KARA needs a volunteer/s to compile articles/stories about child abuse & child protection around the nation – KARA can provide the content. 5 hours per month per state – Know someone that might be interested?
CA: Board of Supervisors Looks to Potentially Alter Bypass of Family Reunification Services Policy
Davis Vanguard – April 04, 2016 At their last meeting, on March 22, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors looked into organizational and policy changes within Child Welfare Services. As a result of that meeting, an ad hoc subcommittee of Supervisors Jim Provenza and Matt Rexroad was created. http://www.davisvanguard.org/2016/04/board-supervisors-looks-potentially-alter-bypass-family-reunification-services-policy/
CA: Editorial: We are failing our children
Record Searchlight – April 03, 2016 The statistics hit like a kick in the gut: 1 in 14 Shasta County children will be put into foster care before their 5th birthday. One in four — that’s 25 percent — of Shasta County children will be suspected of being abused or neglected. In 88 percent of the cases where children are taken from their homes, it’s due to substance abuse. All this adds up to a dubious dishonor: Shasta County has the state’s second highest rate of children in foster care. http://www.redding.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-we-are-failing-our-children-2f70f035-4535-017c-e053-0100007f0f7f–374328731.html
CA: Police Officer Plays Hopscotch With Homeless Girl — Cleverly Uses The Game To Learn About The Child’s Welfare
Inquisitr – April 02, 2016 When Officer Zach Pricer from Southern California realized he was dealing with a delicate situation involving a homeless mother and daughter, he decided to humanely handle the situation and playfully diffuse the tension. Instead of making the young child endure the trauma of the legal process, he chose to engage her in a game of hopscotch, while his colleagues took care of the formalities. http://www.inquisitr.com/2953034/police-officer-plays-hopscotch-with-homeless-girl-cleverly-uses-the-game-to-learn-about-the-childs-welfare/
CA: Questions raised about effectiveness of CPS
Bay Area News Group and Democrat – April 02, 2016 The tragic deaths of Shaun and Delylah Tara, whose bodies were found last December in a Northern California storage locker, again have thrust the state’s Child Protective Services departments into a harsh spotlight, raising questions about whether the agencies can truly protect the state’s most vulnerable children. http://www.dailydemocrat.com/general-news/20160402/questions-raised-about-effectiveness-of-cps
CA: Vacaville commissioner advocates for preventing child abuse
The Reporter – March 31, 2016 She’s a mom, an advocate, a businesswoman and a Vacaville Community Services commissioner, and in honor of April being a double whammy–it’s both Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month–Christina Baird is offering her expertise to help keep kids safe. http://www.thereporter.com/general-news/20160330/vacaville-commissioner-advocates-for-preventing-child-abuse
CA: California high court won’t intervene in Choctaw girl’s move
Associated Press – March 30, 2016 The California Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to intervene in the case of a 6-year-old girl with Native American ancestry who was removed from her Los Angeles-area foster home and placed with relatives in Utah. Also: CA Supreme Court Denies ICWA Appeal: Breaking: http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/03/30/breaking-california-supreme-court-denies-appeal-lexi-case-163974 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3516399/California-high-court-wont-halt-ruling-Choctaw-girl-case.html
CA: Lisa Project aims to expose child abuse
For Inspire – March 30, 2016 The goal of the Child Abuse Prevention Council is to make it a subject that is talked about, the stories shared, the public saying we no longer will let this happen. As The Lisa Project says, “Some stories need to be told.” http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/life/inspire/2016/03/30/lisa-project-aims-expose-child-abuse/82441586/
CA: State Conducting Sweeping Investigation of DHHS’s Handling of Child Abuse Reports
North Coast Journal – March 30, 2016 The California Attorney General’s Office has launched an investigation into the the Humboldt Department of Health and Human Services’ handling of reports of child abuse and neglect, and specifically whether it is in compliance with the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. http://www.northcoastjournal.com/NewsBlog/archives/2016/03/30/state-conducting-sweeping-investigation-of-dhhss-handling-of-child-abuse-reports
