Asbury Park Press NJ man charged after child death Asbury Park Press LANSING, Mich. – A New Jersey man who served more than three years in prison for injuring his baby daughter in 2002 has been charged with murder … Flag as irrelevant

CBC.ca Child death remains under investigation, presents low health risk Trending Impossible Questions & Painful Statistics CBC.ca The unexpected death of a child from Sheshatshiu suspected to be caused by meningococcal disease remains under investigation by … Flag as irrelevant

WSYR Ways to help prevent child death in hot cars WSYR 23 children across the U.S. have died this year in hot cars, the latest case reported in Texas on Sunday. It may seem like something that would never … Flag as irrelevant

Mom’s account of son’s death questioned amid custody dispute Miami Herald Idaho State Police still have not completed their investigation into the June 2 crash that killed 4-year-old Titus Harder. The boy was ejected when the … Flag as irrelevant

Mom’s account of son’s death questioned amid custody dispute News & Observer Mom’s account of son’s death questioned amid custody dispute … He refuted her description of Titus as a child who frequently tried to get out of his … Flag as irrelevant

Police: Death of child left in hot car apparently accident Fox News WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The death of a 4-year-old Pennsylvania girl who was left in a car for hours on a hot day apparently was an accident, although … Flag as irrelevant

WRIC Stafford man gets 6 months for foster child’s death WRIC (WRIC) — A Stafford man will serve just six months for the death of his … his sentencing on the fact that he believes the child’s death was an accident. Flag as irrelevant

Child death under investigation by Labrador-Grenfell Health CBC.ca A child’s unexpected death, likely from meningococcal disease, is under investigation by Labrador-Grenfell Health. In a news release, the health … Labrador-Grenfell Health investigating unexpected death of child – Labradorian Full Coverage Flag as irrelevant

news9.com KWTV Tulsa Dentist Charged With Murder In OKC Child’s Death news9.com KWTV OKLAHOMA CITY -. The Tulsa Dentist accused of killing the19-month-old son of the woman he was having an affair with will be tried for First-Degree … Tulsa dentist charged with first-degree murder in death of 19-month-old boy – KOCO Oklahoma City Full Coverage Flag as irrelevant

The Weather Channel   Pennsylvania Girl, Texas Boy Die in Hot Cars in Three-Day Span | The Weather Channel The Weather Channel Four young children died in four days in separate hot-car incidents in Texas, … The child was airlifted to Mercy Hospital in Joplin, where he was … Four Children Die in Hot Cars in Four-Day Span – The Weather Channel Full Coverage Flag as irrelevant

WEB

Texas child’s death during dental surgery reawakens ‘deadly dentistry’ debate Association of Health Care Journalists Several months after its seven-part Deadly Dentistry series, the Dallas Morning News is following the case of another child left dead after a dental visit. Flag as irrelevant

Bangladeshi child labourer ‘tortured to death‘ at textile mill Business & Human Rights Resource Centre Bangladeshi child labourer ‘tortured to death‘ at textile mill. Author: AFP [Dhaka], Published on: 25 July 2016. Police in Bangladesh have arrested a … Flag as irrelevant

Child dies a day after being named honorary Marine WGAU An 8-year-old from California was named an honorary Marine on Saturday. Flag as irrelevant

Child Dies of Anthrax in Russia’s Northern Siberia The Moscow Times A 12-year boy has died from anthrax in a hospital in northern Siberia amid an outbreak in the Yamal-Nenets autonomous district, the Interfax news … Flag as irrelevant

Child Hot-Car Deaths Reach 23 So Far This Year, Closing in on 2015 Total KOBE 1450 That raised the total number of children who have died of heatstroke in a vehicle so far this year from 23. KidsAndCars said that a total of 25 children … Flag as irrelevant

TOOWOOMBA COURT: Mason Lee’s mother died bail over child’s death River 949 TOOWOOMBA COURT: Mason Lee’s mother died bail over child’s death … Mason Lee has been refused bail after being charged over his death. Flag as irrelevant

Child Dies After Being Left in Hot Car by Babysitter Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys A child was pronounced dead Friday after being left in a hot car for several hours on Friday. An investigation of the incident is underway. Flag as irrelevant

CA: County supervisors begin in-depth look at child welfare system
Davis Enterprise – July 31, 2016
Yolo County supervisors have begun what one expert called a “remarkable” in-depth examination of the county’s child-welfare services program, with workshops, interviews, analysis and more that will continue well into the fall – all with the goal of determining how best to serve Yolo children at risk for abuse and neglect.
http://www.davisenterprise.com/local-news/county-government/county-supervisors-begin-in-depth-look-at-child-welfare-system/

