Standing in the Path of Darkness
Know Thine Enemy, Lest Ye Be Devoured
Table of Contents~~Working Edition
(Note: All Pages can be easily printed)
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| Intro | Introduction to eBook | Updates |
| Chapter 1 | Know Thine Enemy: Quick Overview for Our Perspective on Goliath | 03/05/08 |
| Chapter 2 | Where do We as Parents Fit In | |
| Chapter 3 | How Your Family is Destroyed with Allegations of Child Abuse | |
| Chapter 4 | State Central Registry of Child Abusers: (Little Known as SACWIS) | |
| Chapter 5 | Stories by ex-foster parents. Group members explain why, or why not, they would ever foster again | |
| Chapter 6 | Stories From Birth Parents & Their Experiences In Losing Their Kids | |
| Chapter 7 | I Have an Allegation! I am Falsely-Accused of Abuse. What Now? | |
| Chapter 8 | Protecting Our Children by Remaining a Family - Together | |
| Chapter 9 | How Can I Get My Children Back? | |
| Chapter 10 | Make No Mistake, CPS Operations are Rotten to the Core | |
| Chapter 11 | Get Your Story Out There For Free | |
| Chapter 12 | How to Become Active & Make A Difference In America's Future | |
| References | References |
An eBook is a wonderful tool because more than the written word can be presented. Included in this eBook are video clips and website links. These help provide information that all of us have asked for at one time or another during our cases with CPS. Each State is different. You will find help specific to your case, as much as possible.
You are not alone. There are tens of thousands of unjustly & unlawfully victimized families by CPS, every year. It is our children who senselessly suffer the most. You will learn the truth why it happens. You will be able to gain ideas in how handle what you are going through right now. Hopefully, ideas will work in how to protect yourself and your family.
Should the links not work for your computer system, there is the ultimate resource available. This free resource is the Yahoo Group "fosterparentallegations." It is Foster Parent Allegations group that has put together this eBook for you. It is a group comprised of ~all~ parents, not just foster parents. We are birth parents, adoptive parents, legal guardians and relatives who welcome you to join.
Our focus is non-judgmental support and actually helping with your case. This is accomplished in a safe, secure and anonymous environment. Those in the group, whose cases are settled, usually do not remain anonymous afterward. There are those who have been providing help for 10 years or more. Group Moderator Marilyn Harrison is active and available for free phone counseling.
Many times one-on-one communication via phone is sought and provided. In our world of pain that CPS has inflicted by threat of, or actually removing our precious children, we are beaten down. The group steps in to accomplish tasks for you, which seem overwhelming. Direction is provided and the reasons why are given. We all pull together and do the best we can to help in all areas. This includes emotional devastation & pain, immediacy in action with what CPS is doing, helping to find an attorney, protecting you with what to do and what not to do. The very beginning of the Nightmare is most crucial. If they cannot get past what they are trying to do, right away, they usually will back off.
Our eBook has been put together in a dedicated manner for your use by concerned parents. We wish to provide a Warning for those who have not yet gone through what we call the Nightmare. Additionally, there is valuable and practical information when dealing with the removal of children by CPS. This includes: 1. What you can expect 2. What they are really doing, right now to you, and why 3. What your Rights are in the matter.
Throughout this eBook, parents are commenting and relaying their experiences and providing practical insight for help. CPS does not hesitate to falsely accuse parents of child abuse to make money. Their favorite child abuse allegations are sexual abuse and neglect. This way, they can make criminals of both parents at the same time. In Foster Parent Allegations group, there is no judgment as we have been through these false allegations of child abuse which resulted in damage to our families & children. We understand the horror and the pain.
You may be surprised to learn that, in actuality, CPS is not just inflicting the Nightmare in the United States, but worldwide. Foster Parent Allegations group has members in Canada..
(have I forgotten anyone, Group? What other countries?)
The Nightmare starts with contact with Child Protective Services (CPS, DSS, DCFS, etc…) wherein their goal is to unjustly remove children from the family and falsely brand parents as child abusers. The following are some comments from group members for this introduction.
