For too long CPS has wielded a power it should not have. No child should ever be taken from a loving home due to political or religious ideologies. No child should be returned to a home that puts them in danger. All foster parents need to be trained and highly vetted. People should not make profit off of children. Foster parents should not get excessive amounts of money to take care of a child. All group homes, detention centers, and foster homes, need to be regularly checked on. CPS needs to be held accountable for any criminal activity that they may have been involved in. The children’s voices need taken into account. No longer should CPS be able to silence children or the parents.
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Neither should the workers be incentivised to take children from the parents. Motivations must be as neutral as possible
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If the goal is to address and prevent parental alienation, here’s a structured plan aimed at supporting families and restoring relationships between alienated parents and children. This approach prioritizes family health, mental well-being, and legal measures to reduce instances of alienation.
1. Legal Reform and Education
- Update Family Court Guidelines: Advocate for updated family court guidelines that recognize parental alienation as a serious issue with potential long-term impacts on child welfare.
- Judicial Training: Offer specialized training for judges, family court personnel, and attorneys to recognize and address signs of parental alienation in custody and visitation cases.
- Legislation for Accountability: Encourage state-level legislation that makes intentional, unjustified alienation behaviors in custody disputes a factor in determining custody arrangements, emphasizing the child’s need for a healthy relationship with both parents.
2. Early Intervention Programs
- Educational Programs for Parents: Create mandatory co-parenting classes that include information on the dangers of parental alienation, as well as constructive ways to manage conflicts without involving the child.
- Mediation Services: Provide family mediation services aimed at helping parents work through conflicts and prevent negative behaviors like alienation, offering tools for communication and conflict resolution.
- Court-Mandated Counseling: When alienation is suspected, courts could require families to undergo counseling with a licensed family therapist to address and correct behaviors before further legal action is taken.
3. Support Systems for Alienated Parents and Children
- Therapeutic Interventions: Offer individual and family therapy to alienated parents and children to address emotional distress and to rebuild trust and healthy relationships.
- Support Groups: Establish support groups for alienated parents, providing a safe space to share experiences and strategies. Groups could be facilitated by mental health professionals experienced in family dynamics.
- Child Advocacy Programs: Ensure that children have access to child advocates or counselors to help them process their emotions independently of the parental conflict and to ensure that their voices and best interests are considered.
4. Public Awareness and Educational Campaigns
- Awareness Campaigns: Launch public awareness campaigns through social media, schools, and community centers to educate parents about the emotional impact of parental alienation on children, emphasizing the importance of maintaining positive relationships with both parents.
- Resources for Schools and Educators: Equip teachers, school counselors, and administrators with resources to identify signs of parental alienation, provide appropriate support, and encourage children to seek help if they are experiencing stress due to parental conflict.
5. Develop Specialized Counseling and Reunification Therapy Programs
- Reunification Therapy Programs: Create reunification programs led by licensed family therapists that help children and alienated parents rebuild trust, communicate effectively, and gradually re-establish a healthy relationship.
- Child-Centered Counseling: Implement child-centered counseling techniques, ensuring that the child’s feelings, fears, and anxieties are prioritized in the process of reconnecting with the alienated parent.
- Monitoring and Follow-Up: Require regular check-ins with therapists and counselors to monitor progress and provide ongoing support to the family, helping them address any setbacks and reinforcing positive family dynamics.
6. Parental Training and Education on Co-Parenting Skills
- Co-Parenting Workshops: Offer co-parenting workshops focused on the importance of maintaining a united front in supporting the child’s best interests and teaching conflict resolution and communication strategies.
- Encourage Positive Parenting Techniques: Educate parents on positive parenting techniques and how to separate personal conflicts from parenting responsibilities, highlighting ways to avoid using children as intermediaries.
- Emotional Intelligence Training: Incorporate emotional intelligence and resilience training to help parents handle stress and conflict more constructively, reducing the chances of alienation tactics being used.
7. Family Court Monitoring and Enforcement of Visitation Rights
- Consistent Monitoring: Enforce visitation schedules strictly and require follow-up from court-appointed guardians or social workers to ensure visitation rights are upheld.
