Responding to Richard Wexler’s Child Neglect Imprint News Article

Aces and Trauma, All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Children's Rights, Public Policy, Rebuttals & Guest Posts, Reporting and News - International, Statistics

It is misleading to lift a powerful Swedish study on foster care mortality and drop its findings wholesale into the American debate without first acknowledging how radically different the two child‑welfare universes are. The Swedish sample comes from a universal welfare state with far lower child poverty, guaranteed income supports, housing, health care, and child allowances, where “neglect” is less tightly bound to material deprivation and where out‑of‑home care is a small, highly selected slice of all child‑welfare involvement.

Details

Christmas Wish From a Child Protection Worker

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Child Protection, invisible children, Public Policy, Their stories

I have sat in emergency rooms at 2 a.m. holding the hand of a child who flinched at every sudden sound, because of the things done to her at home. I have watched little ones arrive at foster homes with all their belongings in a trash bag, eyes wide and silent, trying to be “good” so no one will send them away again. I have seen teenagers scream, swear, and hit people, when what they really were was traumatized, terrified, and broken.

Details

Mental Health Video & Podcast Resources for Abused & Neglected Children & Trauma Survivors

Aces and Trauma, All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, Child Abuse and Deaths, Child self harm and suicide, Mental Health + Over Medication, PODCAST & STREAMING

Below are KARA’s researched useful videos and podcasts on ACEs, trauma, healing, and skill‑building cluster into a few groups: big‑picture science, practical trauma‑informed care, and survivor‑oriented healing content. WHEN YOU Share KARA’s reporting with FRIENDS, INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK good things will come a little bit faster. Small efforts = real results. Support KARA’s work with a small monthly donation: CLICK…

Details

Free and Discounted Resources for Youth (+ Holiday Gifting)

Adoption, Foster and Kinship Care, All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, KARA News and Events, Mikes Favorite Posts, Reporting and News - MN Specific, Reporting and News - US Based

Children and youth in foster care often have needs that are not available to be filled by the County or their caregivers. Christmas and the holiday season can be hard on families with limited resources. If you know of a foster child or foster family who would benefit from the resources on this page, send this link to them and share this page widely.

Do you have examples of resources not shown here? Send them to info@invisiblechildren.org with FOSTER RESOURCES in the subject line

Details

ACES Economic HealthCare Burden 14 Trillion Annually (Cape Breton University Project)

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, Child Abuse and Deaths, Data, Education, Featured Articles, Mikes Favorite Posts, Reporting and News - US Based, Stunning Statistics

This post addresses the healthcare burden children with high ACEs scores have on our communities and nation. What’s not obvious to many is that at risk children become at risk youth and at risk adults. 9-year 80% prison recidivism has been with us for over 20 years. This single statistic shines a light on the cascading and forever financial and social costs to our communities from one other American institution that is easily understood. The health care financial and social costs are more complex and harder to understand. The Cape Breton University study below brings clarity to this complex issue.

Details

In Texas 2024, only 10 Children Died of Abuse (248 died of neglect)

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, Child Abuse and Deaths, Child Protection, Mikes Favorite Posts, Public Policy, Reporting and News - US Based, Stunning Statistics

The Most Common Cause of Child Death in Texas Isn’t Even defined as Abuse. The Center for disease control defines child abuse with clarity as any act of physical, sexual, or emotional harm including neglect, done towards a minor under the age of 18 by an adult that holds a custodial or parental role (About…

Details

Child Protection Podcast Series (part 2)

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, Child Abuse and Deaths, Child Protection, Child self harm and suicide, PODCASTS

Check out KARA’s most current child abuse and child protection podcast series and hear their stories. Short Powerful Social Worker Interview(7minutes) Rising Numbers of Suicide and Self-Harm Among Children ((5 minutes) What it’s Like Being a CASA Volunteer Guardian ad Litem (2 minutes) Unpacking ACEs ((7 minutes) Listen to these child abuse and trauma expert…

Details

What Child Neglect Does (and how long it lasts)

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Data, Education, Featured Articles, Public Policy, Religion, Politics + the Law, Reporting and News - US Based, Statistics

