)
KTEN – July 08, 2015
An Oklahoma Department of Human Services worker is under investigation for committing crimes against a child she was supposed to protect.
http://www.kten.com/story/29499560/dhs-worker-investigated-for-child-sex-crimes

PA: Nurse-Family Partnership helping first-time moms (Includes video)
WHTM – July 09, 2015
The family got the help they needed through PinnacleHealth’s Nurse-Family Partnership program. A registered nurse makes home visits to help low-income, first-time moms learn about safety and nutrition.
http://abc27.com/2015/07/08/nurse-family-partnership-helping-first-time-moms/

PA: New governance for DSS
Wilkes Journal-Patriot – July 08, 2015
The Wilkes County commissioners on Tuesday morning voted 4-1 to abolish the Wilkes Social Services Board and assume direct control of the Wilkes Department of Social Services.
http://www.journalpatriot.com/news/new-governance-for-dss/article_86b3dcee-259d-11e5-98c0-1b6b16fc46c9.html

PA: Tweaks to state-mandated child abuse background checks
WITF – July 08, 2015
Administrative staff, certain volunteers, and university employees are no longer required by state law to be fingerprinted and submit to criminal history and child abuse background checks.
http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2015/07/tweaks-to-state-mandated-child-abuse-background-checks.php

TX: Fostering a New Attitude
Fort Worth Weekly – July 08, 2015
CEO of ACH Child and Family Services, a 100-year-old Fort Worth-based nonprofit that’s recently been hired by the state to oversee foster care in seven counties, including Tarrant, Carson is optimistic that the improvements will continue despite pointed questions about the overall program from a legislative review commission.
http://www.fwweekly.com/2015/07/08/fostering-a-new-attitude/

TX: Same-Sex Marriage Decision Stimulates Adoption Numbers in Texas Despite Governors Actions Reports AdoptionInTexas.com
Marketers Media – July 08, 2015
The Governor of Texas signed a bill to allow churches to refuse gay marriages, but Same Sex Marriage has already seen a big boost to adoption inquiries, providing hope of a family to thousands reports AdoptionInTexas.com.
http://marketersmedia.com/same-sex-marriage-decision-stimulates-adoption-numbers-in-texas-despite-governors-actions-reports-adoptionintexas-com/86271

UT: Utah guv: Gay marriage issues will take time to work through
Salt Lake Tribune – July 08, 2015
And since the 10th Circuit upheld the federal court ruling striking down Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage, married couples have been able to be foster parents and adopt children, which they were previously prohibited from doing.
http://www.sltrib.com/news/2710497-155/utah-guv-gay-marriage-issues-will

UT: Weber-Morgan nurse partnership will help 100 families
Standard-Examiner – July 08, 2015
The Nurse-Family Partnership is a voluntary prevention program that provides nurse home visitation services to low-income, first-time mothers, said Dung Banh, Nurse-Family Partnership spokesperson and division director of nursing at the Weber-Morgan Health Department.
http://www.standard.net/Local/2015/07/08/Weber-Morgan-nurse-partnership

WV: Just For Kids Child Advocacy Center renovated
Register-Herald – July 08, 2015
Just For Kids works with local law enforcement, child protective services and the prosecutor’s office to provide a coordinated response to criminal child abuse in a child friendly environment. The organization also provides counseling to children who disclose abuse and awareness and prevention training in the community.
http://www.register-herald.com/news/just-for-kids-child-advocacy-center-renovated/article_3361ebab-b559-5405-9ea1-3828014b46fb.html

US: History of Abuse Seen in Many Girls in Juvenile System
New York Times – July 09, 2015
As many as 80 percent of the girls in some states’ juvenile justice systems have a history of sexual or physical abuse, according to a report released Thursday. The report, a rare examination of their plight, recommends that girls who have been sexually trafficked no longer be arrested on prostitution charges. Report: The Sexual Abuse to Prison Pipeline: The Gi’ Story: http://rights4girls.org/wp-content/uploads/r4g/2015/02/2015_COP_sexual-abuse_layout_web-1.pdf
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/09/us/girls-in-juvenile-facilities-often-abused-report-says.html?_r=0

US: A Foster Child’s Questions: Is This My House? Is This My Home?
New York Times (Foster Parenting Blog) – July 08, 2015
My 3-year-old foster son, BlueJay, is playing on the living room floor, running toy trains around a track, when he suddenly looks up and asks: “Is this my house? Is this my blue house?” I look back at him in surprise.
http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/07/08/a-foster-childs-questions-is-this-my-house-is-this-my-home/?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0#

US: Children of Incarcerated Parents: What Are Their Rights? (Includes video)
Law Street Media – July 08, 2015
Though the numbers are grim, they are far from the whole story. How does mass incarceration affect children of incarcerated parents, and how have these children come together to advocate for their needs? Information Gateway resource: Children in Out-of-Home Care With Incarcerated Parents: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/outofhome/casework/children/incarcerated/
http://lawstreetmedia.com/issues/law-and-politics/children-incarcerated-parents-rights/

INTERNATIONAL

Canada: Adoption series: Convoluted paths to completing a family (Includes video)
Vancouver Sun – July 08, 2015
Just as every baby is unique, so too are the paths to parenthood for most families who adopt.
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Adoption+series+Convoluted+paths+adoption/11195896/story.html

India: Eight cases of child abuse every day but conviction rate at an abysmal 2.4%
Times of India – July 08, 2015
About 6,816 police cases were registered from November, 2012–when the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Act (POCScO)–came into force up to March, 2015.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Eight-cases-of-child-abuse-every-day-but-conviction-rate-at-an-abysmal-2-4/articleshow/47996454.cms

United Kingdom: Delayed child abuse inquiry to open
Belfast Telegraph – July 09, 2015
The troubled inquiry into historical child abuse will finally be officially opened today.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/delayed-child-abuse-inquiry-to-open-31363521.html

AR: Governor Hutchinson Calls on Faith Based Community for Help With Foster Care Crisis
Fox 16 – July 07, 2015
Governor Hutchinson is asking for help from the faith based community, seeking to inspire them to expand their ministries and seek greater involvement in the state’s foster care system. Also: Religious Groups To Aid With Reentry Programs, Overcrowded Foster Care System: http://ualrpublicradio.org/post/religious-groups-aid-reentry-programs-overcrowded-foster-care-system
http://www.fox16.com/story/d/story/governor-hutchinson-calls-on-faith-based-community/15153/qyW8JO4S7ka3h2xTFtiHVg

AZ: We’re not done fixing state’s child-welfare system (Opinion)
Azcentral.com – July 07, 2015
An independent review found Arizona’s child-welfare system is still troubled, still unable to handle rising demand and still hindered by processes and procedures that are ambiguous or unworkable.
http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/editorial/2015/07/08/done-fixing-child-welfare-system/29844705/

IL: Bertrand named Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois president
Oak Park-River Forest Patch – July 07, 2015
Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois (LCFS) announced today that Chief Operating Officer Mike Bertrand has also been named LCFS’ president. With this appointment Bertrand assumes responsibility for all internal operations.
http://patch.com/illinois/oakpark/bertrand-named-lutheran-child-family-services-illinois-president

IL: Federal judge orders Illinois child-protection payments without budget
Associated Press – July 07, 2015
A federal judge in Chicago has ordered the state of Illinois to keep funding its child-protection services despite a budget deadlock.
http://www.qconline.com/news/illinois/federal-judge-orders-illinois-child-protection-payments-without-budget/article_93092b30-24c5-11e5-94df-f7e946d64ebf.html

KS: Gov. Sam Brownback issues executive order on religious liberty after same-sex marriage ruling
Wichita Eagle – July 07, 2015
Among other things, the order is intended to protect religious organizations that provide adoption services for the state from having to place children with gay couples if that conflicts with their beliefs.
http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article26668207.html

KY: Program matches up children whose mothers are in prison with families (Includes video)
WLKY 32 – July 07, 2015
Children with parents in prison are six times more likely to end up behind bars themselves, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Information Gateway Resource: Supporting Children and Families of Prisoners: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/supporting/support-services/prisoners/
http://www.wlky.com/news/program-matches-up-children-whose-mothers-are-in-prison-with-families/34041922

