In the News
US: Short-Term Cuts, Long Term Consequences for Kids
NPR March 3, 2010
Part 1: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124127356&ps=rs
Part 2: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124131201
US: Transracial adoption can provide a loving family and an identity struggle
ABC News March 3, 2010
Black children in white families try to find their place in society.
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/transracial-adoption-america-today/story?id=9914150
TX: Houston's Child Protective Services too often fails to protect victims
Houston Chronicle March 2, 2010
Almita Nicole Lockhart, was arrested last month, accused of allowing Halle to starve to death. But what is even more distressing is that Lockhart, who has nine other children, had been investigated by Texas Child Protective Services a total of nine times since 1993 and would have lost custody of her children on two of those occasions if CPS had adhered to its own procedures.
www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/6894036.html
US: State budget cuts threaten child welfare programs
NPR March 2, 2010
States facing big deficits are cutting programs to prevent abuse and protect children. This comes at a time when many on the front lines say they're seeing a growing need.
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124127356&ft=1&f=1003
US: CWLA releases national and state-by-state statistics providing a snapshot about the plight of America’s children
Business Wire March 2, 2010
The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), the nation’s oldest and largest membership-based child welfare organization, released its “Nation’s Children 2010” report, a compilation of the latest statistics from a variety of state and national organizations that provide insights into the health and welfare of U.S. children. The report noted that of the nation’s 74 million children, nearly one-fifth are living in poverty, up more than 20 percent from the prior year. However, the report also contained good news, revealing a reduction in child abuse and neglect as well as a decrease in the number of children in foster care.
www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100302005788&newsLang=en
CA: Web-based system lets police, social workers share data on child abuse
Los Angeles Times, February 26, 2010
L.A. County's district attorney calls the implementation a 'giant leap forward' and says the system, designed to prevent cases from falling through the cracks, is the first of its kind in the U.S.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-child-abuse26-2010feb26,0,2108658.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fnews%2Flocal+%28L.A.+Times+-+California+%7C+Local+News%29
IL: Medics learn child abuse reporting
Morton Times-News February 25
Emergency personnel, school administrators, social service and mental health personnel — basically any member of an organization from which a child receives assistance — must react with composure. They must take sides with the child who was allegedly abused. It is crucial for first responders to gather all the information and details all while managing the emotions of those involved.
http://www.mortontimesnews.com/homepage/x49439927/Medics-learn-child-abuse-reporting
TX: Sharp rise cited in Texas child abuse fatalities
San Antonio Express News February 25, 2010
A statewide increase in child abuse and neglect-related deaths resulted in 280 fatalities last fiscal year, a 31 percent increase compared to the previous fiscal year and the highest since the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services began keeping records in 1998.
www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/85293947.html
TX: New Texas task force will tackle human trafficking
Fort Worth Star Telegram February 23, 2010
A new state task force will take an aggressive stand against human traffickers, who have turned Texas into a hub for international and domestic forced labor and prostitution rings, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said Tuesday in Dallas.
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/02/23/1991925/new-texas-task-force-will-tackle.html
D.C.: Attorney General Holder Addresses Town Hall Meeting on Fatherhood and Youth Violence
Washington, D.C. ~ Thursday, February 18, 2010
"Of all the titles I've held in my life-lawyer, prosecutor, judge, U.S. Attorney, and, now, Attorney General-the one I'm most proud of is father," Attorney General Eric Holder declared in his remarks to the recent Town Hall Meeting on Fatherhood and Youth Violence, sponsored by the Alliance of Concerned Men.
"Here in Washington, too many of our children are in need and living in pain. Too many kids have given up on themselves and given in to a life of violence and crime," the Attorney General noted, citing the numbers: "2,500 active gang members, 5,000 loose affiliates, 156 juveniles crammed into a detention center meant to house no more than 88 youth offenders, hundreds of robberies, dozens of murders."
"The plain truth is that youth violence is far too common. There's no single cause and no simple solution. But we know one important contributor is the absence of a responsible, loving father," he observed, adding, "This must end. Any man who can create a child must also help, in a meaningful way, to raise that child."
