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YIBADA English

Half of Child Beating Cases Reported in China Ends in Death

YIBADA English

An indicator of child beating’s wide acceptance in China is that half of the 697 reported child abuse cases in the country from 2008 to 2013 involved …

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The Inquisitr

Shreveport caregiver pleads guilty in child’s beating death

KATC Lafayette News

Wilson, who was caring for the child along with Muskelly’s two sisters while their mother was serving time in jail, was accused of beating the toddler to …

Louisiana woman who killed toddler in beating admits guilt to avoid death penalty – Daily Mail

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AL.com

Alabama mother arrested, accused of beating child with extension cord

AL.com

Tramessa Curry, 29, was arrested on Thursday and charged with willful abuse of a child, court records show. She was released from the Houston …

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WDAY

Man Admits to Aggravating Factors in Child’s Beating Death

WDAY

The admission means 36-year-old Leb Meak could be sentenced to 25 years in prison at his hearing June 3. This is a double upward departure from …

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Daily Mail

Pennsylvania babysitter beat 2 year old boy after meeting mother on Facebook group

Daily Mail

Erica Duchemin, 29, of Bushkill, faces two child abuse charges after allegedly beating the boy, who was not related to her, in her home in the Poconos.

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Mt. Vernon Register-News

Child abuse walk draws a crowd

Mt. Vernon Register-News

Lukas Burris, 4, center, and his family joined many others to take part in Friday’s Child Abuse Prevention Walk at the courthouse. Burris was the victim …

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KSTP.com

Maplewood Man Admits to Aggravating Factors in Child’s Beating Death

KSTP.com

During the attempt to revive the girl, officers noticed bruises covering the child’s chest, stomach and face. Investigators say she suffered several …

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BuzzFeed News

City Councilman In Kansas Resigns After Arrest On Child Abuse Charges

BuzzFeed News

The charges against Jonathan Schumm and his wife made national headlines after they allegedly abused one of their 16 children, one of whom was …

Topeka City Councilman Schumm resigns – Topeka Capital Journal

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WBTW – Myrtle Beach and Florence SC

NC duo arrested on numerous child abuse charges

WBTW – Myrtle Beach and Florence SC

Sandy Hills Drive and Alexander Austin Dean are charged with multiple counts of child abuse against three children.

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WLWT Cincinnati

Ohio man accused of fatally beating child wants charges dropped

Akron Beacon Journal

HAMILTON, OHIO: Attorneys for a man accused of fatally beating his girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter want charges against him dropped because they …

Lawyers for man accused of beating child to death say all charges should be dropped – WKRC TV Cincinnati

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WEB
Top Tips for Beating Seasonal Allergies

Healthy Child Healthy World

Top Tips for Beating Seasonal Allergies. April 18, 2016. By Megan Boyle. Are you or your loved ones sneezing, wheezing and reaching for tissues?

 

 

 

 

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Los Angeles Times

Social workers charged with child abuse in case involving torture and killing of Gabriel Fernandez, 8

Los Angeles Times

Four Los Angeles County social workers have been charged with felony child abuse and falsifying public records in connection with the 2012 death of …

4 Social Workers Charged After Boy’s Beating Death – U.S. News & World Report

Social Workers Charged in Death of 8-Year-Old Gabriel Fernandez – NBC Southern California

Four Los Angeles social workers charged after beating death of boy, 8 – Reuters

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Salt Lake Tribune

Utah mom sentenced to prison in fatal beating of boy over failed potty training

Salt Lake Tribune

Her boyfriend, 35-year-old Joshua Schoenenberger, is charged with first-degree felony aggravated murder and second-degree felony child abuse for …

‘May God save my soul’ Layton woman apologizes to judge for her role in toddler’s beating – KUTV 2News

Jasmine Bridgeman: Utah Mom Sentenced In Toddler’s Beating Death – The Inquisitr

Mom gets prison for lying to police in potty training death – KRMG

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Irish Times

Mother jailed for 4½ years over abuse of seven children

Irish Times

A 39-year-old mother has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison – with the final six months suspended – for beating, starving and …

Devil mother caged for four years for beating, starving and neglectingseven kids over five years – The Sun

‘Neglect’ mother who beat children, pushed them down stairs and held their heads under water – Irish Independent

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The Inquisitr

McComb Man Charged With 27 Counts Of Child Abuse — Parents Most Likely To Be Involved In

The Inquisitr

A man from McComb is charged with 27 counts of felony child abuse after footage of him was discovered in which he was seen mercilessly beating a …

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Steamboat Pilot & Today

Thoughtful Parenting: April marks Child Abuse Prevention Month

Steamboat Pilot & Today

The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System defines child physical abuse as “non-accidental trauma or physical injury caused by punching, …

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Daily Star

Stephen Fry sparks fury over shocking child abuse comments

Daily Star

During an interview with Dave Rubin on the Rubin Report, the QI presenter claimed child abuse victims only deserved “some” of his sympathy. The Brit …

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Visalia Times-Delta

Overcoming child abuse to help others

Visalia Times-Delta

One out of every 11 children in Tulare County is a reported victim of abuse. Today the once not-discussed horror of cancer is no longer a taboo subject …

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The Bakersfield Californian

Husband testifies to witnessing wife’s abuse of foster child who died

The Bakersfield Californian

Alberto Garcia testified Friday morning he witnessed his wife hit the child and her … Their trial on charges of murder and child abuse began last month.

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Clintonchronicle

Homicide by child abuse

Clintonchronicle

I can’t even imagine what suffering this little boy endured. While I am disgusted beyond words at what took place that night in December 2014, I am …

Online escort sentenced in 3-year-old son’s beating death – WYFF Greenville

Mom gets 30 years for beating her toddler to death – WFLA

Enoree woman found guilty in beating death of her 3-year-old son – Spartanburg Herald Journal

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Monroe News Star

Monroe child’s heart beats on in Alabama boy

Monroe News Star

The death of a Monroe infant saved the lives of two other children following his parents’ decision to donate his organs. Jonathan and Holley Perry of …

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CBS Local

CPS Case Workers Fired After Beating Death Of 4-Year-Old

CBS Local

CPS records show the average caseload for child abuse caseworkers in North Texas has risen from 18 in 2014 to 23 this year. Additional numbers …

Texas Digest: CPS workers fired after child’s death – Austin American-Statesman

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NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Mom, Boyfriend Arrested After Girl, 4, Beaten, Restrained Before Death: Police

NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Leiliana Wright died March 13. Her mother and the woman’s boyfriend have both been arrested, accused of felony injury to a child in connection with …

Texas Mother and Boyfriend Arrested for Allegedly Beating 4-Year-Old to Death After Shooting – People Magazine

Texas four-year-old beaten to death ‘by mother Jeri Quezada and her boyfriend’ – Daily Mail

Girl, 4, Beaten to Death By Mom and Boyfriend For Drinking Brother’s Juice: Cops – Inside Edition

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Washington Post

Man Gets 30 Years in Boy’s Fatal Beating Over Missing Cake

ABC News

A man accused of fatally beating his girlfriend’s 9-year-old son over a missing piece of birthday cake pleaded guilty to second-degree murder …

Maryland Man Gets 30 Years For Beating Child To Death Who Ate Cake – The Inquisitr

Maryland man gets 30 years in boy’s fatal beating over birthday cake – Chicago Tribune

Man Sentenced For Fatally Beating 9-Year-Old Boy Over Birthday Cake – Huffington Post

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FOX 4 News

Mom of slain 4-year-old involved in previous child abuse case

FOX 4 News

FOX 4 has learned the Grand Prairie mother charged in her 4-year-old daughter’s death also faced a previous abuse and neglect case in another state …

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Dayton Daily News

Prosecutor: Man beat girlfriend, caused death of their unborn child

Dayton Daily News

Tanner D. Hopkins didn’t want his girlfriend to deliver their baby, prosecutors said … “She tried to protect her baby, but he didn’t stop beating her.”.

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WHAG

Preventing child abuse

WHAG

On Thursday, Robert Leroy Wilson, 31, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for beating his girlfriend’s son, Jack Kirby Garcia, 9, after eating a …

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Patch.com

Tinley Park Dad Charged in Vicious Beating of 8-Week-Old Son

Patch.com

Tinley Park, IL — A Tinley Park dad is accused of viciously beating his 8-week-old son when the baby would not stop crying, prosecutors said in court …

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Toronto Sun

Ont. dad charged over alleged baby beating

Toronto Sun

Police say they were called on Wednesday after hospital staff treated the child for what they deemed to be non-accidental multiple bone fractures.

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WHAG

Loved ones of child abuse victims seek justice and tougher

WHAG

One of the worst issues that the four-state area faces today is child abuse. It may be uncomfortable to talk about, but it’s not going away – as statistics …

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New York Times

A Dead Child, a Ghostly Photo and a Mother Charged With Murder

New York Times

Members of the medical staff found bruises all over Macy’s body and determined she had suffered life-threatening injuries consistent with child abuse, …

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Woonsocket woman convicted in child’s beating death seeks new trial

The Providence Journal

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Woonsocket woman is asking the court for a new trial in the 2004 beating death of her nephew, 3-year-old Thomas “T.J.” …

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Chambersburg Public Opinion

Man accused of child abuse over belt beating

Chambersburg Public Opinion

CHAMBERSBURG – A Chambersburg man is accused of child abuse after police say he used a belt on a child, leaving severe bruising.

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FOX13 Memphis

Man charged with child abuse after beating, scalding girlfriend’s 4-year-old

FOX13 Memphis

He is charged with aggravated child abuse, along with child abuse and … The affidavit states the child was told to get into the tub while Mitchell went …

Memphis Man Charged With Child Abuse – Local Memphis

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Danbury News Times

Plea deal offered in Danbury child abuse case

Danbury News Times

Lidia Quilligana, a 31-year-old nanny was caught on camera burning the hands and leg of a 3-year-old girl she was baby-sitting, a prosecutor told a …

Plea Deal Offered In Danbury Nanny ChildAbuse Case – Daily Voice

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Miami Herald

North Miami-Dade father beat his fussy baby daughter to death, police say

Miami Herald

Harlow Gonzalez was born premature and died just four months later of injuries so catastrophic no baby could survive. Her ribs, arm, leg, and skull …

Miami-Dade County man accused of… – Local 10

North Miami-Dade dad accused of beating 4-month-old daughter to death – 7Online WSVN-TV

North Miami-Dade Dad Beat Infant Daughter to Death: MDPD – NBC 6 South Florida

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Daily Mail

North Carolina mother charged with murdering her daughter ordered photos of girl

Daily Mail

Police were called when the youngster was taken to hospital covered in bruises and with life-threatening injuries consistent with child abuse, two days …

Female Soldier Allegedly Beat Toddler To Death With Help From Her Boyfriend – The Inquisitr

Mum charged beating her daughter to death poses for bizarre Photoshopped images with the – The Sun

Fort Bragg soldier allegedly kills daughter, 2, then asks photographer to create images including – New York Daily News

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Fayetteville Observer

3-year-old Sanford boy who was beaten dies; mother’s boyfriend charged

Fayetteville Observer

SANFORD – A 3-year-old boy hospitalized last week with injuries from an alleged beating died Monday morning at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, the …

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With help, next generation can break cycle of child abuse

The Killeen Daily Herald

Abused children wear a mantle of shame and bear their parent’s anger, rage, or pure ignorance as if they deserve it. Child abuse and family violence …

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Pianos ‘duel’ to raise child abuse awareness

Eagle-Tribune

The Exchange Club of Haverhill, in partnership with Keynote Sponsor Mortgage Network, will present the “Dueling Pianos: Child Abuse Awareness …

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Gwinnettdailypost.com

Cops who saved child, grandma from beating get top honor from Gwinnett Chamber

Gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett County Police Sergeant Roger Bell poses with Police Officers Senior Daniel Bennett, Victor Cortez, and Austin York after being awarded the …

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6abc.com

Social workers charged with child abuse in death of Palmdale, California boy

6abc.com

Four social workers were charged with child abuse and falsifying public records in the death … Prosecutors said he was the victim of repeated abuse.

Social workers charged with child abuse in death of Palmdale boy – KABC-TV

Social workers charged with child abuse in death of Palmdale boy – KGO-TV

Social Workers Charged with child abuse and falsifying records – KABC

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fox13now.com

Octopus removed from 2-year-old’s throat; child abuse charges filed

fox13now.com

Gallagher was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on suspicion of child abuse, according to the report. He has since been released. Officers told …

Octopus found lodged in boy’s throat in suspected child abuse case – KABC-TV

Octopus removed from 2-year-old’s throat; child abuse charges filed – Q13 FOX

Octopus lodged in boy’s throat in suspected child abuse case – KTRK-TV

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KHON2

Child abuse prevention campaign underway in downtown

KHON2

Mayor Kirk Caldwell has announced Honolulu Hale will be lit in blue this next week in recognition of child abuse prevention month.

7 Ways You Can Work With Your Community During Child Abuse Prevention Month – Elite Daily (blog)

Letter: Help Prevent Child Abuse – Alexandria Gazette Packet

Just For Kids to promote Child Abuse Prevention Month throughout April – Beckley Register-Herald

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What parents should talk to their kids about to prevent child abuse

fox13now.com

Therapist Korinne Bouwhuis is helping us understand what you need to talk to your kids about to prevent child abuse. 1. Start Early, Building from …

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WCYB

Child service workers address Child Abuse Prevention Month

WCYB

This month is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month. As we found out, you may be able to help stem the tide of this community problem.

Training sessions teach parents and educators how to spot child abuse – WQAD.com

MISSOULIAN EDITORIAL: Focus on prevention to stop child abuse, neglect – The Missoulian

Child Abuse Prevention – WAVY-TV

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Brownsville Herald

Advocates talk about fight against child abuse

Brownsville Herald

The month of April is National Child Abuse prevention month, and the Cameron County District Attorney’s child abuse prosecution unit is dedicated to …

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San Angelo Standard Times

Pinwheel display represents victims of child abuse

San Angelo Standard Times

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Tom Green County brought attention to child abuse victims with the organization’s annual Pinwheel Ceremony at …

Balloons sent up to raise child abuse awareness – Your Houston News

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Death toll from child abuse sorely underestimated: pediatricians

The Japan Times

The rate of child deaths linked to abuse or neglect in Japan is about five times higher than official government figures, according to estimates by the …

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Valdosta Daily Times

Pinwheels mark child abuse cases

Valdosta Daily Times

Jennifer Dandron | The Valdosta Daily TimesPrevent Child Abuse Lowndes County celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Blue Ribbon Campaign for …

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WBNG-TV

Rise in Child Abuse Reports in Broome and Otsego Counties

WBNG-TV

Child abuse is up 41 cases from last year in Otsego county and 30 cases in Broome County. Local social service officials think the upsurge is due to …

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WEB
Look Out For Child Abuse

lookoutforchildabuse.org

If you don’t act If you don act WHY PA kids need YOU? Must Act? May Act? What? When? How? to CHILDLINE iLook Out for Child Abuse Legal FAQs …

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Baltimore school cop who slapped and kicked student dodges child abuse felony charges

Signs of the Times

A Baltimore school police officer who was caught on a viral video slapping and kicking a teenager has avoided felony child abuse charges. The officer …

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Child Abuse Numbers Are Highest In The Ozarks

106.7 The River

The latest statistics show child abuse is happening more in Springfield than St. Louis and Kansas City.

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Honoring Child Abuse Victims

Seton

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 171 children died in Texas as a …

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Child abuse evaluation doctor retiring after 40 years with Akron Children’s Hospital

Des Moines University

Daryl Steiner’s colleagues at Akron Children’s Hospital have called him a pioneer and a visionary in the field of child abuse evaluation and treatment.

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Reducing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse: A Webinar with NCTSN.

Prevent Child Abuse America

Are you interested the child sexual abuse prevention? Then you may be interested in the webinar “Reducing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse” with the …

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Opiate Abuse A Growing Cause Of Local Child Abuse And Neglect Cases

WFIN

Child Abuse Prevention Month was marked in Findlay Wednesday with a presentation at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. Guests at the …

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Law enforcement training on investigating child abuse held in Scottsbluff

KRVN Radio

Wednesday, March 7, marked significant participation by law enforcement in the series of “Beyond the Basics: Investigating Child Abuse” trainings …

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Third Annual Child Abuse Prevention Rally

KOSA

Local sponsors came together to sponsor the third annual child abuse prevention rally.

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Guest Column: ‘There should be no excuse for child abuse. It should not hurt to be a child’

Navajo Times

By Alyson J. Shirley Miss Navajo Nation 2015-2016. Greetings! Ya’at’eeh! The month of April is set aside as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

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Minneapolis Star Tribune

Beau Biden Foundation Announces Mission to Fight Child Abuse

ABC News

Beau Biden Foundation Announces Mission to Fight Child Abuse … Beau Biden has announced its new mission to protect children from sexual abuse.

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NJ.com

Child abuse reporting, investigation needs to improve | Parenting with Pete

NJ.com

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Despite the reality that children today are safer than ever, we still have a long way to go to keep all children …

Supervisors raise child abuse awareness for April – Siskiyou Daily News

April is child abuse awareness month – Tucson News Now

Help needed to keep child abuse prevention programs alive – WQAD.com

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The Southern

Local groups kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month

The Southern

Barr was among speakers Friday to ring in April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, a national movement that got its start with a presidential …

Leaders from all levels unite to fight child abuse – KSAT San Antonio

Child abuse awareness month kicks off at Zahra Baker Park – Hickory Daily Record

Organization raises funds and awareness during Child Abuse Prevention Month – fox13now.com

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WMUR Manchester

Attorney says child abuse, neglect lawsuits should be open

WMUR Manchester

CONCORD, N.H. —Lawyers argued before the state’s highest court Tuesday for more transparency in child abuse and neglect cases, which are …

Child abuse on the rise in Mesa County, reports say – KJCT8.com

Bill aims to help child abuse victims – WPSD Local 6

CYS leaders: Somerset County child abuse reports rising – TribDem.com

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Andrew Warlen: Child abuse prevention

Blue Springs Examiner

Unfortunately, not all children are exposed to these positive relationships within their family unit. Child abuse and maltreatment is a serious public …

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Campaign focuses on combating sexual assault, child abuse

Centre Daily Times

A movement in Centre County, combining the efforts of several organizations, is working to combat sexual assault and child abuse. On Friday, on the …

Addilyn Sandberg, 3, runs through Johnstown’s Central Park with her pinwheel before the start of a – TribDem.com

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Alexandria Town Talk

More child abuse awareness needed in Cenla, group says

Alexandria Town Talk

PINEVILLE — Friday marked the beginning of Child Abuse Awareness Month, and the head of the Rapides Children’s Advocacy Center told a crowd …

Child abuse awareness month kicks off today with new billboards – WKEF ABC 22

Making a difference: Pinwheels draw attention to the issue of child abuse – Fayetteville Observer

The Community ‘Stands Up for Kids’ during Child Abuse Prevention Month – EverythingLubbock.com

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WMUR Manchester

Attorney calls for child abuse lawsuits to be open

WMUR Manchester

Lawyers argued before the state’s highest court Tuesday for more transparency in child abuse and neglect cases, which are currently sealed to protect …

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Casper Star-Tribune Online

Casper man pleads not guilty to child abuse

Casper Star-Tribune Online

Ryan Townsend makes his initial appearance Feb. 11 in Natrona County Circuit Court. Townsend is charged with felony child abuse for allegedly …

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Bismarck, Mandan mayors ‘Go Blue’ to stop child abuse

Bismarck Tribune

Mayors Arlyn Van Beek of Mandan and Mike Seminary of Bismarck are asking residents to wear blue for child abuse prevention. Each mayor …

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BLOGS
Some Touches Never Leave: Powerful Campaign Against Child Abuse

DeMilked

Some touches never leave – is the slogan of the new awareness campaign against all kinds of violence towards children and sexual abuse. In it, you’ll …

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WEB
Olympic chief: Child abuse laws as important as anti-doping

Associated Press

SYDNEY (AP) — The head of the Australian Olympic Committee says child abuse prevention needs to be elevated to the same importance as the …

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Child abuse awareness month kicks off today with new billboards

WRGT

DAYTON — A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds and local children are dying as a result of abuse and neglect.Advocates said something …

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Advocates spotlight programs that fight child abuse

WRGB

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Children’s advocates got their message out Friday, marking the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month.The Saratoga …

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Governor Doug Ducey Proclaims April “Child Abuse Prevention Month”

Governor Doug Ducey

PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey today announced a proclamation declaring the month of April “National Child Abuse Prevention Month” in Arizona …

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Mini superheroes plant pinwheels for Child Abuse Awareness Month

KBOI

KBOI-TV CBS 2 covers news, sports, traffic, and weather in the Treasure Valley and Boise, Idaho and nearby communities, including Meridian, Nampa …

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April is child abuse prevention month

Fox Bangor

AUGUSTA- The drug epidemic impacts more and more facets of daily life. And, yes, a rise in child abuse cases is blamed on drugs as well.