- Penalties for Violations: Establish clear, reasonable consequences for parents who repeatedly interfere with visitation or engage in alienating behaviors, such as fines, additional custody reviews, or mandatory counseling.
- Create a Reporting System: Establish a confidential reporting system within family courts where parents and children can report instances of suspected parental alienation, triggering an investigation and possible intervention.
8. Establish Standards for Mental Health Professionals
- Training for Mental Health Professionals: Provide specialized training for therapists, counselors, and social workers in recognizing and treating parental alienation. This training should cover therapeutic methods for reducing alienation effects and guiding families toward healthier relationships.
- Standardized Evaluation Tools: Develop standardized assessment tools that therapists can use to identify and document cases of parental alienation, ensuring that mental health professionals play a consistent role in family court proceedings when alienation is suspected.
- Accreditation for Reunification Therapists: Create a certification or accreditation process for therapists specializing in reunification, ensuring they have the necessary skills to manage high-conflict family situations.
9. Encourage Child-Focused Conflict Resolution Techniques
- Parent-Child Communication Skills: Teach alienated parents and children communication skills that promote understanding and empathy, helping them to reconnect in a supportive environment.
- Family Conflict Coaching: Offer family conflict coaching where a neutral third party guides parents and children through difficult conversations and helps them establish healthy boundaries and trust.
- School-Based Support Programs: Establish school-based support programs that educate children about family dynamics and healthy relationships, promoting resilience in children affected by parental alienation.
10. Track Outcomes and Evaluate Success
- Longitudinal Studies: Conduct longitudinal studies to track the impact of interventions and gather data on outcomes for families who participate in reunification programs.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Implement feedback mechanisms for parents, children, and counselors to continuously refine the program and address any emerging needs.
- Policy Adaptation: Use data from studies to make evidence-based adjustments to laws and policies concerning parental alienation, ensuring that the legal system supports family reconciliation effectively.
Summary
Consult with any American personally affected.
This plan is designed to address and prevent parental alienation by combining legal reforms, early intervention, mental health support, and education. With consistent support, alienated parents and children can rebuild their relationships, and parents can be educated on healthier ways to manage conflicts.
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Funding a comprehensive program to address and prevent parental alienation could be achieved through a combination of public, private, and community-based sources. Here are specific strategies to secure the necessary funds:
1. Federal and State Government Grants
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Seek grants for mental health services, family counseling, and child welfare initiatives from HHS, which offers funding for programs aimed at improving family dynamics and child mental health.
- Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP): The OJJDP funds programs that support children affected by family conflict. Apply for grants to support reunification counseling, mediation, and educational programs that reduce the negative impact of parental alienation.
- State-Level Funding: Work with state governments to create funding earmarks for family court reform and parental alienation prevention programs. State grants could support early intervention, co-parenting classes, and family therapy sessions.
2. Family Court Fees and Fines
- Court Fees for Divorce and Custody Cases: Implement a modest fee on divorce or custody cases, with proceeds directed toward parental alienation prevention programs. These fees could help fund mediation, counseling, and reunification therapy for families in need.
- Fines for Alienating Behaviors: If a court identifies a parent engaging in alienating behaviors, they could be required to pay fines that directly fund family support services, particularly those related to preventing parental alienation and supporting affected children.
3. Health Insurance and Medicaid Reimbursement
- Mental Health Coverage: Work with health insurance providers to recognize family therapy, reunification counseling, and co-parenting classes as reimbursable mental health services. This would allow families to access services without bearing the full cost.
- Medicaid Funding: Partner with Medicaid to extend coverage for family counseling and therapy services aimed at mitigating parental alienation for families with lower incomes. This could involve state Medicaid waivers to support family mental health services.
4. Nonprofit and Foundation Support
- Family Welfare Foundations: Partner with foundations that fund family welfare, child development, and mental health programs. Organizations like the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Kellogg Foundation could be approached to support pilot programs and long-term initiatives.