MD: Potomac: Board Revises Child Abuse Policy
Reston Connection – July 07, 2015
The Board of Education approved changes to Policy JHC, Child Abuse and Neglect on June 29 which guides Montgomery County Public Schools procedures related to recognizing, reporting, and preventing suspected child abuse and neglect of students.
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2015/jul/07/potomac-board-revises-child-abuse-policy/

MN: Cass County Board: Gaalswyk: Changes in child protection to ‘explode’ county costs
Brainerd Daily Dispatch – July 07, 2015
“It’s going to explode the county costs,” he said, citing additionally that the state requires a county attorney’s office representative and a sheriff’s deputy, working jointly with a social worker, to screen children to determine whether they live in a safe environment or not.
http://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/3781432-cass-county-board-gaalswyk-changes-child-protection-explode-county-costs

NE: The new head of embattled HHS says she’s re-laying foundations
Omaha World-Herald – July 07, 2015
She is well aware of the high-profile problems with the agency — the public benefits call center that has never worked as promised, the long-outdated Medicaid computer system, the child welfare system recovering from a disastrous experiment with privatization, the waiting lists for services, demoralized employees and rising overtime hours.
http://www.livewellnebraska.com/health/the-new-head-of-embattled-hhs-says-she-s-re/article_f9ff5d51-3b76-5556-8a7f-6d018f36f69f.html

NM: Officials encourage reporting of suspected child abuse
Associated Press – July 07, 2015
State and local officials are calling on New Mexicans to contact authorities if they suspect a child is being abused or neglected.
http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_28445471/officials-encourage-reporting-suspected-child-abuse

NY: Suit to Accuse New York City and State of Keeping Children in Foster Care Too Long
New York Times – July 07, 2015
The lawsuit alleges that the city’s Administration for Children’s Services fails to provide the services, planning and caseworker training to help children find permanent families before they suffer irreparable harm — all part of a lack of urgency, child welfare advocates say, that permeates the system.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/08/nyregion/suit-accuses-new-york-city-and-state-of-keeping-children-in-foster-care-too-long.html?_r=0

OH: Youth aging out of foster care could finally get the help they need from Ohio legislators: editorial
Cleveland.com – July 08, 2015
House Bill 50, a sensible measure that would extend foster care up to age 21 and bring Ohio in line with 26 other states and the District of Columbia, died in committee last year. This year it has passed two committees and deserves passage by the Ohio House and Senate.
http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/07/youth_aging_out_of_foster_care.html

PA: Rights of Adopted Persons at Risk (Opinion)
Huffington Post – July 07, 2015
Yet, more than 6 million U.S. born adult adoptees, in approximately 44 states, are denied access to their own original and authentic birth certificate that was issued upon their birth. One such state this is occurring in is Pennsylvania.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mirah-riben/rights-of-adopted-persons_b_7731286.html

TN: Haslam names Bonnie Hommrich to head Children’s Services (Includes video)
Chattanooga Times Free Press – July 07, 2015
Gov. Bill Haslam today named Bonnie Hommrich as the new commissioner of the Department of Children’s Services (DCS).
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/politics/state/story/2015/jul/07/haslam-names-bonnie-hommrich-head-tn-childrens-services/313367/

TX: Amarillo agencies report more child abuse cases during summer season (Includes video)
ABC 7 News – July 07, 2015
Kids are out of school and on summer break, but unfortunately officials said they see higher reports of child abuse cases during these months.
http://www.connectamarillo.com/news/story.aspx?id=1227465#.VZ0g0EaE03g

US: Do Not Take Legal Shortcuts When Terminating Parental Rights in an Adoption Case (Opinion)
Huffington Post – July 08, 2015
News reports describe situations in which a child that has been raised by loving parents for years is ordered returned to a biological parent by a court. These traumatic situations often result from a failure to conduct the original placement or adoption in a legally proper manner. While many things can go tragically wrong in adoption cases, a preventable problem is a failure to appropriately terminate the parental rights of a biological parent.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brad-reid/do-not-take-legal-shortcu_b_7751514.html

US: Better Parenting Means No Pictures: Stopping Child Sex Predators (Opinion)
Huffington Post – July 07, 2015
As a foster parent trainer, I continue to tell those who work in foster care that in no way, and under no circumstance should a child in foster care have her picture online. This goes for you, as well. I am always saddened when I see parents post pictures of their young daughters online in bathing suits, bikinis, and wearing next to nothing.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-john-degarmo/better-parenting-means-no_b_7744654.html

US: Safer, with more benefits: Parents’ vaccine views shifting
Medical News Today – July 07, 2015
A quarter of parents believe vaccines are safer now than they thought a year ago; a third more supportive of school and daycare immunization requirements. Related: How one person’s death made me so outspoken about vaccines: http://drjengunter.wordpress.com/?p=5062
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/296379.php?tw

US: For Homeless Families, Quick Exit From Shelters Is Only A Temporary Fix (Includes audio)
National Public Radio – July 06, 2015
More than 150,000 U.S. families are homeless each year. The number has been going down, in part because of a program known as rapid rehousing, which quickly moves families out of shelters and into homes.
http://wamu.org/news/15/07/06/for_homeless_families_quick_exit_from_shelters_is_only_a_temporary_fix

INTERNATIONAL

Thailand: Single database developed on child protection
Thai Visa News – July 08, 2015
The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and Mahidol University have jointly developed a single database on child protection in Thailand.
http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/thailand-develops-single-database-on-child-protection/106490/

United Kingdom: Call for vunerable young people to be allowed to stay in care until they are 25
Huddersfield Examiner – July 08, 2015
Nearly a third of young people who had to leave residential care at 18 or foster care at 21 felt they had been forced to fend for themselves too early, national research shows.
http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/call-vunerable-young-people-allowed-9612369

United Kingdom: Charities call for increased funding for early intervention services as billions cut from help for children
Day Nurseries – July 07, 2015
Public funding to help children and young people before their problems spiral out of control has been cut by 55 per cent, leaving children and teenagers at greater risk of suffering longer-term difficulties, new research reveals.
http://www.daynurseries.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1569848/charities-call-for-increased

AZ: 5 ex-CPS workers to appeal dismissal of wrongful firing suit
Associated Press – July 07, 2015
Five former Arizona child welfare workers who were fired last year amid an agency scandal plan to appeal a judge’s dismissal of their wrongful termination lawsuit.
http://www.kvoa.com/story/29488412/5-ex-cps-workers-to-appeal-dismissal-of-wrongful-firing-suit

CA: Long Beach boy’s death shows need to track abuse reports, experts say
Los Angeles Times – July 07, 2015
In retrospect, the seemingly small gap between what happened and what might have happened after police got the call raises questions about whether Josue, who died six months later, could have been saved — and offers a window into a broader debate about how to prevent the death of children because of abuse or neglect.
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-josue-20150707-story.html#page=1

FL: Pro bono spotlight: Guardian ad Litem attorneys give voice to kids
Financial News and Daily Record – July 06, 2015
Through the tireless efforts of the program teams, including the more than 570 certified volunteer child advocates within the circuit, these children are given voices. They also are helped to find their own voice, voices which often go unheard before the appointment of a Guardian ad Litem. Information Gateway resource: CASAs and GALs: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/courts/specialissues/casa-gal/
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=545739

IL: Budget Debacle: Funding for Vulnerable Kids in Limbo (Includes audio)
Public News Service – July 07, 2015
The Illinois budget debacle is not only putting state workers’ pay in limbo, it is also threatening funding that helps some of the state’s most vulnerable children. The ACLU of Illinois is asking a U.S. District Court to enforce a consent decree to ensure continued payment of state workers responsible for protecting children in the care of the Department of Child and Family Services.
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2015-07-07/childrens-issues/budget-debacle-funding-for-vulnerable-illinois-kids-in-limbo/a47024-1

IL: Orphan Trains: Exhibit, play bring to life a little known aspect of our history
The Southern Illinoisan – July 05, 2015
Between 1854 and 1929, more than a quarter of a million children between the ages of 4 and 18, some even younger, were transported to their new homes on trains nicknamed “orphan trains” or “baby trains.” The relocation program ended when organized programs for foster care began. An exhibit at Varsity Center for the Arts in Carbondale is bringing their stories to life, in conjunction with a Stage Company production of ‘Healin’ Home,” a play by Kari Cattan that focuses on three of those children looking for a new home after running away from the train on which they were traveling.
http://thesouthern.com/lifestyles/leisure/orphan-trains-exhibit-play-bring-to-life-a-little-known/article_94c8cc99-273d-540b-9691-96ff7240ebc6.html