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Local Kids Put Up Pinwheels Against Child Abuse

News Channel Nebraska

COLUMBUS – Local youngsters in Columbus had the chance to fight child abuse on Tuesday afternoon. They did so by putting up pinwheels.

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The 2016 Prevention Resource Guide from the Children’s Bureau

Prevent Child Abuse America

The Children’s Bureau at the Federal Department of Health and Human Services have released their 2016 Prevention Resource Guide. Here’s a …

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Photo Release: Commissioners Proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention Month

Charles County

On Tuesday, April 5, the Charles County Board of Commissioners proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Charles County. Every child …

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Celebrating our Chapters during Child Abuse Prevention Month!

Prevent Child Abuse America

Child Abuse Prevention Month is here all April long! Learn about what our chapters across the country are doing in communities like yours.

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Chicago Tribune

Child abuse prevention efforts ramp up in April

Chicago Tribune

Lake County Chief Judge Jorge Ortiz speaks at the kick-off event Monday for the fourth annual Lake County Blue Kids child abuse awareness …

Child abuse cases, deaths increase in Tarrant County in 2015 – Fort Worth Star Telegram

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The Oakland Press

Oakland County officials plant pinwheels for child abuse prevention awareness

The Oakland Press

Oakland County Commissioner Shelley Goodman Taub (left) led a group which planted pinwheels to mark Child Abuse Prevention Month in April …

Bevin, others join rally to end child abuse – The Courier-Journal

Speak out about suspected child abuse – mySanAntonio.com

Time to focus on preventing child abuse – Fort Worth Star Telegram

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TheBlaze.com

Transgenderism of Children is Child Abuse, American College of Pediatrics Rules

TheBlaze.com

The American College of Pediatricians released a statement this week declaring that gender reclassification of children, also known as …

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Gov. Bevin holds rally to increase funding to prevent child abuse

WLKY Louisville

Bevin holds rally to increase funding to prevent child abuse … attended a rally in Louisville Wednesday to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month.

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WRAL.com

Sanford man faces child abuse charges in death of girlfriend’s 3-year-old

WRAL.com

Sanford, N.C. — A Sanford man is facing child abuse charges in connection with the death of his girlfriend’s three-year-old son who was found …

Sanford man charged with felony child abuse in death of 3-year-old boy – WTVD-TV

Child dies from alleged abuse – Sanford Herald (registration)

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FOX21News.com

Disturbing details emerge about alleged child abuse in Pueblo

FOX21News.com

PUEBLO, Colo — We learned more about the child abuse case in pueblo that has two people facing felony charges. 25 year old Colleen Torres and …

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Pianos ‘duel’ to raise child abuse awareness

Eagle-Tribune

The Exchange Club of Haverhill, in partnership with Keynote Sponsor Mortgage Network, will present the “Dueling Pianos: Child Abuse Awareness …

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Study: Deaths from child abuse fall in Kentucky, but overall incidents rise

WAVE 3

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – Reports of child abuse in Kentucky were up in 2014, but deaths resulting from child abuse reached a 10-year low in what …

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WDRB

Community remembers thousands of victims killed by child abuse

WDRB

(WDRB) — April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and members of the community spent the day remembering more than 3,000 victims of child abuse …

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Event will mark the start of Child Abuse Prevention Month

TribDem.com

Recent accusations of a decades-long cover-up of child abuse within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown has thrust the subject of …

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WEB
Mother Facing 4 Counts Of Child Abuse

Johnston County Report

A Smithfield woman is facing several charges including child abuse for allegedly placing her children in potential harm. Around 3:00 AM Monday, …

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Child abuse school violence workshop online

Victor Valley Global Medical Center

Binary options in excel mac Child abuse school violence workshop online brokers make money. Sign in also find out why almost profits plenty going …

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Teen father in court for homicide by child abuse charges

WPDE

David Evege Garner, 18, appeared before a magistrate judge Monday morning to be arraigned on charges of homicide by child abuse in the death of …

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Jicarilla Apache Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Abuse Charge

US Department of Justice

ALBUQUERQUE – Fawn Lynnstar Vigil, 30, an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation who resides in Dulce, N.M., pleaded guilty today in …

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Child Fatalities and the Continuum of Prevention Services

Prevent Child Abuse America

In mid-March the Commission to End Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities released their full report. Here is our official response to their report.

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DA: Teacher, pastor charged in alleged childabuse case

WHP

An Ephrata-area teacher and church pastor are facing charges following a reported case of child abuse, according to the Lancaster County District …

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April raises awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month

Joint Base Langley-Eustis

Every April, parents connect with health centers and family advocates to raise awareness during Child Abuse Prevention Month. Joint Base …

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Child Safe to Kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month Friday

KSIS Radio 1050 AM

To kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month a special ceremony will be held Friday, April 1 at 10 a.m. on the Pettis County Courthouse lawn.

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Dr. Kiyoko Kamibeppu Studies Prevention of Child Abuse in Japan

International Family Nursing Association

For more than a decade, she has advocated for the offering of preventative child abuse interventions during pregnancy, which is now a priority in the …

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Reps. Bishop, Walorski discuss child abuse and sexual assault prevention in Livingston County

Congressman Mike Bishop

Across the country and right here in Livingston County, we’re facing a very real problem with child abuse and domestic violence – and all of us have a …

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KABC-TV

Attorney for babysitter charged in Lancaster baby’s death says dog attacked child

KABC-TV

An attorney representing a babysitter accused of killing a 5-month-old baby boy at a Lancaster home last month says the family dog attacked the child …

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KCCI Des Moines

Man charged in baby’s death released from prison after plea

DesMoinesRegister.com

SIOUX CITY, Ia. — An Iowa man granted a new trial after initially being convicted and sentenced to 50 years for the death of his infant daughter has …

Man charged in baby’s death released from prison after plea – Washington Times

Man charged in baby’s death released from prison after plea – KCCI Des Moines

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The Age

Baby death count at Bacchus Marsh hospital could climb

The Age

The number of potentially avoidable baby deaths at the troubled Bacchus Marsh hospital could be higher than first thought, as authorities work through …

Baby death count at Bacchus Marsh hits 12 – The Age

Vic hospital baby death toll reaches 12 – Sky News Australia

More Vic baby death investigations – 9news.com.au

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Chron.com

Arrest made in baby’s death at Missouri City daycare

Chron.com

An arrest has been made in last month’s death of a 2-month-old baby at a Missouri City daycare. Thelma Louise Coleman, 60, was arrested Friday and …

Babysitter charged in death of infant in Missouri City daycare – KTRK-TV

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KOCO Oklahoma City

Father charged with murder in connection with baby’s death

KOCO Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City police have arrested a man in connection with the death of his baby. The victim was identified as 1-month-old Natalie Fuston. James …

Authorities charge man with first-degree murder in baby’s death – KOCO Oklahoma City

Father Arrested For Murder In Death Of Newborn Baby In OKC – News On 6

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People Magazine

Grieving Mom of 3-Month-Old Who Died on First Day of Daycare Speaks Out: ‘Her Laughter Was

People Magazine

A 3-month-old baby girl died on April 1 after attending a childcare facility that authorities have since deemed responsible for “gross incompetence, …

Pennsylvania Day Care Closed After 3-Month-Old Infant Dies on First Day – ABC News

Pennsylvania daycare shuts down after three-month-old baby girl dies – Daily Mail

Baby mysteriously dies on first day of daycare – WFLA

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Stuff.co.nz

Nelson baby’s death brings call for caution with cot mattresses

Stuff.co.nz

Nelson baby’s death brings call for caution with cot mattresses … Coroner Christopher Devonport ruled the baby girl died after becoming trapped …

Infant died after getting stuck in cot – New Zealand Herald

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KCCI Des Moines

4-month-old baby’s death under investigation

KCCI Des Moines

4-month-old baby’s death under investigation. UPDATED 5:24 PM CDT Apr 19, 2016. Tweet. Next Video: Armed 8-year-old caught on camera trying to …

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NEWS.com.au

Heartbreak as baby dies on flight

NEWS.com.au

A FOUR-MONTH-OLD girl has died while travelling on a Cathay Pacific … The baby’s death was confirmed by officials but is not being treated as …

Four-month-old baby dies during Cathay Pacific flight from London to Hong Kong – Fox News

Baby girl dies on Cathay Pacific Airways flight from London to Hong Kong – Daily Mail

Baby Girl Dies On London To Hong Kong Cathay Pacific Flight – Huffington Post UK

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Herald Sun

Baby twins case: Coroner pushes for reforms after baby’s death, another’s severe injury

Herald Sun

THE father of a twin girl who died at the hands of her mother at just two months old has welcomed a Coroner’s recommendation to overhaul the …

Nurses failed in baby death case: coroner – Yahoo7 News

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WEB
Nurses failed in baby death case: coroner

MSN.com

The heartbroken father of a baby who died at the hands of her depressed mother has urged the Victorian government to fully implement the …

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Allentown Morning Call

Sharon’s Day Care ordered closed after ‘gross negligence’ in baby’s death

Allentown Morning Call

… found the baby died after poor supervision at the day care. McKenna, daughter of Bryan S. Felmly and Adrienne L. Kromer of Slatington, died on her …

Why This Baby’s Death on the First Day of Day Care Is Especially Tragic – POPSUGAR

Pennsylvania Baby Dies on First Day of Daycare, Investigation Underway – People Magazine

Why This Baby’s Death on the First Day of Day Care Is Especially Tragic – POPSUGAR

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Alton Telegraph

U of Illinois student charged with murder in baby’s death

CBS News

URBANA, Ill. –A University of Illinois student faces murder charges after authorities accused her of suffocating her newborn baby last month after …

U. of I. student from Monee charged with murdering her newborn in dorm – Chicago Tribune

UIUC student charged with murder in baby’s death – Bloomington Pantagraph

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USA TODAY

Baby dies on first day at daycare

USA TODAY

(NEWSER) – On Adrienne Kromer’s first day back at work following three and a half months of maternity leave, she called her daughter’s new daycare …

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lehighvalleylive.com

‘Gross incompetence’ leads to daycare closure after baby’s death on 1st day

lehighvalleylive.com

State regulators shut down a Northampton County daycare center four days after an infant was found unresponsive at the facility and later died.

Infant dies on first day at Lehigh Township day care – 6abc.com

Baby dies during her first day at daycare – Emirates 24|7

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TWC News

Father charged with murder in connection with baby death

Glens Falls Post-Star

The murder charge does not allege Jones intentionally killed the child, but accuses him of acting with “depraved indifference toward human life,” a …

Grand jury to upgrade charges against father in baby death – WRGB

Father indicted in death of infant daughter – WNYT

NY father charged with murder in death of weeks-old infant – Fox5NY

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Mirror.co.uk

Five-month-old baby died with cocaine and alcohol in his system – but authorities brought no child

Telegraph.co.uk

Police and prosecutors must take a tougher stance on child abuse cases, a children’s charity has said, after a couple escaped prosecution over the …

Parents of five-month-old baby who died with cocaine and alcohol in his system when mother fell – Daily Mail

Parents of baby found dead with cocaine in blood won’t be charged – and get other kids back – Mirror.co.uk

Parents of a baby who had cocaine and alcohol in his body when he died after his mother fell – The Sun

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Washington Post

Oxon Hill day-care provider charged with murder in baby girl’s death

Washington Post

The medical examiner in Maryland said the baby — Savannah Kai Wright — died from blunt force trauma to her head two days after she was taken to …

Daycare provider arrested in death of baby girl – WUSA9.com

Maryland daycare provider charged with first-degree murder in death of baby girl – FOX 5 DC

Child-Care Provider Charged in 9-Month-Old’s Homicide – Patch.com

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WISH-TV

Parents still support daycare being investigated after baby’s death

WISH-TV

What’s not clear is what caused the child’s death. A worker told police she found her unresponsive in a car seat and began to perform CPR. The child …

Identity of child who died at Speedway daycare released – WTHITV.com

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KMBC Kansas City

Richmond woman found guilty in baby’s death

KMBC Kansas City

Rebecca Matthews, 28, was found guilty of 11 felony counts — one count of abuse of a child resulting in death, three counts of abuse of a child, and …

Mother found guilty of child abuse in death of baby – fox4kc.com

Clay County Woman, Charged with Child Abuse in Death of Baby, Guilty – Kansas City infoZine

Woman convicted in Clay County for child abuse death of infant daughter – Kansas City Star

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WYFF Greenville

Mother arrested almost 2 years after baby drowned in bathtub

WYFF Greenville

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. —An Inman woman faces charges in the death of her baby almost two years after the child drowned in a bathtub, …

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WEB
Police Investigating Sudden Death Of Baby On First Day Of Day Care

MSN.com

McKenna Felmly’s family says the child seemed fine when she was dropped off at day care.

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17 sources

Google News

The mother of a baby who was found dead after his parents allegedly went on a 24-hour drinking binge claims she only had ‘a couple of drinks’.

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‘confused’ by baby’s death at Darebin Creek

audioBoom

Tony Jones ‘confused’ by baby’s death at Darebin Creek. see more options Embed Code. <iframe width=”100%” height=”300″ …

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WEAU

Mother under influence of drugs charged in baby’s death

Fox News

Authorities say Lefay suffocated her daughter after rolling on top of the baby while sleeping next to her on an air mattress in January 2015.

Mother Under Influence of Drugs Charged in Baby’s Death – ABC News

Baby died after mom rolled on her in sleep, police say – Press & Sun-Bulletin

Police: Endicott woman asphyxiated baby to death while sleeping – Binghamton Homepage

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Case law may make murder prosecution difficult in baby death

Glens Falls Post-Star

The assault charge was filed before the child’s death, and in light of the death, prosecutors said additional charges — including homicide counts …

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cleveland.com

Cleveland police investigating baby’s death

cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Police launched an investigation into the death of a … Cleveland police homicide detectives investigate all child deaths, and …

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Telegraph.co.uk

Parents of baby who died wedged between wall and bed while they went on drinking binge will not

Telegraph.co.uk

The parents of a month-old baby who died as they went on a 24-hour Christmas drinking binge and forgot where they had left him have avoided …

Parents of baby who died after they ‘forgot where they put him after drinking binge’ won’t be – Mirror.co.uk

Parents of baby Freddie Neil who died while they were drunk WON’T be prosecuted – Daily Mail

Children’s charity slams decision not to prosecute parents who found baby dead after ’24-hour – Mirror.co.uk

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Mirror.co.uk

Mum of tragic six-year-old hit by car in 47kmph smash insists his death ‘will save lives’

Mirror.co.uk

The mum of a tragic six-year-old who died in a car smash has insisted: “My baby’s death will save lives.” Roseann Brennan watched in horror as her …

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KTRK-TV

Mom gets 10 years for baby’s death with PJs wrapped around her face

KTRK-TV

A woman could spend the next 10 years of her life in prison over the death of her baby girl, after she tied pajamas around the child’s head while she …

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KY3

Couple makes first court appearnce for baby’s death

KY3

A couple charged in the death of their 13 month old son made their first court appearance Tuesday in Stone County court. Investigators say he died …

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People Magazine

Mother of 14-Month-Old Baby Girl Who Died After Dental Procedure Speaks Out: ‘I Don’t Want

People Magazine

Grieving Texas mother Betty Squier has been left with many unanswered questions since the sudden death of her 14-month-old baby girl after she …

Baby Girl Getting Routine Cavity Filling Dies Under Anesthesia At Texas Dental Clinic – Medical Daily

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KY3

Neighbors puzzled by baby’s death, charges against parents

KY3

The parents of a baby boy found dead in his crib three months ago will appear before a judge Tuesday morning. As the investigation continues, …

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KTRK-TV

Baby dies after ‘standard’ procedure at Austin dentist’s office

KTRK-TV

Daisy Lynn was a “happy, healthy baby” and “full of life” before the visit, her aunt says. But then Jessica Casaneda says the 14-month-old “went to the …

14-month-old Texas girl dies after going to dentist – CBS News

Parents of baby girl who died after dental procedure share their story – FOX 7 Austin

14-month-old toddler in Texas dies after visit to the dentist – Globalnews.ca

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WEB
Mother under influence of drugs charged in baby’s death

Associated Press

Authorities say Lefay suffocated her daughter after rolling on top of the baby while sleeping next to her on an air mattress in January 2015.

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Glen Head Baby Death

MSN.com

Glen Head Baby Death. CBS New York. Duration: 00:51 10 mins ago. SHARE · TWEET · SHARE · EMAIL. CBS2’s Ali Bauman reports. READ MORE

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WEAU

Mother under influence of drugs charged in baby’s death

Fox News

Authorities say Lefay suffocated her daughter after rolling on top of the baby while sleeping next to her on an air mattress in January 2015.