CA: Undercover LA County Detectives Catch Child Traffickers Online (Includes video)
NBC Los Angeles – July 29, 2016
Some 70 percent of trafficked children in Los Angeles come from foster care or group homes, although anyone’s child could become a victim, authorities said.
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Undercover-Detectives–388723022.html

MN: Kresha raises question about police’s role in child protection cases
Morrison County Record – July 29, 2016
State Representative Ron Kresha, R-Little Falls, who co-chairs the Legislative Task Force on Child Protection, is raising questions over whether or not there is a better way to remove children from abusive or neglectful homes.
http://mcrecord.com/2016/07/29/kresha-raises-question-about-polices-role-in-child-protection-cases/

NC: Guilford still in need of foster homes
News & Record – July 30, 2016
The county currently has 83 licensed foster homes providing shelter and care for children who are separated from their families by the court system. It’s a large increase from nine months ago, when the county first began a push to actively recruit foster parents. But the number of children in foster care continues to grow and more homes are needed to meet the demand, according to Fran George, a social work supervisor for the Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services.
http://www.greensboro.com/news/guilford-still-in-need-of-foster-homes/article_c93029ce-99a5-5ce7-9c5d-90ba4de48ba5.html

NY: ‘Disturbed’ kids at city foster-care center ‘drugged’ at hospital
New York Post – July 31, 2016
Dozens of kids housed in a city-run foster-care center are labeled “emotionally disturbed persons” and hauled next door to Bellevue Hospital, where some get drugs to sedate them, The Post has learned.
http://nypost.com/2016/07/31/disturbed-kids-at-city-foster-care-center-drugged-at-hospital/

NY: Oswego County grappling with lower state, federal funds for foster care (Requires registration)
Oswego County News – July 30, 2016
A spike in the number of children needing foster care in Oswego County, coupled with a decrease in state and federal funding, has left the Department of Social Services needing a $2.5 million increase in funds for that program.
http://www.oswegocountynewsnow.com/news/oswego-county-grappling-with-lower-state-federal-funds-for-foster/article_832460f8-55df-11e6-bfe2-23e2294f78e8.html

OR: Boy, 2, dies in care of stepfather after DHS was shown he’d hurt toddler; lawyers seek $10 million
The Oregonian – July 31, 2016
Lawyers for a 2-year-old boy who died after child protective workers and police were twice called to check on suspicious bruises attributed to his stepfather have filed a $10 million lawsuit against the the Oregon Department of Human Services and the Dallas Police Department.
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2016/07/boy_2_dies_in_care_of_stepfath.html#incart_2box

VA: Shenandoah Valley DSS director moving forward
News Virginian – July 31, 2016
Harris said this week that her staff has met most all the suggestions of the review, which was released in February and identified no “extremely serious” problems with the overall department, Harris said. The review report did say, however, that the CPS division of the agency was fraught with problems and reported staff there had complained about a “hostile working environment” during the previous administration.
http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/shenandoah-valley-dss-director-moving-forward/article_df28810a-5787-11e6-8207-3b1f42c78ac5.html

US: Child Welfare Ideas from the Experts, #6: Requiring Educational-Vocational Specialists
Chronicle of Social Change – August 10, 2016
Require states to designate one educational-vocational specialist (EVS) in each child welfare agency in order to qualify for reimbursement under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act. The EVS would be responsible for assessing the individual challenges for any student in foster care, and connecting them with any resources or assistance that can help in the pursuit of employment or college.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/featured/child-welfare-ideas-from-the-experts-6-requiring-educational-vocational-specialists/11522

US: Pregnant in Prison? Some States Deliver Doulas
Governing – August 01, 2016
In a small but growing number of states, expectant inmates are getting help dealing with the trauma of giving birth and then having to say goodbye.
http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/gov-prison-pregnant-doulas.html

US: Why Did International Adoption Suddenly End?
Priceonomics – July 30, 2016
From its historic peak in the mid-2000s, the number of international adoptions began to fall. It has been falling ever since. According to figures collected by the U.S. State Department, Americans adopted 5,647 children from other countries last year, the lowest figure since the early 1980s. That is a 75% decline in just over one decade. Information Gateway Resource: Intercountry Adoption : https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/adoption/adopt-ethics/types/intercountry/
http://priceonomics.com/why-did-international-adoption-suddenly-end/