And, I found this group because I'm a foster parent. Had I been a bio parent threatened with removal of my child, I'd have never found the group.
By the way, I've been feeling like fleeing lately. Have no idea what is going on with my case. Have no idea what the privatized agency I work for recommended to the State regarding my license. Have no idea what the State has decided (if anything).
Have no idea if they will continue to pursue my 11-year-old daughter. I doubt it, because the attorney was present for the questioning, but I don't know for sure.
In other words, how would I know if it's a good time to flee? Thanks, Group, Diana
yes, yes, yes -- it is so important to have people to talk to & some answers to take action where there is any.
I'm here to say that Marilyn saved me. She took the time to support, listen & understand... .
I felt alone. I felt like a criminal. The pain is beyond belief. I wanted our kids back. I couldn't believe something like these people actually existed, operated & had power in our lives to damage our innocent, precious children. Love, egypt
© Copyright 2008. {FPLegal Solutions, Arizona}. All Rights Reserved.
Chapter I-Know Thine Enemy:
Quick Overview for Our Perspective on Goliath
A. Watch Out! Our enemy is a common one for all Parents. It does not matter if you are Parents, Legal Guardians, Relatives, Adoptive Parents or Foster Parents. Here are some different names that we, as Parents, unfortunately became familiar with:
1. It is called different things, depending on the State, County and its setup . The State has various levels and so does the County.
a. DSS Department of Social Services
b. DFPS Department of Family & Protective Services (TX)
c. WCDSS: Washoe County Department of Social Services (NV)
d. CPS: Child Protection Services
e. DCFS: Department of Child & Family Services
f. DFS: Department of Family Services
g. DFCS: Division of Family & Children Services
h. DCBS: Department for Community Based Services
i. DHHS: Department of Health and Human Services
2. For a complete US map that shows what it is called in your State with contact information, please see: http://dfsweb.state.wy.us/usmap.html
3. A simple hierarchy for this Goliath of a System looks like this:
Social Security Act (Title IV-E + other Titles)
Child Abuse Prevention & Treatment Act 1974 (CAPTA)
US Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS)
Administration for Children & Families (ACF)
Children’s Bureau
Programs & Funding
Child Welfare Monitoring
AFCARS, NCANDS, SACWIS
Upcoming Events
Current Initiatives & Issues
New On Site
Children’s Bureau Express (Online Digest)
The history and where it begins is with Federal Laws enacted in 1974 with CAPTA (Child Abuse Prevention & Treatment Act) and the Social Security Act. They are intertwined and act together with yet more Federal Acts that have been passed. The following is an easily-understood explanation from Child Welfare Information Gateway at http://www.childwelfare.gov:
Major Federal Legislation Concerned with Child Protection, Child Welfare, and Adoption
Author(s): Child Welfare Information Gateway Year Published: 2003 |
|
Background
Beginning with the passage of the Child Abuse and Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) in 19741, the U.S. Congress implemented a number of laws that have had a significant impact on child protection and child welfare services. State-level responses to these laws included enacting State legislation, developing or revising State agency policy and regulations, and implementing new programs. Federal legislation also frequently requires Federal government departments and agencies to promulgate and/or amend policy and regulation. For information on policy of the Children's Bureau, visit their Web site at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/laws/index.htm.
The primary responsibility for child welfare services rest with the States. Each State has its own legal and administrative structures and programs that address the needs of children. In addition, States frequently must comply with specific Federal requirements and guidelines in order to be eligible for Federal funding under certain programs. The Social Security Act contains the primary sources of Federal funds available to States for child welfare, foster care, and adoption activities. The programs include the Title IV-B Child Welfare Services and Promoting Safe and Stable Families (formerly known as Family Preservation) programs, the Title IV-E Foster Care Program, the Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Program, the Title IV-E Foster Care Independence Program, and the Title XX Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) Program.
To provide a framework for understanding the Federal legislation that has shaped the delivery of child welfare services, the chart inside presents a summary of the major Federal legislation since 1974 that have had significant impact on the field. The chart provides an overview of each legislative act, including reasons a particular bill was initiated, the objectives and goals of the legislation, and the major provisions of each act. Acts and their related amendments are grouped together and, therefore, do not follow the chronological layout of the timeline on this page. In addition, a notation has been made when a particular piece of legislation has amended the Social Security Act. The chart also provides Web addresses to a summary or the full text of each Act, as well as links to other online resources.
