Some child welfare news for your Friday afternoon:
The child welfare agencies in New Jersey and Connecticut are getting released from years of federal oversight stemming from lawsuits filed by folks such as Children’s Rights. Freed from the additional costs, work, and attorney fees generated by these long-term pieces of litigation, I hope these two states can get back to focusing on maintaining the reforms that they’ve achieved. I hope Georgia can soon follow suit in getting out of the Kenny A consent decree as well!
New Hampshire is getting a new State Child Advocate. Cassandra Sanchez will take over during a time when the State’s DCYF is under fire over its handling of the case of Harmony Montgomery, who was placed with her father in NH by Massachusetts officials and whereabouts remain unknown.
Speaking of the New Hampshire State Child Advocate, the outgoing occupant of that office claims the State may have violated federal law (CAPTA) when it released a report on the missing child’s case. I couldn’t disagree more. As I’ve noted before, CAPTA requires state child protection agencies to release child abuse records regarding children who suffered fatalities or serious injuries. I’m not sure how you’d classify a child missing since the fall of 2019, but that sounds like at least a “serious injury” to me.
The Washington Post has a great story about a North Carolina mother who felt compelled to abandon her child to the foster care system due to her inability to obtain treatment for his mental health needs. This is a problem nationwide, including here in Georgia. It’s situations like these that show our desperate need for mental health reform in this country, contrary to what some folks claim.
You can read here about North Carolina’s efforts to address the thorny situation of children who come into the child welfare system due to their serious and complex behavioral health needs.
Friday news roundup.
Friday news roundup.
Friday news roundup.
Some child welfare news for your Friday afternoon:
The child welfare agencies in New Jersey and Connecticut are getting released from years of federal oversight stemming from lawsuits filed by folks such as Children’s Rights. Freed from the additional costs, work, and attorney fees generated by these long-term pieces of litigation, I hope these two states can get back to focusing on maintaining the reforms that they’ve achieved. I hope Georgia can soon follow suit in getting out of the Kenny A consent decree as well!
New Hampshire is getting a new State Child Advocate. Cassandra Sanchez will take over during a time when the State’s DCYF is under fire over its handling of the case of Harmony Montgomery, who was placed with her father in NH by Massachusetts officials and whereabouts remain unknown.
Speaking of the New Hampshire State Child Advocate, the outgoing occupant of that office claims the State may have violated federal law (CAPTA) when it released a report on the missing child’s case. I couldn’t disagree more. As I’ve noted before, CAPTA requires state child protection agencies to release child abuse records regarding children who suffered fatalities or serious injuries. I’m not sure how you’d classify a child missing since the fall of 2019, but that sounds like at least a “serious injury” to me.
The Washington Post has a great story about a North Carolina mother who felt compelled to abandon her child to the foster care system due to her inability to obtain treatment for his mental health needs. This is a problem nationwide, including here in Georgia. It’s situations like these that show our desperate need for mental health reform in this country, contrary to what some folks claim.
You can read here about North Carolina’s efforts to address the thorny situation of children who come into the child welfare system due to their serious and complex behavioral health needs.
Following the sex abuse scandals, Michigan has added additional professionals to those required to report child abuse.
Sens. Grassley, Cornyn, and Stabenow want more action on children missing from foster care.
Have a great weekend!