US: Foster Youth are Traumatized Enough: Why Psych Meds Should be Better Regulated (Opinion)
Chronicle of Social Change – July 29, 2016
According to San Jose Mercury News’ Drugging Our Kids series, which I participated in, foster kids in California are 3.5 times more likely than other adolescents in the U.S. to be put on a psychotropic drug.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-trauma-2/foster-youth-traumatized-enough-psych-meds-better-regulated/19981

US: Post Adoption Resources for Foster to Adopt Families
About Parenting – July 29, 2016
Families who have adopted children from foster care often tell us that one key to success is accessing financial and medical assistance and services that support parents, children, and youth.
http://adoption.about.com/od/adopting/fl/Post-Adoption-Resources-for-Foster-to-Adopt-Families.htm

US: Questions About Failed Adoptions and Rehoming
About Parenting – July 29, 2016
Rehoming is the term currently being used to describe a privately arranged second placement for an adopted child when the first adoptive placement fails. Such a failure is called a “disruption.” Usually, it is the initial adoptive family that arranges the “rehoming” of a child to another adoptive family.
http://adoption.about.com/od/adopting/fl/Questions-About-Failed-Adoptions-and-Rehoming.htm

INTERNATIONAL

Australia: Mick Gooda and Margaret White to lead royal commission into NT juvenile detention
The Guardian – August 01, 2016
The Turnbull government has appointed two royal commissioners to head its inquiry into juvenile detention and child protection in the Northern Territory – Margaret White, a former justice of the supreme court of Queensland, and the social justice commissioner, Mick Gooda.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/aug/01/mick-gooda-and-margaret-white-to-lead-royal-commission-into-nt-juvenile-detention

Egypt: First doctor convicted for female circumcision serves just 3 months of sentence
Mada Masr – July 31, 2016
Fadl was initially sentenced to two years in prison for involuntary manslaughter, and an additional three months for female circumcision. The case was lauded as a landmark verdict, as Fadl was the first doctor to be convicted for performing circumcision despite the practice being outlawed in 2008.
http://www.madamasr.com/news/first-doctor-convicted-female-circumcision-serves-just-3-months-sentence

United Kingdom: Scottish Government press ahead with named person scheme despite Supreme Court setback
Scottish Daily Record – July 31, 2016
Ministers are pressing ahead with the policy designed to act as a safety net for families and children, despite a setback this week in the form of a Supreme Court ruling.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-government-press-ahead-named-8532136#O4qpMWc6gErSC7R0.97

United Kingdom: We need better data on FGM, not propaganda (Opinion)
The Guardian – July 31, 2016
Let’s stop sensationalist headlines. Let’s recognise the limitations of this uninterpretable data collection and question whether the wider cost can be justified; and push for better data rather than peddle propaganda. Failure to do so risks setting back the many commendable efforts to tackle FGM in the UK.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/31/we-need-better-data-on-fgm-not-propaganda

CA: An Upstream Approach: Using Data-Driven Home Visiting to Prevent Child Abuse
Chronicle of Social Change – August 02, 2016
In particular, data identifying heightened maltreatment risk for children born to young mothers who have experienced abuse themselves provides an opportunity to better target the county’s home visiting programs. While the county appears to be getting it right with pregnant foster youth, two premier home visiting programs do not triage their severely limited service capacity based on families at the highest statistical risk for abuse.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/featured/targeting-home-visiting-programs-prevent-child-abuse/20119

FL: Abandoned babies highlight importance of publicity for ‘Safe Haven’ law, officials say (Includes video)
Orlando Sentinel – August 02, 2016
Three abandoned babies found in Central Florida in recent months have drawn attention to the state’s “Safe Haven” law and led to questions about the way the program is publicized. Information Gateway Resource: Public Awareness & Creating Supportive Communities: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/communities/
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/crime/os-florida-safe-haven-law-20160802-story.html

NC: Moore County Board of Commissioners chairman questions decision by DSS board
Fayetteville Observer – August 03, 2016
The chairman of the Moore County Board of Commissioners wants to know why a woman once assigned to protect a toddler who drowned in a pond was denied an opportunity to speak to the county’s Department of Social Services board. Also: Picerno Questions Decision by Social Services Board Chair: http://www.thepilot.com/news/picerno-questions-decision-by-social-services-board-chair/article_a0a2c678-5919-11e6-a008-af27ad4deb19.html
http://www.fayobserver.com/news/local/moore-county-board-of-commissioners-chairman-questions-decision-by-dss/article_d6b60ec6-9c94-5bee-873c-658b128495a7.html