LA: Adoptions, birth certificates, successions, divorce decrees next big topics for same-sex marriage in Louisiana
The Advocate – July 06, 2015
The adoption was finalized last month, before the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage that will allow the two men to marry in their home state. That meant they faced a hard choice that no same-sex couple in Louisiana will have to make again: Because state law restricts adoption to single people and married couples, they had to decide which of the two would adopt their child. The Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges sweeps away state laws that ban same-sex marriage. Since gay and lesbian couples can now marry in Louisiana — something that wasn’t legal here before June 26 — they now comply with that requirement.
http://theadvocate.com/news/neworleans/12786384-148/same-sex-marriage-ruling-spurs-revision

LA: Answering the Call to Help Children (Includes audio)
Administration for Children and Families – July 06, 2015
Elijah Evans is making life better for kids in Louisiana’s foster care system — and this 17-year-old is just getting started. He’s the founder of No Use for Abuse, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing child abuse and improving the lives of children.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/blog/2015/07/answering-the-call-to-help-children

MD: Free Range Kids: What Parenting Styles Are Valued? (Opinion) (Includes audio)
WYPR – July 06, 2015
The Meitivs’ situation sparked a national conversation about what parenting styles we value as a society. And it raised important questions about when parenting crosses the line from hands-off to irresponsible.
http://wypr.org/post/free-range-kids-what-parenting-styles-are-valued

MN: More needs to be done to reduce child abuse (Opinion)
Elk River Star News – July 06, 2015
It is easy to become angry at the accused and the convicted, to send them to prison and pretend that we have accomplished something. However, we have a major public health issue confronting us, and we are nowhere close to solving it. The reported crimes are just the tip of the iceberg.
http://erstarnews.com/2015/07/06/more-needs-to-be-done-to-reduce-child-abuse/

MN: Foster care system stretched to new limits in St. Louis County
Grand Forks Herald – July 04, 2015
Twice in the past month, St. Louis County child protection workers have been thrust into a new and disturbing territory. Responding to late calls from police on June 18 and again on June 23, they took children into protective custody and scrambled to find a safe place for them to spend the night. There were no relatives to turn to. No foster homes could take the children on short notice. And calls to area children’s emergency shelters in Duluth, Cloquet and Virginia revealed all were too full to help.
http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/region/3779549-foster-care-system-stretched-new-limits-st-louis-county

NV: The Wrong School Choice: Nevada’s New Voucher Law Will Worsen Educational Inequality (Opinion)
US News & World Report – July 06, 2015
Charter-heavy cities have even begun appropriating more public money for higher-needs students. New Orleans has several tiers of funding for special education, depending upon the severity of the child’s disability, and Washington D.C. appropriates extra money for “at-risk” children — those receiving welfare or food stamps, those who are homeless or in foster care, and those who have been held back in high school.
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/knowledge-bank/2015/07/06/nevadas-new-voucher-law-will-worsen-educational-inequality

NY: Survey Results Prompt Public Advocate To Call For Reform Of State Foster Care System (Includes audio)
CBS New York / Associated Press – July 06, 2015
New York City’s public advocate says children are spending too much time in the city’s foster care system and between multiple homes.
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/07/06/public-advocate-foster-care-survey/

OK: Keetoowah Youths Participate in Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition Grant Program
Grove Sun – Delaware County Journal – July 06, 2015
The United Keetoowah Band received a $3,500 grant to promote Financial Literacy for tribal youth to plan, save, and make wise decisions toward their education. The program targeted low-income families who were selected by the recommendation of the UKB Human Services, Tribal Victim Assistance, and Indian Child Welfare departments.
http://grandlakenews.com/news/article_0c8af01b-4ea1-5195-9902-62fc8b439e6c.html

TX: CASA reaches milestone, provides for every child in need
East Montgomery Observer – July 06, 2015
The retired school administrator for Spring ISD had helped CASA, a local non-profit organization, achieve its mission to provide an advocate for every abused and neglected child in need.
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/east_montgomery/news/casa-reaches-milestone-provides-for-every-child-in-need/article_860b5bf8-fb08-5627-abad-386d0aaaca29.html

US: Senate must act on child-protection legislation (Opinion)
Phily.com – July 07, 2015
The bipartisan Protecting Students Act states that if a school takes federal funds, it must perform thorough background checks on all school workers. Amazingly, 12 states do not run background checks on coaches, substitute teachers, and classroom aides who are hired as contractors.
http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20150707_Senate_must_act_on_child-protection_legislation.html

US: Conservative group to file class action lawsuit to challenge ICWA
Indianz – July 06, 2015
The conservative Goldwater Institute of Arizona is mounting a legal challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act. The group plans to file a class action tomorrow that will dispute the constitutionality of the law, which Congress enacted in 1978 to prevent Indian children from being taken from their tribal communities. The lawsuit will be accompanied by a report into Indian child welfare practices across the nation.
http://www.indianz.com/News/2015/018089.asp

US: HHS awards Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program grants (Press release)
Health and Human Services Press Office – July 06, 2015
The OAH grants support replication of evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs in communities with the greatest need; increase capacity in communities to serve vulnerable youth, including homeless youth, parenting youth and those in juvenile detention and foster care; fill gaps in the knowledge of what works to prevent teen pregnancy; and test new, innovative approaches to combating teen pregnancy. These awards provide the first year of funding for a five-year grant period.
http://www.einpresswire.com/article/274488672/hhs-awards-teen-pregnancy-prevention-program-grants

US: Justice for childhood sexual abuse survivors (Opinion)
Baltimore Sun – July 06, 2015
Childhood sexual abuse survivors who seek legal redress against their perpetrators share a common goal: a fair chance to establish the truth of what was done to them as children. No more, no less. But given the unfairness of our justice system’s disposition of survivor cases, that goal is elusive and too often unattainable. However, in the past several weeks, there have been developments that could advance incrementally the goal of survivors to obtain justice against their abusers.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-abuse-survivors-20150706-story.html

US: Libraries invited to apply for Great Stories Club programming grants for at-risk teens (Press Release)
American Library Association – July 06, 2015
The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office invites libraries to apply for the Great Stories Club, a reading and discussion program for at-risk teens. Eligible libraries are located within or working in partnership with organizations that serve at-risk youth, such as alternative high schools, juvenile justice organizations, homeless shelters, foster care agencies, teen parenting programs, residential treatment facilities and other nonprofit and community agencies. Up to 50 grants will be awarded.
http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2015/07/libraries-invited-apply-great-stories-club-programming-grants-risk-teens

US: President Obama signs Boys Town Centennial Commemorative Coin Act (Press Release)
PR Newswire – July 06, 2015
The Boys Town Centennial Commemorative Coin Act was signed into law today by President Obama. The bill allows the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of Boys Town which will be celebrated on December 12, 2017. The $5 gold piece, silver dollars, and half dollars will be issued sometime in 2017 which coincides with the 100 anniversary of the founding of Boys Town. The design has yet to be determined.
http://markets.financialcontent.com/ask/news/read?GUID=30210181

INTERNATIONAL

Australia: Australia’s reputation for child protection has crumbled with the Border Force Act
Sydney Morning Herald – July 07, 2015
The Border Force Act fails to meet basic child protection standards that the government expects of every Australian-funded development project. After years of gradual moral erosion, this glaring incongruity exposes the new depths to which Australian immigration policy has sunk.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/global-reputation-for-child-protection-has-crumbled-with-the-border-force-act-20150707-gi6xvh.html

Australia: Opinion: Breaking the violence cycle
Newcastle Herald – July 06, 2015
Australian of the Year and family violence campaigner Rosie Batty has suggested that family violence would be more accurately referred to as “family terrorism”. If so named, she suggests the issue might receive the public and government attention it so richly deserves.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3192835/opinion-breaking-the-violence-cycle/?cs=12