A Timeline of Major Federal Legislation Concerned with Child Protection, Child Welfare, and Adoption includes a list of dates and events beginning with 1974 on the far left and moving toward 2001 on the right.
The contents of the list are as follows:
1974: Original Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) enacted, P.L. 93-247.
1978: CAPTA amended, P.L. 95-266; and Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
enacted, P.L. 95-608.
1980: Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act enacted, P.L. 96-272.
1984: CAPTA amended, P.L. 98-457.
1988: CAPTA amended, P.L. 100-294.
1992: CAPTA amended, P.L. 102-295.
1993: Family Preservation and Family Support Services Program established as part of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act, P.L. 103-66.
1994: Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) enacted, P.L. 103-382.
1996: Multiethnic Placement Act-Interethnic Placement Provision amends MEPA,
P.L. 104-188; and CAPTA amended, P.L. 104-235.
1997: Adoption and Safe Families Act enacted, P.L. 105-89.
1999: Foster Care Independence Act enacted, P.L. 106-169.
2000: Intercountry Adoption Act enacted, P.L. 106-279; and Child Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Act enacted, P.L. 106-177.
2002: Promoting Safe and Stable Families amended, P.L. 107-133.
2003: Keeping Children and Families Safe Act enacted, P.L. 108-36.
Since 2001, there have been more laws enacted. The following includes what is on the previous Timeline diagram, in addition to legislation passed up until 2006.
This is simply information to give a perspective with what we are involved with. Until one is pursuing a lawsuit against the System, the history of the origin of CPS in Acts and Laws does not apply to our individual cases, right now.
From: http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/federal/federalchildlaws.cfm
The public law (PL) numbers link to bill summaries and status provided by Thomas.gov, a service of the Library of Congress. In some cases Information Gateway has provided relevant portions of legislation for easy access. Laws are listed in chronological order.
P.L. 109-288—Child and Family Services Act of 2006
Reauthorizes the Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) program through FY2011, and increases set-asides for Indian tribes. The Act reserves funds for States to develop activities designed to improve caseworker retention, recruitment, training, and ability to access the benefits of technology, as well as to support monthly caseworker visits to children in foster care.
P.L. 109-248—Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006
Acts to protect children from sexual exploitation and violent crime, to prevent child abuse and child pornography, and to promote Internet safety. Title I, Subtitle C requires national criminal background and child abuse registry checks before approval of any foster or adoptive placement. Title VI, Subtitle C requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a national registry of substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect.
Relevant text from Title I and Title VI.
P.L. 109-239—Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006
Requires each State plan for foster care and adoption assistance to provide that the State shall have procedures for orderly and timely interstate placement of children; complete home studies requested by another State within a specified period; and accept home studies received from another State.
P.L. 109-171—Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
Title VII, Subtitle D provides for new court improvement grants for improved data collection and training for judges, attorneys, and other legal personnel in child welfare cases; requires collaboration between courts and agencies; provides for the use of child welfare records in State court proceedings; authorizes appropriations for FY2006 for safe and stable families programs; and revises eligibility requirements for foster care maintenance payments and adoption assistance.
Relevant text from Title VII, Subtitle D.
P.L. 109-113—Fair Access Foster Care Act of 2005
Amends title IV-E of the Social Security Act to provide for the making of foster care maintenance payments to private for-profit agencies.
P.L. 108-145—Adoption Promotion Act of 2003
Reauthorizes the adoption incentive program under Title IV-E; provides additional incentives for adoption of older children (age 9 and older) from foster care.
P.L. 108-36—Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003
Extends and amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act; the Adoption Opportunities Act; the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act; and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act.
PL 108-21 — PROTECT Act (Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to End the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003)
Creates a national Amber alert system, and provides for enhanced penalties for child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and child pornography.