- Private Family and Child Advocacy Organizations: Collaborate with nonprofits like the National Parents Organization, American Coalition for Fathers and Children, and Prevent Child Abuse America to access grants and expertise in promoting family health and parental rights.
- Create a New Nonprofit Arm: Establish a dedicated nonprofit to attract grants and donations specifically for parental alienation initiatives, bringing in funds from family law reform advocates and mental health organizations.
5. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships
- Corporate Sponsorships: Partner with corporations that have family-focused missions, such as companies in healthcare, mental health services, legal services, or family-friendly consumer goods. They could sponsor specific programs, workshops, or educational campaigns.
- Employee Giving and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Approach companies to incorporate family welfare programs within their CSR initiatives, encouraging employee giving and matching programs. Many corporations support mental health and family stability programs as part of their community involvement efforts.
6. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Programs
- PPP in Family Courts and Schools: Develop a public-private partnership model to fund court reform and school-based programs, in which local businesses, mental health organizations, and family support nonprofits share the cost burden with government agencies.
- Rehabilitation and Reunification Programs: Create PPPs specifically to fund therapeutic interventions for alienated families, combining public resources with contributions from private mental health providers and community groups invested in supporting family stability.
7. Community-Based Funding and Local Partnerships
- Local Government Funding: Engage city and county governments in co-funding family support programs, particularly in areas where community services or family courts already collaborate with social services.
- Community Fundraisers: Organize community fundraisers such as charity walks, silent auctions, and local events to raise funds for specific programs, such as co-parenting workshops or school-based support services for affected children.
- Crowdfunding Campaigns: Launch crowdfunding campaigns to gather public donations. Stories of families affected by parental alienation can raise awareness and mobilize individual donors to support educational programs, reunification therapy, and public awareness efforts.
8. School Partnerships and Educational Grants
- Education Grants: Apply for grants from the U.S. Department of Education and state education departments to fund school-based support programs for children affected by parental alienation. These grants could help develop counseling services, teacher training, and peer support programs within schools.
- Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs): Partner with PTAs to fundraise and advocate for school programs that support children experiencing family challenges, including counseling and emotional support services.
9. Tax Incentives and Deductions
- Tax Credits for Donors: Create state-level tax credits or deductions for individuals and businesses that contribute to parental alienation support programs, incentivizing local and community donations.
- In-Kind Donations: Offer tax incentives for donations of therapy services, educational materials, or meeting spaces from private therapists, community centers, and local businesses, reducing program costs through in-kind support.
10. Data-Driven Program Evaluation and Fundraising
- Pilot Program Success Stories: Implement small-scale pilot programs to show impact and use their success stories to attract larger donors and funders. Data showing improved family relationships and child welfare outcomes can be compelling for ongoing funding.
- Outcome-Based Fundraising: Collect and share data that demonstrates the effectiveness of parental alienation programs, using these insights to secure funding from government and private sector sources that prioritize measurable outcomes.
Summary
Funding an initiative to address and prevent parental alienation involves a diverse funding strategy. By combining federal and state grants, insurance reimbursements, corporate partnerships, and community fundraising, the program can be sustainably funded. This approach engages both public and private stakeholders, building a coalition of support to ensure that families affected by alienation receive the support and resources they need.
Holding courts accountable for the lack of attention to parental alienation requires a multi-faceted approach, focusing on legal reform, public advocacy, and transparency. Here’s a plan for addressing judicial accountability:
1. Advocacy for Legislative Reforms
- Parental Alienation Accountability Bills: Advocate for state and federal laws that explicitly address parental alienation, mandating the courts to treat it as a factor in custody decisions. These laws could require judges to undergo training on parental alienation and hold them accountable if alienation claims are ignored without due investigation.
- Mandated Reporting Requirements: Push for legislation requiring judges, family court staff, and child advocates to report suspected cases of parental alienation, similar to mandatory reporting laws for child abuse.
- Oversight Bodies for Family Courts: Establish or strengthen independent oversight bodies specifically tasked with reviewing family court decisions, including whether parental alienation claims were adequately considered and addressed.