CA: Victorville couple has taken in 39 foster children in 10 years
Victorville Daily Press – March 26, 2016 Foster Parent Recruiter Jessi Hodges said the Whittingslows are one of many families who have opened their hearts and homes to children through the Greater Hope Foundation, a nonprofit agency that first opened in Barstow 14 years ago. Greater Hope’s mission is to provide services that foster the physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs of abused, neglected and troubled children, Hodges told the Daily Press. http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20160326/victorville-couple-has-taken-in-39-foster-children-in-10-years
CA: Urgent pleas to California Supremes to help Lexi now
WND – March 29, 2016 An institute that already is legally challenging the Indian Child Welfare Act for being racist and imposing “a separate and disadvantageous system of rules for people of a particular ancestry” is pleading with the California Supreme Court to immediately return 6-year-old Lexi to the only parents she’s ever known. Court Filing: https://goldwater-media.s3.amazonaws.com/cms_page_media/2016/3/25/lexibrief.pdf http://www.wnd.com/2016/03/urgent-pleas-to-california-supremes-to-help-lexi-now/
CA: Community Rallies Behind Rexroad’s Push for Reform of Child Welfare System
Davis Vanguard – March 27, 2016 Matt Rexroad is a man on a mission. His thought-provoking delivery on why there should be major changes in the leadership of the county child welfare system has started the wheels in motion to galvanize change for a problem that affects so many young lives. His heartfelt plea for structural reconsideration brought to light issues that many people were oblivious to, given the discrete nature of court proceeding. http://www.davisvanguard.org/2016/03/community-rallies-behind-rexroads-push-reform/
CA: The Drama and Facts in the Battle Over Little Lexi
Huffington Post – March 25, 2016 The Page’s hopes to make Lexi a permanent part of their family were not possible, however, because of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) that was enacted to protect children of Native Americans from decades of exploitation. Lexi’s mother is not Native American but her father is enrolled with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and Lexi is 1.5% percent Choctaw. Authorities made it clear to them repeatedly that Lexi was never available for adoption, a fact they chose to ignore. Also: What Will Happen To Lexi Of The “Save Lexi” Campaign? The Court Decision Is Being Challenged: https://www.romper.com/p/what-will-happen-to-lexi-of-the-save-lexi-campaign-the-court-decision-is-being-challenged-7795 Also: Inside the Agonizing Custody Fight Over Lexi Page: http://time.com/4269542/inside-the-agonizing-custody-fight-over-lexi-page/?xid=homepage Also: Indian Children’s Law in Choctaw Foster Case Praised by Some, Criticized by Others: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/indian-children-s-law-choctaw-foster-case-praised-some-scrutinized-n546296 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mirah-riben/the-drama-and-facts-in-th_b_9540274.html
CA: Family Files Appeal to Keep Girl Who is 1/64 Native American
Eastern University Waltonian – March 25, 2016 The Page family in Santa Clarita appealed Tuesday to the state’s highest court in their fight to keep a 6-year-old foster child who was removed from their home and sent to live with relatives in Utah. http://waltonian.com/2016/03/california-family-files-appeal-to-keep-girl-who-is-1-64/
CA: Choctaw Nation issues statement on child custody dispute
Durant Daily Democrat – March 24, 2016 The Choctaw Nation issued a press release regarding a recent custodial dispute over a 6-year-old girl in California between the girl’s foster parents and the family of the child’s biological father. Statement: http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/03/24/choctaw-nation-responds-foster-couple-icwa-case-163901 Also: Hundreds rally to protest ruling in foster case: http://www.signalscv.com/section/36/article/150314/ http://durantdemocrat.com/news/4055/choctaw-nation-issues-statement-on-child-custody-dispute
CA: Guest commentary: When possible, foster parents should adopt family too
Bay Area News Group – March 23, 2016 The child welfare system is complicated and difficult to navigate. The overarching principle should remain firmly focused on the best interests of the child. This cannot happen unless the people involved communicate with each other and resolve to work as a team. http://www.contracostatimes.com/opinion/ci_29676055/guest-commentary-when-possible-foster-parents-should-adopt