NC: Our VOICE launches two-year project to combat modern-day slavery
Mountain Xpress – August 02, 2016
With support from these two grants, Wind says the big “goal is to end human trafficking in this area.” WEST NC will focus on sex trafficking but no victims of other forms of human trafficking will be turned away, she emphasizes.
http://mountainx.com/news/our-voice-launches-two-year-project-to-combat-modern-day-slavery/

NV: I-Team: Questions surround hospital after child suffers abuse once released into parents’ care (Includes video)
KLAS-TV – August 02, 2016
It appears Child Protective Services did what it was supposed to do to try to help protect the child in the first place, but St. Rose Siena Hospital may not have been as vigilant.
http://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/i-team-questions-surround-hospital-after-child-suffers-abuse-once-released-into-parents-care

OR: Becoming A Foster Parent In Oregon: A Long, Frustrating Process
Oregon Public Broadcasting – August 02, 2016
Speaking on OPB’s Think Out Loud, Reginald Richardson with Oregon’s Department of Human Services, says he’s heard the complaints and is looking into them. But he said his priority is the 6,000 unfinished investigations of abuse and neglect that were on the agency’s books when he started last year.
http://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-foster-parent-application-process/

TN: Hundreds of kids in need of foster care or adoption in Northeast Tennessee (Includes video)
WCYB-TV – August 02, 2016
Thousands of kids in Tennessee are in need of foster care or adoption, including hundreds right here in the Tri-Cities.
http://www.wcyb.com/news/hundreds-of-kids-in-need-of-foster-care-or-adoption-in-northeast-tennessee/41019998

US: Child Welfare Ideas from the Experts, #8: State Family Drug Court Standards, Federal Funds for Substance Abuse
Chronicle of Social Change – August 03, 2016
Morin would make the presence of family drug court standards a prerequisite for states receiving any Title IV-E funds. He would also have Congress incentivize states to utilize a recovery-focused approach in cases where abuse and neglect are attributed to substance abuse.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/analysis/child-welfare-ideas-experts-8-2/19700

US: A Healthier Start: Addressing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and Opioid Misuse during Pregnancy
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – August 02, 2016
There has been a five-fold increase in babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) from 2000 to 2012. These babies are a part of why HHS has made addressing the opioid epidemic a Department-wide priority.
http://blog.samhsa.gov/2016/08/02/a-healthier-start-addressing-neonatal-abstinence-syndrome-and-opioid-misuse-during-pregnancy/

INTERNATIONAL

India: Petition Against Female Genital Mutilation Evokes An Angry Backlash
National Public Radio – August 02, 2016
Until the petition went public in December, many Indians didn’t know female genital mutilation – or FGM – happens in the country at all. In India, the Dawoodi Bohra Muslims are the only community that practices female genital mutilation in the form of circumcision, a practice they call khatna that dates back 1,400 years, according to the clergy. There are about a million Dawoodi Bohra Muslims globally; the majority live in India and some in Pakistan, with diaspora populations across the world.
http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/08/02/486927642/petition-against-female-genital-mutilation-evokes-an-angry-backlash?ft=nprml&f=

Somalia: Somalia urged to pass law banning “horrendous” FGM
Reuters – August 02, 2016
Somalia’s next government should ensure a law is passed banning all forms of female genital mutilation (FGM), a U.N. official said on Tuesday, describing the deeply entrenched practice as a “horrendous rights violation”.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-3720330/Somalia-urged-pass-law-banning-horrendous-FGM.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

CA: A Vision for California Policy from Youth in Foster Care
The Chronicle of Social Change – August 03, 2016
Over 100 members of California Youth Connection (CYC) and their adult supporters gathered last weekend at the University of Southern California to discuss crucial issues facing youth in the foster care system, and create policy recommendations to remove these barriers to success for young people in the future.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/news-2/a-vision-for-california-policy-from-youth-in-foster-care/20172

CA: Homeschooled children to face more oversight
Monterey Herald – August 03, 2016
Monterey County top education officials are proposing changes that would dramatically increase oversight of children being homeschooled. The revisions are being proposed in the wake of a severe maltreatment case that ended with a moribund girl and her siblings dead in a storage unit in Northern California. Two of the children were enrolled in the Monterey County Home Charter School after being pulled out of a regular school.
http://www.montereyherald.com/social-affairs/20160803/homeschooled-children-to-face-more-oversight

IL: Department of Human Services Moves to Implement Rule on Overtime Policy (Press release)
Illinois Department of Human Services – August 02, 2016
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will publish a proposed rule to govern overtime in the Home Services Program. The Home Services Program pays providers to care for our customers with disabilities where our customers reside.
http://www.publicnow.com/view/2154C7779D6D9BEAD406388C3BDA9B347EA9F40A?2016-08-03-16:31:21+01:00-xxx8126