Responding to the Presidential Order addressing Neglect: Keeping neglect as a primary gateway into CPS is essential because what looks like “just poverty” on the surface is often a pattern of chronic educational, emotional, and safety failures that permanently damages children and fuels intergenerational harm.​

Details

Why the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Organization Is So Successful (calling all volunteers)

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Reporting and News - US Based

Over 48 years, CASA/GAL (Guardian ad Litem) programs have grown into a national network of more than 900 organizations with 80,000–100,000 guardian ad litem volunteers serving close to a quarter‑million abused and neglected children each year, according to National CASA/GAL program surveys and the association’s own history. In every state but North Dakota, these volunteers are often the only adults in the courtroom whose sole job is to stand for a child’s best interests—and they do it with intentionally tiny caseloads so each child gets more time, more attention, and more consistency than overloaded systems can usually provide

Details

Trump’s Child Protection Order & “NEGLECT”

Adoption, Foster and Kinship Care, All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, Child Abuse and Deaths, Public Policy, Religion, Politics + the Law, Reporting and News - US Based

President Trump’s new framing—that most child neglect cases “don’t belong” in CPS because they are “only poverty”—ignores a very large body of evidence that (1) poverty and neglect are tightly intertwined but not identical, and (2) chronic school un‑readiness, absenteeism, and school failure are core manifestations of serious harm that drive lifelong poverty, crime, and substance abuse.

Details

Labor Laws (Netherlands) & Civil Rights For Children

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, Child Abuse and Deaths, Child Protection, Children's Rights, Guest Posts, invisible children, Public Policy, Religion, Politics + the Law, Reporting and News - International

The Netherlands’ Child Labor Due Diligence Act puts a legal duty on companies to make sure their supply chains are free from child labor. It aims to stop goods and services produced with child labor from entering the Dutch market, but raises questions about children’s civil rights, enforcement, competition, and how far corporate responsibility really goes.​ A deeper dive for those who want more detail is linked here.

Details

KARA’s Resource Page & Future Collaborations

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Child Protection, Education, Featured Articles, KARA News and Events, Reporting and News - US Based

KARA is expanding our resource page to answer questions and provide access to more resources. This will be an interactive, AI-driven public platform that providing timely and accurate information on child protection, child abuse, childhood trauma, and all things related to child welfare. It will highlight key details for public and civic awareness.

Details

International Child Abuse Reporting

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, Child Abuse and Deaths, Guest Posts, invisible children, Public Policy, Religion, Politics + the Law, Reporting and News - International

The following articles illustrates how government policy and law has yet again failed to ensure the safety and well-being of children. Children continue to face sexual abuse, gendered based violence and health crises, among other disastrous circumstances. Advocacy by civil society and humanitarian aid is essential in order to support one of the more vulnerable populations of society.

Details

Supporting Local Charities (why would you?)

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, KARA News and Events, Reporting and News - US Based

1. Directly improve children’s well‑being Local groups provide basics like food, safe spaces, early learning, and mental‑health supports that many children would not otherwise receive.​ These charity services are tailored to community realities (schools, housing, transportation), so help reaches the right kids faster and with less bureaucracy.​ 2. Keep families stronger and safer Community organizations…

Details

KARA Concerns About Trump’s Child Protection Order (deep dive)

Adoption, Foster and Kinship Care, All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Child Protection, Education, LGBTQ, Public Policy, Religion, Politics + the Law, Reporting and News - US Based

This post gets at the meaning of President Trump’s Presidential Order bringing change to America’s Child Protection System. If you support the work KARA is doing to improve the lives of abused and neglected children and at-risk families, read to the bottom and send this link to your State Representative (find them in the link below).

Details

Recruiting Child Soldiers (yes, we do)

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Children's Rights, Public Policy, Religion, Politics + the Law, Reporting and News - US Based

This article from 2013 is still true today with no signs of changing. It needs to be shared with your states lawmakers: The United States is the only nation that has not signed the United Nation’s International Rights Of the Child Treaty of the 1980’s.  A primary reason we refuse to sign the treaty is…

Details

Dissecting President Trump’s Child Protection Executive Order (share this widely)

Adoption, Foster and Kinship Care, All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Child Protection, Featured Articles, KARA News and Events, Public Policy, Reporting and News - US Based

Trump’s recent Presidential Order appears in its entirety below in the Read More section of this post. It is a powerful broad promise that will have a tremendous impact on the quality of life for millions of America’s abused and neglected children, families, and the communities they live in. The fact that this order is deep and far reaching into the complex issues of child abuse and child protection is in itself, a big step in the right direction for Federal Public Policy making.

