There are many government institutions that could use a revamp (or a complete do-over, depending on who you ask!) But the one we seem to deal with the most, and whose glaring flaws are particularly obvious to us, is Michigan’s Child Protective Services. And while many people might say that’s because we’re child abuse defense attorneys in Michigan (and therefore biased), we’d like to point out that we’re not the only people who hold this view. Many, many people share our perspective on CPS. And the problem isn’t just here in Michigan.
CPS agencies around the country are coming under fire
In recent years you can hardly scroll the news without seeing some heartbreaking story about how a CPS worker overstepped the bounds and tore an innocent family apart at the seams. It’s happening everywhere, from Texas to Maine. And while we only practice CPS and child abuse defense in Michigan, we read the national news, so we know what’s going on in other parts of the country when it comes to child welfare. Which is why it’s so exciting to hear about what the The National Coalition for Child Protection Reform is doing around the U.S. Let’s check it out:
Utah CPS screwed it up, but the NCCPR fixed it.
Due to a misunderstanding about federal law, CPS in Utah thought that before a child could be placed in a foster home, the state had to conduct a lengthy and invasive background check of every foster parent (including all their relatives). They even got this erroneous belief written into Utah state law! The result was that hundreds of children sat in shelters for days (sometimes weeks) before being placed in foster homes.
The NCCPR recognized the error, made sure every agency nationwide was aware of how it should be implemented, and then set to work in Utah helping CPS fix their mistake. The law was repealed, and new laws were written that support kinship care in Utah, which is better for children and their parents.
Reducing unnecessary foster placements in Missouri
Usually, when a child dies in foster care, the resulting ‘foster care panic’ sends even more kids into foster care. However, when Dominic James died in foster care in Springfield, Missouri, the NCCPR was able to persuade a local paper (The Springfield News-Leader) to investigate the statistics surrounding foster care in Springfield, and recognize the fact that foster care panic wasn’t the answer.
The Springfield News-Leader even send an investigative team to Alabama, where reforms to child welfare were yielding far better results. These stories captured the attention of bigger papers. Between the wide coverage and NCCPR’s work with the Missouri Council for Children at Risk, a comprehensive report on Missouri child welfare was written and testimony was given at key legislative hearings. The result was that Missouri CPS actually reduced the number of kids put in foster care after that!
Even in dark times, there is hope!
We live during troubled times when it comes to CPS, but if you’re battling the agency for your parental rights, then you need to know that there’s hope. At The Kronzek Firm, our experienced child abuse defense attorneys are available night and day to help you fight the good fight. We understand what you’re up against, and we have a long history of being successful in our battles with Michigan CPS. So don’t wait – call 866 766 5245 right now and get the help you need! You don’t have to do this alone.