CA: Lisa Smittcamp: We must confront Fresno child-abuse crisis (Opinion)
Fresno Bee – March 23, 2016 We need to develop a plan to substantially expand the availability of home visiting offered through evidence-based home visiting programs like the Nurse-Family Partnership. http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article67773597.html
CA: Monterey County child protective services responds to state report
Monterey Herald – March 23, 2016 Following the abuse and torture of three children that led to two deaths last year, the Monterey County Department of Social Services began implementing more changes to its child welfare division this month and submitted a report to the state. Article outlining key recommendations in report: http://www.montereyherald.com/article/NF/20160224/NEWS/160229864 http://www.montereyherald.com/general-news/20160323/monterey-county-child-protective-services-responds-to-state-report
CA: Yolo County supervisor’s story forces a hard look at foster care (Opinion) (Includes video)
The Sacramento Bee – March 23, 2016 Never mentioning Bonus Toddler’s name or details of the case, Rexroad offered a foster parent’s eye view of the child welfare system. Using PowerPoint and his persuasive powers, Rexroad explained that Yolo County has an outdated procedure for determining whether to reunite a family. There is, he said, no evidence that parenting courses of the sort required by Yolo County do any good. http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/dan-morain/article67908397.html
CA: California Returns Child to Family in ICWA Case
Indian Country Today – March 22, 2016 On Monday, March 21, pandemonium broke out in Santa Clarita, California, at the home of foster couple Summer and Russell Page as social workers from the Department of Children and Family Services arrived to pick up a 6-year-old girl who was being held by the couple in defiance of a court ordering her returned to relatives after a five-year custody battle. At 2:45 p.m. PST, the sobbing girl was carried to a vehicle and whisked away as dozens of media outlets and protesters looked on, bringing an end to a stand-off over the child’s custody that had made headlines around the world. Also: NICWA Supports Safe Transition in California ICWA Case (Press release): http://myemail.constantcontact.com/NICWA-Supports-Safe-Transition-in-California-ICWA-Case.html?soid=1102238947047&aid=07_RaZRiu6U Also: Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978: http://www.nicwa.org/Indian_Child_Welfare_Act/ Information Gateway resource: Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA): https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/diverse-populations/americanindian/icwa/ http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/03/22/breaking-california-returns-child-family-icwa-case-163881
CA: Custody case of Native American girl appealed to high court
Associated Press – March 22, 2016 Also: A 6-Year-Old Part-Choctaw Girl was Taken from Foster Parents After a Custody Battle (Includes video): http://www.parentherald.com/articles/30869/20160322/6-year-old-part-choctaw-girl-foster-parents-custody-battle.htm Also: It’s Time for These Foster Parents to Let Their Little Girl Go (Opinion): http://thestir.cafemom.com/politics_views/196825/its_time_for_these_foster Also: In Choctaw girl’s custody case, lessons for grown-ups (Opinion): http://www.presstelegram.com/opinion/20160322/in-choctaw-girls-custody-case-lessons-for-grown-ups http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3505014/Custody-case-Choctaw-girl-6-appealed-high-court.html
CA: Three county programs move downtown
Redding Record Searchlight – March 22, 2016 Three county programs opened their doors Monday morning at their new location in the Market Street Promenade in downtown Redding. The programs, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance–Education (SNAP-Ed) and Nurse Family Partnership programs are now located at The Atrium, at 1670 Market St. and occupy suites 300 and 242. http://www.redding.com/news/local/three-county-programs-move-downtown-2e92e935-a931-4715-e053-0100007fbc11-373154281.html
CA: School of Social Work creates program for youths
Daily Trojan – March 21, 2016 Operated by USC Telehealth and the School of Social Work, this online program will match licensed social workers and Masters of Social Work interns with at-risk youth. These therapy sessions will occur via Citrix, a secure internet platform that operates much like Skype. http://dailytrojan.com/2016/03/21/school-social-work-creates-program-youths/
