National CPS News Archive

Cape May disabled toddler dies while under DYFS supervision

by Susan K. Livio

A 2-year-old disabled boy who had been supervised by New Jersey's child welfare system has died, allegedly at the hands of his mother's boyfriend, the second such incident in less than a month, state Department of Children and Families officials said toda

State officials confirmed this week that the agency had been investigating the family of a Cape May County toddler with cerebral palsy who died April 22. The disclosure came just days after a federal monitor issued a report crediting the department with making improvements to expand, better train and supervise its child welfare caseworkers.

The State Ledger

April 30, 2009

Antiabortion movement gets a new-media twist

by Robin Abcarian

The girl's voice in the videotape is tiny and tentative. She is talking to a nursing aide in a Planned Parenthood clinic in Bloomington, Ind. The girl wants an abortion.

The aide explains that the girl will need a parent's consent because she is only 13. The girl balks; she does not want to name the father. "Cause, I mean, he would be in really big trouble," says the girl. Her boyfriend, she explains, is 31.

Los Angeles Times

April 26, 2009

New DHS child safety plan in use

by Ginnie Graham

The high removal rate is a concern for causing trauma to children. Officials say the rate also is high because the state's legal definition of when to remove a child is broader than other states.

Oklahoma allows for removal on risk of danger and not just "imminent" danger. Also, Tulsa and Oklahoma counties have agreements that allow law enforcement to place children in custody without a DHS consultation. Pending legislation would change those standing orders to require DHS involvement in all child removals.

Tulsa World

April 14, 2009

Learning in field and office

by Ginnie Graham

Julia Partney watched as Tulsa law enforcement agents flooded into the home during a drug raid. She was there as part of her training to become a child welfare worker for the DHS. Children were believed to be living in the house.

All DHS child welfare investigators complete a five-week training course, called Core, that includes job shadowing, interpersonal skills, assessments, legal liability, safety and an overview of the mountains of documents that must be completed. About 50 workers a month are trained to work in investigations, foster care placement and adoption.

Tulsa World

April 13, 2009

Report: Benefits Outweigh Costs 2 - 1 In Providing Foster Care Support, Services To California Youth To Age 21

by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass

According to a new report released today, continuing support for older youth in foster care can create substantial cost savings for California while helping build better lives and futures for some of the state's most vulnerable young people.

The report states that the net cost of extending foster care to age 21 in Illinois is approximately $37,948 per youth. Available information suggests that the cost of extending care in California may be less. Under the federal-state partnership created by recent passage of federal legislation, the federal government is expected to pay approximately 50% of these costs.

Yuba Net

March 9, 2009

BC foster care in crisis, report and social workers agree

by Tom Sandborn

The province's foster care system is in deep trouble according to a recently released government report, and the organization that represents BC social workers is calling for a thoroughgoing reform.

"Children should have well trained, adequately funded foster parents to go to when life at home becomes unsafe and dangerous. Failure to resolve the current foster care crisis and chaos will move it beyond the tipping point, and the foster care system will tip over with disastrous results," she said.

The Hook

March 8, 2009

Police investigate foster child's injuries.

by Jason Fekete, Stephane Massinon and Deborah Tetley

CALGARY-Southern Alberta RCMP are investigating after a 15-month-old boy was sent to a Calgary hospital this week with serious injuries suffered while in provincial foster care in the Strathmore area - the third similar incident in about two years.

The minister wouldn't say how many children were in the foster home when the boy was hurt or discuss the extent of his injuries. However, NDP MLA Rachel Notley, who raised the issue in question period, said she was told by a source familiar with the investigation that too many foster children were in the residence and the boy was hurt after being shaken.

Canada

March 6, 2009

Custody loss leads father Clarence W. Cooper II to fight DHS

by Jay F. Marks

Clarence W. Cooper II isn't a big fan of Oklahoma's child welfare system. And he's not shy about saying so.

Cooper acknowledges his sharp tongue has caused him problems. Still, he maintains the state Department of Human Services had no cause to take his children. The 32-year-old father surrendered parental rights to his four children when it became clear he wasn't going to be able to beat a system he describes as "the largest human-trafficking, child-exploitation and extortion ring in the state of Oklahoma."

News OK

March 2, 2009

Baby P: Probe details catalogue of blunders

by Laura Donnelly

A damning report is to identify a catalogue of errors made by NHS professionals who failed to prevent the abuse and death of Baby P.

An investigation by the Healthcare Commission will condemn blunders made by a succession of doctors and health visitors who came into contact with the toddler, but did not act on clear signs that he was at risk.

Telegraph (UK)

February 28, 2009

Killer gets life

by Diana Graettinger

MACHIAS, Maine -- A 27-year-old local man, Richard Widdecombe Jr., accused of double murder was sentenced Friday in Washington County Superior Court to life in prison. Widdecombe was placed into 17 different foster homes during his young life.

Davidson described the years of abuse that Widdecombe suffered first at the hands of his 14-year-old mother and mentally handicapped father, who was 18 years older than his wife. And the abuse he suffered at the hands of some of his foster parents and eventually the state Department of Health and Human Services, the attorney said. Davidson described the abuse as emotional, physical and sexual.

Bangor Daily News

February 27, 2009

The ethics of keeping a child from its parents

Mark and Nicky Webster have lost a bid to overturn adoption orders on three of their children. The children were removed in 2005, following concerns over injuries incurred to one of the children.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the injuries may have resulted from a medical condition, and that the Websters may not have harmed the child after all. However, with the children now settled with their adoptive families.

BBC News (UK)

February 16, 2009

Three gay-rights bills clear hurdles, make it out of Utah House panel

by Rosemary Winters

Three gay-rights bills, all sponsored by Salt Lake City Democrats, cleared legislative hurdles Friday. The measures, considered long shots, have made it out of the sometimes-bill-blocking House Rules Committee and scored public hearings.

Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck's HB288 -- which would allow unmarried couples, including gay and lesbian partners, to adopt and foster children in Utah -- will be debated Tuesday before the House Health and Human Services Committee.

The Salt Lake Tribune

February 14, 2009

9,000 at DES will be placed on unpaid leave

by Casey Newton

Despite rising demand for unemployment benefits and food stamps, the Department of Economic Security on Thursday announced furloughs for 9,000 employees and said "a significant number" of layoffs are imminent.

The department, which oversees agencies including Child Protective Services, the food-stamp program and child-support enforcement, previously reduced overtime and travel expenses. But it wasn't enough to avoid steep cuts.

The Arizona Republic

February 13, 2009