Resources:
To read Attorney General Holder's full remarks, visit www.justice.gov/ag/speeches/2010/ag-speech-1002181.html.
OU: Tulsa pediatrics educator behind new child-abuse subspecialty
Tulsa World February 17, 2010
A new child-abuse subspecialty for pediatricians will help weed out false child-abuse allegations against parents and will provide more solid legal proof when such abuse has taken place, two University of Oklahoma physicians say.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=17&articleid=20100217_11_0_Anewch651793&rss_lnk=298,297
CT: Change, Concerns for Juvenile Court; Pilot Program Begins
Hartford Courant February 16, 2010
Juvenile court proceedings can be some of the most emotionally charged cases in the court system, with dockets full of horrific stories of child abuse and neglect.
In Connecticut, those stories historically have been kept secret.
But a judicial branch pilot program beginning today in Middletown will give the public its first glimpse into the plight of children forced into this legal world, a move that will put Connecticut on a list with about 20 other states moving toward opening up juvenile court proceedings.
NH: Many Prostituted Juveniles Treated as Offenders, Not Victims
Newswise February 15, 2010
A new national study finds that nearly a third of the prostituted juveniles taken into custody by police are treated more as criminal offenders than as victims of the pimps and customers who sexually abuse them. Study authors say this reflects controversy and confusion nationwide among criminal justice authorities about how to handle this problem.
NY: Pass the Squishy
New York Times February 7, 2010
OF all the supplies at Haven Academy, a charter school in the South Bronx, none matter as much as the squishy. Like any elementary school, Haven has pencils, books and desks. But it is the squishy — a colorful rubber ball with dozens of tentacles that can withstand the strength of any young student — that daily absorbs a fit of anger or a mess of tears.
Every school has trouble with tantrums, but at Haven Academy, devising tactics to recover from them is a central part of the mission. Opened in the fall of 2008 by the New York Foundling, a 140-year-old foster care agency, Haven is the first school in the city designed to serve children from broken families. A third of its students are in foster care, and another third are under the watch of the Administration for Children’s Services (the remainder come from the surrounding Mott Haven neighborhood, one of the poorest in the country).
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/education/07foster.html
TX: Hearing on human services budget cuts draws a crowd of 300 people
Austin American Statesman February 11, 2010
More than 300 people turned out on a rainy afternoon to hear how Texas’ health and human services agencies might cut their budgets. Representatives from several health and human services departments were on hand to hear from the public before they present budget-cutting options to Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus.
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2010/02/11/_more_than_300_people.html?cxntfid=blogs_postcards
KY: Panel backs bill to help detect child abuse
Courier-Journal February 7, 2010
FRANKFORT - A bill that advocates said could save lives by helping doctors, nurses, day care workers and others better recognize signs of child abuse won unanimous approval from a House committee Thursday.
www.courier-journal.com/article/20100204/NEWS01/2040340/Panel-backs-bill-to-help-detect-child-abuse
WA: Seattle donors step up to save program aimed at rescuing teen prostitutes
The Seattle Times February 11, 2010
Five months ago, a two-year pilot-program to help teen prostitutes escape the streets was all but dead, the victim of cuts to the county budget. But community donors — who wrote checks for $5 to $150,000 — have saved the city program, which is now set to launch in early April and will make Seattle one of only four cities in the country to offer dedicated services to juvenile prostitutes. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011039448_teenprostitutes11m.html
HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces Senate Confirmation of Ellen Murray as Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources and Bryan Samuels as Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Contact: HHS Press Office
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that, last night, the United States Senate unanimously confirmed Ellen Murray as Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources and Bryan Samuels as Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
"Ellen Murray brings over ten years of experience as Staff Director for the United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies since 1999," said Secretary Sebelius. "She has extensive knowledge of the HHS budget, and will be a tremendous asset to our Department."
"Bryan Samuels has devoted his career to working on behalf of children, youth and families. His distinguished career in public service has been guided by his personal experience growing up in a residential school for disadvantaged children," said Secretary Sebelius. "He is committed to making a difference in the lives of at-risk children, and will be an outstanding leader at the Administration for Children and Families."
