It’s late September and I really should be back in school. But alas, I’m stuck in the real world, so I’ll catch y’all up on the latest child welfare developments.
If you’d like to get caught up on federal child welfare issues, I’d recommend you watch this hearing from the US House Ways and Means Subcommittee addressing child welfare issues.
Pennsylvania is considering abolishing its child abuse registry.
Mississippi has convened a task force to look at child welfare reform.
The Harmony Montgomery tragedy continues to resonate in Massachusetts, as the legislature considers the need for reforms.
Turnover in case managers is a problem everywhere. Here’s what’s going on in Texas.
Awhile back, there were allegations in Pennsylvania that doctors at the Lehigh Valley Hospital Network were wrongly accusing parents of child abuse. Despite changes, parents are still angry.
This week’s roundup regarding children with complex behavioral health needs:
Alabama is being sued for discriminating against children with mental health disabilities.
Foster children with serious MH needs in Massachusetts are being placed in the controversial Judge Rotenberg Center due to a lack of appropriate therapeutic placements.
Georgia DFCS says it had no children with severe issues in hotels recently. Normally there are about 50-60 in hotels or offices each night. I would respectfully ask where they are placing those children and youth. “Hoteling” is a symptom of a larger issue, which is the lack of appropriate options for children with significant mental health, autism, and behavioral needs. Failing to ensure those children are in the right placement leads to situations like this one.
In Texas, it seems that hoteling is the route to paradise for child welfare officials. Allegations are that officials are using “reward points” from hotel stays for children without placement to book fabulous vacations.
After months of pushback, New York City’s child protective services agency will begin advising parents of their rights related to CPS investigations.
Here’s a first-hand account from a young adult who feels let down by the foster care system.
Here’s a report regarding the ongoing privatization of Texas’ foster care system.
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child met recently.
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