IN: How To Protect Your Child From Sexual Predators (Opinion)
Indianapolis Star – August 04, 2016
Individuals who sexually abuse children often know they need to create a sense of safety and trust with the people around them, so that concerns are dismissed.
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/investigations/2016/08/04/how-protect-your-child-sexual-predators/87906268/

MN: St. Louis County social workers rally for more staff
Duluth News Tribune – August 03, 2016
On Wednesday, many of those county workers, members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 66, used their lunch hour to hold informational rallies in front of county offices in Virginia and Hibbing to increase public awareness of a lack of staffing, especially child protection workers.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4087525-st-louis-county-social-workers-rally-more-staff

NC: Pender Co. sees increase in child abuse, neglect reports
WWAY – August 03, 2016
Health and Human Services Director Carolyn Moser said the reports have been on the rise for the last six to eight weeks. “Staff are stressed,” Moser said. Moser is talking about the staff at the department of social services.
http://www.wwaytv3.com/2016/08/03/pender-co-sees-increase-in-child-abuse-neglect-reports/

NE: Lancaster County family drug court revamp earns national attention
Lincoln Journal Star – August 03, 2016
The changes got the local drug court team – Heideman, Nebraska HHS Child and Family Services supervisor Jamie Bahm and Nebraska Resource Project for Vulnerable Young Children Co-Director Jennie Cole-Mossman — an invitation to present at the Child Welfare League of America’s national conference this week. in Garden Grove, California.
http://journalstar.com/news/local/911/lancaster-county-family-drug-court-revamp-earns-national-attention/article_f3f090c5-c50a-53fa-b269-d2058b31497b.html

NJ: Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children changes name to Visions and Pathways
Community Bulletin – August 03, 2016
After operating for more than 40 years as Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children, a Bridgewater-based nonprofit, has expanded and is changing its name to Visions and Pathways. The agency’s mission will continue to be to provide abused, neglected, homeless and missing youth ages 13-21 with housing, a stable environment, and supportive services that guide them in becoming self-sufficient.
http://www.nj.com/messenger-gazette/index.ssf/2016/08/somerset_home_for_temporarily_displaced_children_changes_name_to_visions_and_pathways.html

NV: CASA volunteers give abused children hope for future in Las Vegas
Las Vegas Review-Journal – August 03, 2016
The need for CASA is great. While there is no monetary compensation for serving as a CASA, nobody explained the reward better than Sullivan: “If you give a child a CASA, then you’ve given that child a voice. And if you’ve given the child a voice, then you’ve given that child hope. And if you’ve given the child hope, then you’ve given that child a future.”
http://www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/columns-blogs/herb-jaffe/casa-volunteers-give-abused-children-hope-future-las-vegas

OH: Sharonville woman continues push for foster care reform
Community Press – August 03, 2016
Desperate to bring meaning to the murder of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel by his foster parents, one woman continues her effort to shine a spotlight in dark places that many people can’t see or intentihelping abused children in onally avoid.
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/sharonville/2016/08/03/sharonville-woman-continues-push-foster-care-reform/88006604/

OK: DHS Announces More Budget Cuts (Includes video)
News9 – August 03, 2016
The state budget crisis forced the Department of Human Services to make $45 million worth of cuts on Wednesday. But DHS says without additional funding, by spring, the department will have major issues that will affect the people they serve. Also: Oklahoma to Eliminate 91 Jobs: http://newsok.com/dhs-to-cut-91-positions-as-it-struggles-with-funding/article/5512333?custom_click=rss
http://www.news9.com/story/32681191/oklahoma-dhs-announces-more-budget-cuts

PA: Changes to state law not having desired effect in Bradford County
The Daily Review – August 03, 2016
Changes made in 2014 to the state’s Child Protective Services Law, which were aimed at uncovering more cases of child abuse by county investigators, have not had that effect in Bradford County.
http://www.thedailyreview.com/news/2016-08-03/Today%27s_Top_Stories/Changes_to_state_law_not_having_desired_effect_in_.html

PA: Mayor Rallies Child Welfare Professionals, Parents At ‘Summit’ (Includes audio)
KYW 1060 – August 03, 2016
Mayor Jim Kenney gave a pep talk, of sorts, Wednesday to parents and professionals who are trying to improve Philadelphia’s child welfare system, at an event billed as a “Strengthening Families Summit.”
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2016/08/03/child-welfare-professionals-parents-summit/