Mother Under Influence of Drugs Charged in Baby’s Death – ABC News

Baby died after mom rolled on her in sleep, police say – Press & Sun-Bulletin

Police: Endicott woman asphyxiated baby to death while sleeping – Binghamton Homepage

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Case law may make murder prosecution difficult in baby death

Glens Falls Post-Star

The assault charge was filed before the child’s death, and in light of the death, prosecutors said additional charges — including homicide counts …

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cleveland.com

Cleveland police investigating baby’s death

cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Police launched an investigation into the death of a … Cleveland police homicide detectives investigate all child deaths, and …

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Telegraph.co.uk

Parents of baby who died wedged between wall and bed while they went on drinking binge will not

Telegraph.co.uk

The parents of a month-old baby who died as they went on a 24-hour Christmas drinking binge and forgot where they had left him have avoided …

Parents of baby who died after they ‘forgot where they put him after drinking binge’ won’t be – Mirror.co.uk

Parents of baby Freddie Neil who died while they were drunk WON’T be prosecuted – Daily Mail

Children’s charity slams decision not to prosecute parents who found baby dead after ’24-hour – Mirror.co.uk

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Mirror.co.uk

Mum of tragic six-year-old hit by car in 47kmph smash insists his death ‘will save lives’

Mirror.co.uk

The mum of a tragic six-year-old who died in a car smash has insisted: “My baby’s death will save lives.” Roseann Brennan watched in horror as her …

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KTRK-TV

Mom gets 10 years for baby’s death with PJs wrapped around her face

KTRK-TV

A woman could spend the next 10 years of her life in prison over the death of her baby girl, after she tied pajamas around the child’s head while she …

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KY3

Couple makes first court appearnce for baby’s death

KY3

A couple charged in the death of their 13 month old son made their first court appearance Tuesday in Stone County court. Investigators say he died …

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People Magazine

Mother of 14-Month-Old Baby Girl Who Died After Dental Procedure Speaks Out: ‘I Don’t Want

People Magazine

Grieving Texas mother Betty Squier has been left with many unanswered questions since the sudden death of her 14-month-old baby girl after she …

Baby Girl Getting Routine Cavity Filling Dies Under Anesthesia At Texas Dental Clinic – Medical Daily

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KY3

Neighbors puzzled by baby’s death, charges against parents

KY3

The parents of a baby boy found dead in his crib three months ago will appear before a judge Tuesday morning. As the investigation continues, …

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KTRK-TV

Baby dies after ‘standard’ procedure at Austin dentist’s office

KTRK-TV

Daisy Lynn was a “happy, healthy baby” and “full of life” before the visit, her aunt says. But then Jessica Casaneda says the 14-month-old “went to the …

14-month-old Texas girl dies after going to dentist – CBS News

Parents of baby girl who died after dental procedure share their story – FOX 7 Austin

14-month-old toddler in Texas dies after visit to the dentist – Globalnews.ca

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WEB
Mother under influence of drugs charged in baby’s death

Associated Press

Authorities say Lefay suffocated her daughter after rolling on top of the baby while sleeping next to her on an air mattress in January 2015.

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Glen Head Baby Death

MSN.com

Glen Head Baby Death. CBS New York. Duration: 00:51 10 mins ago. SHARE · TWEET · SHARE · EMAIL. CBS2’s Ali Bauman reports. READ MORE

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Miami Herald

North Miami-Dade father beat his fussy baby daughter to death, police say

Miami Herald

Harlow Gonzalez was born premature and died just four months later of injuries so catastrophic no baby could survive. Her ribs, arm, leg, and skull …

North Miami-Dade Dad Beat Infant Daughter to Death: MDPD – NBC 6 South Florida

Miami-Dade County man accused of beating 4-month-old daughter… – Local 10

Miami Man Charged With Killing Baby Girl – CBS Local

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New York Post

4-month-old baby’s death is a homicide: police

New York Post

The death of a 4-month-old Bronx boy who police had been told fell off a … But months later, it was discovered the baby’s actual injuries were more …

Bronx Baby’s Death in August Ruled a Homicide, Officials Say – New York Times

Death Of 4-Month-Old Bronx Baby Declared Homicide – CBS Local

Death of 4-month-old Bronx baby ruled homicide after autopsy shows fractured skull, collapsed lung – New York Daily News

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WDRB

Police arrest man accused of killing 5-month-old infant

WDRB

Noah Ballard-Jones died March 16 at Kosair Children’s Hospital two days after he was brought there from his home near the corner of 22nd and Date …

Police arrest man in connection to 5-month-old’s death – WLKY Louisville

Family members clash at hearing for Louisville man accused of killing infant – WDRB

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WNCN

Coroner says Belton baby’s death at day care an accident

Washington Times

BELTON, S.C. (AP) – A coroner says a baby’s death at an Anderson County day care was accidental, but likely could have been prevented if the infant …

Coroner says Belton baby’s death at day care an accident – Bowling Green Daily News

Coroner: Belton baby’s death at daycare an accident – Anderson Independent Mail

Baby suffocates at Belton daycare; no charges – WSPA.com

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WISN Milwaukee

No charges, but a homicide ruling in baby’s death

WISN Milwaukee

Authorities said India Rose Gilmore died Nov. 7, a day after she was taken to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin after her father said he found her …

Sudden Death of Infant Being Investigated as Homicide – WDJT

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NEWS10 ABC

Grand jury review of baby death case postponed

Glens Falls Post-Star

The baby, 24 days old as of the day of her death, suffered serious head and internal injuries and was on life support until she died Thursday.

NYSP: Johnsburg infant dies after being assaulted by father – NEWS10 ABC

Johnsburg baby succumbs to injuries; Father may face homicide charges – Glens Falls Post-Star

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New Vision

‘I went home to wait for my baby’s death

New Vision

baby, she wrapped the child in two bedsheets up to her head. “I later sneaked out of the hospital with my baby and went home to wait for her death.”

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KRQE News 13

Jury selection begins for man charged in baby’s death

KRQE News 13

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – Jury selection is underway in the trial of a man charged in the death of a 14-month-old baby. Christopher Garcia was …

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Bloomberg

Baby’s Death Shows Global Threat From Wonder Drug’s Demise

Bloomberg

One of the babies died; the other survived. “That is a warning to us that maybe we’re already losing this drug,” said Umesh Vaidya, who runs the …

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NBC Southern California

Father’s Longtime Friend Arrested in Death of Baby Boy in Lancaster

NBC Southern California

The longtime friend of an infant’s father who was baby-sitting the 5-month-old has been arrested after the child died, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s …

Baby girl dies after being assaulted at home in Lancaster, authorities say – Los Angeles Times

Investigators: Baby dies after Lancaster assault – The San Diego Union-Tribune

Investigation Into Death Of Baby Underway In Lancaster Amid Report Of Alleged Assault – CBS Local

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WEB
Mother Arrested in Clarksville Baby Death Case

Fox16

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. – The mother of a baby found dead on February 25 has been arrested on suspicion of permitting the abuse of a minor, police say.

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Investigation Launched After FGH Baby Death

The Bay

An investigation is underway, after the death of a baby at Furness General Hospital.

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Poland Debates Banning Abortion After Live Baby Cries Itself to Death

Truth Revolt

A national debate has sparked in Poland around the morality of abortion after a baby was born alive during a procedure and left alone for one hour to …

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Fleetwood Man Charged With Murder After Baby Girl’s Death

The Bay

Detectives have charged a man with murder following the death of a baby girl in Fleetwood.

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Canadian Press NewsAlert: Court says Alta baby deaths not murder

Penticton Herald

OTTAWA – The Supreme Court of Canada says an Alberta woman who tossed two of her newborn children into the garbage is not guilty of …

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The Courier

Man charged with murder in Findlay child’s death

The Courier

An Arlington man was arrested Friday and charged with murder in the death of a 2-year-old Findlay boy, the Findlay Police Department reports.

Findlay police arrest man in child’s death – Lima Ohio

Findlay police arrest man in child’s death – Lima Ohio

Arlington man held in death of Findlay boy, 2 – Toledo Blade

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WTHITV.com

State: Child’s death at Speedway daycare due to lack of supervision

WTHITV.com

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) – The Family and Social Services Administration is taking action in the recent death of a 10-month-old at Miracles and …

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (April 13, 2016)– The State of Indiana issued an emergency decertification to a – WTTV CBS4Indy

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WISH-TV

State: Child’s death at Speedway daycare due to lack of supervision

WISH-TV

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) – The Family and Social Services Administration is taking action in the recent death of an 11-month-old at Miracles and …

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Chattanooga Times Free Press

Mother & boyfriend charged in connection with child’s death in Fort Oglethorpe

WTVC

The case had many neighbors wondering about what the child was doing in the moments leading up to his death. They also raised questions about a …

Toddler drowning death in Fort Oglethorpe: Mother had been reported before for negligence – The Catoosa County News

Mother and stepfather charged with murder in toddler’s drowning death – Chattanooga Times Free Press

Ft. Oglethorpe Police charge couple in drowning death of child – WDEF News 12

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KSDK.com

Mom arrested in 4-year-old’s death

KSDK.com

DUPO — A mother has been arrested in the death of her 4-year-old … When they arrived they started CPR immediately and continued as the child was …

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Disorder leads to Afghan woman, child’s death at border

DAWN.com

LANDI KOTAL: An Afghan woman and a young girl died while 12 others fainted on Tuesday because of mayhem at Torkham border crossing after the …

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Grafton parents find support, hope after child’s death

Worcester Telegram

GRAFTON – Roman Norman Levitre was welcomed into his parents’ waiting arms at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston on April 3. But instead …

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WBTW – Myrtle Beach and Florence SC

Florence County child fatality review team to look closer at child deaths

WBTW – Myrtle Beach and Florence SC

Von Lutcken says majority of child deaths could have been preventable, so that’s why he created the Florence County Child Fatility Review Team.

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Accused Burlington day-care provider maintains her innocence

The Boston Globe

BURLINGTON — A day-care operator charged with killing an infant she was baby-sitting two years ago told reporters Wednesday that there is no …

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Appleton police investigate child’s death

Appleton Post Crescent

APPLETON – The Appleton Police Department is investigating the sudden death of a 3-year-old child. Police responded to a medical call on Purdy …

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WEB
3 years after child’s death, woman thanks family for donated kidney

WYMT

The Alaska woman received a kidney from a boy who died at 14 in Washington state.

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Little River child death investigation, suspect arrested in Waco

MyCenTx

The Bell County Sheriff’s Department reports a man arrested in Waco is being held in connection with the investigation of the death of a child in the …

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Afghan Child Deaths Soar As Fighting Intensifies

Jazz FM

The United Nations has reported an appalling rise in the number of children killed in fighting in Afghanistan.

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Babysitter Wants Murder Charges Dropped In 2014 Child Death

MSN.com

The Middlesex District Attorney’s office is moving forward with murder charges against a babysitter. WBZ-TV’s Beth Germano reports.

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‘Unacceptable’ lack of knowledge over child psychiatric unit deaths

Guernsey Press

Ministers have admitted it is unacceptable that they do not know how many children have died in psychiatric units since 2010.

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NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

CPS Workers, Investigator Out After 4-Year-Old Child’s Death

NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Two Texas Child Protective Services workers were fired and a third resigned following the death of a 4-year-old girl in Grand Prairie, the agency …

Texas Digest: CPS workers fired after child’s death – Austin American-Statesman

2 CPS workers fired in Dallas child’s death – Houston Chronicle

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WTVC

Trial of woman accused in child’s death continues

WTVC

Jaquelne Escareno broke down while watching a recorded police interview where detectives directly asked her if she killed a child in her care.

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Indianapolis Star

IU Heath found no indication of abuse before child’s death in December 2014

Indianapolis Star

The recent deaths of Indiana children from abuse and neglect have all of us grieving the loss of these innocent, precious lives. I suggest we use this …

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Clay Center Dispatch

Dad, stepmom get lengthy prison sentences in child’s death

NBC2 News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) – A Jacksonville father and stepmother have received lengthy prison sentences in the beating death of his 4-year-old …

Dad, stepmom get lengthy prison sentences in child’s death – Wink News

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The Sun Herald

Kiln man arrested for toddler’s death

The Sun Herald

A Kiln man was caring for his girlfriend’s toddler when he allegedly abused the child, causing head injuries that led to the boy’s death, sheriff’s officials …

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KSDK.com

Police investigating suspicious child death

KSDK.com

Police have a person of interest in custody as they continue to investigate the death of a 4-year-old girl in Dupo, Ill. Sunday afternoon, police said.

Dupo police chief calls child’s death ‘suspicious’ – Belleville News-Democrat

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DesMoinesRegister.com

Day care provider gets probation in Pella child’s death

DesMoinesRegister.com

KNOXVILLE, Ia. — Lisa and Chad Smith knew their toddler daughter had an uncanny skill at a young age for keeping a beat. The Pella couple hoped …

Pella daycare provider gets probation in child’s death – Sioux City Journal

Pella daycare provider gets probation in child’s death – Bryan-College Station Eagle

Pella Woman Sentenced for Death of Child in Emotional Hearing – KNIA / KRLS Radio

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WMUR Manchester

Case against Nashua mother accused in child’s death to move forward

WMUR Manchester

NASHUA, N.H. —The case against a Nashua woman accused of killing her 3-year-old daughter has been ordered to move forward by a superior court …

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Highlands Today

Child drowning: The most preventable cause of child death

Highlands Today

Editor’s Note: In conjunction with National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is observed every April, Highlands Today will run a series of guest …

Child abuse on the rise in Mesa County, reports say – KJCT8.com

Kern County Supervisors proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention – Kern Golden Empire

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Attorney Says Case Of Child’s Death From Fentanyl Overdose Was “Pure Accident”

The Chattanoogan

Attorney Lloyd Levitt told a Criminal Court jury on Tuesday that the Fentanyl overdose death of a 23-month boy on March 21, 2014, was “a pure …

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WEB
Dad, stepmom get lengthy prison sentences in child’s death

WGUL AM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A Jacksonville father and stepmother have received lengthy prison sentences in the beating death of his 4-year-old …

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4 social workers charged after boy’s beating death

Associated Press

The Department of Children and Family Services said Thursday all four were fired last year after an internal investigation into the 2013 death of …

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Dad, stepmom get lengthy prison sentences in child’s death

Tampa Tribune

A Jacksonville father and stepmother have received lengthy prison sentences in the beating death of his 4-year-old daughter.

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4 sources

google.be

A baby boy who died after sharing a bed with his mother and uncle had cocaine and alcohol in his blood, a serious case review has found.

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4 sources

Google News

More than four million child, newborn and maternal deaths in lower-income countries could be averted by rapidly expanding health packages for …

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25 sources

Google News

Avoidable maternal and child deaths could be greatly reduced in a generation by rapid expansion of essential, highly-cost effective health …

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Defence to call first witness in child death trial

MSN.com

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – The defence is to call its first witness today at the trial of a former Alberta couple charged in the death of their toddler son from …

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KHOU.com

Police investigating child’s death at Missouri City day care

KHOU.com

Police are investigating the death of a 3-month-old baby found dead at a home day … with the Missouri City Fire and EMS attempted to revive the child.

Boy’s death at Missouri City day care under investigation – Houston Chronicle

Missouri City police investigate death of baby at day care – Washington Times

Missouri City police investigate death of baby at day care – Fort Worth Star Telegram

Full Coverage

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Red flags preceded Milwaukee child’s death from methadone overdose

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Her mother, Elizabeth Perry, shared with Isabella both her addiction and, inadvertently, the sip of methadone that killed the child Sept. 25. And while …

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KCCI Des Moines

Death of man who was acquitted in child’s death investigated

KCCI Des Moines

CHEROKEE, Iowa —Iowa authorities are investigating the death of a 41-year-old man who was acquitted in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2000.

Death of man who was acquitted in child’s death investigated – kwwl.com

Death of man who was acquitted in child’s death investigated – Bryan-College Station Eagle

Authorities investigating death of Iowa man acquitted in child murder case – Dubuque Telegraph Herald

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KRGV

McAllen Police Investigating Child’s Death in Warehouse

KRGV

MCALLEN — McAllen police are investigating an accident that claimed the life of a little girl. Currently, no charges are filed and police said it will likely …

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KRON4.com

Safety of anesthesia for young dental patients investigated

KRON4.com

… investigation into whether state regulations are providing sufficient safety in the use of anesthesia on young patients after an East Boy died following …

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KMTV

Trial set for woman accused in child’s death

KMTV

(KMTV) – The trial for a woman charged in the death of a 4-year-old child is scheduled for this summer. Chelsey Cook was in court on Monday, …

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Asheville Citizen-Times

Teens charged with involuntary manslaughter in child’s death

Asheville Citizen-Times

ASHEVILLE – Police located two 17-year-old teens in the Pisgah National Forest who have each been charged with one felony count of involuntary …

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kwwl.com

No charges filed in Davenport child’s death

kwwl.com

According to police, the child went up to the car from an angle that prevented the driver from seeing him. The toddler then walked in front of the car as it …

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Child death investigated

Ocala

At the hospital, a deputy was told that the child had died. As is standard procedure, a Major Crimes detective was called and notified about the death.

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WHBL Sheboygan

Cascade Man Takes Plea For Accidental Child Death

WHBL Sheboygan

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (WHBL) — A Cascade man charged in the accidental death of his fiancee’s son has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.

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WEB
Cascade Man Takes Plea For Accidental Child Death

Sheboygan’s Country B93

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (WHBL) — A Cascade man charged in the accidental death of his fiancee’s son has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.

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Preventing child death: Hamilton County Child Mortality Study

Local 12

HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio (Meghan Mongillo) – One child dies every three days in Hamilton County. That statistic alone should be enough to serve as …

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Child deaths due to unsafe sleeping conditions a concern in Hampton Roads, report shows

WXGM

NORFOLK — Nearly half of the child deaths investigated in Hampton Roads in fiscal year 2015 came as a result of unsafe sleeping conditions, …

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Protest planned tomorrow after man is sentenced in child’s death

WRGT

BROOKVILLE — Sentencing is scheduled for tomorrow, March 31, 2016, for a man who pleaded guilty in a child’s death.Dustin Rybak is expected to …

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Human factors and the death of a child in hospital: a case review

RCNi

inquest into the death of a seven-year-old child in hospital to examine errors that contributed to the … that contributed to the child’s death from a human.

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Child dies in daycare

Fox 26

Updated:Mar 30 2016 06:48AM CDT. HOUSTON (FOX 26) – Rob Wu presents the latest information on the death of a child in a day care home. Photo …

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Disturbing New Information On Grand Prairie Child’s Death

MSN.com

Disturbing New Details On Four-Year-Old Girl’s Death. Disturbing New Information On Grand Prairie Child’s Death. CBS Dallas. Duration: 02:21 12 hrs …

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Child dies after collapsing at school, mother wants nurse punished

Fox 26

A child dies after collapsing at Dulles Middle School. Could more have been done at the school to prevent 12 year old Dustin Chan’s death?

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Warrants say charges for formerly missing teens stem from death of child in their care

WLOS

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Warrants filed at the Buncombe County Magistrate’s Office shed more light on charges filed against two teens who went missing …

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Cognitively impaired GP struck off after child’s death

Australian Doctor

A 77-year old GP has been struck off for being unfit to practice years after he failed to diagnose appendicitis in a child who later died of septic shock.

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KTRK-TV

Woman accused in child’s death wasn’t given permission to take him from Houston daycare

KTRK-TV

The woman who accidentally ran over and killed a 4-year-old boy says no family member gave her permission to take the child from the daycare.

Child dies after SUV hits him outside day care in NE Harris… – KPRC Houston

Child dies after SUV smashes into East Harris County daycare – Chron.com

Child dies after SUV smashes into East Harris County daycare – Antigua Observer

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LubbockOnline.com

Woman accused in child’s death seeks reduced bond

LubbockOnline.com

A 20-year-old woman accused in the November death of a 4-year-old girl was in court Wednesday asking a judge to reduce her bond. Yvonne …

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CBS Local

LI Lawmaker Wants Board To Review Suspicious Child Deaths

CBS Local

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — A Suffolk County legislator wants a panel to look into the cases of children who died suspiciously because of …

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Irish Mirror

Two Arrested After Child’s Bouncy Castle Death

Sky News

Ambulance crews were called to the scene and treated the child for serious injuries, before taking the victim to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical …

BREAKING NEWS: Two arrested after child dies in funfair bouncy castle horror accident – Express.co.uk

Child dies after howling wind blows bouncy castle 1.5 km through the air at Easter fair in Britain – National Post

Harlow bouncy castle death: Two arrested after child is killed when inflatable is blown 150 metres – Mirror.co.uk

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AL.com

Alabama woman, boyfriend jailed after child’s death

FOX10 News

PHIL CAMPBELL, Ala. (AP) – A northwest Alabama woman and her boyfriend are jailed following the death of the woman’s 1-year-old daughter.