Canada: Adoption series: B.C. studies using online photos of kids to seek adoptive parents (Includes video)
Vancouver Sun – July 06, 2015
Children’s representative says photos are needed, but balance important to maintain privacy
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Adoption+series+studies+using+online+photos+kids+seek+adoptive/11190478/story.html

Jamaica: Spotting abuse in very young children
Jamaica Observer – July 05, 2015
In traditional paediatric practice, every unexplained injury in very young children should be suspected to be one of child abuse until proven otherwise. The child’s caregiver — whether parent, guardian, or babysitter — may have particular goals that differ from those of the attending doctor. However, in-between the two aims, the ‘correct’ diagnosis must be reached. Consequently, broad inclusion of elements derived from the medical, developmental and family history must be included by the doctor in order to make a wide differential diagnosis in every case of suspected child abuse.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/health/Spotting-child-abuse-in-very-young-children_19164965

Liberia: Yokohama charity worker urges child protection in Ebola-hit Liberia
Japan Times – July 07, 2015
A Yokohama charity worker who has spent time in Ebola-hit West Africa has urged more global support to protect orphaned children at risk of abuse. Risa Kojima worked in Liberia to protect children in the aftermath of the Ebola epidemic that killed more than 4,000 people in the country from 2014 to earlier this year.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/07/07/national/yokohama-charity-worker-urges-child-protection-ebola-hit-liberia/#.VZvSn0aE1qN

United Kingdom: Leading charities warn over 10,000 children at risk because 91% of the adult population don’t know what private fostering is
Medical News Today – July 06, 2015
A Survation poll commissioned by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) reveals that 91% of the UK adult population don’t know what private fostering is. Report: http://survation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Private-Fostering-Tables.pdf
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/296328.php?tw

United Kingdom: £30m boost for adoption services
Daily Mail – July 05, 2015
Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne want to speed up the process of finding new homes for the 3,000 children waiting for adoption, half of whom spend more than 18 months in care.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-3150615/30m-boost-adoption-services.html
AR: Nonprofit to include foster care
Northwest Arkansas Democrat & Gazette – July 04, 2015
Arkansas Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries has been ministering to children in Arkansas since 1894, and now the nonprofit organization is adding a foster care ministry. ABCHomes, which is supported by churches and individuals, has several ministries throughout the state, including the Arkansas Baptist Boys Ranch in Harrison, Family Care Homes that assist unwed mothers and their children, and a home for abused and neglected children or those from troubled homes in Monticello. The organization also provides counseling services.
http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2015/jul/04/nonprofit-to-include-foster-care-201507/

AZ: Is Arizona DCS more concerned with clearing cases than child safety?
KPHO/KTVK – July 06, 2015
Looking out for Arizona’s kids is the top mission for the state’s Department of Child Safety. There have been two high-profile child deaths in the past two months. DCS was involved with those kids — Alexandra Torcerro and Joylynne Giebel — at least on paper. Agency leaders have admitted they did not do enough to protect those kids. Report: Add report URL https://dcs.az.gov/news/chapin-hall-report Also: ‘Pay now or pay later’ for Arizona’s kids, report says: http://tucson.com/news/pay-now-or-pay-later-for-arizona-s-kids-report/article_031ca2d7-7af1-5cb6-938c-19ba779e84c8.html
http://www.kpho.com/story/29479392/dcs-adoption

AZ: Payments to Arizona adoptive, foster parents delayed for several weeks (Includes video)
KPHO – July 03, 2015
Right before the holiday weekend, Arizona’s adoptive and foster parents have been put in a pinch. Payments they are supposed to receive from the federal government didn’t show up, and they could be waiting several weeks for those lifelines.
http://www.kpho.com/story/29467490/payments-to-arizona-adoptive-foster-parents-delayed-for-several-weeks

CA: State auditor cites failure to protect foster youth from sex offenders
Los Angeles Times – July 04, 2015
California’s auditor has issued a stark assessment of the state Social Services Department’s safeguards for foster youth, highlighting breakdowns that may have put children at risk and led to millions of wasted dollars. Report: https://www.bsa.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2015-502.pdf
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-sex-offenders-20150704-story.html

CA: Over-Medicated Kids in Foster Care Get Some Relief
The Fix – July 02, 2015
There is a growing concern that kids in foster care are inundated with psychiatric medication, which is why California’s Legislature passed four bills into law making it much more difficult for children in foster care to be put on psychotropic drugs.
http://www.thefix.com/content/over-medicated-kids-foster-care-get-some-relief

FL: Editorial: Florida Legislature should reform Baker Act
Tampa Bay Times – July 03, 2015
Floridians gained an important new right under the Baker Act last week: A little-noticed new law requires schools, police officers and hospitals to notify parents when children are institutionalized for a psychiatric exam. But the Legislature should not stop there. Juvenile commitments to mental hospitals are rising rapidly amid broken families, depression and substance abuse. Authorities need new legal tools, training and funding to ensure that juvenile Baker Act commitments are appropriate and effective.
http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-florida-legislature-should-reform-baker-act/2236045

FL: Sexually trafficked girl recounts litany of horrors under DCF?s watch
Miami Herald – July 03, 2015
Neglect and abandonment landed the girl in foster care. But it’s what happened next, she said, that nearly destroyed her. In a hushed courtroom in Miami’s gleaming new downtown Children’s Courthouse, a teenage foster child inventoried the traumas she had endured at the hands of those who were assigned to protect her: She had been starved and beaten, molested and forced to fight during her two years in foster homes and group care. As a runaway, she was trafficked into prostitution.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article26423824.html

FL: Sharp spike in number of children in foster care
News Service of Florida – July 03, 2015
The number of Florida children in the state’s foster-care system has reached its highest level since 2008 — driven by both a spike in the number of kids being removed from their homes and a drop in the number being discharged after a stint in foster care.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20150703/ARTICLES/150709907/1034/news02

GA: HB 268 makes child abuse mandatory reporting duties clearer
Clayton News Daily – July 03, 2015
The court found that the teacher in the case was not bound to report suspected child abuse of a student not currently in her class. Ballinger helped author the Republican-sponsored House Bill 268, which is an amendment to Georgia law regarding who should be mandated to report suspected child abuse cases and how. It went into effect July 1.
http://www.news-daily.com/news/2015/jul/03/hb-268-makes-child-abuse-mandatory-reporting/

ID: Kinship Care Eats Away at Senior Budgets (Includes audio)
Public News Service – July 06, 2015
Retirement planning doesn’t usually include preparing for the expenses of raising children — but that’s the scenario for about 11,000 Idaho grandparents, according to the Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force. Figures from the task force indicate 14 percent of those seniors are also living in poverty.
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2015-07-06/hunger-food-nutrition/kinship-care-eats-away-at-senior-budgets/a46975-1

IN: Developer soars with ‘special needs’ housing niche
Indianapolis Business Journal – July 03, 2015
“We’re thankful — to God be the glory,” said Hobbs, 47, standing in a navy suit next to his silver Mercedes while watching workers put brick on the outside of one of BWI’s newest projects, Penn Place. The $10 million project at 1415 N. Pennsylvania St. will convert a long-abandoned former community corrections facility into 38 apartments for former homeless residents with mental health challenges.
http://www.ibj.com/articles/53852-developer-soars-with-special-needs-housing-niche

IN: State Supreme Court hears case on custody, mental illness
Associated Press – July 03, 2015
The Indiana Supreme Court is weighing an emotionally charged case in which a man lost custody of his daughter after spurning child-welfare officials’ suggestions that he leave his mentally ill wife based on their fears that she might harm the girl.
http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/ap/ap/indiana/indiana-supreme-court-hears-arguments-in-child-cus/nmrMN/

MA: Editorial: Damaging DCF backlog
Boston Herald – July 06, 2015
It is not altogether surprising that the state Department of Children and Families has had trouble keeping up with the volume of appeals by parents and caretakers accused of abuse or neglect of children. This is an agency that has had more than its share of trouble just keeping on top of its main responsibility of keeping the children under its care safe.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/opinion/editorials/2015/07/editorial_damaging_dcf_backlog