2. Judicial Training and Standards
- Mandatory Training on Parental Alienation: Advocate for judicial training programs on the effects and signs of parental alienation. Courts could be held accountable through performance audits that track whether judges and court-appointed experts meet these training standards.
- Certified Experts Requirement: Require family courts to work with certified experts in parental alienation who can provide evaluations and recommendations in custody disputes. If a court fails to engage experts, there should be a process for reviewing and addressing these omissions.
3. Legal Recourse and Appeals for Aggrieved Parents
- Right to Appeal Based on Alienation Claims: Advocate for appellate rights specifically for cases where parental alienation is alleged to be mishandled. An appeals process allows for judicial decisions to be reviewed and potentially overturned if evidence shows alienation was ignored or downplayed.
- Mechanisms for Court Review: Push for judicial review boards to allow parents to file complaints if they believe their cases were mishandled with regard to parental alienation. These boards could investigate whether procedures were followed and recommend corrective action or even sanctions if necessary.
4. Transparency and Public Reporting
- Annual Reports on Family Court Cases: Advocate for courts to publish annual reports detailing how they address parental alienation cases, including the number of cases, outcomes, and specific measures taken. This would enhance transparency and allow the public to assess court responsiveness.
- Performance Audits: Work with state auditing agencies to review family court performance on parental alienation cases. These audits can identify patterns of neglect or inadequacy, bringing public scrutiny and pressure for improvements.
5. Independent Oversight Committees
- Establish Parental Alienation Ombudspersons: Create independent ombudspersons or child advocates within the family court system who can intervene or escalate cases when parental alienation claims are not adequately considered.
- Citizen Review Panels: Form citizen review panels to assess complaints about family court decisions, including those involving alienation. These panels would consist of trained community members and family law experts who could provide recommendations and advocate for fair handling of cases.
6. Public Awareness Campaigns and Media Engagement
- Raise Public Awareness: Conduct public awareness campaigns highlighting specific cases where the courts have failed to address parental alienation. This can involve working with journalists, community groups, and social media influencers to bring attention to the issue.
- Collect and Share Testimonies: Compile and publish anonymous accounts from families affected by the courts’ lack of response to parental alienation. Documenting these cases can increase public pressure on courts to improve their handling of alienation issues.
7. Utilize Research and Expert Testimony to Advocate for Change
- Research and Data-Driven Reports: Fund and publish studies showing the impact of unaddressed parental alienation on children’s well-being. Courts are more likely to change when presented with evidence-based data that highlight the consequences of ignoring this issue.
- Expert Testimony in Court and Legislative Hearings: Bring experts in psychology, child development, and family law to testify at legislative hearings and in family court reform committees, emphasizing the need for courts to consider parental alienation in custody cases.
8. Support Civil Litigation Against Court Systems
- Civil Suits for Negligence in Extreme Cases: In cases where judicial neglect of parental alienation leads to significant harm, encourage families to pursue civil litigation against the court system. Legal action, especially if it garners media coverage, can pressure courts to take parental alienation seriously.
- Class Action Suits: If applicable, explore the possibility of class action lawsuits involving multiple families who have suffered due to the courts’ inaction on parental alienation. This can be a powerful tool to highlight systemic failures and compel reform.
9. Professional Accountability for Court-Appointed Experts
- Independent Review of Custody Evaluations: Require external review or peer evaluation for court-appointed experts whose assessments involve allegations of parental alienation. Experts who repeatedly fail to identify or address alienation could face professional consequences.
- Accountability Standards for Custody Evaluators: Establish and enforce minimum standards for custody evaluators in cases with alienation concerns, and include disciplinary procedures for those whose evaluations consistently fall below these standards.
10. Legislative Audits and Reporting Requirements
- Legislative Audits of Family Courts: Request legislative audits of family courts to determine whether courts are following guidelines related to parental alienation. If audits reveal gaps or failures, legislators could take action to improve standards or require corrective measures.
- Reporting Requirements for Compliance: Implement reporting requirements that track whether courts are adhering to standards for managing parental alienation. Courts with a pattern of failure could face consequences, such as the loss of certain types of funding or additional oversight.