Alabama woman, boyfriend jailed after child’s death – Tuscaloosa News (subscription)

Alabama woman, boyfriend jailed after child’s death – News Courier

Mother, boyfriend, charged in 22-month-old’s death – Times Daily

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WWMT-TV

On 4-year-old girl’s birthday, Kalamazoo police treat child’s death as suspicious

WZZM13.com

Police responded shortly after 9:30 a.m. to the 1100 block of Douglas Avenue in Kalamazoo on a report of a child not breathing, according to a …

Police investigating ‘suspicious’ death of 4-year-old on her birthday – MLive.com

Questions remain about death of 4-year-old – WWMT-TV

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Atlanta Journal Constitution

Judge refuses to disqualify prosecutor in child death case

Atlanta Journal Constitution

Police say Rosenbaum beat to death the 2-year-old foster child in her care, Laila Marie Daniel. Rosenbaum’s attorney, Corinne Mull, argued that DA …

Woman accused in foster child’s death appears before judge – 11alive.com

Woman charged with foster child’s murder to appear in court – FOX 5 Atlanta

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Anderson authorities investigating child’s death

Anderson Independent Mail

Anderson authorities investigating child’s death … There doesn’t appear to be evidence of foul play or illness in the infant’s death, McCown said.

Baby boy dies at Belton daycare – WSPA.com

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WIBW

AG, Child Death Board warn about the dangerous lurking in your home

WIBW

In recognition Attorney General Derek Schmidt and the Kansas Child Death Review Board are reminding parents and caregivers of the dangers of …

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The Herald-Times (subscription)

Our Opinion: Circumstances around child’s death intensifies public’s cries for justice

The Herald-Times (subscription)

The story surrounding the death of Shaylyn Michelle Kay Ammerman got worse on Friday, if that was possible. And there likely will be more to come, …

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WEB
Suspect in child’s death seeking bond reduction

am9501007fm.com

A suspect in the death of a child in November is asking a judge to lower her bond.

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12 sources

Google News

Two arrested after child dies in Harlow bouncy castle accident. The Guardian – 45 minutes ago . The Health and Safety Executive said it was assisting …

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Two Arrested After Child’s Bouncy Castle Death

Star Radio

Two people have been arrested after a child died when a bouncy castle “blew away by some distance” in Essex.

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BBC News

Infant death rate ‘lowest ever’ recorded

BBC News

The number of babies dying before their first birthday in England and Wales is at its lowest ever rate, new figures have revealed. The infant mortality …

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Dayton Daily News

Hamilton father found guilty of murder in infant’s death

Dayton Daily News

Phillip Cunningham has been found guilty of killing his infant daughter last … But defense attorney Jeremy Evans maintained the baby’s death was …

Hamilton father found guilty of murder in infant’s death – Hamilton Journal News

Butler County man guilty of shaking infant daughter to death – cleveland.com

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Irish Times

Court told traumatic delivery led to infant’s death in Mullingar

Irish Times

A couple whose first-born son died six days after a traumatic delivery in Mullingar General Hospital say his death could have been prevented by better …

Open disclosure still missing in maternity units struggling to retain qualified staff – Irish Times

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KSNT (press release) (registration) (blog)

Baby shower seeks to educate about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

KSNT (press release) (registration) (blog)

SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, definitely took center stage as one of … “We are trying to teach about safe sleep for babies,” says Kay Powell, …

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Police investigating infant death

LaGrange Daily News

LaGRANGE — Investigators with the LaGrange Police Department said the body of a 3-month-old baby found deceased inside a home in the 200 …

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The Detroit News

Defense lawyer removed in man’s trial in infant’s death

The Detroit News

Lillard said she would be appointing a defense attorney who has experience in homicide cases where a baby victim has traumatic brain injuries.

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OregonLive.com

Trial begins for Oregon City babysitter charged with infant’s death

OregonLive.com

Prosecutors and a defense attorney for an Oregon City babysitter accused of killing an infant in her care presented opposing theories Tuesday on why …

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KXXV News Channel 25

Temple man arrested in connection with infant’s death

KXXV News Channel 25

32-year-old John David Clark is charged with injury to a child–with serious bodily injury. Officials said he was arrested in Waco and then transported to …

Man arrested in death of Central Texas infant – KXAN.com

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KNIA / KRLS Radio

Investigation into Infant Death in Pleasantville

KNIA / KRLS Radio

The Pleasantville Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation are investigating the death …

4-month-old death in Pleasantville ruled suspicious – DesMoinesRegister.com

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Journal Express

Infant death in Pleasantville

Journal Express

Due to the child’s age, the death was ruled suspicious, pending an autopsy, scheduled for Wednesday by the Iowa State Medical Examiner. Any time a …

Death of infant under investigation right now – KCCI Des Moines

Death of 4-Month-Old Boy Investigated as Suspicious – whotv.com

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WEB
Police investigating infant death

LaGrange Daily News

Police investigating infant death. First Posted: 3:27 am – April 16th, 2016. By Melanie Ruberti – mruberti@civitasmedia.com …

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Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette

UPDATED: UI student charged with murder in infant’s death

Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette

If convicted of concealing a homicidal death for hiding the baby in her room and later removing the body from her room, she would have to serve an …

U. of I. student from Monee charged with murdering her newborn in dorm – Chicago Tribune

U of Illinois student charged with murder in baby’s death – Alton Telegraph

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UI student charged with murder in infant’s death

Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette

URBANA — A University of Illinois student who police say purposely suffocated her newborn infant in the bathroom of a dormitory on campus has …

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KOAT Albuquerque

Trial for man accused in infant’s death in jury’s hands

KOAT Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —The trial for a man accused of child abuse that led to a toddler’s death is now in the hands of a jury. Christopher Garcia and …

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KWQC-TV6

Iowa mother and father charged in infant’s death

KWQC-TV6

Decatur County Attorney Lisa Jeanes tells KWQC the baby has since died, and the charges against Joshua Guill are now upgraded to first-degree …

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Indianapolis Star

FSSA stops subsidies for day care after infant’s death

Indianapolis Star

A Speedway day care is no longer eligible to receive federal child care subsidies because of its conduct relating to the death of an 11-month-old, …

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WPRI 12 Eyewitness News

DCYF investigating another infant death

WPRI 12 Eyewitness News

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – The R.I. Department of Children, Youth and Families is investigating the death of an infant in Warwick last month, …

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CBS Local

Infant Death At Lehigh Township Daycare Forces Shutdown Of Facility

CBS Local

The Department of Human Services confirmed Wednesday it has ordered the closure of Sharon’s Day Care in Lehigh Township, Northampton County.

Infant dies on first day at Lehigh Township day care – 6abc.com

Infant dies on first day at Pennsylvania child-care facility – Daily Mail

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Kotatv

Children First: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Kotatv

“The majority of them are under 6 months. I think it’s in the range of 80 percent or so. It’s probably slightly more boys than girls,” said Dr. Don Oliver, …

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Kotatv

Pathologist approved for testimony in infant death case

Kotatv

Judge Wally Eklund ruled that the state must pay$35,000 for an expert witness pathologist to further examine physical evidence of the death of …

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WSBT-TV

Jury selection begins in South Bend infant death trial

WSBT-TV

Nyesha Crockett is charged with murder as well as aggravated battery in connection to the alleged abuse of her infant daughter. The trial has been …

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WEB
U Of I Student Charged With Murder In Infant’s Death

Illinois Public Media

The Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed first degree murder charges in connection with the death of University of Illinois student …

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THV11.com

Grandmother charged in Ark. infant death

THV11.com

SHERWOOD, Ark. (KTHV) – A Sherwood woman has been charged in the death of an infant. Police reports state that on February 2, officers with the …

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Greensboro News & Record

Authorities continue to look for woman wanted in 2003 infant death

Greensboro News & Record

GREENSBORO — Authorities have renewed a call for information of the whereabouts of a woman wanted in the death of an infant in 2003. According …

US Marshals: Woman Wanted in Greensboro Infant’s 2004 Death – WFMYNews2.com

US Marshals searching for NC woman wanted in killing of infant in 2004 – WBTV

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WLOS

Police confirm teens charged in infant death were child’s parents

WLOS

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities confirm two Asheville teens are the parents of an infant that died in their care. Lacey Nicole Mathews and …

NC teen parents who vanished are charged with death of infant daughter – WNCN

Police: Parents charged with child’s death – Asheville Citizen-Times

Woodfin Teens charged in death of their baby – KRON4.com

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CBS Local

Infant’s Death At Lewisville Daycare Ruled ‘Unexplained’

CBS Local

LEWISVILLE (AP) – The death of a nearly year-old baby at an unlicensed home day care center near Dallas has been ruled a sudden unexplained …

Lewisville infant’s death ruled sudden unexplained – Star Local Media

Day care death in Texas ruled sudden unexplained death – KBTX

Day care death in Lewisville ruled sudden unexplained death – Bristol Herald Courier (press release) (blog)

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NEWS10 ABC

DA to await autopsy results in infant’s death

WNYT

The district attorney said she will wait for autopsy results in the death of Gabriella Parker. Police say the infant died Wednesday after being attacked by …

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13WMAZ.com

Woman arrested in 2014 Bibb infant death

13WMAZ.com

A Macon woman was arrested and charged with murdering her 4-month-old daughter, according to a release from Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

Macon mom charged with murder in 2014 death of infant – Bryan-College Station Eagle

Macon mom charged with murder in 2014 death of infant – WRCB-TV

Macon mom charged with murder in 2014 death of infant – WSB Atlanta

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Police investigate infant death

Beloit Daily News

BELOIT – Beloit Police are investigating an infant death. A 1-year-old girl from 900 block Randall Street was pronounced dead at the hospital at around …

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Temple Daily Telegram

Indictment gives insight into infant’s death

Temple Daily Telegram

It said that Johnson intentionally caused Hannah’s death by striking or hitting her with his hands, striking or kicking her with his foot, striking or hitting …

Infant Found Dead Monday – Greeneville Sun

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WLOS

Teens charged in infant death could face years in jail if convicted

WLOS

WLOS — ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Two Buncombe County teens could face more than 11 years in jail if found guilty as charged in an infant death.

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Documents: Before infant died, 8 year old had to parent baby sister while Manchester mom drank

The Union Leader

MANCHESTER — The mother of a newborn spent most of her time intoxicated or sleeping, according to her 8-year-old daughter, who became the de …

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WEB
Police confirm teens charged in infant death were child’s parents

KGAN

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities confirm two Asheville teens are the parents of an infant that died in their care.Lacey Nicole Mathews and …

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Teens charged in infant death could face years in jail if convicted

WLOS

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Two Buncombe County teens could face more than 11 years in jail if found guilty as charged in an infant death.Lacey Mathews …

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No Foul Play in Infant’s Death

KLIF.com

LEWISVILLE, Texas (AP) – The death of a nearly year-old baby at an … care center in Lewisville has been ruled a sudden unexplained infant death.

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How to Provide a Safe Sleep Environment for Infants Workshops for Preventing Sudden Infant

Office of the Inspector General – DC

How to Provide a Safe Sleep Environment for Infants Workshops for Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Infant …

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WFAA.com

Medical examiner rules on infant’s death

WFAA.com

On Wednesday, the medical examiner released its findings on how Kayden may have died on February 5, ruling “sudden unexplained infant death.”.

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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Infant death rates going down in Allegheny County; some problems persist

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The health of a community is reflected in its people, down to the littlest infant. When a woman is cared for and a healthy baby is born and nurtured into …

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MyNewsLA.com

Cause of Lancaster infant’s death being investigated

LA Daily News

LANCASTER >> Sheriff’s homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a female infant in Lancaster, who died …

Babysitter Arrested After 5-Month-Old Boy Succumbs To Injuries Allegedly Suffered In Assault – CBS Local

Infant dies after suspected assault in Lancaster – KABC-TV

Death of female infant in Lancaster under investigation – MyNewsLA.com

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KHOU.com

Police waiting on autopsy results in infant’s death at day care

KHOU.com

And for now, the home daycare on Turtle Creek Drive appears to be closed following the sudden and tragic death of an infant. KHOU 11 News …

Three-month-old boy found dead at daycare in Missouri City – KTRK-TV

Police investigating child’s death at Missouri City day care – KHOU.com

Police officer indicted in shooting, man had fork – Your Houston News

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Toronto Star

A 5-month life: an infant’s death points to Yemen’s struggle with hunger

Toronto Star

HAZYAZ, YEMEN—The baby was born in war, even as planes blasted his village in Yemen. Five months later, Udai Faisal died from war: his skeletal …

The child born in to war… then starved to death: Five-month-old baby who only ever knew suffering – Daily Mail

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fox6now.com

Infant’s death does not appear suspicious

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The death of a 14-week-old boy who died suddenly Thursday does not appear to be suspicious but is being investigated according to Milwaukee …

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Providence infant died from asphyxia due to unsafe sleeping conditions

The Providence Journal

PROVIDENCE — Lillianna Burt, the infant who died in an unlicensed foster home in December, was asphyxiated in what the state Medical Examiner’s …

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KCRG

Iowa DCI joins investigation of infant’s death

DesMoinesRegister.com

WEBSTER CITY, Ia. — Authorities say an infant died at a Webster City hospital after being found unresponsive. Police and paramedics were sent to …

Iowa agency joins investigation of infant’s death – kwwl.com

Authorities Investigate Death of 6-week-old Infant – KCRG

Police investigate death of infant in Webster City – Radio Iowa

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KAALtv.com

Iowa Infant Death Being Investigated By Multiple Agencies

KAALtv.com

WEBSTER CITY, IA (AP) – Authorities say an infant died at a Webster City hospital after being found unresponsive. Police and paramedics were sent to …

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CBS News

Father faces murder charge in infant’s death

The Ledger

Miami-Dade police said Juan Antonio Gonzalez faces first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse charges after Harlow Gonzalez died March 25.

Father faces 1st-degree murder charge in infant’s death – NBC2 News

North Miami-Dade Dad Beat Infant Daughter to Death: MDPD – NBC 6 South Florida

North Miami-Dade father beat his fussy baby daughter to death, police say – Miami Herald

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WEB
DCI Investigating Infant Death in Webster City

Fort Dodge

DCI Investigating Infant Death in Webster City. March 28, 2016 Local News. The Fort Dodge Messenger reports that Webster City Police were called to …

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Implications for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

ATS Journals

Rationale: High serotonin levels during pregnancy impact CNS development. The possibility that a commonly used antidepressant like fluoxetine …

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AL: We all have a role to play in ending child abuse (Opinion)
The Arab Tribune – April 19, 2016
When we take stock of these sobering statistics during April — National Child Abuse Prevention Month — it’s easy to be overwhelmed and to ask yourself: “What can I possibly do to make a difference?” The answer is, you can do a lot. Everybody can play a role in preventing child abuse and neglect by becoming advocates for children.
http://www.thearabtribune.com/articles/2016/04/20/mountain_views/views3.txt

CA: Pediatric cannabis gaining acceptance–but parents still risk losing their kids if they use it
Pacific Sun – April 20, 2016
The 1996 California law didn’t come with any age limits on who can or can’t access medical cannabis, but physicians are boxed in by an overarching federal scheduling of the drug that says marijuana has no medical benefits whatsoever, and the absence of a state law that would legalize cannabis outright.
http://pacificsun.com/upfront-chronic-youth/

FL: Volusia County to use new approach in foster care system
WFTV Orlando – April 20, 2016
Volusia County is one of several Florida counties taking a new approach to its foster care program because of thousands more children in foster care than last year.
http://www.wftv.com/news/local/volusia-county-to-use-new-approach-in-foster-care-system/230694687

IN: Human trafficking — it happens here
Journal Review – April 21, 2016
There are risk factors, including having a history of abuse/neglect, lack of stable housing, poverty and hunger, substance dependence/abuse and a history in the foster care system. In fact, Maher said that one out of three teens will be lured toward prostitution/sex trafficking
http://www.journalreview.com/news/article_d4ef8e0a-0754-11e6-b148-aff9e94bb2c7.html

KY: Training sessions for child abuse recognition to be held
WLKY – April 20, 2016
First lady Glenna Bevin and Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear announced a partnership to create statewide training for people across the commonwealth to prevent and recognize the signs of abuse.
http://www.wlky.com/news/training-sessions-for-child-abuse-recognition-to-be-held/39129282

NH: Bill would make opiate addiction grounds for child abuse investigation
Union Leader – April 20, 2016
The House approved Senate Bill 515 on a 203-129 vote, which adds opioid abuse to the child protection act allowing social service workers to begin child protection investigations.
http://www.unionleader.com/Bill-would-make-opiate-addiction-grounds-for-child-abuse-investigation

OR: Foster care crisis: Oregon failing in every area possible in federal review
The Oregonian – April 20, 2016
A new federal study finds Oregon’s child welfare system is failing across the board when it comes to keeping thousands of children in state care safe and healthy. Report: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/CHILDREN/Documents/cfsr-or-statewide-assess-2016.pdf Also: Oregon’s child welfare system fails federal standards: http://www.wallowa.com/wcc/capital-bureau/20160420/oregons-child-welfare-system-fails-federal-standards
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/04/foster_care_crisis_oregon_fail.html

TX: Commentary: The Rio Grande Valley needs families for children
Baptist Standard – April 20, 2016
There is a crisis for Texas’ most vulnerable children, and it’s time to do something about it. The Texas foster care system endures a huge strain because there are too many abused and neglected children and not enough places where these children can recover and heal from the trauma they have gone through at the hands of a loved one. Also: Lack of foster homes contributing to foster teens’ bleak future: http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/opinion/lack-foster-homes-contributing-foster-teens%E2%80%99-bleak-future
https://www.baptiststandard.com/opinion/other/19012-commentary-the-rio-grande-valley-needs-families-for-children

TX: Lawmakers Wrangle Over Fix for ‘Broken’ Foster Care System
The Texas Observer – April 20, 2016
Lawmakers clashed this week over whether Texas’ disastrous foster care and child welfare system can be fixed with more funding and higher pay for caseworkers, or simply better management. Also: Texas Capitol hearing stresses urgency of reforming state child protections: http://keyetv.com/news/local/texas-capitol-hearing-stresses-urgency-of-reforming-state-child-protections Also: Lawmakers Hear Litany of Foster Care Woes: https://www.texastribune.org/2016/04/20/lawmakers-told-foster-care-woes/ Also: Texas State Senate Focused On CPS & Foster Care Issues: http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2016/04/20/texas-state-senate-focused-on-cps-foster-care-issues/ Also: Senators joust over whether to fix CPS with higher pay or better management: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2016/04/senators-joust-over-raising-texas-cps-workers-pay-vs-improving-agency-management.html/
https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-child-welfare-system-hhsc-hearing/

TX: Report outlines CPS missteps (Video)
WFFA – April 20, 2016
It’s been nearly a year since three Irving siblings drowned in an apartment pool. A new report reveals a prior investigation and missteps by Child Protective Services.
http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/dallas-county/report-outlines-cps-missteps/145538310

TX: Texas Foster Care Facing Budget Shortfall as Problems
NBC5 – April 20, 2016
Department of Family and Protective Services Commissioner John Specia detailed the would-be spending woes at a much-watched Texas Senate health committee hearing. But top Republicans suggested the answer may be spending existing funding more efficiently, rather than pumping in new money. Also: joust over whether to fix CPS with higher pay or better management: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2016/04/senators-joust-over-raising-texas-cps-workers-pay-vs-improving-agency-management.html/
http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Texas-Foster-Care-Facing-Budget-Shortfall-as-Problems-Mount-376404431.html