ME: Bill to outlaw ‘rehoming’ of adopted children to become law
Bangor Daily News – July 06, 2015
Later this summer, Maine will become the sixth state to criminalize the transfer of adopted children from one family to another without approval from a court.
https://bangordailynews.com/2015/07/03/news/state/bill-to-outlaw-rehoming-of-adopted-children-to-become-law/

ME: Our View: Maine’s kinship families deserve greater state support
Portland Press Herald – July 03, 2015
Public attention to Maine children whose parents can no longer care for them usually centers on issues in the state-supervised foster care system. This doesn’t account, though, for the thousands of children who live with a guardian — usually a grandmother — because they can’t safely live with their mothers and fathers.
http://www.pressherald.com/2015/07/03/our-view-maines-kinship-families-deserve-greater-state-support/

MI: Dean of School of Social Work to step down
Michigan Daily – July 05, 2015
Laura Lein, dean of the School of Social Work at the University, has announced she will step down from her position at the end of the upcoming academic year.
http://www.michigandaily.com/news/dean-school-social-work-step-down

MI: Editorial: Michigan must do more to protect kids
Lansing State Journal – July 04, 2015
A decade after the death of Ricky Holland rocked mid-Michigan, the state department charged with watching over children like Ricky continues to fail too many. Indeed, the federal monitors who are charged with watching the state’s performance said in a report this spring that Michigan’s “failure to achieve the minimum safety standards for children in foster care is a persistent and dire problem.” Spend a moment considering what that means.
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/opinion/editorials/2015/07/04/editorial-michigan-must-protect-kids/29626857/

MN: As demand increases, St. Louis County struggles to find homes for children in protective custody
Duluth News Tribune – July 05, 2015
Twice in the past month, St. Louis County child protection workers have been thrust into a new and disturbing territory. Responding to late calls from police on June 18 and again on June 23, they took children into protective custody and scrambled to find a safe place for them to spend the night. There were no relatives to turn to. No foster home could take the children on short notice. And calls to children’s emergency shelters in Duluth, Cloquet and Virginia revealed that all were too full to help.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/3779716-demand-increases-st-louis-county-struggles-find-homes-children-protective-custody

MN: Foster youth overcome odds, graduate from college
Insight News – July 03, 2015
This spring, 26 current and former foster youth who received the vouchers are walking across the stage to accept their certificates and diplomas for associate’s or bachelor’s degrees in nursing, accounting, business management, automotive technology and several other areas of learning.
http://www.insightnews.com/education/13744-foster-youth-overcome-odds-graduate-from-college

MN: Foster care shortage at critical level
Timberjay Newspapers – July 02, 2015
A worsening shortage of foster care slots in St. Louis County has reached crisis proportions, according to county social workers, and has forced child protection officials to care for children themselves in county offices at least twice in the past ten days.
http://www.timberjay.com/stories/Foster-care-shortage-at-critical-level,12171

MN: Maltreatment of children a problem in Mille Lacs
Union Eagle – July 02, 2015
The problem of child abuse in Mille Lacs County has significantly increased in the past two to three years, according to Suzanne Lelwica, the county’s Community and Veterans Services Department assistant director.
http://unioneagle.com/2015/07/maltreatment-of-children-a-problem-in-mille-lacs/

MS: Church to give parenting classes due to high number of Hancock Co. children in foster care (Includes video)
WLOX – July 02, 2015
A child advocacy group says while Hancock County has the highest number of children in foster care in the state, there are limited options for people to take the parenting classes often ordered by the court to get their children back. Hope Haven officials said that is why they are pleased that a Bay St. Louis church is stepping up to offer those classes and help put families back together.
http://www.wlox.com/story/29465876/church-to-give-parenting-classes-due-to-high-number-of-hancock-co-children-in-foster-care

NC: When foster kids grow up
Durham News and Observer – July 03, 2015
“At that point I thought to myself, ‘I drop out of high school and get pregnant and I can find a place to live. Because I’m trying to stay in school and do what’s best for me, I can’t find a place to live,’ Wimbush said. “That was incredibly disheartening.”
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/community/durham-news/article25906975.html

NC: McCrory signs Foster Care Family Act into law
Winston-Salem Journal – July 02, 2015
The bill allows a foster parent, without having to obtain previous approval from the county Department of Social Services, to give permission to the foster child to participate in extracurricular and social activities that include overnight stays of up to 72 hours without the presence of the foster parent.
http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/mccrory-signs-foster-care-family-act-into-law/article_85e1e2f0-20d1-11e5-a05e-7bde5383ec22.html

NY: Public Advocate Letitia James says kids are spending too much time in city foster care
New York Daily News – July 06, 2015
Kids are languishing too long in city foster care and getting shuttled between multiple homes, according to a new report by Public Advocate Letitia James. James set up a hotline for foster parents, kids, and birth parents — and 71% of those surveyed said the child had spent more than two years in the foster care system. Some had been stuck there for more than 10 years.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/exclusive-kids-stay-long-city-foster-care-article-1.2282442

PA: New law requiring background checks could hurt volunteerism
Daily Times – July 03, 2015
Because of the inability to meet the original July 1 commencement of a new state regulation requiring all volunteers who have direct contact with children to pass background checks, Elam’s Vacation Bible School Director Stacey Chandler informed families via letter last Monday that the summer program has been canceled this year. Also: Bucks County lawmaker introduces bill that would exempt emergency responders from background clearance fees: http://www.buckslocalnews.com/articles/2015/07/05/bristol_pilot/news/doc555e39c03ff32890727669.txt
http://www.delcotimes.com/general-news/20150703/new-pennsylvania-law-requiring-background-checks-could-hurt-volunteerism

PA: Major Changes to Laws Protecting Minors Approved
JDSupra – July 02, 2015
The Pennsylvania Legislature has passed — and Gov. Tom Wolf has signed — House Bill 1276 to amend the state’s Child Protective Services Law. The amended law contains a number of clarifying revisions to the mandated reporting and background check requirements implemented in the last year, including a provision which would remove background check requirements for certain employees in the higher education context.
http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=467d8db2-5784-42f4-a08a-43b319793b95

PA: Montgomery County will continue to pay human services providers during budget impasse
Pottstown Mercury – July 02, 2015
“Our intent is to have the county carry the costs for at least a month,” Uri Monson, the county’s chief financial officer said. “If the budget impasse is still ongoing as we approach the end of July we would reassess the situation and make a recommendation at that time for the months that follow,” Monson said.
http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20150702/montgomery-county-will-continue-to-pay-human-services-providers-during-budget-impasse

RI: Child-welfare agency still without a director
Providence Journal – July 03, 2015
When the 2015 legislative session began, Governor Raimondo was promising a nationwide search for a new director of the state’s troubled child-welfare agency, and a move was afoot to eliminate the requirement that the director have a master’s degree in social work. Six months later: status quo on both of these fronts.
http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150703/NEWS/150709687

TX: State must lower CPS caseloads (Opinion)
San Antonio Express-News – July 03, 2015
While Abbott did sign several important pieces of legislation this session that will improve aspects of foster care, he and state lawmakers failed to address the most important challenge in Texas’ foster care system: the stunningly high caseloads for Child Protective Services workers here.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/editorials/article/State-must-lower-CPS-caseloads-6363741.php

US: Marriage means adoption rights for same-sex couple
Morning Sun – July 03, 2015
The couple has been together since 2000, and they started to expand their family ten years ago when they opened their home to their first two adopted children. Now the couple has five adopted sons between them, and one foster son. Until today, four of the boys were adopted by Forrest, one by Nichols. The inability to marry as a same-sex couple meant their children could not be adopted by their other parent, as well. “If anything were to happen to Marc, I would have no rights,” Nichols said. “Someone could have petitioned to adopt his children and I might not be able to stop it. Today makes it so that nobody can take them away.”
http://www.themorningsun.com/general-news/20150703/marriage-means-adoption-rights-for-same-sex-couple

US: Falling Through The Child Welfare System (Includes audio)
WNYC – July 02, 2015
Emmy-nominated filmmaker Stephanie Wang-Breal discusses her new PBS POV documentary, “Tough Love,” which chronicles the separate journeys of Patrick Brown, a single, white father in Seattle, and Hasna “Hannah” Siddique, a newly married Bangladeshi-born mother of two in New York City, as they fight to make their families whole again after their children were taken from them due to neglect. Related: On Point — Foster Children, Disjointed Families: http://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/07/06/tough-love-foster-care-pbs-documentary
http://www.wnyc.org/story/navigating-or-falling-through-child-welfare-system/