CA: Santa Clarita Foster Family Fights to Keep Child in Indian Child Welfare Act Custody Battle (Includes video)
NBC Los Angeles – March 20, 2016 Dozens of people converged on a Santa Clarita neighborhood Sunday to demonstrate against authorities’ plans to take a 6-year-girl from her foster family’s custody and place her with Choctaw Nation blood relatives who live in Utah. http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/lexi-choctaw-foster-family-battle-indian-child-welfare-act-santa-clarita-372896221.html
CA: Harris addresses truancy, sex trafficking at Holman service
Los Angeles Wave – March 18, 2016 California Attorney General Kamala Harris — the state’s so-called “top cop” — stood in the pulpit at Holman United Methodist Church March 13 quoting scriptures like a veteran preacher at the church’s Women’s History Month celebration. Harris ended her talk calling for action on behalf of victims of sex trafficking in the United States. “Seventy-two percent of whom are born right here in the U.S. More than 50 percent of those trafficked for sex in L.A. come from the foster care system.” http://wavenewspapers.com/harris-addresses-truancy-sex-trafficking-at-holman-service/
CA: Former Foster Youth Leads California Ombudsperson Office
The Chronicle of Social Change – April 26, 2016
At the end of March, Rochelle Trochtenberg began her new job as California’s new foster care ombudsperson, the first time a former foster youth has held the post.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/news-2/former-foster-youth-leads-ombudsperson-office/17664
CA: Local foster kid is ‘beating the odds’
The Daily Press – April 26, 2016
Social worker Tabitha Forgia and foster parent recruiter Jessi Hodges, both with the Greater Hope Foundation, reached out to the Daily Press with the news of Duncan’s accomplishments. Hodges said Greater Hope serves over 200 families each year, with many children coming from an environment of neglect, abuse and abandonment.
http://www.vvdailypress.com/article/20160426/NEWS/160429812
CA: My child has two mothers (Opinion)
East Bay Times – April 26, 2016
In our society, the role of birth mother has often been cloaked in secrecy and regarded with scorn.
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_29817303/my-child-has-two-mothers-east-bay-times
CA: Alleged abuse led to closure of Rosemont home day care
Sacramento Bee – April 23, 2016
A suburban Sacramento day care operator abused children over the course of 26 years before state regulators took her license last month, according to the California Department of Social Services.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/investigations/the-public-eye/article73521982.html
CA: Board of Supervisors Looks to Potentially Alter Bypass of Family Reunification Services Policy
Davis Vanguard – April 04, 2016
At their last meeting, on March 22, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors looked into organizational and policy changes within Child Welfare Services. As a result of that meeting, an ad hoc subcommittee of Supervisors Jim Provenza and Matt Rexroad was created.
CA: Editorial: We are failing our children
Record Searchlight – April 03, 2016
The statistics hit like a kick in the gut: 1 in 14 Shasta County children will be put into foster care before their 5th birthday. One in four — that’s 25 percent — of Shasta County children will be suspected of being abused or neglected. In 88 percent of the cases where children are taken from their homes, it’s due to substance abuse. All this adds up to a dubious dishonor: Shasta County has the state’s second highest rate of children in foster care.
CA: Police Officer Plays Hopscotch With Homeless Girl — Cleverly Uses The Game To Learn About The Child’s Welfare
Inquisitr – April 02, 2016
When Officer Zach Pricer from Southern California realized he was dealing with a delicate situation involving a homeless mother and daughter, he decided to humanely handle the situation and playfully diffuse the tension. Instead of making the young child endure the trauma of the legal process, he chose to engage her in a game of hopscotch, while his colleagues took care of the formalities.
CA: Questions raised about effectiveness of CPS
Bay Area News Group and Democrat – April 02, 2016
The tragic deaths of Shaun and Delylah Tara, whose bodies were found last December in a Northern California storage locker, again have thrust the state’s Child Protective Services departments into a harsh spotlight, raising questions about whether the agencies can truly protect the state’s most vulnerable children.