TX: Need for foster parents in Jasper (Includes video)
Fox4 – August 02, 2016
According to Child Protective Services, the number of foster children in Jasper has nearly doubled since since September 2015.
http://fox4beaumont.com/news/local/need-for-foster-parents-in-jasper

US: Child Welfare Ideas from the Experts, #8: State Family Drug Court Standards, Federal Funds for Substance Abuse
The Chronicle of Social Change – August 03, 2016
Morin would make the presence of family drug court standards a prerequisite for states receiving any Title IV-E funds. He would also have Congress incentivize states to utilize a recovery-focused approach in cases where abuse and neglect are attributed to substance abuse.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/analysis/child-welfare-ideas-experts-8-2/19700

US: ChildFund Alliance Members Work to Reduce Child Migration from Mexico and Central America with $9.7 Million Grant (Press release)
Enhanced Online News – August 03, 2016
Through a $9.7 million USD grant from the Canadian government’s foreign relations department Global Affairs Canada, ChildFund Alliance members are working to reduce recent waves of child migration in Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
http://www.enhancedonlinenews.com/portal/site/eon/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20160803006684&newsLang=en&permalinkExtra=ChildFund-Alliance-Members-Work-Reduce-Child-Migration

US: How USA Gymnastics protected coaches over kids (Opinion)
Indianapolis Star – August 03, 2016
Top executives at one of America’s most prominent Olympic organizations failed to alert authorities to many allegations of sexual abuse by coaches – relying on a policy that enabled predators to abuse gymnasts long after USA Gymnastics had received warnings. An IndyStar investigation uncovered multiple examples of children suffering the consequences, including a Georgia case in which a coach preyed on young female athletes for seven years after USA Gymnastics dismissed the first of four warnings about him.
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/investigations/2016/08/04/usa-gymnastics-sex-abuse-protected-coaches/85829732/

US: States Focus on Improving Child Welfare (Press release)
National Governors Association – August 03, 2016
The National Governors Assoiation (NGA) today announced that eight states-Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin-will participate in a 18-month technical assistance effort focused on improving safety and preventing fatalities within the child welfare system. Information Gateway resource: Building and Sustaining System Reform Efforts: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/management/reform/building/
http://www.nga.org/cms/home/news-room/news-releases/2016–news-releases/col2-content/states-focus-on-improving-child.html

US: What Does Trauma-Informed Mean to Foster Youth? (Opinion)
Youth Today – August 03, 2016
Trauma-informed approaches offer frameworks grounded in an understanding of trauma, which provide safe spaces for engaging youth, delivering services and creating opportunities for individuals to successfully rebuild their lives.
http://youthtoday.org/2016/08/what-does-trauma-informed-mean-to-foster-youth/

INTERNATIONAL

Canada: Country Announces Terms of Probe Into Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women
The Canadian Press – August 03, 2016
Family members wiped away tears Wednesday, Aug. 3, as the federal government outlined the terms of an inquiry into the phenomenon of missing and murdered aboriginal women-along with a price tag that is nearly $14 million higher than expected.
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/2131229-feds-announce-terms-of-probe-into-missing-murdered-indigenous-women/

Germany: Country Took Charge of Over 42,300 Unaccompanied Underage Refugees in 2015
Latin American Herald Tribune – August 04, 2016
Child protection services in Germany took custody of over 42,300 unaccompanied refugee children in 2015, the Federal Statistics Office of Germany said in a statement on Tuesday.
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=12395&ArticleId=2417882

United Kingdom: New Website for Childline
Parenting Without Tears – August 04, 2016
To make it easier for young people to contact Childline, the NSPCC has unveiled a new brand and website (https://www.childline.org.uk/) which enables simpler access from mobile and tablet devices. It also allows users to create a “mood journal” so they can record, in confidence, how they feel each day and counsellors can respond if they have any concerns.
http://www.parentingwithouttears.com/articles/new-website-for-childline

DC: Homeless and stuck in a D.C. motel with family (Includes video)
WJLA – August 04, 2016
D.C. is right in the middle of a sweeping overhaul on how the District handles homelessness. Its goal is to re-house families who end up on the streets in 60 days or less by the year 2020.
http://wjla.com/features/7-on-your-side/homeless-and-stuck-in-a-dc-motel-with-family

MD: School system sees rise in abuse reports, report shows
The Washington Post – August 05, 2016
Child welfare officials received nearly 340 reports of suspicious incidents involving employees of the Montgomery County school system during the most recent academic year as the school district stepped up its efforts to protect against child abuse.
http://www.districtadministration.com/news/school-system-sees-rise-abuse-reports-report-shows