TX: Texas pilot uses technology to improve outcomes for foster kids (and it’s working!)
Smart Cities Council – April 19, 2016
Texas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is working with the state’s Child Protective Services (CPS) on a new Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) initiative that utilizes new technologies to identify, locate and engage family members and other committed adults who may want to be part of the child’s life.
http://smartcitiescouncil.com/article/texas-pilot-uses-technology-improve-outcomes-foster-kids-and-its-working

WI: State Passes Child Sex Abuse Laws
My StateLine – April 20, 2016
The law allows police and child welfare agencies to share information more quickly and easily. Social services agencies must now report a missing child to authorities within eight hours. Walker also signed a bill that’ll require the state to develop a plan for investigating abuse of disabled children. Also: Walker Signs Child Abuse, Sex Trafficking Legislation: http://www.wpr.org/walker-signs-child-abuse-sex-trafficking-legislation
http://www.mystateline.com/news/wisconsin-passes-child-sex-abuse-laws

US: 3 Tips for New Foster-Adoptive Parents (Opinion)
The Huffington Post – April 20, 2016
We were seriously under-prepared for our journey as foster parents. If you’re starting the process to become a foster parent, or if you’re fairly new to this gig (like me) — consider these three things I wish I would’ve known as a new foster-adoptive parent.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/danielle-helzer/3-tips-for-new-fosteradop_b_9722494.html

US: Prison’s extended punch–Female children of inmates at greater risk for neurological problems
Medical News Today – April 20, 2016
A secondary analysis of data gathered in scores of interviews with female inmates suggests girls who have an incarcerated adult in the family may be at greater risk for lifelong neurological problems. Study: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07399332.2016.1140768?journalCode=uhcw20#.VxhF7aT2Z3s Information Gateway Resource: Children in Out-of-Home Care With Incarcerated Parents: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/outofhome/casework/children/incarcerated/
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/309308.php

US: States weigh costs, benefits of undocumented immigrant parents
Stateline – April 20, 2016
As U.S. Supreme Court justices weigh whether President Barack Obama has the power to grant legal work status to about 3.5 million undocumented immigrant parents, states are weighing the costs of the decision. And they are divided on whether they will be helped or hurt economically — regardless of how the justices rule.
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2016/04/20/states-weigh-costs-benefits-of-undocumented-immigrant-parents

INTERNATIONAL

Australia: Referrals to Australian child protection services increase 6% in a year
The Guardian – April 21, 2016
The number of children who received child protection services has jumped by 6% in one year, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are seven times more likely to have accessed the system than their non-Indigenous counterparts, a new report has found.
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/21/referrals-to-australian-child-protection-services-increase-6-in-a-year

Georgia: UN Special Envoy Concerned About Children’s Rights in Georgia
Georgia Today – April 20, 2016
The Dutch-born de Boer-Buquicchio emphasized that despite the government’s effort to better protect children from abuse, violence and exploitation significant problems remain for involving children living and working on the streets and the integration of children who live in special child care institutions into their families and communities.
http://georgiatoday.ge/news/3592/UN-Special-Envoy-Concerned-About-Children%E2%80%99s-Rights-in-Georgia

Greenland: The Arctic Suicides: It’s Not The Dark That Kills You (Includes audio)
National Public Radio – April 21, 2016
Her observations are in line with something psychologists and sociologists think is fundamental to the causes of suicide in Greenland. When communities are disrupted, like Kangeq was, families start to collapse. There’s an increase in alcoholism, child neglect and physical abuse, all of which are risk factors for suicide.
http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/04/21/474847921/the-arctic-suicides-its-not-the-dark-that-kills-you?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=storiesfromnpr

International: Placing Muslim orphans into real homes (Opinion)
Altmuslimah – April 20, 2016
While sending money from afar to an orphanage is admirable, we need to do more. New Star Kafala is the only Muslim American adoption agency whose mission centers around convincing Muslim governments to allow it to place children from their orphanages into Muslim American homes.
http://www.altmuslimah.com/2016/04/placing-muslim-orphans-real-homes/

FL: This Local Charity is Helping to Alleviate Increasing Demand on Foster Care Services in Southwest Florida
The Blaze – April 19, 2016
Citing new statistics, NBC reports that more than 2,300 children in Southwest Florida are now in the foster care system, a 17 percent increase in just the last five months. That’s 331 children since last November that have been removed from their homes and placed in an already overburdened system. Recognizing its limitations, the Florida Department of Children and Families has begun reaching out to local non-profits for assistance, a new private partnership has emerged. According to Megan Rose, the director of Safe Families for Children Southwest Florida, the start-up of their chapter has provided an alternative for lower risk cases.
http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/this-local-charity-is-helping-to-alleviate-increasing-demand-on-foster-care-services-in-southwest-florida/

GA: Division of Family and Children Services sees improvement while touring state
Albany Herald – April 19, 2016
Two years ago, Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), by its director’s own admission, was in dire shape. Now, under better circumstances, the agency is looking to engage the public in its operations. In an effort to involve the public on reforms to Georgia’s child welfare system, DFCS Director Bobby Cagle was recently in Albany as part of a tour of the state to meet with stakeholders and the public.
http://www.albanyherald.com/news/local/georgia-division-of-family-and-children-services-sees-improvement-while/article_c3765f1b-8a89-50cb-b1a9-96fa9a3520e4.html

HI: Worth Considering: One Size Does Not Fit All
Hawaii Business Magazine – April 19, 2016
A quarter of homeless youth come from the foster care system. Some suffer mental illness, which often manifests at this age. While most homeless adults have had experience paying bills, cooking and holding a job before a downward spiral, homeless youth often lack the most basic tools for independence.
http://www.hawaiibusiness.com/worth-considering-one-size-does-not-fit-all/

KY: State can do better when it comes to helping grandparents as parents (Opinion)
Hazard Herald – April 19, 2016
Since April of 2013, no new families have been able participate in the State’s Kinship Care Program, which provides modest financial support to grandparents and other relatives who are raising children who have been removed from their biological parents’ care. Funding was frozen and has not been restored.
http://hazard-herald.com/opinion/2828/kentucky-can-do-better-when-it-comes-to-helping-grandparents-as-parents

MA: Governor Baker, AG Healey, Mayor Walsh Announce Anti-Human Trafficking Policies (Press release)
Mass.gov – April 19, 2016
Governor Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey, and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced new policies to explicitly prohibit employees and contractors from perpetuating human trafficking, including commercial sex trafficking and forced labor.
http://www.mass.gov/ago/news-and-updates/press-releases/2016/2016-04-19-anti-human-trafficking.html

MA: Organization looks to community to foster children
Amherst Bee – April 19, 2016
A primary point in the array of offerings at G.A. Family Services are Model Approach to Partnership and Parenting (M.A.P.P.) classes for potential parents, which take place over 11 sessions. The classes cover important topics from understanding necessary paperwork to giving potential parents insight into the worlds from which their children are coming.
http://www.amherstbee.com/news/2016-04-20/Local_News/Organization_looks_to_community_to_foster_children.html

MN: County child protection cases spike
St. Cloud Times – April 19, 2016
Stearns County has seen a sharp increase in child protection reports and cases since Minnesota tightened its rules for protecting abused and neglected children.
http://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2016/04/19/county-child-protection-cases-spike/83196196/

OK: It’s our duty to report child neglect, abuse (Opinion)
Examiner Enterprise – April 19, 2016
Oklahoma and Washington County residents would prefer to believe child abuse and neglect case don’t happen here. Nearly everyone wants to think the best of their neighbors, and most of us don’t want to get involved in family matters. Information Gateway Resource: State Laws on Reporting and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/laws-policies/can/reporting/
http://examiner-enterprise.com/opinion/editorials/it-s-our-duty-report-child-neglect-abuse

PA: Experts question practices in Allegheny County contested adoption case
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – April 20, 2016
Monique Richards, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, said CYF agencies are expected to complete criminal records checks for foster and adoptive parents, as well as complete “comprehensive home studies of prospective adoptive parents prior to approving them for adoption.”
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2016/04/20/Experts-question-practices-in-Allegheny-County-contested-adoption-case/stories/201604200026

PA: No winners among child abuse victims (Opinion)
Bucks County Courier Times – April 20, 2016
Unless we face some uncomfortable truths, the Legislature will end up creating two classes of child victims in the name of emotional expedience. It will financially penalize innocent families — members of churches and parish communities – who had nothing to do with past evil actions by a criminal few.
http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/opinion/guest/no-winners-among-child-abuse-victims/article_e76ca84c-b093-5d35-a4de-75ce0d9f3365.html

SD: Child protection group honors victim’s assistance specialist in annual luncheon
Rapid City Journal – April 20, 2016
A nonprofit group on Tuesday presented a lifetime achievement award to Kallemeyn, a former Pennington County victim’s assistance specialist, in a luncheon that recognized child protection efforts in Western South Dakota.
http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/child-protection-group-honors-victim-s-assistance-specialist-in-annual/article_24c08924-d9f2-5a8d-a06f-cb1efb2f9cca.html

SD: Pennington County ICWA Lawsuit Nears Resolution; No Sanctions For Judge (Audio)
South Dakota Public Radio – April 19, 2016
A lawsuit against Pennington County officials for violations of the Indian Child Welfare Act is moving toward resolution. A hearing in federal court at the end of May will give the state remedies for practices that violate ICWA.
http://listen.sdpb.org/post/pennington-county-icwa-lawsuit-nears-resolution-no-sanctions-judge#stream/0

TX: F. Scott McCown, Texas Perspectives: Underfunded, overworked Child Protective Services fails our most vulnerable in Texas (Opinion)
Waco Tribune – April 20, 2016
For years, Child Protective Services investigators have struggled, sometimes doing a little better or a little worse, but always struggling. We have long known why — low salaries and high workloads leading to constant caseworker turnover.
http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/columns/guest_columns/f-scott-mccown-texas-perspectives-underfunded-overworked-child-protective-services/article_c9943ac1-8fc8-578c-a2d8-771470052cb1.html

TX: Courts should back disabled children of Texas, restore funding (Opinion)
Austin American-Statesman – April 19, 2016
Answering to the legislature call, Texas Health and Human Services Commission officials targeted the funding cuts around physical, occupational and speech therapies that affect an estimated 60,000 disabled children, including foster children. With any luck, the courts will find that funding should be restored and see that the commission’s decision to cut these particular funds is short-sighted.
http://viewpoints.blog.statesman.com/2016/04/19/courts-should-back-disabled-children-of-texas-restore-funding/

TX: State re-examining foster care system as problems mount
Associated Press – April 19, 2016
Lawmakers are examining a growing number of mentally ill children entering a Texas foster care system that a federal judge already has declared violates youngsters’ constitutional rights.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/apr/19/texas-re-examines-its-foster-care-system-as-proble/

WI: Scott Walker’s Tuesday bill signings target child abuse, sex trafficking
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – April 19, 2016
The bills included ones making it easier for prosecutors to get information about those accessing child pornography; creating a specific crime for repeatedly physically abusing the same child; broadening when people can be charged for sex trafficking; and setting reporting requirements when children go missing.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walkers-tuesday-bill-signings-target-child-abuse-sex-trafficking-b99709549z1-376224011.html

US: Child Welfare Solutions: Paging Captain Obvious (Opinion)
Chronicle of Social Change – April 19, 2016
When foster parents tell me about their ill-treatment I always say the same thing: The system really needs you. If that’s how they treat you, how do you think they treat the birth parents? Think about that long enough, and you might start to do what former foster parent Mary Callahan did — start questioning what child welfare agencies told her about the children they were placing with her.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-welfare-2/child-welfare-solutions-paging-captain-obvious/17391

US: Preventing Child Abuse Before it Occurs
US News & World Report – April 19, 2016
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, an important time when concerned citizens and organizations host public awareness events and educational activities focused on drawing attention to the urgent need to stop child abuse before it starts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, very few cases of abuse or neglect are reported in the news, and many are not even reported to police or social services. According to 2012 data, 1,640 children died in the U.S. from abuse and neglect, and 686,000 children were found to be victims of maltreatment by child protective services.
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2016-04-19/preventing-child-abuse-before-it-occurs

US: States With Punitive Justice Systems Have Higher Rates of Foster Care, Study Finds
Newswise – April 19, 2016
The number of children in foster care across the country is driven not solely by child abuse and neglect, but by states’ varying politics and approaches to social problems, a new University of Washington (UW) study finds.
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/651921/?sc=rsla

INTERNATIONAL

China: Hidden Children: Abandonment, Adoption, and the Human Costs of the One-Child Policy
Foreign Affairs – April 19, 2016
The recent gradual loosening of the one-child policy does not change the fact that “out of plan” children may be seized from loving birth or foster parents, inflicting enduring pain on both generations. Johnson’s extraordinary book conveys the intense suffering of ordinary people struggling to build families against the will of an implacable bureaucracy.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/capsule-review/2016-04-15/china-s-hidden-children-abandonment-adoption-and-human-costs-one

Guatemala: Mom Puts Groceries Away While 2-Year-Old Plays on Front Patio. She Has No Idea Someone’s Watching
Independent Journal – April 19, 2016
Anyeli had just become another victim of human trafficking, and her parents haven’t been in contact with her since. But they have seen her. She lives in Missouri with her adoptive parents under the name Karen Abigail Monahan.
http://www.ijreview.com/2016/04/587893-mom-coming-home-from-shopping-trip-with-daughter-lets-her-play-outside-she-had-no-idea-someone-else-was-with-her/

 

AK: Number of foster kids at record high, caseworkers overloaded (Includes audio)
KAKM – April 18, 2016
Erickson has been with the agency for 17 years and says the problem isn’t new. “I could have given the same speech five years ago, ten years ago, and 15 years ago. The only thing that’s different, really, is that we’re doing a better job at keeping children safe, and the system is being taxed harder than it has been probably ever.”
http://www.alaskapublic.org/2016/04/18/number-of-foster-kids-at-record-high-caseworkers-overloaded/

AZ: Backers fight for children’s health insurance in Arizona
Associated Press – April 11, 2016
A fight is intensifying in the Arizona Legislature over the Senate leader’s refusal to restore a program providing health insurance to poor children, a stance that would maintain the state’s position as the only one in the nation that doesn’t participate in the plan.
http://idahostatejournal.com/news/health/backers-fight-for-children-s-health-insurance-in-arizona/article_3b2339b0-aa3a-5b5f-825b-4995f27b41ac.html

CA: Why 2 San Gabriel Valley child welfare agencies plan to merge
Whittier Daily News – April 18, 2016
The boards of directors for Hillsides and Bienvenidos signed a memorandum of understanding last week that will allow them to consolidate their resources and offer expanded services to at-risk children and their families.
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/social-affairs/20160418/why-2-san-gabriel-valley-child-welfare-agencies-plan-to-merge

CA: Youth and Family Services YMCA Celebrates Five Years of My Home Program Helping Homeless Youth
Noozhawk – April 18, 2016
The Youth and Family Services YMCA held a five-year anniversary celebration of its My Home program April 5 at Artisan Court. My Home provides homeless youth ages 18-24 transitional housing and the tools needed to build independent lives. “This five years has taken a lot of people, a lot of resources and a lot of caring,” Youth and Family Services YMCA Executive Director Lynn Karlson told the audience, describing all involved as “visionary.”
http://www.noozhawk.com/article/youth_and_family_services_ymca_celebrates_five_years_of_my_home_program_hel

CT: Teen forced to undergo cancer treatment says new mass found
Associated Press – April 18, 2016
Cassandra Callender and her mother initially refused the chemotherapy, saying they wanted to explore more natural alternative treatments. The state Department of Children and Families stepped in and a Juvenile Court judge removed her from her home, placed her under guard in the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and ordered her to undergo chemo.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/teen-forced-undergo-cancer-treatment-says-mass-found-154054300.html?ref=gs

GA: Local law enforcement and organizations re-sign child abuse protocol (Includes video)
WBRL – April 18, 2016
Several local law enforcement agencies and organizations are banding together to solve the issue of child abuse and neglect. Men and women from across the Chattahoochee Valley gathered at the Columbus Government Center to re-sign protocol laying out how to deal with reported cases of child neglect in the region.
http://wrbl.com/2016/04/18/local-law-enforcement-and-organizations-re-sign-child-abuse-protocol/

IN: Viewpoint: Protecting society’s most vulnerable
South Bend Tribune – April 18, 2016
Protecting the most vulnerable of society — our youth — is a critically important responsibility that we all share, and Gov. Mike Pence acted on this responsibility when he signed Kirk’s Law. Named for 19-month-old Kirk Colman of Elkhart who died October 2014 under the care of his daycare provider who had been previously convicted of child neglect, Kirk’s Law provides a new way to track those who have abused children. As one of northern Indiana’s largest advocates against child abuse and neglect, Family & Children’s Center believes this law will have a positive impact in Indiana and, especially, in our community.
http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/opinion/viewpoint/viewpoint-protecting-society-s-most-vulnerable/article_f5038171-b56b-5aaa-9276-207bc9787b4e.html

KY: State to pay papers nearly $700K to settle suit
Courier Journal – April 18, 2016
Kentucky will pay the state’s two largest newspapers nearly $700,000 to settle a long-running dispute over access to records of child abuse deaths and serious injuries.
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2016/04/18/ky-pay-papers-nearly-700k-settle-suit/83082904/

MI: Hundreds to Rally in Lansing for Child Abuse Prevention (Includes audio)
Public News Service – April 19, 2016
Dozens of Michigan children die each year due to abuse or neglect, and today people from around the state will gather in Lansing to highlight the importance of prevention. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund is hosting its 8th annual Prevention Awareness Day rally at the statehouse.
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2016-04-19/childrens-issues/hundreds-to-rally-in-lansing-for-child-abuse-prevention/a51475-1

MO: With child abuse on rise, new approach helping more than ever (Includes video)
KCTV5 – April 18, 2016
A new program in Kansas City is seeing some traction when it comes to treating children who’ve witnessed abuse or been abused themselves and many need that program now more than ever. “Our interviewers spend an enormous amount of time in criminal court testifying about what children tell us here,” said Lisa Mizell who works at the CPC.
http://www.kctv5.com/story/31755386/with-child-abuse-on-rise-new-approach-helping-more-than-ever

MT: Number of MT Foster Kids Has Nearly Doubled in Just Five Years
KGVO – April 18, 2016
“The number of kids in foster care has grown dramatically,” said Interim Division Administrator for Child and Family Services Bob Runkel. “We have 3,126 children in foster care right now, and, frankly, that is remarkable growth. If you go back to 2011, we had just 1,746 in foster care.” Also: DPHHS: Growing number of kids in foster care related to parental drug abuse (Includes video): http://www.kulr8.com/story/31756515/dphhs-growing-number-of-kids-in-foster-care-related-to-parental-drug-abuse
http://newstalkkgvo.com/number-of-mt-foster-kids-has-nearly-doubled-in-just-five-years/?trackback=blogroll_widget-montana-news

NY: Adults sexually abused as kids get support from group of Democrats to push legislation
New York Daily News – April 18, 2016
The five members of a breakaway group of state Senate Democrats say they will support new legislation to help adults who were sexually abused as children seek legal recourse, the Daily News has learned.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-adults-abused-kids-support-group-dems-article-1.2604980

NY: Family services agency sued over abuse of special needs child in Bronx
New York Daily News – April 18, 2016
The troubled agency that placed foster care children into the care of an alleged sexual predator was slapped with a multi-million dollar lawsuit for allowing a worker to abuse a special needs resident.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/ny-agency-sued-abuse-special-child-bronx-article-1.2605869