http://www.dailydemocrat.com/general-news/20160402/questions-raised-about-effectiveness-of-cps
CA: A CPS failure: The short lives of Shaun and Delylah Tara
Inside Bay Area – April 01, 2016
Questions have been raised about failures of social workers to follow state regulations and best practices in monitoring the three siblings’ deteriorating home life, but the 135 pages of CPS documents obtained by this newspaper also paint a tragic tale of young kids passed from one troubled family to another, forced to endure squalid living conditions and a chaotic existence. Also: State officials blast Monterey County CPS handling of abuse case leading to two child deaths: http://www.insidebayarea.com/breaking-news/ci_29714166/state-officials-blast-monterey-county-cps-handling-abuse
CA: LA county proposes childcare vouchers to help struggling foster parents (Includes audio)
KPCC – April 01, 2016
LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl said the vouchers will also help in recruiting new parents into the state’s overburdened foster care system. Also: Childcare Critical for California Foster Parents: https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-welfare-2/childcare-critical-for-california-foster-parents/17083
CA: Survivors of Trafficking Invited to Join Calif. Action Team
Chronicle of Social Change – April 01, 2016
The California Child Welfare Council is inviting survivors of sexual exploitation to join the ranks of its Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) Action Team, specifically as members of its advisory board.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/news-2/17064/17064
CA: Vacaville commissioner advocates for preventing child abuse
The Reporter – March 31, 2016 She’s a mom, an advocate, a businesswoman and a Vacaville Community Services commissioner, and in honor of April being a double whammy–it’s both Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month–Christina Baird is offering her expertise to help keep kids safe. http://www.thereporter.com/general-news/20160330/vacaville-commissioner-advocates-for-preventing-child-abuse
CA: Family of 8-year-old Palmdale boy vindicated after charges filed against social workers
Los Angeles Daily News – April 07, 2016
Child abuse charges filed against four Los Angeles County social workers on Thursday brought a sense of justice to the family of Gabriel Fernandez, an 8-year-old boy whose mother and her boyfriend are accused of torturing to death in Palmdale in 2013 and whose case came to symbolize indifference by child protective services staffers. Also: In case of fatal torture of Calif. 8-year-old, are his social workers responsible?: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/04/08/the-fatal-torture-of-a-calif-8-year-old-was-a-disgrace-to-our-nation-are-his-social-workers-responsible/
CA: Partnership aims to aid underprivileged families
Daily Trojan – April 07, 2016
A USC-affiliated program is conducting a study that will help underserved families gain access to the resources they need for their children to be successful. The new program combines the national organization Parents as Teachers, which supports families with young children, with USC Telehealth, a virtual counseling and therapy clinic.
http://dailytrojan.com/2016/04/07/partnership-aims-aid-underprivileged-families/
CA: YouthBuild Chico offers dropouts and young offenders a diploma and vocational training
The News-Review – April 07, 2016
YouthBuild is an international organization that operates in 46 states and 27 countries. To qualify for the program, students must be between 16 and 24 years old and have been convicted of a crime or left high school without a diploma. Many students hail from low-income households and have experienced homelessness, addiction and the foster care system. Homeless students, those who’ve suffered addiction and those referred by the BCSO are placed in transitional or sober-living facilities while attending YouthBuild. The program is funded by grants.
https://www.newsreview.com/chico/second-chances/content?oid=20558330
CA: San Francisco Now Has Nation’s Most Generous Family Leave Policy
Rewire – April 06, 2016
San Francisco on Tuesday became the first place in the country to require that employers provide six weeks of fully paid leave to new parents. The sweeping benefit is the first of its kind in the country, which remains the only industrialized nation not to guarantee paid parental leave to all workers.
https://rewire.news/article/2016/04/06/san-francisco-now-nations-generous-family-leave-policy/
CA: In Compliance? A state investigation brings Humboldt’s child abuse epidemic into the spotlight
North Coast Journal – April 07, 2016
The California Attorney General’s Office has launched an investigation into the the Humboldt Department of Health and Human Services’ handling of reports of child abuse and neglect, and specifically whether it is in compliance with state law. But the department isn’t cooperating and has so far refused to turn over a host of documents requested by the state’s top law enforcement office.
http://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/in-compliance/Content?oid=3677389
CA: No Place Like Home: State bill would use bond money to house homeless
The Ukiah Daily Journal – April 06, 2016
With the recent closure of the emergency winter shelter in Ukiah, state and local agencies are drawing new plans to address the needs of inland Mendocino’s homeless population. On the state level, Sen. Mike McGuire is spreading the word about the No Place Like Home initiative, which will draw funds from a variety of sources to provide housing, rental subsidies, and mental health and addiction treatments to those who are homeless or most at risk of losing their homes.