Details

What You Can Do Series – Teachers

Aces and Trauma, All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, Child Abuse and Deaths, Day Care and Education, Education, Mental Health + Over Medication, Reporting and News - US Based

No other professional occupies a position as consistently present in the lives of children as their teacher. The power to notice, to intervene, to model empathy, and to seek help can mean the difference between a life of quiet anguish and one of healing and hope

Details

Child Protection in the News (find your state here)

Aces and Trauma, All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Child Protection, Mental Health + Over Medication, Public Policy, Religion, Politics + the Law, Reporting and News - US Based, The States

Child Protection in the News (find your state here) KARA reports on child abuse and child protection around the nation counting on readers sharing it with friends and policy makers in your community. Inform your legislators and changemakers and let’s work together to make life better for at-risk children and families.

Details

Why We Are Failing To Save At Risk Children

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Child Protection, Child self harm and suicide, Children's Rights, Public Policy, Reporting and News - US Based

There is little transparency in Child Protective Services. If there were, more people (and legislators) would know and we might have the laws, programs, and support these children need. Today, access to information that should be public often requires a Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA).

Details

What You Can Do Series – Foster Parents

Adoption, Foster and Kinship Care, All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Education, Reporting and News - US Based

Foster parent heroism is not measured merely in good intentions, but in the daily grind of listening, learning, and loving—of building families that heal not just children, but the fractured systems surrounding them. A society willing to back, support, and empower its foster parents—financially, politically, and culturally—creates hope for millions and becomes more just, compassionate, and resilient.

Details

Why Saving CASA Matters: The Revival of Child Advocacy in Minnesota’s Courts

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Protection, KARA News and Events, Public Policy, Reporting and News - MN Specific

This former CASA Guardian ad Litem is happy to see the saving and rebuilding of the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program in Minnesota. Thank you to Kathleen Blatz and the MN State GAL board for your hard work and dedication to this important program.

Details

The Netherlands Child Labour Due Diligence Act

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Child Protection, Children's Rights, Guest Posts, Public Policy, Religion, Politics + the Law, Reporting and News - International

Dutch authorities establish a positive duty of care on corporations to ensure their supply chains and contractual relations for the supply and manufacture of goods and services are free from child labour. Critics however worry about the possible distorting effects on competition of Dutch companies and the Dutch economy due to increased administrative burdens. A Dutch company illustrates how even with compliance of the new due diligence law, supply chains may never be free from child labour.

Details

Fixing CPS – A Meaningful Conversation (35 Minute Podcast)

& Transparency, All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, PODCAST & STREAMING, Reporting and News - US Based, The States

Fixing CPS with greater transparency in Child Protective Services. This conversation is about the many things impacting the safety and wellbeing of abused and neglected children. The lack of transparency being discussed in West Virginia CPS applies to every state: A Meaningful Conversation (35 Minute Podcast). Discussed in this podcast: Kinship care partners, mentors, volunteers, stability,…

Details

Personal & National Level Child Advocacy (guest post)

Adoption, Foster and Kinship Care, All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Education, Guest Posts

Children who face poverty, neglect, or violence often lack a voice in systems meant to protect them. Advocacy — speaking up and acting on their behalf — is one of the most powerful ways individuals and communities can help these children find safety, stability, and opportunity. Whether through mentoring one child or pushing for nationwide policy reform, everyone can play a part.

Details

School Counselors & Why We Need Them

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action

If we are to save the growing numbers of children facing serious problems we need many more skilled counselors and mental health workers in our schools. In this time of unregulated digital chaos, social, and political upheaval, children and youth are experiencing high levels of (short Spotify Podcast) ACEs, depression, school and personal failure, and suicidal thinking. We can’t fix this, but we can address what it is doing to children.