OK: Many Oklahomans, once in foster care, age out and are now homeless
Norman Transcript – April 18, 2016
Foster children who have “aged out” of the foster care system are one of the underserved populations in Oklahoma when it comes to housing, according to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The lack of affordable housing in much of Oklahoma especially affects this population group and others who would have difficulties with affordable and appropriate housing even without a shortage.
http://www.normantranscript.com/news/many-oklahomans-once-in-foster-care-age-out-and-are/article_070609dc-ebf6-5ae7-843d-5f2e5c7b137c.html

PA: DePasquale to take closer look at York County child welfare office
York Dispatch – April 18, 2016
The state’s top fiscal watchdog will take a closer look at the York County Office of Children, Youth & Families during an upcoming scheduled financial review on the heels of the office receiving its third consecutive provisional license.
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2016/04/18/depasquale-take-closer-look-york-county-child-welfare-office/83198314/

RI: Jamia McDonald: What we’re doing to fix DCYF (Opinion)
Providence Journal – April 19, 2016
Every day, dedicated social workers and advocates work tirelessly to care for Rhode Island’s children and keep them out of abusive situations. Unfortunately, for any number of reasons, we have not had the right operational structures or processes in place to support their work and intervene with the most appropriate level of care. Perhaps more unfortunately, until January 2015, there wasn’t a sustained effort from leadership to reform and strengthen child welfare and family services in a meaningful way.
http://www.providencejournal.com/opinion/20160419/jamia-mcdonald-what-were-doing-to-fix-dcyf?rssfeed=true

SD: Circuit judge to pay $50K in Indian Child Welfare Act case
Associated Press – April 18, 2016
A state circuit court judge in Rapid City will pay $50,000 in a settlement over whether he concealed information when he was a defendant in a federal lawsuit alleging violations of the Indian Child Welfare Act.
http://www.nativetimes.com/index.php/news/crime/12977-circuit-judge-to-pay-50k-in-indian-child-welfare-act-case

TX: Child-welfare agency turmoil inexcusable (Opinion)
Denton Record-Chronicle – April 18, 2016
If meaningful change demands a period of disruption, Texas’ child-welfare agency is the throes of revolution. From top to bottom, this is an agency in turmoil. Blameless children are the ones paying for this chaos: While grown-ups argue over how to fix the system, kids suffer.
http://www.dentonrc.com/opinion/editorials-headlines/20160418-child-welfare-agency-turmoil-inexcusable.ece

VA: Encountering the unexpected in local sex trafficking
Christian Examiner – April 18, 2016
Take a midnight hike with Valerie Carter and you’ll get a glimpse of the victims of sex trafficking at the street level. Carter, 56, a veteran of urban Christian missions, has been prowling some of the toughest highways in Richmond, Virginia’s capital city, for the past eight years. She and her “streetwalking ministry” volunteers look for women and girls caught up in the local sex trade.
http://www.christianexaminer.com/article/encountering-the-unexpected-in-local-sex-trafficking/50614.htm

US: ACF at 25: Impacting People, Affecting Change, Empowering Families (Press release)
HHS.gov – April 18, 2016
Twenty-five years ago, on April 15, 1991, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) was born. ACF was created to bring together a wide range of programs for children, families and communities, under a single division of the Department of Health and Human Services. HHS Secretary Louis Sullivan explained at the time: “For the first time, the government will have a single agency bringing together the many child and family programs.” In doing so, a key goal was to encourage existing federal programs, now under the same roof, to find ways to work with each other to address the needs of the same populations being served.
http://www.hhs.gov/blog/2016/04/18/acf25-impacting-people-affecting-change-empowering-families.html

US: More than half of homeless youth were asked to leave
San Diego Union Tribune – April 18, 2016
More than half of the young people with no place to live first became homeless when a parent or guardian asked them to leave, according to a first-of-its-kind study by federal social workers. The report from the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also said more than half of homeless young people who were interviewed by researchers had tried to stay at a shelter but were turned away for lack of space.
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/apr/18/homeless-youth/

US: Standardizing care improves outcomes for infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome
Medical News Today – April 18, 2016
Standardizing hospital care policies across institutions for infants diagnosed with drug withdrawal symptoms at birth reduces their length of treatment and hospitalization, according to new collaborative research led by Vermont Oxford Network, Vanderbilt and the University of Michigan Health System.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/309197.php

US: Starving the Foster Care Beast Hurts Only the Children (Opinion)
Chronicle of Social Change – April 18, 2016
In his brilliant column of April 5, Sean Hughes explains why 20 years after the federal Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) was replaced, states still have to document a child’s AFDC eligibility in order to receive federal reimbursement for foster care. This Title IV-E “lookback” has potentially cost state and local child welfare systems billions of dollars over the past two decades.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/blogger-co-op/starving-foster-care-beast-hurts-children/17383

US: Supreme Court Seems Divided on Obama Immigration Showdown
NBC News – April 18, 2016
Sixteen other states are urging the justice to let the policy take effect. It would allow “millions of hard-working immigrants to work legally, dramatically increasing their incomes and state tax revenues,” says Bob Ferguson, Washington’s attorney general. And it would allow families to remain intact, instead of deporting the parents and leaving the children in the child welfare system at great expense to states. Information Gateway Resource: Understanding Immigration and Child Welfare: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/diverse-populations/immigration/understandingimm/
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/supreme-court-hear-obama-immigration-showdown-n556841

US: The religious freedom battles playing out across the U.S.
Linn County Leader – April 18, 2016
More than 100 religious freedom bills have been proposed in state legislatures since the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling. Their sponsors argue that religious organizations, faith-based charities, small-business owners who object to same-sex marriage on religious grounds and other groups need to be guaranteed the freedom to follow their conscience without the threat of legal action.
http://www.linncountyleader.com/news/20160411/religious-freedom-battles-playing-out-across-us?rssfeed=true

US: Religious day cares get freedom from oversight, with tragic results (Includes audio)
Reveal News – April 12, 2016
Sixteen states have carved out exceptions for some faith-based day cares. Freedoms vary from state to state, ranging from the minor, such as waiving a registration fee, to the extreme, where religious day cares aren’t licensed and follow virtually no rules.
https://www.revealnews.org/article/religious-day-cares-operate-with-little-oversight-and-accountability/

INTERNATIONAL

Canada: Aboriginal children are statistically over-represented in the foster system
Regina Leader-Post – April 18, 2016
A recent Statistics Canada report put the number much higher in 2011 — 87 per cent of foster children were aboriginal, though aboriginal children made up only 27 per cent of the child population. (Social Services’ number from that year is 70 per cent.)
http://leaderpost.com/news/saskatchewan/aboriginal-children-are-statistically-over-represented-in-the-foster-system

India: ‘New IT enabled system would make child adoption easier’
The Sentinel – April 18, 2016
Union Minister for Women & Child Development Maneka Gandhi today said that the revised Child Adoption and the Guidelines Governing Adoption of Children 2015 coupled with the new IT enabled adoption system will simplify the adoption process.
http://www.sentinelassam.com/meghalaya/story.php?sec=2&subsec=8&id=264160&dtP=2016-04-19&ppr=1

India: Working to stop women, child trafficking: Maneka
Morung Express – April 18, 2016
Shillong, April 18 (IANS) India is in the process of finding a solution to thwart trafficking of women and children from Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan, union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said here on Monday. Gandhi, who inaugurated the “Regional Conference of North Eastern States on Child Adoption” here, also directed all the northeastern states to appoint a special woman police official in each village to prevent trafficking of women and children.
http://morungexpress.com/india-working-to-stop-women-child-trafficking-maneka/

International: Sneakers4Funds and American World Adoption Announce Their Partnership to Help Adoptive Families Raise Money on Earth Day and Beyond (Press release)
PRNewswire – April 18, 2016
AWAA has recently formed One Orphan; a division tasked with raising money, with the support of champions, to support orphans in 9 countries. Funds raised through One Orphan will provide dental and medical care, education, clothing, and even travel expenses when children are matched with a forever family.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sneakers4funds-and-american-world-adoption-announce-their-partnership-to-help-adoptive-families-raise-money-on-earth-day-and-beyond-300253050.html

Viet Nam: Lack of protection, education causes child sex abuse
Vietnam.net – April 19, 2016
The number of childhood sexual abuse cases in Viet Nam has been increasing in recent years. Many cases have been detected and denounced. But many cases of childhood sexual harassment remain undetected
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/society/154854/lack-of-protection–education-causes-child-sex-abuse.html

CA: Evicted? San Francisco Says Not So Fast
The American Prospect – April 15, 2016
Amid an overheated housing market that has sent San Francisco evictions soaring, the city has stepped in to protect schoolchildren and teachers from landing on the street.
http://prospect.org/article/evicted-san-francisco-says-not-so-fast

CA: State courts step up oversight of psychotropic medication use in foster care
Mercury News – April 15, 2016
California’s judicial leaders on Friday took a major step toward reversing the foster care system’s rampant use of psychiatric drugs, approving a slate of new safeguards to make juvenile courts here the country’s most careful and inquisitive monitors of psychiatric care for abused and neglected children.
http://www.eastbaytimes.com/breaking-news/ci_29772963/california-courts-step-up-oversight-psychotropic-medication-use

CO: Sexting As a Teen in Colorado Could Make You a Sex Offender for Life
New York Magazine – April 15, 2016
Just because teens can legally have sex doesn’t mean that they can legally sext — and if they do it and get caught, they can face insanely harsh punishment, like having to register as a sex offender for the rest of their lives.
http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/04/teens-in-colorado-dont-sext-sex-offenders.html

FL: Growing number of grandparents are raising grandchildren
Panama City News Herald – April 17, 2016
According to statistics provided by AARP, there are over 2.5 million grandparents raising grandchildren in the United States. In Bay County in 2014, about 8.5 percent of children were living with a grandparent. Information Gateway Recource: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/kinship.pdf
http://www.newsherald.com/news/20160417/growing-number-of-grandparents-are-raising-grandchildren

FL: 10 Hall County churches form coalition to support foster families
Gainesville Times – April 16, 2016
Nearly three-quarters of those had to move out of town — away from family, friends and school — because not enough families to care for them were here. To address the concern, more than 10 Hall churches are forming a foster care coalition, providing support to the families who can open their homes to foster children.
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/199/article/116343/

FL: Amigos for Kids turns 25 while working to prevent child abuse, neglect
Miami Herald – April 15, 2016
The four Miamians came up with an idea: form an auxiliary unit of Children’s Home Society to help raise awareness of the problem. Today, 25 years later, Amigos for Kids has helped thousands of children, educated countless parents, sponsored yearly public campaigns and reached north to help students in two Broward schools.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article71811507.html

GA: School Paddling Case Highlights Continued Use of Corporal Punishment (Includes video)
NBC News – April 15, 2016
A Georgia mother’s outrage-inducing video of a school principal paddling her 5-year-old son sheds light on America’s enduring — but slowly fading — affinity for corporal punishment.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/georgia-school-paddling-case-highlights-continued-use-corporal-punishment-n556566

IL: Budget Inaction Needs Action (Includes audio)
Northern Public Radio – April 18, 2016
Illinois is in the depths of an historic budget impasse. The democratic-controlled legislature is pushing for tax increases while Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner opposes any taxes. Unfortunately, their inability to find any compromise will affect all Illinoisans, particularly the poor and working class. Many services have been impacted, including child welfare, Meals-on-Wheels, epilepsy treatments, sexual assault and rape crisis centers, drug treatment programs, juvenile justice programs, and many others.
http://northernpublicradio.org/post/budget-inaction-needs-action

IL: Police Ask Adults To Be More Alert To Signs Of Child Abuse And Neglect
Chicago CBS Local – April 15, 2016
The Aurora Police Department has urged residents to be more aware of the signs of child abuse, and not to fear calling police to check out any suspicions. April is National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, and Aurora Police Det. Kevin Jenkins said people should call police or the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services if they notice any signs a child is the victim of abuse or neglect.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/04/15/police-child-abuse-neglect/

IN: Two IPS employees suspended with pay following charges of failing to report (Includes video)
WTHR – April 15, 2016
Two administrators with Indianapolis Public Schools have been suspended with pay following charges of failing to report allegations of sexual misconduct involving teenage students and a school counselor.
http://www.wthr.com/story/31735001/two-ips-employees-suspended-with-pay-following-charges-of-failing-to-report

ME: Will Maine step backward on foster care? (Opinion)
Sun Journal – April 17, 2016
As families were removed from the welfare rolls, states were allowed to keep any “surplus” that resulted. But the surplus funds were supposed to go toward helping poor families become self-sufficient. Many states have abused that discretion. They have taken TANF surplus funds and spent it on child abuse investigations and foster care. Now it looks like Maine is jumping on that bandwagon.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/columns-analysis/2016/04/17/will-maine-step-backward-foster-care/1906326

MI: Snyder pushes for toughest lead rules in U.S. (Includes video)
Detroit Free Press – April 15, 2016
Many critics say the current federal standard known as the Lead and Copper Rule is poor because lead at levels above 5 parts per billion are potentially dangerous — especially for young children — and it still allows 10% of samples in a system to exceed 15 parts per billion.
http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/04/15/stricter-michigan-rules-lead-water-proposed/83069036/

MS: More help needed for poor children: Column (Opinion)
Clarion-Ledger – April 16, 2016
Over the next several days, policymakers and state leaders will make final and critical decisions that will greatly impact opportunities for the weakest members of our society. Primary among these decisions is how the state will use its resources to help poor, struggling families and their children escape the vestiges of what has been a history in this state of inadequate education and sustainable job opportunities.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/columnists/2016/04/16/more-help-needed-poor-children/83115382/

MT: State reports record number of kids in foster care
Great Falls Tribune – April 15, 2016
There are now about 3,126 children in foster care within the Children and Family Services Division, making it the highest number since the state began tracking this statistic 16 years ago.
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2016/04/15/state-reports-record-number-kids-foster-care/83101960/

NE: How Norfolk services deal with “the most important cases”
Norfolk Daily News – April 15, 2016
“When I say ahead of the curve, I think years before the state even developed the team approach … we were working our cases that way,” he said. The Child Advocacy Center — which opened in 2004 and is part of an alliance with seven other centers across the state — provides a location where that team approach can easily take place.
http://norfolkdailynews.com/news/how-norfolk-services-deal-with-the-most-important-cases/article_45df9256-0316-11e6-a8f6-e3f58787f9c1.html

NJ: Christie Administration and Rutgers University Collaborate on New Website to Improve Child Welfare Accountability and Transparency (Press release)
Rutgers University – April 15, 2016
Delivering an unparalleled level of child welfare accountability and transparency, the Christie administration and the Institute for Families at the Rutgers University-New Brunswick School of Social Work (SSW) unveiled a new website to provide the public regularly updated data that highlights the New Jersey Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) performance serving the state’s most vulnerable children, youth and families.
http://news.rutgers.edu/research-news/christie-administration-and-rutgers-university-collaborate-new-website-improve-child-welfare/20160415#.VxPSqXrMab8

OH: Signature Health to open residential home for boys
Star Beacon – April 16, 2016
Signature Health is working to establish a new residential home for area boys who have been removed from their homes by Children Services. With a lack of capable out-of-home placement facilities in the county and fewer foster families in Ashtabula County, meaning more and more foster cases heading outside the area, social workers said such a facility is a desperate need.
http://www.starbeacon.com/news/local_news/signature-health-to-open-residential-home-for-boys/article_9ec04e82-f983-599d-9475-cbebdd6359a4.html

OH: Editorial: Use surplus to protect kids
Cincinnati Enquirer – April 15, 2016
After a decade-long fight over how Hamilton County spent Children’s Services money from the federal government, county commissioners have an opportunity to turn a negative into a positive.
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/04/15/editorial-use-surplus-protect-kids/82978808/

OK: Interviewing Services helps give rural child victims a voice
The Oklahoman – April 18, 2016
One Oklahoma nonprofit is on the move to help abused children in the rural areas of Oklahoma. Oklahoma Interviewing Services is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides free statewide culturally sensitive forensic interviews, in English and Spanish, for abused children to assist law enforcement and child protection services.
http://newsok.com/oklahoma-interviewing-services-helps-give-rural-child-victims-a-voice/article/5492380?custom_click=rss

PA: Why DA Seth Williams is wrong about criminalizing truancy (Opinion)
News Works – April 15, 2016
Such sanctions fail to re-engage students and families in school. Instead, they push families further away and increase distrust of schools — while failing to address the underlying root causes of the child?s truancy. It is because of such research and experience that there are only three states nationwide that still criminalize truancy. For example, a report on truancy in Texas by the National Center for School Engagement found that criminalizing conduct, imposing hefty fines, or withholding learning only alienated families and students. A study in Los Angeles disclosed that the use of punitive measures was similarly ineffective because they failed to address the root causes of attendance problems.
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/essay-works/item/92871-why-da-seth-williams-is-wrong-about-criminalizing-truancy

RI: Senate passes DCYF reforms
WPRI – April 15, 2016
The Rhode Island Senate has approved a pair of bills designed to reform the state’s child welfare system and certain policies at the Department of Children, Youth and Families.
http://wpri.com/2016/04/15/ri-senate-passes-dcyf-reforms/

TX: Horrors of Texas Foster Care Are Not Materially Unlike Better Known Atrocities (Opinion)
Dallas Observer – April 18, 2016
Nothing in Dickens and frankly very little in the annals of atrocity in Europe or the Third World could equal the slithering horror of evidence in this case. The final opinion in the case handed down last December quotes a Texas judge who called the 29,000 children relegated at any given moment to Texas state custody “the children that even God has forgotten.”
http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/horrors-of-texas-foster-care-are-not-materially-unlike-better-known-atrocities-8219037

TX: Research project aims to help foster children
Daily Texan – April 17, 2016
Foster children and potential adoptive families can encounter many difficulties during the adoption process, but UT is part of a research project that is trying to make things easier. UT is one institution involved in the Quality Improvement Center for Adoption & Guardianship Support and Preservation, which develops models of support to achieve permanency for foster children when they can’t be reunited with their birth families. Other organizations involved in the five-year project include Spaulding for Children in Michigan, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2016/04/17/research-project-aims-to-help-foster-children

TX: McCown: Changes need to be made at Child Protective Services (Opinion)
Austin American-Statesman – April 16, 2016
When Texas does bring children into state care, the kids face new problems. Just this past December, a federal court found the states foster care system to be unconstitutionally unsafe because of high caseloads and a lack of foster homes. Recently we learned that children were sleeping in state office buildings or living in psychiatric hospitals because no placement was available.
http://www.statesman.com/news/news/opinion/mccown-changes-need-to-be-made-at-child-protective/nq6GG/

TX: As goes Texas, so goes the country? (Opinion)
Dallas Voice – April 15, 2016
LGBT rights battles now playing out in statehouses got their start in Texas. “Those bills allow child welfare organizations to discriminate against LGBT families based on religious beliefs. It’ll likely get a senate companion this time. Most of the bills will allow for religious override protections,” Williams said. “You’ll [also] see bills filed to allow county clerks to abolish issuance of same-sex marriage licenses based on religious convictions.”
http://www.dallasvoice.com/texas-country-10217959.html

TX: Texas can’t hold its head high until it fixes broken, corrupt child welfare system (Opinion)
Dallas Morning News – April 15, 2016
This system isn’t just “broken,” as a federal judge declared in December. It’s corrupt in the worst possible way: Thousands of abused and neglected children have been suffering — and some have died — while people in charge have looked away and covered up their own negligence.
http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2016/04/texas-cant-hold-its-head-high-until-it-fixes-broken-corrupt-child-welfare-system.html/