CA: San Bernardino City Unified’s anti-absenteeism program wins state award
The Sun – April 06, 2016
The SBCUSD SARB goes beyond just a punitive approach to fixing the problem, and instead looks at other reasons families might have trouble getting students to school on time — or at all. The review board can refer students to community services like counseling, parenting classes or clothing assistance. Information Gateway resource: Collaborations and Partnerships: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/developing/collaboration/
CA: Supervisors focus on reunification policies in child welfare cases
Davis Enterprise – April 06, 2016
Instead, under a policy approved by the board on Tuesday, a process will be created where when the county counsel determines that a case may fall into one of the exception categories, a committee of the social worker, two supervisors and the child welfare services manager would attempt to reach a consensus on whether to recommend bypass or not. If there is no consensus, the matter would go to the director of health and human services to determine what recommendation to make to the court. Also: Yolo Supervisors OK draft document for child welfare services: http://www.dailydemocrat.com/general-news/20160405/yolo-supervisors-ok-draft-document-for-child-welfare-services
CA: State to expand paid family leave for new parents
Reuters – April 08, 2016
California will increase the amount of money new parents can receive through the state’s paid family leave program under a bill to be signed on Monday by Democratic Governor Jerry Brown, his office said Friday.
http://929wlmi.com/news/articles/2016/apr/09/california-to-expand-paid-family-leave-for-new-parents/
CA: The Impact of Extended Foster Care: Preliminary Findings of the CalYOUTH Study
Chronicle of Social Change – April 07, 2016
CalYOUTH is a five-year research project looking at the impact of the California Fostering Connections to Success Act, a California law known as AB 12 that extended foster care to age 21 and took effect in 2012. The study examines outcomes during the transition to adulthood for foster youth and will conclude in 2017. Information Gateway Resource: https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/resources/caregivers/
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/los-angeles/calyouth-study/17245
CA: Drugging Our Kids: Foster care bill targets excessive prescribing of psychiatric drugs
Vacaville Reporter – April 11, 2016
The voices of foster youth and their advocates overcame the powerful physicians lobby in the state capital Monday, as a bill to identify and investigate California doctors who overprescribe psychiatric drugs to traumatized foster children won a key Senate vote.
CA: Social Workers Charged in Death of 8-Year-Old Gabriel Fernandez (Includes video)
NBC Washington – April 07, 2016
Four Southern California social workers have been charged with child abuse and falsifying public records in the beating death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez three years ago.
CA: Inside Los Angeles’ Ambitious Public-Private Child Welfare Partnership
Inside Philanthropy – April 12, 2016
Public-private partnerships are the philanthropy of the future, and there’s a big one starting up in Los Angeles right now. Los Angeles County and 13 local foundations have recently banded together around improving the well-being of vulnerable children. And to solidify this collaboration, the county launched the Center for Strategic Public-Private Partnerships, a first-of-its-kind office squarely focused on child welfare.
CA: Social workers blast DA Jackie Lacey for prosecuting colleagues
City News Service – April 12, 2016
Dozens of county social workers protested downtown Tuesday, accusing District Attorney Jackie Lacey of criminalizing child welfare work by bringing child abuse charges against four of their colleagues.
CA: Streamlined Foster Family Approval Process Could Leave Relative Caregivers Behind
Chronicle of Social Change – April 14, 2016
California’s new Resource Family Approval Program (RFA) may produce more qualified foster families, but it may also discourage relatives from stepping up to foster their grandchildren or other kin. RFA merges the varying standards by which relative and non-relative families are approved to foster and adopt children in California’s child welfare system. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and advocates believe that the streamlined approval process will improve efficiency, increase parent preparation and increase permanency.