US: The psychiatric drug problem foster kids face
Deseret News – July 01, 2015
California’s Legislature is poised to pass a law making it much harder to offer psychiatric medication to kids in foster care, responding to growing concern that foster kids get too many psychotropic medications. “We have a major problem,” said Julie M. Zito, a professor of pharmacy and psychiatry at the University of Maryland, “and California has done us a great service in calling attention to this vulnerable population.”
http://national.deseretnews.com/article/5026/the-psychiatric-drug-problem-foster-kids-face.html

INTERNATIONAL

Australia: Celebrities sugar-coat reality of foreign adoption, adult adoptees say
SBS – July 03, 2015
Adults who were adopted from foreign countries as children say there is a lack of support for adoptees in Australia and they feel powerless to have their voices heard.
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/06/30/celebrities-sugar-coat-reality-foreign-adoption-adult-adoptees-say

Cambodia: Uphill struggle to reform its orphanages
Thomson Reuters Foundation – July 05, 2015
A visit to the temples of Angkor Wat, followed by a stop at an orphanage, are part of the travel experience for many of the more than four million tourists who come to Cambodia every year. What they do not realize is that the impoverished Southeast Asian country is in the grip of a boom in orphanages, many of them unlicensed, with no safety checks, few real orphans, and subject to growing concern about neglect and abuse.
http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/reuters/news/report/20150706_Reuters_L5N0YV067_FEATURE_Cambodia_faces_uphill_struggle_to_reform_its_orphanages.html

Canada: Culture clash: How the foster care system is failing ethnic communities
Ottawa Citizen – July 04, 2015
“There is definitely a loss there for a child that is not grounded in their own culture completely,” says Michael, who advocates on behalf of foster families as chairman of the League of Ontario Foster Families.
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/culture-clash-how-the-foster-care-system-is-failing-canadas-ethnic-communities

Fiji: First Domestic Violence Hotline Established
Fiji Times – July 05, 2015
Women’s Minister Rosy Akbar highlighted in a statement that the women’s helpline will work parallel to the National Child Helpline that is proving to be a success. “Plans are in pipeline to develop a similar helpline for the women, so that they can report cases and seek information and assistance when dealing with cases of domestic violence. Also: Counseling provided to complainants of Child Abuse: http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/30906/counseling-provided-to-complainants-of-child-abuse
http://pidp.org/pireport/2015/July/07-06-09.htm

Guatemala: For adopted Guatemalans, a searcher will look for birth moms. But sometimes the reunions are fraught (Includes audio & video)
Public Radio International – July 02, 2015
By definition, international adoption is a transaction between unequals. It takes desperation to relinquish a baby, and privilege to adopt one. Those disparities led to abuses in Guatemala?s adoption system that resulted in its shutdown in 2008. Unless you?re Guatemalan, you can?t adopt a Guatemalan baby now.
http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-07-02/adopted-guatemalans-searcher-will-look-birth-moms-sometimes-reunions-are-fraught

India: Just pay cash and the baby is yours
Asia One – July 04, 2015
At a now-shuttered adoption agency on the fringes of India’s capital, kidnapped toddlers and newborns were being sold for about US$8,000 (S$10,800) each, no questions asked. After stumping up cash, prospective parents would inspect the bewildered children at the “Fastrack International” agency and take them home the same day, according to police who raided the premises last month.
http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/just-pay-cash-and-baby-yours
AZ: New report details big problems at Arizona’s child welfare agency
ABC 15 – July 01, 2015
The Arizona Department of Child Safety hasn’t been shy about admitting the agency has a ton of work to do, but a new independent review by the University of Chicago shows just how far it has to go. Report: http://www.azauditor.gov/sites/default/files/AZ_Dept_of_Child_Safety_Independent_Review_0.pdf Also: Expert: Child safety changes still needed: http://www.trivalleycentral.com/casa_grande_dispatch/arizona_news/expert-child-safety-changes-still-needed/article_6439349e-2024-11e5-a4d6-9b12beb45d10.html
http://www.abc15.com/news/state/new-report-details-big-problems-at-arizonas-child-welfare-agency

CA: Civil grand jury recommends changes in county foster care, adoption systems
Thousand Oaks Acorn – July 02, 2015
Better communication and more collaboration between the Ventura County Human Services Agency and its partner organizations are needed to improve the county’s foster care and adoption system, according to a new report by the Ventura County civil grand jury.
http://www.toacorn.com/news/2015-07-02/Family/Civil_grand_jury_recommends_changes_in_county_fost.html

CA: LAUSD misspent money on special education that was meant for foster care, English learners, lawsuit alleges
Daily Breeze – July 01, 2015
A lawsuit filed by civil rights groups claims the Los Angeles Unified School District violated state law when it spent hundreds of millions of dollars on special education students. The state funding was supposed to help students living in poverty or foster care or those struggling to learn the English language, according to the lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, Public Advocates and the law firm Covington and Burlington LLP.
http://www.dailybreeze.com/general-news/20150701/lausd-misspent-money-on-special-education-that-was-meant-for-foster-care-english-learners-lawsuit-alleges

CO: Statue a memorial to the most vulnerable
Daily Sentinel – July 02, 2015
The dedication of the new How Are the Children? memorial statue was a bittersweet event for those who have lost children to child abuse and neglect.
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/statue-a-memorial-to-the-most-vulnerable

CO: Denver mayor’s 2nd term shake-up widens to Human Services, other areas
Denver Post – July 01, 2015
Internal moves by Mayor Michael Hancock will replace DHS director, communications chief.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_28413369/denver-mayors-2nd-term-shake-up-widens-human

IL: Parents, service providers at risk without Illinois budget
Morris Herald-News – July 01, 2015
Because of the intense political feud in Springfield between Gov. Bruce Rauner and a Democrat-controlled Legislature, the state began its new fiscal year Wednesday without a budget, leaving many area nonprofit organizations unsure where they or their programming stands.
http://www.morrisherald-news.com/2015/07/01/parents-service-providers-at-risk-without-illinois-budget/aobk4hb/

MA: DCF case spike prompts protests
Lowell Sun News – July 01, 2015
Massachusetts social workers plan informational pickets in the days leading up to next week’s release of the Senate budget, claiming an exodus of workers, lack of continued investments, and new directives are leaving child protection caseloads at crisis levels.
http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_28412847/dcf-case#

MI: Foster care ‘a persistent and dire problem’
Lansing State Journal – July 01, 2015
A decade ago, the death of Williamston 7-year-old Ricky Holland at the hands of his adoptive parents revealed fatal flaws in the state’s safeguards for foster kids. Seven years ago, a class-action lawsuit in federal court mandated improvements. Still, Michigan continues to fail hundreds of kids a year, court-appointed monitors say.
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/watchdog/2015/07/01/michigan-foster-care-persistent-dire-problem/29564431/

MN: ‘Paying it forward’ BSU graduate says foster care system prepared her to want to give back to others
Bemidji Pioneer – July 01, 2015
Koob, now 23, works in Bemidji as a regional coordinator at TXT4Life, a texting service that connects trained counselors with people contemplating suicide. “It’s my way of paying it forward,” she said.
http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/3777932-paying-it-forward-bsu-graduate-says-foster-care-system-prepared-her-want-give-back

MN: Voucher program helps push foster youth to higher education goals
Bimiji Pioneer – July 01, 2015
The Minnesota Department of Human Services has since worked to grow post-secondary opportunities for former foster youth. Each year, the Education and Training Voucher program awards roughly 200 such students an average of $3,000 apiece — money that can go toward nearly any expense associated with college life.
http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/local/3777933-voucher-program-helps-push-foster-youth-higher-education-goals

NC: Boy found chained to porch with chicken around neck speaks out for first time
WBTV – July 01, 2015
The boy was 11 years old in 2013 when deputies found him on the porch of his foster parents Wanda Sue Larson and Dorian Harper. At the time, Larson was a Department of Social Services supervisor for Union County and Harper was a nurse at Carolinas Medical Center – Union.
http://www.walb.com/story/29442232/boy-found-chained-to-porch-with-chicken-around-neck-speaks-out-for-first-time