VT: Brattleboro’s foster care system pressured by opioid crisis
Battleboro Reformer – April 17, 2016
Susan O’Brien, District Director for the Department of Children and Families said that while there were 91 Windham County children in state custody in December, 2014, now there are 129 — an increase of nearly 40 children. The skyrocketing number of children in state custody has overwhelmed the foster-care system. “We’ve run out of foster homes in Windham County,” O’Brien said.
http://www.reformer.com/ci_29778821/brattleboros-foster-care-system-pressured-by-opioid-crisis

WV: Barbour County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Raises Awareness of Child Abuse and Sexual Assault
WVAlways.com – April 15, 2016
The Barbour County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, along with the Family Resource Network, held a vigil promoting awareness of child abuse and sexual assault in the month of April.
http://www.wvalways.com/story/31729574/barbour-county-prosecuting-attorneys-office-raise-awareness-for-child-abuse-and-sexual-assault-awareness-month

WY: Leverages Big Data to Track Down Child Predators
StateTech – April 15, 2016
By tapping into the power of Big Data, Wyoming CIO Flint Waters built a tool that helps protect children.
http://www.statetechmagazine.com/article/2016/04/wyoming-leverages-big-data-track-down-child-predators

US: Federal PSA Campaign and Study Aim to Increase Awareness of Youth Homelessness
Youth Today – April 18, 2016
“I really didn’t feel safe anymore at home,” says the first young person in a new public service announcement campaign that aims to connect runaway and homeless youth with the support they need.
http://youthtoday.org/2016/04/federal-psa-campaign-study-aim-to-increase-awareness-of-youth-homelessness/

US: All Children Deserve to Be Safe (Opinion)
Chronicle of Social Change – April 16, 2016
On April 7, four Los Angeles County social workers were charged with felony child abuse and falsifying public records as a result of the 2012 death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. The Palmdale boy died as a result of injuries caused by his mother and her boyfriend. County social workers were later investigated for missing several troubling signs of abuse. What is being perceived by many as “justice” in an innocent child’s death will create a county that will be crushed by more detentions of children, higher caseloads for social workers and an attack on a system of the most vulnerable parts of our society.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/opinion/children-deserve-safe/17500

US: Emancipation from Foster Care: A Cruel Joke (Opinion)
Chronicle of Social Change – April 15, 2016
The average length of time spent in foster care in 1999 was 32 months. By 2014, the average time had dropped to 19.5 months. Progress, but still unacceptably high. Much more unsettling, however, are the statistics on emancipation. In this same time period, the number of children aging out to a life on their own has increased from 18,964 to 22,392, despite a smaller foster care population.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-welfare-2/emancipation-foster-care-cruel-joke/16971

US: No effect for kids of same-sex parents
CNN – April 15, 2016
Study finds no difference between children of same-sex, opposite-sex parents.
http://www.kspr.com/news/health/no-effect-for-kids-of-samesex-parents/21051714_39053728

US: Senate hearing searches for common ground on heroin scourge
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – April 15, 2016
“We are now in the midst of a public health emergency, and we have a responsibility to guarantee that our communities and families have the resources they need to fight this,” Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said in her opening statement.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/senate-hearing-searches-for-common-ground-on-heroin-scourge-b99707788z1-375916591.html

INTERNATIONAL

Columbia: Government reaches deal with striking child welfare workers
Columbia Reports – April 16, 2016
Colombia’s government has reached an agreement with child care workers who have been on strike for 11 days, allowing the women to return to work in child care centers on Monday.
http://colombiareports.com/colombias-government-reach-agreement-striking/

India: Child marriages prevented
The Hindu – April 18, 2016
Officials of the Women and Child Welfare Department, with their timely intervention, prevented eight child marriages at a mass marriage function held during the Amatayya Tata temple fair at Honagera village on Sunday.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/child-marriages-prevented/article8488086.ece

AR: Rally against child abuse held: Interim child-welfare chief strikes new tone with courts
North West Arkansas Times – April 15, 2016
Building partnerships with nonprofits, the judiciary and other child advocates is a key goal for Mischa Martin, interim director of the Division of Children and Family Services.
http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2016/apr/15/rally-against-child-abuse-held-20160415/

AZ: Arizona’s children can’t languish in a malaise of more trauma and neglect (Opinion)
Arizona Capitol Times – April 14, 2016
Have the Legislature and governor finally given up on Arizona’s children? Is there Department of Child Safety “DCS fatigue?” Have the Legislature’s and the governor’s frustration and disappointment in DCS with its lack of any reliable results for children rendered them powerless to do anything about?
http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2016/04/14/arizonas-children-cant-languish-in-a-malaise-of-more-trauma-and-neglect/

AZ: Our View: Same-sex couples need the right to adopt (Opinion)
The Arizona Republic – April 13, 2016
Lawmakers need to change an Arizona law that excludes same-sex couples from adopting. Arizona has a record number of children in foster care, but Arizona’s Legislature blocked updating state law to make it clear same-sex couples can adopt.
http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/editorial/2016/04/12/same-sex-couples-adoption-arizona/82957714/

CA: Four Ways to Step Up the City’s Response to Domestic Violence (Opinion)
Voice of San Diego – April 13, 2016
In cases involving Child Protective Services, an additional tragedy can occur as a result of delays in prosecution. CPS often bases action on the status of a domestic violence case; meaning, charges filed months later can result in a child either left in temporary foster care longer than necessary or left in a violent home when they should be removed.
http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/opinion/four-ways-step-citys-response-domestic-violence/

CA: Inside Los Angeles’ Ambitious Public-Private Child Welfare Partnership
Inside Philanthropy – April 12, 2016
Public-private partnerships are the philanthropy of the future, and there’s a big one starting up in Los Angeles right now. Los Angeles County and 13 local foundations have recently banded together around improving the well-being of vulnerable children. And to solidify this collaboration, the county launched the Center for Strategic Public-Private Partnerships, a first-of-its-kind office squarely focused on child welfare.
http://www.insidephilanthropy.com/los-angeles/2016/4/12/inside-los-angeles-ambitious-public-private-child-welfare-pa.html

FL: New home services programs helping behavioral health patients in Polk
The Ledger – April 14, 2016
Angel, who says telehealth “is a wonderful service,” is among the first patients in Polk County participating in new behavioral health programs that bring counseling into people’s homes.
http://www.theledger.com/article/20160414/news/160419694

IL: State House Representatives supporting efforts to protect foster children
WREX – April 14, 2016
Lawmakers want to keep foster children out of foster homes longer if they lose their license.
http://www.wrex.com/story/31729614/2016/04/14/lawmakers-efforts-to-protect-foster-children

KY: Care needed for kinship care families (Opinion)
Courier-Journal – April 14, 2016
Research shows that when children cannot remain safely with their parents, they fare better in the homes of relatives. They are able to keep ties to family, experience less trauma at parental separation, and have fewer educational disruptions. Yet, kinship families also face economic, emotional, and legal challenges and it is critical to support them in order to ensure they can provide the secure home that all children need. Information Gateway resource: Supporting Kinship Families: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/outofhome/kinship/support/
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/2016/04/14/care-needed-kinship-care-families/82998338/

ME: Governor’s Statement on Signing Law to Support Children Involved in Court Cases (Press release)
Office of the Governor of the State of Maine Paul R. LePage – April 14, 2016
Governor Paul R. LePage has released a statement on his signing of LD 890, “An Act to Ensure a Continuing Home Court for Cases Involving Children.” The Department of Health and Human Services submitted this bill to allow the district court system to assign cases involving children to the jurisdiction of a “home court” through resolution.
http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Portal+News&id=675486&v=article-2015

MS: Palmer Home For Children Prepares For $10M Expansion (Includes video)
Local Memphis – April 14, 2016
Palmer Home is a Christian-based organization that cares for abandoned and neglected children. The organization provides physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual care to 108 children in the Mid-South. “It’s really exciting for the community because it becomes a solution and it is an alternative for foster care. It is an alternative for children that need to be here,” said Palmer Home president and CEO Drake Bassett.
http://www.localmemphis.com/news/local-news/palmer-home-for-children-prepares-for-10m-expansion

NH: Bill to protect addicts’ kids tweaked
Associated Press – April 12, 2016
A House committee is recommending changes to a bill that attempts to protect New Hampshire’s youngest residents from the state’s growing opioid abuse crisis–a response to concerns raised by obstetricians.
http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20160412/NEWS/160419790/-1/NEWS01

NY: Connections: Fragile Lives Series Looks At The State Of Foster Care (Audio)
WXXI – April 13, 2016
In honor of Child Abuse Awareness month, WXXI News –in participation with Side Effects Public Media– is presenting Fragile Lives, a series about the health outcomes of children in foster care.
http://wxxinews.org/post/connections-fragile-lives-series-looks-state-foster-care

OR: Sanchez vies for Oregon Legislature, seeks tribal support
Sho-Ban news – April 12, 2016
“It is my hope to work in human services committee to do something to change the overwhelmingly disproportionate number of Native American children in the foster care system here in Oregon. Additionally, I hope to affect the extremely low rate of graduation of native youth in our school systems and the overly high numbers of native people living in poverty here in Oregon,” concluded Sanchez.
http://www.shobannews.com/local1x.html

PA: ‘Almost unheard of’: York County child welfare agency receives third downgraded license
PennLive – April 14, 2016
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services recently gave York County’s Office of Children, Youth and Families its third consecutive provisional license, which runs from March 14 through May 15. The agency has a couple more chances to improve its license before it faces a state takeover. Copy of Provisional License: https://www.scribd.com/doc/308671393/York-County-s-Office-of-Children-Youth-and-Families-Provisional-License
http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/04/york_county_office_of_children.html

RI: Senate OKs bill requiring quick disclosure of foster children’s deaths
Providence Journal – April 15, 2016
Weeks after a report by the Child Advocate’s Office raised questions about reporting standards in child deaths cases, the Senate has unanimously passed legislation mandating that the death of any child in state care be publicly disclosed within 48 hours.
http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160414/ri-senate-oks-bill-requiring-quick-disclosure-of-foster-childrens-deaths?rssfeed=true

TX: CPS workers didn’t check on endangered kids but filed records showing they did
The Dallas Morning News – April 14, 2016
In 10 cases in which children died, workers failed to make timely visits to children and families, according to inquiries conducted by the Health and Human Services Commission’s inspector general.
http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2016/04/cps-workers-didnt-check-on-endangered-kids-but-filed-records-showing-they-did.html/

TX: Davis: Child-abuse solutions rest with family, community (Opinion)
El Paso Times – April 14, 2016
There are no “magic bullet” scenarios to resolve these issues. What is critical is that we, as community and family members, are vigilant and responsive to the signs of abuse and neglect of the children in our care and in our midst.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/opinion/columnists/ouisa-davis/2016/04/14/davis-child-abuse-solutions-rest-family-community/83047062/

TX: Despite Systemic Failures, State Moves to License Detention Centers for Child Care
Texas Observer – April 14, 2016
As Texas’ Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) makes headlines for inadequate monitoring of children in state care — in some cases, deathly inadequate monitoring — immigrant rights advocates are calling on state officials to abandon an effort to add to the department’s load by licensing immigrant family detention centers as child care providers.
https://www.texasobserver.org/dfps-child-care-licenses-detention/

TX: How Young is Too Young Before CPS Gets Involved? (Opinion) (Includes audio)
Texas Standard – April 12, 2016
For hundreds of babies born in Texas each year, their first caregiver is the state. In the last five years, Texas Child Protective Services has taken custody of more than 5,500 newborns–removing them from their biological parents shortly after being born.
http://www.texasstandard.org/stories/how-young-is-too-young-before-cps-gets-involved/

TX: Straus Promises CPS Overhaul Is “Top Priority”
Kicker 95.1 – April 12, 2016
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus is promising to make an overhaul of Child Protective Services a top priority next session. He says the problem is very complex, but one the state can’t ignore because abused children need to be protected and helped.
http://kykr.iheart.com/articles/247-texas-news-494117/straus-promises-cps-overhaul-is-top-14597240/

WV: Healthy Habits: Getting the facts on child abuse, neglect
The Herald-Dispatch – April 15, 2016
There are other instances of abuse and neglect that aren’t so easy to label. The first step in helping children in these situations is understanding how child abuse and neglect is defined by the government.
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/features_entertainment/healthy-habits-getting-the-facts-on-child-abuse-neglect/article_98fc1458-1bbf-513f-991b-a6b73dca980f.html

US: GIS and Child Welfare: A Map Is Worth More Than a Thousand Words (Opinion)
The Chronicle of Social Change – April 14, 2016
Over the past fifteen years, while GIS emerged as crucial tools for practice and research in multiple fields, child welfare caseworkers have been slow to adopt the technology.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-welfare-2/map-worth-thousand-words/17416

US: Grassley Bill to Aid States, Public in Tracking Sex Offenders Advances to Full Senate (Press release)
Office of U.S. Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley – April 14, 2016
The Senate Judiciary Committee today reported to the full Senate Chairman Chuck Grassley’s legislation to assist states in preventing future abuses by registered sex offenders. The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act Reauthorization, which Grassley introduced last month, helps to improve tracking of sex offenders through federal support of state registries and dedicated resources to target offenders who fail to comply with registration requirements. It cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously.
http://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-bill-aid-states-public-tracking-sex-offenders-advances-full-senate

US: Letting them die: parents refuse medical help for children in the name of Christ
The Guardian – April 13, 2016
The Followers of Christ is a religious sect that preaches faith healing in states such as Idaho, which offers a faith-based shield for felony crimes — despite alarming child mortality rates among these groups.
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/13/followers-of-christ-idaho-religious-sect-child-mortality-refusing-medical-help

US: Why Rapid Rehousing May Be Increasing Family Homelessness (Opinion)
The Huffington Post – April 12, 2016
Rapid rehousing’s key component is the provision of rental vouchers. But could rent vouchers distributed in the name of ending homelessness be incentivizing people to enter the shelter system when they otherwise would not? And because those vouchers come with time limits and little or no support, are we essentially setting families up to fail?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ralph-da-costa-nunez/why-rapid-rehousing-may-b_b_9664600.html

US: The Brief: Foster Care Pressures Mean Longer Psych Stays
The Texas Tribune – April 08, 2016
Time spent in psychiatric facilities by abused children is up from six years ago, an effect of increased federal scrutiny of the foster care program and new restrictions on placing abused children in the care of relatives. Also: Foster Home Crunch Strands Children in Psych Facilities: https://www.texastribune.org/2016/04/08/foster-care-home-crunch-means-length-psych-stays-g/
https://www.texastribune.org/2016/04/08/the-brief/?utm_source=texastribune.org&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Tribune%20Feed:%20Main%20Feed

INTERNATIONAL

Australia: Fact check: Are Indigenous children 10 times more likely than non-Indigenous children to be living out of home? (Includes video)
ABC News Australia – April 13, 2016
Are Indigenous children 10 times more likely to be living out of home than their non-Indigenous counterparts? ABC Fact Check investigates.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-13/are-indigenous-kids-ten-times-more-likely-to-live-out-of-home/7177866

AL: Child abuse is a continuing problem
The Randolph Leader – April 13, 2016
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month and throughout the year, Randolph County Department of Human Resources encourages all citizens and organizations to play a role in making Randolph County a better place for children and families.
http://www.therandolphleader.com/news/article_3602d176-0187-11e6-b2af-530f2e05f4bb.html

AL: Committee Advances Bill Allowing Discrimination by State-Licensed Child Placing Agencies (Opinion)
Human Rights Campaign – April 13, 2016
H.B. 158 would enshrine special discrimination rights into Alabama law and allow state-license and funded child placing agencies to prioritize discrimination over the best interests of the children. An agency could turn away a single parent seeking to foster a child in need and the single parent would have no legal recourse.
http://www.hrc.org/blog/alabama-committee-advances-bill-allowing-discrimination-by-state-licensed-c

AR: Governor: Road plan at risk if Medicaid expansion fails
Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette – April 13, 2016
Hutchinson said the House leaders proposed a $9.5 million increase in funding for the Children and Family Services Division for foster care in their alternative budget, rather than the $20 million increase that he proposed, which would raise the total budget to $91 million. Opponents of the Medicaid expansion have questioned whether the increased funding for foster care can come from elsewhere. He said that the foster-care system is not meeting national standards and that the state needs more caseworkers. Also: Budget battle looming for fiscal session: http://katv.com/news/political/budget-battle-looming-for-fiscal-session Information Gateway resource: Medicaid: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/management/funding/program-areas/prevention/federal/nondedicated/medicaid/
http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2016/apr/13/governor-road-plan-at-risk-20160413/

AZ: Arizona Legislators Rally to Help Foster Youth (Part 3) (Includes video)
Arizona Education News Services – April 13, 2016
Rep. John Allen has sponsored House Bill 2665, which would fund and authorize FosterEd: Arizona to expand statewide its services for children in foster care. Also: Report Shows Educational Outcomes for Foster Care Students (Part 1): http://azednews.com/2016/04/13/report-shows-educational-outcomes-for-foster-care-children-part-1/ Also: How Fostered: Arizona Changes the Lives of Foster Care Children (Part 2): http://azednews.com/2016/04/13/how-fostered-arizona-changes-the-lives-of-foster-care-children/
http://azednews.com/2016/04/13/arizona-legislators-rally-to-help-foster-youth-part-3/

CA: Streamlined Foster Family Approval Process Could Leave Relative Caregivers Behind
Chronicle of Social Change – April 14, 2016
California’s new Resource Family Approval Program (RFA) may produce more qualified foster families, but it may also discourage relatives from stepping up to foster their grandchildren or other kin. RFA merges the varying standards by which relative and non-relative families are approved to foster and adopt children in California’s child welfare system. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and advocates believe that the streamlined approval process will improve efficiency, increase parent preparation and increase permanency.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/journalism-for-social-change/streamlined-foster-family-approval-process-could-leave-relative-caregivers-behind/17407

CO: Denver school board knew of child abuse conviction
The Denver Post – April 13, 2016
A newly appointed Denver Public Schools board member hopes her constituents can look past a decade-old child-abuse related criminal charge. MiDian Holmes, 35, was charged with wrongs to minors in 2005, according to court documents. She was sentenced to parenting classes and one year of supervised probation. The case was later dismissed.
http://www.denverpost.com/theater-shooting-trial/ci_29763009/dps-school-board-member-has-criminal-history-child

FL: Children stuck in group homes due to lack of foster families, group says (Includes video)
WFTV – April 13, 2016
Dozens of children are stuck in local group homes because there aren’t enough foster families, Channel 9 has learned.
http://www.wftv.com/news/local/children-stuck-in-group-homes-due-to-lack-of-foster-families-dcf-says/215408259

LA: Jim Brown: State officials must do more for foster children (Opinion)
The Ouachita Citizen – April 13, 2016
It’s clear we have a government system responsible for protecting children that is completely broken. It needs significant reform or we will continue turning out damaged children who turn to drugs, crime or violence. The problem isn’t unique to Louisiana, or even to the U.S.
http://www.hannapub.com/ouachitacitizen/opinion/columns/jim-brown-la-officials-must-do-more-for-foster-children/article_789ef724-0193-11e6-ab49-a73aaa2169d7.html

MS: Biloxi conference focuses on preventing child abuse (Includes video)
WLOX – April 13, 2016
Hungerford is a board member of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi, host of the third annual Child Abuse Conference in Biloxi. Child advocates included judges, police officers, schools, mental health providers and child protective service workers. The group focused on identifying, responding and investigating abuse allegations.
http://www.wdam.com/story/31718031/biloxi-conference-focuses-on-preventing-child-abuse