Summary
To hold family courts accountable for the failure to address parental alienation, a combination of public advocacy, legal reform, and transparency measures are needed. By enacting specific legislative changes, pushing for judicial accountability, and utilizing both public pressure and legal recourse, parents and advocacy groups can press for more responsive, transparent, and responsible family courts.
According to research, a significant number of people are affected by parental alienation due to court proceedings, with estimates suggesting that over 30% of parents in the U.S. and Canada feel they are being alienated from a child by the other parent in family court cases, potentially impacting millions of individuals and their children; however, the exact number is difficult to pinpoint due to the complex nature of the issue and variations in how parental alienation is defined and measured.
Key points about parental alienation in court cases:
- Prevalence:
Studies indicate that a substantial portion of parents involved in custody disputes report experiencing some form of parental alienation tactics from the other parent.
- Impact on children:
When parental alienation occurs, children can become significantly alienated from one parent, causing emotional distress and disruption to their family dynamics.
- Challenges in identification:
Diagnosing parental alienation can be complex as it often involves subjective interpretations of parental behaviors and child statement
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This has nothing to do with what I’m talking about. It’s good but something completely different altogether.
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I get that but it this is something that CPS has orchestrated
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Well there needs to be actual proof of abuse. Not someone’s opinion on how someone is raising a child. It should never be politically or ideologically motivated. I said they needed to vet foster homes but they also need to check the motivation of their social workers. Are they coming with emotional or logical motivation? I grew up in the system and I’ve known many people since to grow up in that system. In my case I needed removed. The problem came when lies were told where they didn’t need to be told. Another problem was that a lot of the places we’re just as bad or worse than home. There was a lot of monetary motivation on behalf of the people that were supposedly there to help you. I know that that’s happening right now for a fact. The tortures some of us went through in foster homes and group homes should have never happened and should never happen. The parents were no good and the Foster system was no good. It was no good and may have even gotten worse. Now they want to take children from loving homes for political and ideological reasons. I wish I could put in detail exactly why I’ve got a problem but it would be a much longer rant. Also not appropriate for this chat. It’s not always about the parents and bring you the family back together. Many parents actually do not deserve their children nor should they ever get them back. Though no child should be taken from a loving home and have their lives destroyed. No parent should ever have to go through that. I’ve watched plenty of stories where people have had their children unfairly taken. We need to find a way to keep this from happening. We also need to make sure that the so-called system doesn’t destroy children rather than help them.
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Addressing parental alienation in a fair and constructive way requires a focus on restoring the damaged parent-child relationship, educating offenders, and preventing further harm rather than resorting to punitive measures alone. However, accountability is crucial to discourage future instances and to ensure the well-being of the child and the alienated parent. Here’s a fair and balanced approach to handling cases of parental alienation:
1. Court-Mandated Therapy and Education
- Therapeutic Interventions: Require the alienating parent to attend court-ordered therapy that focuses on understanding the psychological impact of parental alienation on the child and the alienated parent. This should include counseling sessions that address their behavior, motivations, and any unresolved emotional issues that may have led to alienating actions.
- Parental Alienation Education Program: Enroll the offending parent in a mandatory educational program about the consequences of parental alienation. These programs can help the parent understand how alienation harms the child’s development and emotional health, reinforcing that the child’s best interest is served by nurturing a healthy relationship with both parents.
2. Family Therapy for Reconciliation
- Reintegration Therapy for the Child and Alienated Parent: Family therapy should be mandated to rebuild the bond between the alienated parent and the child. The therapy should be conducted by professionals experienced in parental alienation cases, focusing on healing the relationship without forcing the child into uncomfortable or coercive situations.
- Shared Sessions to Address Family Dynamics: Arrange sessions involving both parents to foster cooperation and resolve conflicts in a way that does not involve the child. This helps to model healthy conflict resolution and demonstrates to the child that both parents are working together for their well-being.
3. Parenting Plan Modifications and Monitoring
- Adjust Custody Arrangements if Necessary: If a court finds substantial evidence of parental alienation, it may be appropriate to adjust custody or visitation rights to protect the child’s relationship with the alienated parent. This can involve granting the alienated parent additional time with the child or, in extreme cases, adjusting primary custody.