PL 107-133 — Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001
Extends and amends the Promoting Safe and Stable Families program; amends the Foster Care Independent Living program.
PL 107-16 — Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001
Title II includes provisions to extend permanently the adoption credit; increase the maximum credit to $10,000 per eligible child; and increase to $150,000 the beginning of point of the income phase-out range.
PL 106-395 — Child Citizenship Act of 2000
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to confer United States citizenship automatically and retroactively to certain foreign-born children adopted by citizens of the United States.
PL 106-314 — Strengthening Abuse and Neglect Courts Act of 2000
Seeks to improve the administrative efficiency and effectiveness of the Nation's abuse and neglect courts and for other purposes consistent with the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.
PL 106-310 — Children's Health Act of 2000
Title XII of this Act authorizes funding for adoption awareness activities and public awareness campaigns for adoption of infants and children with special needs.
PL 106-279 — Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000
Provides for implementation of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption by the United States.
PL 106-177 — Child Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Act
Seeks to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect through law enforcement initiatives and prevention activities.
PL 106-169 — Foster Care Independence Act
Amends title IV-E of the Social Security Act to provide States with more funding and greater flexibility in carrying out programs designed to help children make the transition from foster care to self-sufficiency.
PL 105-200 — Child Support Performance and Incentive Act
Title III of the Act amends title IV-E of the Social Security Act (Adoption and Foster Care Assistance).
PL 105-89 — Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997
Seeks to promote the safety, permanency and well-being of children in foster care; accelerate the permanent placement of children in care; and increase the accountability of the child welfare system.
PL 105-73 — Immigration Vaccine Act
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from specified vaccination requirements a child, ten years old or younger, who is seeking U.S. admission as an orphan being adopted (or already adopted) by U.S. parents, subject to the parents' affidavit that the child will be vaccinated within 30 days after admission or at the earliest medically appropriate time.
PL 105-17 — Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Reauthorizes and amends the Act.
PL 104-235 — Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Amendments of 1996
Reauthorized and amended the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act; The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act; and the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act.
PL 104-193 — Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996
Limits eligibility for Federal foster care and adoption assistance payments to children in families that would have been eligible for Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). Requires States to consider giving preference to adult relatives over non-relative caregivers when choosing a placement for a child.
Full text of relevant portions of the Act.
(Note: The AFDC program was replaced by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The Office of Family Assistance offers more information on the TANF program.)
PL 104-191 — Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
Seeks to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage; includes adopted children as covered persons.
PL 104-188 — Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996
Title I, Subtitle H, amends the tax code to provide for adoption assistance through tax credits. Section 1808 of this subtitle contains the Removal of Barriers to Interethnic Adoption (IEP) provisions, which amends the Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994.
PL 103-382 — Improving America's Schools Act of 1994
Title V (Miscellaneous Provisions) of the Act contains the provisions of the Multiethnic Placement Act.
PL 103-66 — Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1993
Title XIII, Chapter 2, Subchapter C, Part 1 authorized funding for the family preservation and support services program through fiscal year 1998.
Title XIII, Chapter 2, Subchapter C, Part 1.
PL 103-3 — Family and Medical Leave Act
Grants family and temporary medical leave for employees, including civil service employees, under certain circumstances, including the birth or adoption of a child.
PL 102-295 — Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Adoption and Family Services Act of 1992
Reauthorized through fiscal year 1995 and amended the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act; the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act; and the Adoption Opportunities program.
PL 102-190 — National Defense Authorization Act for FY 1992 and 1993
Title VI, Part E, of the Act made provision for reimbursement of adoption expenses for military personnel.
PL 101-508 — Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990
Title V, Subtitle A, Chapter 4 and 5 excludes foster care or adoption assistance payments when determining a family's eligibility for AFDC assistance; requires State agencies to report known or suspected abuse or neglect of a child receiving aid; and allows States to receive reimbursement for child placement services.
Title V, Subtitle A, Chapter 4 and 5.
PL 101-381 — Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act
Provides grants to improve the quality and availability of care for individuals and families with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
PL 101-336 — Americans with Disabilities Act
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.
For the Acts listed below, only the summary is available.