NV: Clark County child welfare director resigns
Las Vegas Review Journal – July 01, 2015
Officials confirmed Wednesday that Clark County Department of Family Services Director Lisa Ruiz-Lee is stepping down from her position, although an effective date has not yet been set. It’s unknown who will assume her responsibilities in guiding the troubled department, which has come under scrutiny of a special state panel formed to review system shortcomings and problems.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/clark-county-child-welfare-director-resigns

NY: New York City foster care: stories from children and parents the system failed
The Guardian – July 01, 2015
A watchdog report reveals the Administration of Children’s Services has abused its power in family courts, wrongly taken children into custody and inadequately assisted those it claims to help. Those affected share their hardships
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/01/new-york-city-foster-care-children-parents

NY: The Collaborative for Children and Families Receives a Grant From The New York Community Trust to Build Capacity for Comprehensive Child Welfare
PRWeb (Press Release) – July 01, 2015
The Collaborative for Children and Families (CCF) announced that it received a grant of $100,000 from the New York Community Trust. The grant will allow CCF to improve quality of care and save costs for the child welfare sector by identifying and sharing proven practices.
http://investor.wallstreetselect.com/wss/news/read?GUID=30187973

PA: New law attempts to add clarity to background checks law
The Patriot-News – July 02, 2015
Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation on Wednesday that clarifies which employees and adult volunteers are required background checks if they work around children. Also: Bucks County lawmaker introduces bill that would exempt emergency responders from background clearance fees: http://www.buckslocalnews.com/articles/2015/07/01/bristol_pilot/news/doc555e39c03ff32890727669.txt
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/07/new_law_attempts_to_add_clarit.html

TN: Obergefell’s Limits (Opinion)
Menphis Flyer – July 02, 2015
The Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage decision doesn’t extend as far as traditionalists fear or as LGBT advocates would like.
http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/obergefells-limits/Content?oid=3991894

UT: Officials discuss progress of child welfare
Ogden Standard-Examiner – July 01, 2015
Lawmakers referred to David C., a federal lawsuit filed against Utah in 1993, as the case that initiated changes in welfare practices in the state. Lee Killian, the associate general counsel at the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, feels Utah’s focus on child welfare brought about “such a dramatic change that Utah started to be nationally recognized for its practices.”
http://www.standard.net/Government/2015/07/01/Child-Welfare-in-Utah-has-come-a-long-way.html

VT: Substance abuse driving demands on DCF
Vermont Press Bureau – July 02, 2015
The number of Vermont children in state custody rose sharply in 2014 to record numbers as families struggled with a slow economy and the scourge of substance abuse, according to the Department for Children and Families’ annual child protection report. Also: Report: Number of children in state custody up by 33 percent: http://vtdigger.org/2015/07/01/report-number-of-vermont-children-in-state-custody-up-by-33-percent/
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20150702/NEWS03/707029933/1004

WI: Study helps state identify family risk factors for child abuse
University of Wisconsin-Madison – July 01, 2015
A new analysis from the La Follette School of Public Affairs may help Wisconsin prevent more cases of child abuse by detecting patterns associated with cases returning to the system after initially being screened out. Report: “Child Welfare Screening in Wisconsin: An Analysis of Families Screened Out of Child Protective Services and Subsequently Screened In”: http://www.lafollette.wisc.edu/research-public-service/publications/child-welfare-screening-in-wisconsin-an-analysis-of-families-screened-out-of-child-protective-services-and-subsequently-screened-in Information Gateway resource: Risk Factors and Perpetrators of Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/can/fatalities/perpetrators/
http://www.news.wisc.edu/releases/19155

US: National Student Privacy Bill Stirs Praise, Renews Concerns
Heartland Institute (Press Release) – July 02, 2015
Parents in several states fought for more than two years to stop inBloom, which eventually shut down following public outcry. Officials in some states were uploading personal student data to third-party vendor inBloom. The data sometimes included Social Security numbers and details of familial relationships such as whether a student was a foster child, and reasons for enrollment changes, such as a student leaving school as a victim of a violent incident.
http://news.heartland.org/newspaper-article/2015/04/29/activists-companies-have-mixed-reaction-proposed-student-privacy-law-1

US: Cruel and all-too-usual: A terrifying glimpse into life in prison–as a kid (Includes video)
Huffington Post – July 01, 2015
In a wealthier Michigan county, kids convicted of minor offenses are almost always sentenced to community service, like helping out at the local science center. Doug Mullkoff, a criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor, told me that prison in such circumstances is “virtually unheard of.” But Jamie is from Detroit, and in January 2012, she was sent to the Women?s Huron Valley Correctional Facility, a prison that holds inmates convicted of crimes like first-degree homicide. From this point onward, her world was largely governed by codes and practices and assumptions designed for adult criminals.
http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/cruel-and-all-too-usual/?ncid=newsltushpmg00000003

US: Educational Stability, Normalcy Best Served By Closer Placements (Opinion)
Chronicle of Social Change – June 30, 2015
In the past, the trauma of being placed in foster care was often intensified by placement in a new school. But in 2008, Congress passed the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act, which required that a child who is placed in foster care (or in a new foster home) remain in the same school unless it is not in his or her best interest.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/opinion/educational-stability-normalcy-best-served-by-closer-placements/10602

INTERNATIONAL

Australia: Challenged over refugee centers: Whistleblowers punished under new law
CNN – July 01, 2015
More than 40 doctors, nurses, teachers and other humanitarian workers have signed an open letter to the Australian government, challenging a new bill that could put whistleblowers in jail for disclosing the conditions of Australian detention centers.
http://www.channel4000.com/news/australia-challenged-over-refugee-centers/33943682

International: Speech: International Child Protection Certificate launch in Bucharest
Bloomberg Business – July 02, 2015
What is exciting for us is the launch of the International Child Protection Certificate. As emphasized by Mr. Virgil Spiridon, Deputy Inspector General of the Romanian Police, today’s launch takes place in the middle of a week which is a regional conference devoted to addressing the growing threats around online child sexual exploitation. We are really delighted that law enforcement officials and other key people from 11 countries and the region have joined us here in Bucharest this week and they are represented in the audience today, sharing experiences with officials from the UK National Crime Agency and with Romanian officials.
http://www.bloomberg.com/research/markets/news/article.asp?docKey=600-201507020350M2______EUPR_____6b03000002252ab3_3600-1

Syria: Urgent action needed to tackle child labour caused by Syrian Crisis: Save the Children and UNICEF (Press Release)
UNICEF – July 02, 2015
The conflict and humanitarian crisis in Syria are pushing an ever increasing number of children into exploitation in the labour market, and much more needs to be done to reverse the trend, according to a new report released by Save the Children and UNICEF. Also: Syrian Arab Republic: Small Hands Heavy Burden: How The Syria Conflict Is Driving More Children Into The Workforce, July 2015: http://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/small-hands-heavy-burden-how-syria-conflict-driving-more-children
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_82462.html

United Kingdom: Norfolk’s chief constable defends police work to tackle child abuse after release of critical report
Eastern Daily Press – July 02, 2015
A new series of reports released by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary this morning has warned that senior officers ‘risk failing another generation of children’ if they don’t reassess their approach.
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/norfolk_s_chief_constable_defends_police_work_to_tackle_child_abuse_after_release_of_critical_report_1_4135814

United Kingdom: Report highlights failings in child protection by police
BBC News – July 02, 2015
Police forces need to improve failings in child protection, a watchdog’s report has said.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-33349259

AZ: Independent Audit Highlights Problems At Arizona Department Of Child Safety
KJZZ – June 30, 2015
A new report released Tuesday shows Arizona’s child-welfare agency still needs to develop processes to get a handle on a growing number of cases. The Department of Child Safety was created last year after the previous agency failed to investigate more than 6,500 cases of child abuse and neglect. The Arizona Auditor General commissioned the report by the University of Chicago’s Chapin Hall Center for Children. State law passed last year requires an independent group complete the review.
http://kjzz.org/content/160001/independent-audit-highlights-problems-arizona-department-child-safety