Details

Making Life More Miserable For the Most Vulnerable Children In America

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Child self harm and suicide, LGBTQ, Mikes Favorite Posts, Public Policy, Reporting and News - US Based

The head of the Federal Administration for Children and Families (Adam Alex), is attacking LGBTQ+ Foster Families over youth gender identity. Life is hard enough for foster families and the struggling LGBTQ+ children trying to rebuild lives filled with abuse and neglect in their birth homes and a growing sense of unwelcome in our communities. Federal policies demonizing queer children gins up hatred and legitimizes fear and violence against almost ten percent of Americans.

Details

Manner of Child Death Unknown (State by State)

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, Child Abuse and Deaths, Child Protection, invisible children, Public Policy, Reporting and News - US Based, Stunning Statistics, The States

WHEN YOU Share KARA’s reporting with FRIENDS, INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK and most of all, your State Representative (find them here) change will come a little bit faster. When enough of us become informed and speak up for abused and neglected children, we will improve their lives and our communities! Child deaths classified as “unknown” or “undetermined” represent one of the most persistent gaps in child‑protection…

Details

The Importance of Foster Youth Rights (find your State here)

Adoption, Foster and Kinship Care, All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Featured Articles, Mikes Favorite Posts, Public Policy, Reporting and News - MN Specific, Reporting and News - US Based, The States

This article is derived from Hana Ikramuddin’s excellent Imprint News Article about Fosters not being notified of their rights – Read the Imprint article here.

Hana tells us the story of AIayna Ghost’s years in Foster Care from ages 7 to 18 and how she ran away almost every year looking for her family. From the article: In foster care, she did not learn she had an older sister until a social worker told her at age 13.

Details

Sad Stories About Child Abuse in America Today

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Public Policy, Reporting and News - US Based

These pages tell the stories of thousands of children from communities all over the nation. From orphan trains to a COVID pandemic that kept children locked in toxic homes for over two years with no access to mandated reporters or safety. You will find that not much has changed

Details

Egregious Child Death in America Today

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Child Protection, Children's Rights, Public Policy, Reporting and News - US Based, The States

There are few states that report out egregious harm or death of children at the hands of their parents. Minnesota Nonprofit Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota has recently compiled this report on 88 of the 200 children dying at the hands of caregivers. It should be a model for all states. How they died, why they died, and what wasn’t done that allowed these children to live such tortured lives and die so tragically. Share the report with your State Representative with a note about keeping at-risk children alive.

Details

Revisiting the Death Of Eric Dean (& where we are today)

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, Child Abuse and Deaths, Child Protection, Public Policy, Reporting and News - MN Specific, Their stories

In 2014, Safe Passage for Minnesota Children reported that Pope County would face no legal penalty for its role in the slow tortured death of 4-year-old Eric Dean at the hands of his stepmother Amanda Peltier. Brandon Stahl presented Star Tribune readers with the sad fact that four Minnesota counties screen out 90% of child abuse calls.  Read more for a review of child abuse death since Eric Dean.

Details

Top Child Abuse – Child Protection Podcast Series For Fall

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, PODCAST & STREAMING, PODCASTS

Check out these child abuse and child protection investigative series, expert dialogues, survivor stories, and child welfare professional resources, all from reputable organizations and advocacy groups.​ These podcasts provide vital insights, survivor voices, and professional resources for anyone interested in child protection today.

Details

Fixing a Public Health Emergency

Aces and Trauma, All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, CASA, GAL and Child Protection, Child Abuse and Deaths, Reporting and News - US Based

At some point, we and our policymakers must recognize what a crisis 7.8 million children being reported every year to child protective services is. Research suggests the true number of abused children is likely twice as high due to the invisible nature of the epidemic. This life ruining crisis has been escalating for decades, making chronic generational child abuse and neglect one of the most misunderstood and under-addressed public health emergencies in our history.

Details

Resilience in Black and White

All Posts from Kids at Risk Action, Gun Violence and Control, Juvenile + Criminal Justice, Public Policy, Religion, Politics + the Law

I grew up white in the 1960s—reckless. I drove drunk, grew marijuana two doors down from a cop and always went without punishment. On several occasions police brought me home and  to let my mom know that I had misbehaved.

My resilience was rarely tested, because I never needed it.

For Black youth living lives parallel to mine, every day demanded extraordinary resilience

Details