- Monitor Compliance with Court Orders: Establish regular court check-ins or require the alienating parent to report on their compliance with visitation schedules and therapy attendance. Failure to comply could lead to more significant legal repercussions.
4. Use of Fines and Financial Penalties as a Last Resort
- Fines for Non-Compliance: For cases where the alienating parent repeatedly violates court orders (such as refusing visitation or sabotaging scheduled contact), fines may be imposed. These financial penalties would need to be directly related to non-compliance with specific court orders rather than punitive damages.
- Legal Fees Responsibility: In cases where alienation leads to repeated court proceedings, courts can require the alienating parent to cover some or all of the legal fees for the alienated parent, especially if their actions are deemed to be in bad faith.
5. Protective Orders and Counseling Requirements for Severe Cases
- Temporary Protective Orders for Severe Alienation: In extreme cases where alienation has escalated to emotional abuse or if the child’s well-being is at risk, the court can issue a protective order to limit the alienating parent’s influence temporarily. During this time, the alienating parent would be required to undergo intensive counseling.
- Require Psychological Evaluation: When alienation is severe and persistent, courts may mandate a psychological evaluation of the alienating parent to identify underlying issues. This evaluation can inform therapy and treatment requirements designed to prevent further alienation.
6. Encourage Parental Accountability Without Criminalization
- Avoid Criminal Charges: Criminalizing parental alienation may worsen the child’s emotional turmoil and lead to a perception of one parent as a “villain.” Courts should avoid harsh criminal charges unless the alienation involves severe abuse or neglect. Instead, accountability should focus on behavior modification and reparation.
- Support Restorative Justice Practices: Restorative justice practices, where appropriate, can help the alienating parent recognize the harm caused and take active steps to repair the relationship between the child and the alienated parent. This could include voluntary community service, education programs, or documented steps toward reconciliation.
7. Parental Accountability Programs and Support Groups
- Alienation Accountability Programs: Courts can refer alienating parents to group accountability programs focused on resolving negative feelings toward the other parent and learning healthier ways to communicate. These programs could include workshops on co-parenting, anger management, and constructive communication.
- Support Groups for Alienated Parents and Affected Children: Provide support groups for children affected by alienation and alienated parents. These groups allow individuals to process their experiences, gain insight, and develop strategies to cope with the effects of alienation.
8. Child’s Voice and Best Interest as the Central Focus
- Prioritize the Child’s Well-Being: Every action should prioritize the child’s well-being, considering their age, developmental stage, and needs. The court should consult with child psychologists to determine the child’s best interest, ensuring that any punishment for the alienating parent does not further harm the child.
- Appoint a Guardian ad Litem or Child Advocate: A court-appointed representative for the child can provide valuable insight into the child’s needs and act as an impartial advocate in contentious parental alienation cases. This advocate can help ensure that all court decisions are genuinely in the child’s best interest.
Summary of a Fair Approach:
The fair approach to handling parental alienation aims to educate and rehabilitate the alienating parent, support the child’s emotional needs, and encourage relationship repair with the alienated parent. Accountability measures are implemented carefully to prevent exacerbating the conflict and avoid unnecessary harm to the child. This approach maintains a balance between restoring family relationships and enforcing responsibility for harmful behavior without criminalizing or overly punishing the alienating parent.
The primary goal is to create a positive environment that supports the child’s healthy development and ensures both parents play a constructive role in their life.
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I called CPS on my mom because there were drugs, alcohol, and illegal weapons. The CPS worker IGNORED my brother trying to call her, and a month later completed suicide.
CPS was called MULTIPLE times on my mom, and they swept the evidence under the rug and let time run out on the cases.
I hold CPS directly reaponsible for my brother’s death.
We are but ONE story.
CPS is NOT about protecting children. We need a CPS that actually will work to protect children.