MI: Local law enforcement build play area to help children of abuse escape pain
NBC25 – August 04, 2016
Local law enforcement members came together today to help children suffering from emotional trauma find an escape. The Weiss Advocacy Center called upon the help of officers from Burton, Grand Blanc City and Township, Flint, Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and Michigan State Police to help them build a ‘playscape’ for children who have been victims of abuse and other crimes.
http://nbc25news.com/news/local/local-law-enforcement-build-play-area-to-help-children-of-abuse-escape-pain

NC: Our View: Moore DSS Board Needs a Big Dose of Openness
The Fayetteville Observer – August 04, 2016
We need to share an unpleasant fact of life with the Moore County Department of Social Services advisory board: For most people, appearance is reality. And since it looks like the board is trying to circle its wagons and block out criticism for its role in the April drowning death of a neglected toddler, for most residents of Moore County, the stonewalling image will ring true.
http://www.fayobserver.com/opinion/editorials/our-view-moore-dss-board-needs-a-big-dose-of/article_f01148bf-fcbe-586f-b988-6cc2eea27845.html

NY: Suit over NYC foster care system continues
Queens Chronicle – August 04, 2016
Beatings, sexual abuse, neglect and malnutrition. That’s what countless kids in the city’s foster care system have experienced on a daily basis, according to Marcia Robinson Lowry.
http://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/suit-over-nyc-foster-care-system-continues/article_954882d5-e188-5626-b8c8-fdd23c87c6ab.html

PA: Child abuse cases are on the rise in Franklin County (Includes video)
WHAG – August 04, 2016
In Franklin County there has been a spike in the number of child abuse cases. The Franklin County Children and Youth services have seen a 42 percent increase frpm 2014 to 2015.
http://www.your4state.com/news/pennsylvania/child-abuse-cases-are-on-the-rise-in-franklin-county

TN: Foster care advocate wants to help kids ‘break the cycle’
The Tennessean – August 05, 2016
The North American Council on Adoptable Children is hosting a conference in Nashville this week. As part of that, the council, the state Department of Children Services and others are hosting a bus tour through the state’s foster care system Friday, Aug. 5.
http://www.tennessean.com/story/life/2016/08/05/foster-care-advocate-wants-help-kids-break-cycle/87909852/

TX: Lawmakers Look for Ways to Help Abused Children (Opinion) (Includes video)
The Star-Telegram – August 04, 2016
It’s time for Texas to step up and do more to protect the state’s most vulnerable people. That starts with reducing caseloads and boosting salaries for the people who investigate child abuse cases and recommend where those children should live, several local and state officials said Thursday.
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article93813137.html

UT: A foster child, now grown, contemplates the family you leave and the families you find
Deseret News – August 04, 2016
The system can put shelter over a child’s head. Providing stability or permanency is more difficult – something many of America’s estimated 415,000 children in foster care know very well. Case workers try first to put families back together again, and just over half the time they succeed. But the other nearly half of the children will never reunite with their parents.
http://beta.deseretnews.com/article/865659371/A-foster-child-now-grown-contemplates-the-family-you-leave-and-the-families-you-find.html?pg=all

VA: 51 formally ignored cases of child abuse reopened in Rockbridge by state (Includes video)
WSLS – August 04, 2016
An investigation into the Rockbridge Area Department of Social Services has led to more than 50 cases of potential child abuse being re-opened.
http://wsls.com/2016/08/04/51-formally-ignored-cases-of-child-abuse-reopened-in-rockbridge-by-state/

US: Child Welfare Ideas from the Experts, #10: Better Policing of Adoption Subsidies
The Chronicle of Social Change – August 05, 2016
Johnson would pursue, through legislation or administrative program instructions, changes to the way in which adoption subsidies are monitored at the state level. He calls specifically for two policy changes: Requiring that states terminate adoption subsidies when the adoptive parent is no longer providing support to an adopted child. Requiring states to annually “track dissolutions to determine subsidy eligibility, and investigate “all suspected fraud cases.”
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/analysis/child-welfare-ideas-experts-10/19706

US: Depression screening tools not accurate for children and adolescents
Medical News Today – August 04, 2016
In Canada and the U.S., doctors are increasingly being encouraged to try to identify depression in children and adolescents – even if they do not have obvious indications of the disease. In order to do so, the physicians often use short questionnaires that ask about symptoms of depression. But, according to new research, there is insufficient evidence to show that any of these questionnaires accurately screen 6- to 18-year-olds for the disease. The researchers believe that this calls into question the use of these assessment tools for this group and raises worries about possible misdiagnosis of the disease in this age range. Information Gateway resource: Tips and Tools for Parents and Caregivers of Teens: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/youth/development/understanding/tips/
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/312103.php