PL 100-505 — Abandoned Infants Assistance Act
Funded for fiscal years 1989 through 1991 demonstration projects to provide respite home and other assistance for infants abandoned in hospitals.
PL 100-485 — Family Support Act of 1988
Amended the AFDC program with a new Family Support Program to provide for enhanced enforcement of child support orders.
PL 100-294 — Child Abuse Prevention, Adoption and Family Services Act of 1988
Reauthorized through fiscal year 1991 and amended the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act.
PL 99-509 — Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
Title IX, Subtitle E, Part 5 of this Act mandated the establishment of National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
Summary of Title IX, Subtitle E, Part 5.
PL 99-457 — Education of the Handicapped Amendments of 1986
Reauthorized for fiscal year 1987 through 1991 certain programs under the Education of the Handicapped Act. Authorized an early intervention program for handicapped infants.
PL 98-473 — A joint resolution making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 1985, and for other purposes.
Title II, Division II of this Act makes provision for coordination of all Federally funded missing children programs.
PL 98-457 — Child Abuse Amendments of 1984
Reauthorized through fiscal year 1987 the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.
PL 96-272 — Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980
Authorized appropriations for adoption and foster care assistance to the States. Required States to provide adoption assistance to parents who adopt a child who is AFDC-eligible and is a child with special needs. For foster care assistance, States are required to make reasonable efforts were made to prevent placement or to reunify children with their families.
PL 95-608 — Indian Child Welfare Act
Established standards for the placement of Indian child in foster or adoptive homes.
The National Indian Child Welfare Association offers full text and other resources.
PL 95-266 — Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978
Reauthorized through fiscal year 1981 and amended the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act; funded the Adoption Opportunities program to facilitate the adoption of children with special needs.
PL 94-142— Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Reauthorized, through fiscal year 1977, and extended the provisions of the program.
PL 93-247 — Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act
Established the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect; authorized funding for fiscal years 1974 through 1977 for demonstration projects on the prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect.
~
Out of all the above Legislation, Acts & Laws, it works down to where it has to do with “us” as Parents. There is the Children’s Bureau under the Administration of Children & Families (ACF). The Children’s Bureau consists of many vast departments. The States act separately in passing code & statutes to accommodate Federal legislation, but do so under Children’s Bureau.
To help in gaining the scope of the Goliath we are dealing with, one department of the Children’s Bureau is provided here from www.childwelfare.gov. This department of “Child Welfare Monitoring” includes what has touched us all – State Central Registry (or CentraI Index in CA) of child abusers. It’s real name is SACWIS:
Yep, as you have gathered by now –
it’s the big boys all right…
Child Welfare Monitoring
Children’s Bureau, ACF, DHHS
In order to help States achieve positive outcomes for children and families, the Children's Bureau monitors State child welfare services through the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs), Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Reviews, the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), and the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) Assessment Reviews.
Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs)
The Child and Family Services Reviews are designed to enable the Children's Bureau to ensure that State child welfare agency practice is in conformity with Federal child welfare requirements, to determine what is actually happening to children and families as they are engaged in State child welfare services, and to assist States to enhance their capacity to help children and families achieve positive outcomes.
Overview of CFSR Process
· General Information - Includes 2007-2010 CFSR information, factsheets, tentative schedule, and the Child and Family Service Reviews Update.
· Legislation and Policy Related to the CFSRs - Child Welfare Final Rule, Adoption and Safe Families Act, policy issuances, and national standards.
· Instruments, Tools, and Guides for the CFSRs - Procedures manual, CFSR instruments, and planning documents.
·
Participating in CFSRs
· Child and Family Services Reviews Factsheet - Explains the history, purpose, and process of the CFSRs. (PDF - 24 KB)
· Consultant Recruitment - The Children's Bureau, through the Child Welfare Review Project, recruits and trains child welfare professionals to serve as reviewers to supplement the Federal review team.
· Consultant Reviewer Qualifications - Minimum and preferred consultant requirements are included.
· Consultant Responsibilities - Substantive preparation and participation responsibilities, logistical and planning responsibilities, consultant compensation, consultant selection for participation in a review, and further considerations are included.