CA: Four Ways to Step Up the City’s Response to Domestic Violence (Opinion)
Voice of San Diego – April 13, 2016
In cases involving Child Protective Services, an additional tragedy can occur as a result of delays in prosecution. CPS often bases action on the status of a domestic violence case; meaning, charges filed months later can result in a child either left in temporary foster care longer than necessary or left in a violent home when they should be removed.
http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/opinion/four-ways-step-citys-response-domestic-violence/
CA: Inside Los Angeles’ Ambitious Public-Private Child Welfare Partnership
Inside Philanthropy – April 12, 2016
Public-private partnerships are the philanthropy of the future, and there’s a big one starting up in Los Angeles right now. Los Angeles County and 13 local foundations have recently banded together around improving the well-being of vulnerable children. And to solidify this collaboration, the county launched the Center for Strategic Public-Private Partnerships, a first-of-its-kind office squarely focused on child welfare.
CA: Evicted? San Francisco Says Not So Fast
The American Prospect – April 15, 2016 Amid an overheated housing market that has sent San Francisco evictions soaring, the city has stepped in to protect schoolchildren and teachers from landing on the street. http://prospect.org/article/evicted-san-francisco-says-not-so-fast
CA: State courts step up oversight of psychotropic medication use in foster care
Mercury News – April 15, 2016 California’s judicial leaders on Friday took a major step toward reversing the foster care system’s rampant use of psychiatric drugs, approving a slate of new safeguards to make juvenile courts here the country’s most careful and inquisitive monitors of psychiatric care for abused and neglected children. http://www.eastbaytimes.com/breaking-news/ci_29772963/california-courts-step-up-oversight-psychotropic-medication-use
CA: Why 2 San Gabriel Valley child welfare agencies plan to merge
Whittier Daily News – April 18, 2016
The boards of directors for Hillsides and Bienvenidos signed a memorandum of understanding last week that will allow them to consolidate their resources and offer expanded services to at-risk children and their families.
CA: Youth and Family Services YMCA Celebrates Five Years of My Home Program Helping Homeless Youth
Noozhawk – April 18, 2016
The Youth and Family Services YMCA held a five-year anniversary celebration of its My Home program April 5 at Artisan Court. My Home provides homeless youth ages 18-24 transitional housing and the tools needed to build independent lives. “This five years has taken a lot of people, a lot of resources and a lot of caring,” Youth and Family Services YMCA Executive Director Lynn Karlson told the audience, describing all involved as “visionary.”
CA: Pediatric cannabis gaining acceptance–but parents still risk losing their kids if they use it
Pacific Sun – April 20, 2016
The 1996 California law didn’t come with any age limits on who can or can’t access medical cannabis, but physicians are boxed in by an overarching federal scheduling of the drug that says marijuana has no medical benefits whatsoever, and the absence of a state law that would legalize cannabis outright.
http://pacificsun.com/upfront-chronic-youth/
CA: Social workers charged with child abuse in death of Palmdale boy stand before judge (Includes video)
ABC7 – April 21, 2016
Four former Los Angeles County social workers charged with child abuse in connection with the death of a young boy appeared in court Thursday. The former employees were accused by officials of being criminally negligent in their supervision of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. Also: Social workers delay entering pleas in case involving 8-year-old boy’s torture and death: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-social-workers-no-pleas-20160421-story.html
CA: Alleged abuse led to closure of Rosemont home day care
Sacramento Bee – April 23, 2016
A suburban Sacramento day care operator abused children over the course of 26 years before state regulators took her license last month, according to the California Department of Social Services.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/investigations/the-public-eye/article73521982.html
CA: Former Foster Youth Leads California Ombudsperson Office
The Chronicle of Social Change – April 26, 2016
At the end of March, Rochelle Trochtenberg began her new job as California’s new foster care ombudsperson, the first time a former foster youth has held the post.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/news-2/former-foster-youth-leads-ombudsperson-office/17664
CA: Local foster kid is ‘beating the odds’
The Daily Press – April 26, 2016
Social worker Tabitha Forgia and foster parent recruiter Jessi Hodges, both with the Greater Hope Foundation, reached out to the Daily Press with the news of Duncan’s accomplishments. Hodges said Greater Hope serves over 200 families each year, with many children coming from an environment of neglect, abuse and abandonment.
http://www.vvdailypress.com/article/20160426/NEWS/160429812
CA: My child has two mothers (Opinion)
East Bay Times – April 26, 2016
In our society, the role of birth mother has often been cloaked in secrecy and regarded with scorn.
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_29817303/my-child-has-two-mothers-east-bay-times