US: Poised to hit Obama’s target of 10,000 Syrian refugees
Associated Press – August 04, 2016
After a slow start, it appears increasingly likely that the Obama administration will hit its goal of admitting 10,000 Syrian refugees into the United States before the end of September.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3724214/US-poised-hit-Obamas-target-10-000-Syrian-refugees.html

INTERNATIONAL

Australia: Child abuse trial hears former Bishop
Australian Associated Press (AAP) – August 05, 2016
Bishop Richard Appleby, who served as auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Newcastle in the Hunter region of NSW from 1983 to 1992, said on Thursday he was not aware during that time of allegations of child sex abuse against clergy and lay workers in the diocese.A child sex abuse victim has given evidence that he spoke with Bishop Appleby in 1984 about being abused by a parish priest.
http://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/nsw/2016/08/05/child-abuse-trial-hears-former-bishop.html

Australia: SA child protection system needs to change to give kids ‘life they deserve’, royal commissioner says
ABC News Australia – August 04, 2016
South Australia’s children deserve better and the state’s child protection system needs to be changed to protect kids from abuse, royal commissioner Margaret Nyland says.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-05/sa-child-protection-system-needs-to-change-margaret-nyland-says/7693084

Japan: Child abuse in Japan at worst level on record in FY 2015
Japan Today – August 05, 2016
Child abuse in Japan reached its worst level on record in fiscal 2015, with the number of cases handled by welfare officials surpassing 100,000 for the first time, a government survey showed Thursday.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/child-abuse-in-japan-at-worst-level-on-record-in-fy-2015

Pakistan: Govt urged to enforce child protection laws
Daily Times – August 05, 2016
The Children Advocacy Network (CAN) Pakistan along with ActionAid, a leading policy and advocacy group working for promotion and protection of children’s rights, have urged the federal and provincial governments to set up an adequate mechanism for implementation recommendations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
http://dailytimes.com.pk/punjab/05-Aug-16/govt-urged-to-enforce-child-protection-laws

United Kingdom: New kit to help kids up for award
News Guardian – August 05, 2016
Linda Tallent and her team at the Learning and Training Consultancy (LTC) in North Shields have created an early intervention toolkit – known as itkit. The kit, to help schools and nurseries support children who are not reaching age-related expectations, has been shortlisted for the Nursery World Awards.
http://www.newsguardian.co.uk/news/local/new-kit-to-help-kids-up-for-award-1-8049547

How trauma may affect your child

Randburg Sun

Experts have identified PTSD occurs when a child is unable to process the effects of trauma due to a certain experience, which interferes with their …

AllAfrica.com

Mwanza — Emelda Gervas, 33, a mother of three, is undergoing a very taxing test, as she watches the world around her crumbling. The petty trader is …

The Herald-News

Livett, the EMS/trauma nurse coordinator at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, joined the hospital’s staff in 2001. Livett said she loves the …

Report: Childhood trauma linked to poor adult health

KMAland

(KMAland) — A new report from the Central Iowa ACEs 360 Coalition shows a link between childhood trauma and poor adult health. The report — titled …

PR Newswire (press release)

3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Employees at a Bryan Ob/Gyn practice found a hole in the transition process for local abused children. So they filled that hole …

‘Sweet Cases’ from Local Ob/Gyn Office Soften the Trauma of Child Abuse – PharmiWeb.com (press release)

Full Coverage

We need trauma sensitive schools in Pakistan

The Express Tribune

In Pakistan, a leading cause of childhood trauma is poverty. Increasing violence in society and use of addictive substances by parents may also cause …

Shelby County Juvenile Court Seeks To Provide Trauma-Informed

Local Memphis

A trauma- informed court means that staff will know how to recognize and interact with children who have faced tremendous trauma or are battle a …

Childhood Trauma Leads To Lifelong Chronic Illness — So Why Isn’t The Medical Community …

Huffington Post

Donna Jackson Nakazawa Writer exploring the science of illness and extraordinary healing. Books: Childhood Disrupted, The Last Best Cure, The …

Head trauma evidence to be included in murder trials

Battle Creek Enquirer

Scientific evidence about head trauma in children will be part of two upcoming murder trials, a Calhoun County judge ruled Friday. Circuit Judge John …

Ravalli Republic

“If you rank four or five, the odds are good that you suffered some trauma in your childhood,” she said. Researchers predict, as a result, “ you may run …