· Consultant Profile Form - Form to be filled out and submitted as part of the application process. (PDF - 44 KB)
· Cross-State Participants Program - This program provides State child welfare agency representatives with the opportunity to participate in the onsite component of a Child and Family Services Review before their own State child welfare review.
· Cross-State Participants Responsibilities - General responsibilities for the Cross-State participant (CSP) review team members.
· State Team Training - Information about the training provided for State review team members. (PDF - 22 KB)
Results and Reports
Results
· Reports and Results of the 1st and 2nd Rounds of the Child and Family Services Reviews - The following reports are available by State: Preliminary Assessments, Statewide Assessments, CFSR Final Reports, Program Improvement Plans (PIPs), and Individual Key Findings Reports.
· Table of Data Indicators for the Child and Family Services Reviews (January 2007) (PDF - 32 KB) and Table with Composite Weights (updated January 2007) (PDF - 20 KB) – Revised tables and national standards for the CFSR data indicators.
· "52 Program Improvement Plans: Strategies for Improving Child Welfare Services and Outcomes" (PPT - 445 KB) - This PowerPoint Presentation highlights findings from the Program Improvement Plans completed by all 50 States, Washington DC and Puerto Rico.
· Compiled Results of the Fiscal Years 2001 - 2004 Child and Family Services Reviews - The compiled results of the Child and Family Services Reviews completed in this time period.
Reports
· Assessing Promising Approaches in Child Welfare: Strategies for State Legislators (PDF - 195 KB) - Designed to encourage State legislators and legislative staff to work collaboratively with State child welfare administrators when considering best practices during child welfare reform efforts, especially those associated with the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs). It offers information on how State legislators and legislative staff can effectively consider the appropriateness of promising child welfare approaches in relation to the program improvements being made through the CFSRs.
· Engaging State Legislators in the Federal Child and Family Services Reviews: An Information-Sharing Tool for Child Welfare Agency Administrators - A tool for keeping legislators informed about the State's performance on the latest Child and Family Services Review, Program Improvement Plan (PIP) goals and achievements, PIP partners, and areas requiring legislative support. It is designed to be adapted for use by each State. (Word - 232 KB) (PDF - 187 KB)
· Supporting Improvements in Child Welfare Systems Through the Child and Family Services Reviews: A Resource for State Legislators - Provides key questions for State legislators and their staff to ask State child welfare agencies about the Child and Family Services Review process. The document is designed as a tool for enhancing relationships between State child welfare administrators and State legislators who have child welfare agency oversight responsibility.
· Legislative Brief: Child Welfare Caseworker Visits with Children and Parents - Presents background information about caseworker visits, including the elements that comprise quality visits. It also offers questions that legislators and their staff can use to facilitate a dialogue about caseworker visits with their child welfare agency administrators. (PDF - 344 KB)
· State Child Welfare Legislation: 2006 - Describes some of the State legislation related to child welfare issues that was enacted during calendar year 2006. It includes citations and summaries of specific child-welfare-related laws in each State. (PDF - 726 KB)
· Strategies That Address Critical Practice Areas: Successes and Challenges in Implementation (PPT - 282 KB)
· Funding of Child and Family Service Reviews Program Improvement Plans - This report desscribes how some States are using new resources or are re-allocating existing resources for Program Improvement Plan (PIP) implementation following the first round of child and family service reviews.
· Focusing on Child Welfare Systems: Collaborating With State Legislators on Reform This report offers State child welfare agency administrators information on effective strategies for using the child and family services reviews to work more closely with legislators to improve child welfare systems. This report covers the importance of legislative engagement in child welfare and strategies for building partnerships with State legislators and engaging them in the reviews.
· The Child and Family Services Reviews: The Role of State Legislators and Focusing on Child Welfare Systems: The Role of State Legislators - This report offers legislators information on using the CFSRs to enhance their role in supporting State child welfare agency administrators in creating effective child welfare policies and practices. The reports discuss the CFSRs as a resource for legislators, and offer strategies that legislators can use to become involved in the reviews. The report is also available in a three-page brief format.
Promising Approaches