DC: When Mom Needs Rehab, What About The Kids? New D.C. Programs Offer Solutions
WAMU – June 19, 2015
Judy Ashburn is director of residential treatment at Samaritan Inns. She says women, especially those who have young children, traditionally show up for treatment at a lower rate than men. “The mother will try to manage the addiction on her own, and usually it just gets worse and worse, so that by the time her children are grown, then her addiction has grown to the point that it?s much more difficult to treat later in life.” If women can bring their children with them into treatment, more families will stay together.
http://wamu.org/programs/metro_connection/15/06/19/when_mom_needs_rehab_what_happens_to_her_kids_new_dc_programs_seek_to_offer_solutions

IN: Prosecutor: Cases of child neglect getting more severe (Includes video)
Fox59 – June 30, 2015
A newborn baby with a broken leg, it is hard to comprehend. Two parents in Anderson are facing charges after they can’t explain how it happened. The case comes to light just one day after two other parents from Anderson were charged with neglect after police found their twins severely malnourished. Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings said he doesn’t know if the county is seeing more of these cases by number, but the level of neglect is getting more severe.
http://fox59.com/2015/06/30/prosecutor-cases-of-child-neglect-getting-more-severe/

KY: Social worker helps girl, faces firing
USA Today – June 29, 2015
Alarmed by multiple pleas for help from relatives of a 7-year-old Northern Kentucky girl who reported the child was being abused and neglected at home, state social worker Karey Cooper checked on her at school. For her efforts, Cooper now faces disciplinary action and possible termination by her employer in Northern Kentucky, the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Her offense? Unknown to Cooper, another worker had closed the cabinet’s long-running case on the girl’s family, finding no further action was necessary. Cooper said she was informed she violated cabinet policy by visiting the child.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/06/29/social-worker-helps-girl-faces-firing/29488235/

MN: Sweeping reforms made for child protection services (Includes video)
KARE 11 – July 01, 2015
Reforms in Minnesota’s child protection system go into effect Wednesday, July 1, including a requirement that all complaints to child protection be forwarded to police for possible investigation.
http://www.kare11.com/story/news/investigations/2015/06/30/july-1-child-protective-services-reforms/29517545/

MN: Kresha touts new nursing home funding, child protections
Brainerd Dispatch – June 30, 2015
Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Ron Kresha, R-Little Falls, serves as the GOP member on the Governor Dayton’s Task Force on the Protection of Children and had two bills signed into law that protected children who are maltreated and expanded county efforts to aid disadvantaged families in Morrison and Todd County.
http://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/3777175-kresha-touts-new-nursing-home-funding-child-protections

MN: Our viewpoint: More needs to be done to reduce child abuse (Opinion)
Sun Sailor – June 30, 2015
It is easy to become angry at the accused and the convicted, to send them to prison and pretend that we have accomplished something. However, we have a major public health issue confronting us, and are nowhere close to solving it. The reported crimes are just the tip of the iceberg.
http://sailor.mnsun.com/2015/06/30/our-viewpoint-more-needs-to-be-done-to-reduce-child-abuse/

MO: Missouri provides assistance for victims of domestic violence (Includes video)
Four States – June 30, 2015
State policy changes could open the door to more permanent housing for victims.
http://www.fourstateshomepage.com/news/missouri-provides-assistance-for-victims-of-domestic-violence

PA: Concern over new Pa. law requiring clearances for volunteers
The Mercury – June 30, 2015
Act 153, which was passed last November in response to the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal, requires a number of new or expanded measures to ensure that those who have working relationships with children have passed state and federal criminal and child abuse clearances. “We didn?t have a lot of notice. It came through in November 2014, when everyone’s clearances were expiring. We had to put together a database to make sure we are being compliant with the new laws,” said Steve Katch, Boyertown Area School District’s chief human resources officer.
http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20150630/concern-over-new-pa-law-requiring-clearances-for-volunteers

VT: Report: Children in DCF custody increased since 2014
WCAX – June 30, 2015
The Department for Children and Families released its 2014 child protection report Tuesday. It shows there are currently 1,326 children in DCF custody, a 33 percent increase since the beginning of 2014. Also: Vermont releases 2014 report on child abuse and neglect: http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/crime/article/Vermont-report-shows-more-children-in-state-6358790.php Also: VT DCF Report: Protection Line Receives Record Number of Calls in 2014: http://www.mychamplainvalley.com/story/d/story/vt-dcf-report-protection-line-receives-record-numb/33226/f4jKuMGmIUOINNhjlZKwNQ
http://www.wcax.com/story/29447525/report-vt-children-in-dcf-custody-increased-since-2014

WI: Family and Children’s Center announces new CEO
LaCross Tribune – July 01, 2015
After a national search, the Family and Children’s Center has hired a new president and chief executive officer. La Crosse native Tita Yutuc is set to take the post effective July 15.
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/family-and-children-s-center-announces-new-ceo/article_46447bd3-1b3b-51c7-b93a-f23d9a788992.html

WV: Judge Martin Gaughan Retires–A Founder of Community Corrections In West Virginia
WTRF – July 01, 2015
“Establishing the drug court programs–the first in the State of West Virginia–establishing the Mental Health Court Program, also the very first in our state, he has been a leader in his position as a circuit court judge,” said Attorney David B. Cross.
http://www.wtrf.com/story/29446194/judge-martin-gaughan-retires-a-founder-of-community-corrections-in-west-virginia

US: Chronicle of Social Change Takes on Child Trauma Thanks to New Reporting Initiative {Press release)
PRLog – July 01, 2015
As part of grant funding from the California Endowment, The Chronicle of Social Change (https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/) kicks off a new reporting initiative focused on child trauma with particular attention given to children and youth involved in the child welfare and probation systems.
http://www.prlog.org/12470911-chronicle-of-social-change-takes-on-child-trauma-thanks-to-new-reporting-initiative.html

US: Legislation Would Keep Foster Kids From Having to Change Schools
Youth Today – June 30, 2015
he traumatic changes children in foster care face often include disrupted schooling. They may have to change schools when they first enter foster care, then shift from school to school with each new foster home.
http://youthtoday.org/2015/06/legislation-would-keep-foster-kids-from-having-to-change-schools/

US: Caring For Other Children Is Hard, Even With Kin (Opinion)
Chronicle of Social Change – June 18, 2015
I didn’t know these children all that well. And despite the fact they were in the same situation I was in 20 years prior, all I could think about was how topsy-turvy my nice, little quiet life would become. I couldn’t believe my reaction since I know what foster care is like and I’ve been working off and on in the foster care industry for years. Also, I’ve been on a speaking circuit lecturing others about how families need to stand up against the growing foster care bureaucracy, yet there I was, equivocating. Why?
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/opinion/caring-for-other-children-is-hard-even-with-kin/10418

INTERNATIONAL

Australia: Child sex abuse inquiry: Nearly impossible for many children in out-of-home care to report abuse, royal commission hears
ABC Radio Australia – June 30, 2015
In the two financial years to 2014, there were more than 3,600 reports of sexual abuse committed against children in either foster care, residential care or kinship care. But according to child advocates, the reporting process is anything but easy.
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2015-06-30/child-sex-abuse-inquiry-nearly-impossible-for-many-children-in-outofhome-care-to-report-abuse-royal-/1464596

China: Doing the Unexpected: How One Social Entrepreneur Changed Paths (Press release)
Skoll Foundation – June 30, 2015
Jenny Bowen thought her work was almost done. After 17 years of running Half the Sky, she had helped transform China’s child welfare institutions, and she could “see the light at the end of the tunnel.” “We have lots of work left to do, but I can see where it’s going. So done, right? Mission accomplished.” Or so she thought.
http://www.skollfoundation.org/doing-the-unexpected-how-one-social-entrepreneur-changed-paths/

Indonesia: Public needs education on child abuse, says experts
Jakarta Post – July 01, 2015
Rifka Annisa, psychological counselor from Women’s Crisis Center (WCC) added the government had no serious policy dealing with sexual violence against children. It seemed that for many law enforcers, she said, battling terrorism or pursuing drug offender was much more important than combating sexual violence against children.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/07/01/public-needs-education-child-abuse-says-expert.html

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Child Death and Child Abuse Articles (for July 2015 – find your state/country here)

Author: Mike Tikkanen