"I am delighted that the Senate has confirmed these two talented and committed leaders. I also want to commend the hardworking staff of both the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources for their tireless work on behalf of the American people during these past months."
CA: L.A. County will no longer strive to reunite families
Los Angeles Times February 5, 2010
Los Angeles County has suspended a long-standing effort to reduce the number of children in foster homes because keeping more of the children with their birth families could be unsafe, the county's top child-welfare official said.
www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-foster-care5-2010feb05,0,201241.story
US: Early foster care boosts quality of institutionalized children's ties to caregivers
Eurekalert February 5, 2010
The study is based on data from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project, the first randomized controlled trial of foster care as an alternative to institutional care. It was carried out by researchers at Tulane University School of Medicine, the University of Maryland, Harvard Medical School/Children's Hospital Boston, and the University of California, Los Angeles.
www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-02/sfri-efc012910.php
Article abstract: www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123275000/abstract
FL: Children's advocates hope to rescue underage Super Bowl sex slaves
Miami Herald February 4, 2010
Two dozen volunteers from around the country gathered inside a Miami conference room earlier this week to prepare for the Super Bowl. They're not here for the game, though, but to spend several days fanning out through the city to rescue underage girls who have been trafficked to South Florida as sex workers.
www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/1463592.html
US: National Children’s Alliance announces over $10 million in federal grant awards
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
On January 13th, 2010, National Children's Alliance (NCA), under agreement with the United States Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), announced grant awards over $10 million distributed among 539 Child Advocacy Centers and Multi-Disciplinary Teams across the country.
APNewsBreak: US study shows drop in child abuse
ABC News February 2, 2010
A massive new federal study documents an unprecedented and dramatic decrease in incidents of serious child abuse, especially sexual abuse. Experts hailed the findings as proof that crackdowns and public awareness campaigns had made headway.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=9730224
Report at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/abuse_neglect/natl_incid/index.html
Report finds black male babies least likely to be adopted – Here's why!
Eurweb.com February 2, 2010
A study by the Center for Economic Policy Research (study) has found that when it comes to adopting children in America, there is a noticeable bias in favor of girls and a significant bias against Black boys.
www.eurweb.com/index.php/archives/6073/comment-page-1
Report at www.cepr.org/pubs/new-dps/dplist.asp?dpno=7647
UT: Addressing interracial adoption issues important
Deseret News February 1, 2010
"So many adoptees are struggling with what it means to be black," says University of Utah Ph.D. candidate Darron Smith, who is completing a dissertation on transracial adoptions in Utah and who, with BYU sociology professor Cardell Jacobson, interviewed dozens of black adults who were adopted as children by white families.
www.deseretnews.com/article/700006219/Addressing-interracial-adoption-issues-important.html
MI: Using training and lovability, Amos the dog calms kids in court
Detroit Free Press Jan. 31, 2010
A 2-year-old lab mix, Amos is Michigan's first court therapy dog, a pooch trained to comfort traumatized and anxious children who are victims or witnesses in cases of domestic and sexual assault. In the weeks ahead, he will be called upon when kids are summoned to court, befriend them, and perhaps sit with them when they testify.
http://www.freep.com/article/20100131/NEWS03/1310426/1202/RSS
VA: JLARC faults study of sexual abuse of juvenile offenders
Richmond Times Dispatch January 30, 2010
The General Assembly's watchdog agency yesterday challenged a federal study on sexual abuse in juvenile correctional centers in Virginia and across the country.
www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/JUVE30_20100129-212201/321159/
TX: Children’s Zone: Can Harlem Come to Austin?