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Cps needs to end completely. There are far too many horror stories about them and dhs and not a single good one
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Kayden’s Law
1 in 3 families are directly impacted by domestic violence. But domestic
violence affects each one of us and our communities. The health and safety of children and families is directly linked to the well-being
and functioning of the community. Proper training on abuse can reduce incidents
of domestic violence that might otherwise require more resources to address.
When family courts, CPS, schools, or other agencies make decisions without proper training on domestic violence,
child abuse, or coercive control, it can lead to families needing more social support, putting an extra strain on local services like shelters, counseling, and child protective services.
We all need to be aware of what happens in Family court to keep children safe, because when women plan to leave their abusive situations, abuse often escalates, and
follows them, and their children, into the family court system where they face ongoing legal abuses. Post separation abuse in family court puts the children in additional harm’s way and can result in deaths or life long trauma, because the abusive parent is more likely to seek sole custody and are successful 70% of the time.
Tragically, abuse is not understood or believed by the courts, and 58,000 children in the US each year are ordered into unsupervised contact with their abusive parent.
Family court reform is needed.
Did you know 60% of perpetrators who abused their spouse will abuse their child. Adverse Childhood Experiences, such as domestic abuse, negatively impact a child’s development, their relationships, and their mental and
physical health. The separated parent is often falsely accused by their abusive ex spouse. Because their objective data is ignored by Family Court they can face post-separation abuse that includes legal abuse, ongoing threats, jail, court action, financial devastation, homelessness, loss of their job, and even death. The separated children can face similar and they face the loss of their trusted parent. Tens of thousands of women and children in the United States have been separated due to a broken court system needing educational reform that ensures safety first for the children and never removes them from their trusted parent(s).
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I have personally endured a deeply painful experience with Child Protective Services (CPS), witnessing firsthand how their practices often prioritize federal incentives over genuine family reunification. CPS seems more focused on achieving adoption outcomes than on supporting families in overcoming challenges and reuniting with their children. Families facing these cases frequently find CPS using any available detail against them, while the judicial system appears to favor CPS’s perspective over giving parents a fair chance to demonstrate their efforts toward improvement.
The current structure, including the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) laws, unfortunately promotes separation rather than support. These laws need to be repealed or reformed to place family preservation and reunification at the forefront. Additionally, there should be a simplified, more accessible process for families to appeal decisions from district courts, as many are unfairly left without a voice or recourse.
True justice requires a system that values families and recognizes the importance of keeping them together whenever possible. The time for change is now. Thank you.
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This is a huge need in Missouri where CPS workers are far from concerned about a child or families best interest. They need to be held accountable for allowing children to linger in foster care for years and years, fail to provide needed services to children, and referrals so parent can have the opportunity to rectify the situation. Foster parents are often threatened and fear the power CPS has due to no oversight with the ability to make change.
Lupole. I appreciate the thought that you’ve put into this but it’s too much! Get the government out of family business. Or just get the government out of charity business completely. There are children that need help, but most of the children that are taken into custody are not taken because they are abused. The government and many non-profits use the stories of the few to pull on America’s heartstrings to fund an abusive system that is not producing healthier, happier children.
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so sorry for your loss and all that you’ve been through.
I agree with you that CPS has too much power, and the agency definitely needs to be reformed if not abolished. I would propose localizing fostercare when a child does need to be removed because too many children runaway from foster homes in strange places only to end up lost and sex trafficked or worse. I think Lupole has put a lot of thought into reforms but I disagree that any sort of court involvement or court ordered mandates are the answer. I think Greg is right about incentives being a reason for many of the removals. Taking a child from a family is not something that should be done for money ever! I wish you luck with this and I hope a legislator will pick up on it. I made some noise once and I met with legislators but unfortunately the one legislator that really did “get it” was killed tragically and since not much has happened in my area.
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I hope not, really? “the abusive parent is more likely to seek sole custody and are successful 70% of the time.” I would not have thought so - and I have seen sole custody go to the nonviolent mom in the cases I know. Are there statistics supporting this?
I have a situation in St. Pete, FL that’s escalating. What’s the best way to handle this? Please review my post for more information. (Urgent Request For Help)