The Austin Chronicle January 29, 2010
During his 2008 presidential campaign, then-Sen. Barack Obama applauded the Harlem Children's Zone in New York for using governmental, educational, and nonprofit groups in a coordinated program to break the cycle of childhood poverty. His election pledge was to create 20 Promise Neighborhoods that could apply the lessons of Harlem across the nation. Now public agencies and nonprofit groups in Travis County are competing to become part of this grand experiment. http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A943505
US: CWLA reveals top 5 child welfare challenges and opportunities for 2010
Business Wire January 27, 2010
Kicking off the year, the Child Welfare League of America announced its top challenges and opportunities for 2010, during its “Children 2010: Leading a New Era” National Conference. CWLA’s Top 5 list captures events and trends are shaping the future for foster children this year.
http://eon.businesswire.com/portal/site/eon/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100127005959&newsLang=en
HAITI: Haiti halts departures of orphans
Wall Street Journal January 26, 2010
The Haitian government has halted the departure of all orphans from the earthquake-ravaged country until it can guarantee that only legitimate adoptions are being approved, according to U.S. government officials.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703906204575027631235977538.html
US: SSI Changes Rule to Benefit Disabled Youth Leaving Foster Care
The Social Security Administration has issued new rules that directly apply to disabled youth leaving foster care. Effective immediately, a disabled youth eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may file an SSI application up to 90 days before federal foster care payments are expected to end. This is an exception to the general rule of accepting an SSI application in the month before the month of eligibility. This policy will aid disabled youth in foster care to make the transition to adult life by helping to ensure that they have income and health benefits in place. View the policy using the link below.
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/public/reference.nsf/...
TX: Texas wins big with its CPS reform; Child Protective Services
Policy & Practice December 1, 2009
Child Protective Services Director Joyce James and her leadership team realized that adding thousands of new front-line staff required adding hundreds of new front-line supervisors and mid-level managers to manage the new arrivals. The team also realized that while, over the years, it had invested in training for front-line supervisors, it had not invested similarly in training and tools for mid-level managers.
www.thefreelibrary.com/Texas+wins+big+with+its+CPS+reform.-a0215117805
DOJ Appoints National Coordinator for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction
On January 13, 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued the following press release:
The Department of Justice has appointed Francey Hakes to serve as the National Coordinator for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction. The position, working out of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, was created by Congress in the Protect Our Children Act of 2008.
"I am thrilled to announce Francey in this important position at the Department of Justice," said Deputy Attorney General Ogden. "The national coordinator will play a crucial role in combating child exploitation around the country, and I am certain that Francey will do an outstanding job."
The national coordinator is charged with formulating and implementing a national strategy to combat child exploitation, and with submitting the strategy and relevant reports to Congress. This effort has been underway at the Justice Department since the legislation was enacted. As the national coordinator, Hakes will serve as the department's liaison with all federal agencies regarding the development and implementation of the national strategy, work to ensure proper coordination among agencies involved in child exploitation prevention and interdiction, and communicate with Congress on issues relating to the national strategy.
Hakes is currently an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Georgia. She joined the U.S. Attorney's office in 2002, after having served as an Assistant District Attorney in Georgia for six years. Over the last 13 years, Hakes has focused on child exploitation offenses, and has worked with international, federal, state and local law enforcement as well as victim’s groups to prosecute offenders and protect children. http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/January/10-ag-027.html
US: Sexual abuse of youths in detention
Washington Post January 11, 2010
About 2,700 minors report sexual contact—ranging from inappropriate touching to rape—by the adult employees charged with keeping order in the facilities. Yet, as The Post's Carrie Johnson reported, the Justice Department is delaying reforms that would help protect such children while it awaits a cost-benefit analysis.
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/10/AR2010011002264.html?sub=AR
TX: CPS sees unexpected jump in child abuse, neglect reports
Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel January 10, 2010
Following state and regional trends, Nacogdoches saw a significant increase in the number of investigations and removals of abused and/or neglected children from homes by Child Protective Services in 2009, according to Lisa King, Nacogdoches County Child Welfare Board chairwoman.
www.dailysentinel.com/news/content/news/stories/2010/01/10/misc_CPS_011010.html?imw=Y
TX: Immigration nightmare: Adopted and deported
Abilene Reporter-News January 9, 2010
“Your Texas adoption will establish that you are the parent, but not that the child is a citizen,” she said. “The adoption decree does not establish citizenship (but only) the legal parent-child relationship.”
www.reporternews.com/news/2010/jan/09/adopted-and-deported/