MT: Advocating for kids–Emma’s House fills critical role
Bitterroot Star – April 12, 2016
Emma’s House, a local Children’s Advocacy Center, will host several events through the rest of April as part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Kierstin Schmitt, Prevention Coordinator for Emma’s House, said the upcoming events will focus on informing participants about what Emma’s House does, as well as providing prevention training, particularly for professionals who work with children.
http://www.bitterrootstar.com/2016/04/12/advocating-for-kids-emmas-house-fills-critical-role/

NY: Epidemic, need for action acknowledged
The Daily News – April 13, 2016
The cost of properly treating addictions, which Pleus said needs to go far beyond the 21 days of in-patient treatment her son received, are high. But itemizing the criminal court proceedings, the 11 months in jail, 18 in probation, the costs to people and retailers robbed, social services, hospitalization, unpaid rent, foster care, the coroners … is it any more than his addiction cost his family and community?
http://www.thedailynewsonline.com/bdn01/epidemic-need-for-action-acknowledged-20160413

OH: A “Blue” Reminder: Child Abuse Preventable (Includes audio)
Public News Service – April 13, 2016
Child abuse and neglect typically happen behind closed doors, and on Wear Blue Day, child-welfare organizations in Ohio are bringing such abuse into the light. According to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 27,000 Ohio children were the victims of abuse or neglect in 2013 and 48 died as a result.
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2016-04-13/childrens-issues/a-blue-reminder-child-abuse-preventable/a51342-1

OK: Fort Sill worker recognized for lowering child abuse rates (Includes video)
KSWO – April 13, 2016
A Fort Sill program manager’s decade of hard work to lower the rates of child abuse on Fort Sill was recognized Tuesday. “Child abuse is one of those things that when you experience maltreatment in childhood, it affects you for the rest of your life. So, we want every child everywhere to get a good start,” said Lisa Jansen-Rees.
http://www.kswo.com/story/31717636/fort-sill-worker-recognized-for-lowering-child-abuse-rates

RI: Child welfare chief promises fix of unlicensed foster homes in violation
Providence Journal – April 13, 2016
Her explanation for the problem: The agency tried to handle the pileup internally but last fall realized it didn’t have enough staff to address the volume of cases. It has since modified a contract outsourcing the home studies required for a home to be licensed. Still, McDonald dispelled the notion that action is being taken because of the recent report. She maintained that the agency flagged the problem months ago but the timing of any action taken is coincidental.
http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160413/ri-child-welfare-chief-promises-fix-of-unlicensed-foster-homes-in-violation?rssfeed=true

TX: Report Finds One-Fourth of Texas Children Live in Poverty (Includes audio)
Public News Service – April 14, 2016
A new report shows that one-quarter of Texas’ seven million children live in poverty, and that doesn’t bode well for either their future or the future of the state. The annual State of Texas Children 2016 report, released by the Center for Public Policy Priorities, evaluates the health, education and financial security of kids in the Lone Star State. Report: http://forabettertexas.org/images/KC_2016_DallasSnapshot.pdf
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2016-04-14/childrens-issues/report-finds-one-fourth-of-texas-children-live-in-poverty/a51420-1

TX: Advocates talk about fight against child abuse
The Brownsville Herald – April 13, 2016
The month of April is National Child Abuse prevention month, and the Cameron County District Attorney’s child abuse prosecution unit is dedicated to prosecuting cases of child sexual abuse.
http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/local/article_af8107a8-01f4-11e6-8edc-ab8a25c65da2.html

TX: Texas violated court order, implemented Medicaid cuts, group alleges
Daily News 724 – April 12, 2016
Texas quietly violated a court order that prohibits it from reducing the rates it pays to therapists serving Medicaid recipients, a group of providers and parents of disabled children said Tuesday. Superior’s health care plan covers all of the children in foster care who need health care coverage, meaning that population could be disproportionately harmed by the rate reduction, advocates say.
http://www.dailynews724.com/new-mexico/texas-violated-court-order-implemented-medicaid-cuts-group-alleges-h682851.html

TX: Foster Home Crunch Strands Children in Psych Facilities
Texas Tribune – April 08, 2016
Abused children in Texas are being left in psychiatric facilities longer than they were six years ago as the state’s child protective services system grapples with federal court scrutiny and diminishing options, according to data obtained by The Texas Tribune.
https://www.texastribune.org/2016/04/08/foster-care-home-crunch-means-length-psych-stays-g/

WA: Attorneys: Seattle foster parents abused kids on state’s watch
Seattle Pi – April 13, 2016
Five former residents of a now shuttered Seattle foster home say state officials failed to protect them from physical and sexual abuse. Attorneys for the former foster children gave notice earlier this month that they are prepared to sue the state Department of Social and Health Services. They claim their clients are due as much as $30 million.
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Attorneys-Seattle-foster-parents-abused-kids-on-7246649.php

WI: Chippewa Valley Child Advocacy Center promotes child abuse prevention (Includes video)
WEAU – April 13, 2016
The Chippewa Valley Child Advocacy Center in Eau Claire aims to promote intervention and prevention of child abuse and neglect. It takes referrals from district attorneys, law enforcement, and social workers and conducts medical exams and interviews, which can be used as part of the child abuse investigation.
http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/Chippewa-Valley-Child-Advocacy-Center-promotes-child-abuse-prevention-375640811.html

WI: Teens learn life lessons at The Production Farm (Includes video)
Fox 11 – April 12, 2016
Gardening and film making might seem like an odd combo, but the two, paired together, are teaching life lessons. The lessons are through The Production Farm, a new program for area teens in foster care systems.
http://fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/teens-learn-life-lessons-at-the-production-farm

US: Openness of adoption records vary state to state
Sioux Falls Argus Leader – April 14, 2016
The decision to seek out biological parents or children can be tense, difficult and at times impossible. How a person goes about finding and reconnecting with their biological family depends on who they are, where they live and how willing the family on the other side of the adoption is to being found.
http://www.argusleader.com/insider/extras/2016/04/13/openness-adoption-records-vary-state-state/82977054/

US: New federal law extends support to homeless preschool students
EdSource – April 13, 2016
Homeless preschool students will soon be able to remain enrolled at their schools even if their families move, thanks to the Every Student Succeeds Act, the new federal education law. In order to provide stability for homeless youth, current law requires that schools allow K-12 students to stay enrolled in their home school if they move outside of that school’s attendance boundary during the school year. They can remain at those schools in subsequent years until they have permanent housing.
http://edsource.org/2016/new-federal-law-extends-support-to-homeless-preschool-students/562761

US: New federal study provides insights on homeless youth
Southwest Journal – April 13, 2016
More than half of homeless youth surveyed for a new federal study became homeless for their first time after a parent or caregiver asked them to leave. Study: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/fysb/data_collection_study_final_report_street_outreach_program.pdf
http://www.southwestjournal.com/news/2016/04/new-federal-study-provides-insights-on-homeless-youth/

US: Good Parents, Good Kids: Anger–What is it, really? (Opinion)
Record-Bee – April 12, 2016
Anger frequently becomes a default emotion children use when a different feeling would have accomplished a lot more. But that part of their brain–the prefrontal cortex, which should make it possible for them to stop short of rage–is not yet fully developed, and won’t be until several years into adulthood. It becomes immensely important, then, to attempt to unearth the real source of the child’s feelings, and sadness is usually where I begin.
http://www.record-bee.com/lifestyle/20160412/good-parents-good-kids-anger-x2014-what-is-it-really

INTERNATIONAL

Kenya: Street kids struggle for survival in Kenya
Agence-France Presse – April 14, 2016
One estimate, by the Consortium of Street Children (CSC), an international charity, suggests the number of street children could be as high as between 250,000 and 300,000 throughout Kenya, including 60,000 in Nairobi alone. Some children are pushed onto the street following the death of parents — sometimes due to HIV/AIDS — or after running away from violence at home. Others live on the street simply because their families are too poor to look after them.
http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1422090/street-kids-struggle-survival-kenya

South Korea: For adoptees, DNA is game changer for finding roots
Yonhap News – April 13, 2016
Adopted by a white American couple in California in 1961, Kim said she knows she had a better life in the U.S. than she would have had as a biracial child in Korea. But that didn’t stop her from wanting to make peace with the first three and a half years of her life, which were spent here with her single mother and then at an orphanage.
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/04/11/0200000000AEN20160411005300315.html?input=rss

United Kingdom: Britain ‘lagging behind developed world’ on child poverty, Unicef report reveals (Includes video)
Independent – April 14, 2016
The Unicef report, Fairness for Children, emphasised the importance of a strong welfare system in reducing inequality–and carried a strong suggestion that the Government should reconsider its cuts to benefits. Report: http://www.unicef.org/publications/index_90833.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/britain-lagging-behind-developed-world-on-child-poverty-unicef-report-reveals-a6983291.html

United Kingdom: Refugee kids ‘as young as SIX are arriving in UK without parents’ sparking sex trafficking fears
Mirror – April 14, 2016
Desperate refugee kids aged just six are arriving in Britain without their parents, a top official revealed on Wednesday. The children flee to the UK without their parents as part of a wave of migrants heading for British shores, a committee of peers heard.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/refugee-kids-as-young-six-7750313

AR: Foster Care Groups Concerned Over Potential Budget Cuts (Includes video)
KARK TV – April 12, 2016
The Department of Human Services could see about $11 million in funding cut leaving some foster care groups with major concerns.
http://www.arkansasmatters.com/news/local-news/foster-care-groups-concerned-over-potential-budget-cuts

AZ: Our View: Make it clear all couples can adopt (Opinion)
The Arizona Republic – April 12, 2016
Lawmakers need to change an Arizona law that excludes same-sex couples from adopting.
http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/editorial/2016/04/12/same-sex-couples-adoption-arizona/82957714/

CA: Inside Los Angeles’ Ambitious Public-Private Child Welfare Partnership
Inside Philanthropy – April 12, 2016
Public-private partnerships are the philanthropy of the future, and there’s a big one starting up in Los Angeles right now. Los Angeles County and 13 local foundations have recently banded together around improving the well-being of vulnerable children. And to solidify this collaboration, the county launched the Center for Strategic Public-Private Partnerships, a first-of-its-kind office squarely focused on child welfare.
http://www.insidephilanthropy.com/los-angeles/2016/4/12/inside-los-angeles-ambitious-public-private-child-welfare-pa.html

CA: Social workers blast DA Jackie Lacey for prosecuting colleagues
City News Service – April 12, 2016
Dozens of county social workers protested downtown Tuesday, accusing District Attorney Jackie Lacey of criminalizing child welfare work by bringing child abuse charges against four of their colleagues.
http://www.dailybreeze.com/social-affairs/20160412/social-workers-blast-da-jackie-lacey-for-prosecuting-colleagues

MD: How Can Teachers Meet The Needs Of Unaccompanied Minors Who Have Suffered ‘Complex Trauma?’ (Includes audio)
WAMU – April 13, 2016
About 30 Montgomery County Public Schools educators are sitting in a circle. Most of them teach English as a Second Language, or ESOL. Today it?s their turn to learn. The lesson is about understanding what it’s like to be a student who fled Central America and landed in their classroom.
http://wamu.org/news/16/04/08/la_cultura_cura

NH: Bill to protect addicts’ kids tweaked
Associated Press – April 12, 2016
The bill passed by the Senate last month would add a parent’s abuse of opioids or a baby’s diagnosis of drug addiction to the state’s definition of child abuse and neglect unless the parent was being treated for addiction.
http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20160412/NEWS/160419790/-1/NEWS01

OH: A “Blue” Reminder: Child Abuse Preventable (Includes audio)
Public News Service – April 13, 2016
Child abuse and neglect typically happen behind closed doors, and on Wear Blue Day, child-welfare organizations in Ohio are bringing such abuse into the light.
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2016-04-13/childrens-issues/a-blue-reminder-child-abuse-preventable/a51342-1

PA: Child abuse awareness critical as case numbers skyrocket
Sunbury Daily Item – April 12, 2016
The drastic increase in reports has affected local CYS agencies in a number of ways. In Montour County, the CYS agency employs one director and three caseworkers. In January 2014, the staff handled three numbered abuse investigations. That number jumped to seven in January 2015 and doubled to 14 this past January alone.
http://www.dailyitem.com/news/lifestyles/child-abuse-awareness-critical-as-case-numbers-skyrocket/article_95e22ac4-00b5-11e6-b234-9f7810b4660e.html

PA: Wolf Administration Recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Efforts (Press release)
PR Newswire – April 12, 2016
In partnership with counties, schools, and community organizations, the department is promoting evidence-based programs that give parents the skills and supports, both formal and informal, that they need to prevent child abuse and neglect. By working together and relying on natural supports like family members and neighbors, we can improve outcomes for families and protect our children.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pa-wolf-administration-recognizes-child-abuse-prevention-efforts-300250135.html

RI: Using Data, Providence Cuts Absenteeism and Tackles Other Youth Issues
Governing – April 12, 2016
A foundation is promoting the use of evidence-based prevention programs to help young people in low-income, urban neighborhoods.
http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/gov-how-providence-used-proven-programs-to-help-youths.html

TX: An Expert Weighs In On The Child Welfare Crisis In Texas (Audio)
KERA News – April 12, 2016
Madeline McClure is the founder of the Dallas-based TexProtects, an organization aimed at protecting kids from child abuse and neglect. She talked about the state of child welfare in Texas — and what the state should do to improve the system.
http://keranews.org/post/expert-weighs-child-welfare-crisis-texas

TX: Budget Cuts for Therapy Won’t Harm Kids, Judge Told
The Texas Tribune – April 12, 2016
Coming from a major health insurer that covers foster care youth and children with disabilities, that assertion has added another layer to an already contentious eight-month legal fight over whether Texas has been overpaying companies to provide services like speech, occupational and physical therapy.
https://www.texastribune.org/2016/04/12/therapy-payment-cuts-will-not-harm-children-judge-/

TX: San Augustine Co. to get long-overdue Children’s Service Building (Includes video)
KTRE – April 12, 2016
A Children’s Service Building is long overdue. That’s what San Augustine County Judge Samye Johnson said Tuesday at a Child Abuse Prevention Month ceremony. Construction could begin by the end of the year.
http://www.ktre.com/story/31706042/san-augustine-co-to-get-long-overdue-childrens-service-building

TX: Two more leaders resign amid problems with CPS and foster care
Austin American-Statesman – April 12, 2016
Two top leaders at the state’s child protection agency stepped down this week, the latest in a series of high-level resignations to hit the flailing agency as it is battered by high profile child deaths, profound foster care troubles, fleeing employees and intense media scrutiny. Also: As more CPS bigwigs quit, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus vows to better protect abused kids http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2016/04/as-more-cps-bigwigs-quit-texas-house-speaker-joe-straus-vows-to-better-protect-abused-kids.html/
http://www.statesman.com/news/news/breaking-news/two-more-top-leaders-resign-amid-problems-at-child/nq4Lk/

US: Need Evidence That Child Welfare Sees Poverty As Neglect? Step One: Look (Opinion)
The Chronicle of Social Change – April 12, 2016
The data are “hard to see” only if you refuse to look. And that also turns out to be part of the problem.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-welfare-2/need-evidence-child-welfare-sees-poverty-neglect-step-one-look/17253

US: Pediatricians, health professionals speak against legislation targeting trans youth (Press release) (Includes video)
Human Rights Campaign – April 12, 2016
“Lawmakers introducing bills that make it difficult for trans kids to survive in school or society – it’s horrific when that happens,” said Dr. Carolyn Wolf-Gould, a family physician in New York. “We need to support all of our citizens, and make the world safe for these kids.” Information Gateway Resource: Supporting Your LGBTQ Youth: A Guide for Foster Parents: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/LGBTQyouth.pdf
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Pediatricians-health-professionals-speak-against-legislation-targeting-trans-youth/54886.html

INTERNATIONAL

India: Will frame model rules for adoption: Centre to Bombay HC
Times of India – April 12, 2016
The Centre on Tuesday told Bombay high court within two months it will frame model rules for States to follow before Central Adoption Resources Authority (CARA) brings out new guidelines for adoption.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Will-frame-model-rules-for-adoption-Centre-to-Bombay-HC/articleshow/51801117.cms

International: Child refugees in Europe need better protection from traffickers-Unicef
Thomson Reuters Foundation – April 12, 2016
Europe’s refugee crisis has created a “huge business opportunity” for human traffickers, and governments should widen the legal routes of entry to protect refugee children, the U.N. children’s agency (Unicef) said on Tuesday.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-3536288/Child-refugees-Europe-need-better-protection-traffickers-Unicef.html

Russia: Russian NGO proposes nationwide register of prospective adoptive parents
RT – April 13, 2016
A member of the Russian Public Chamber and the head of an NGO dealing with orphans has said that a nationwide database of people who want to adopt a child could lead to a radical increase in successful adoptions.
https://www.rt.com/politics/339427-russian-ngo-proposes-nationwide-register/

United Arab Emirates: New child protection law ‘a big move for UAE’s development’
The National – April 12, 2016
On Tuesday, President Sheikh Khalifa issued Federal Law No?3 of 2016 on children’s rights, which was originally named Wadeema’s Law after the eight-year-old Emirati girl who was tortured to death by her father.
http://www.thenational.ae/uae/new-child-protection-law-a-big-move-for-uaes-development

AR: House leadership releases alternate budget without Arkansas Works; foster care would take hit
Talk Business & Politics – April 11, 2016
The state would cut spending in the foster care system, spend $54.2 million more for the Department of Human Services, and spend $7.3 million less for the Public School Fund under an alternate budget that doesn’t include Gov. Asa Hutchinson?s Arkansas Works program. Also: If private option ends, state budget would face major cuts for foster care (Opinion): http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2016/04/11/what-proposed-budget-cuts-without-the-private-option-would-mean-for-foster-care
http://talkbusiness.net/2016/04/house-leadership-releases-alternate-budget-without-arkansas-works-foster-care-would-take-hit/

CA: Drugging Our Kids: Foster care bill targets excessive prescribing of psychiatric drugs
Vacaville Reporter – April 11, 2016
The voices of foster youth and their advocates overcame the powerful physicians lobby in the state capital Monday, as a bill to identify and investigate California doctors who overprescribe psychiatric drugs to traumatized foster children won a key Senate vote.
http://www.thereporter.com/general-news/20160411/drugging-our-kids-foster-care-bill-targets-excessive-prescribing-of-psychiatric-drugs

CA: Social Workers Charged in Death of 8-Year-Old Gabriel Fernandez (Includes video)
NBC Washington – April 07, 2016
Four Southern California social workers have been charged with child abuse and falsifying public records in the beating death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez three years ago.
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/Gabriel-Fernandez-Child-Abuse-Case-Social-Workers-Charged-374903631.html

CO: SmithGraybeal: One call to statewide child abuse hotline can save a life (Opinion)
Greeley Tribune – April 11, 2016
An average of 31 children experience child abuse or neglect in Colorado every day. Thanks to the 208,999 calls from concerned Coloradans reporting suspected child abuse and neglect in 2015, social services agencies throughout Colorado assessed the safety and well-being of 48,836 children and youth and discovered that 11,462 children and youth experienced child abuse and neglect (Colorado Department of Human Services Division of Child Welfare).
http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/opinion/21502644-113/one-call-to-hotline-can-save-a-life

FL: 60 foster-care families needed: Number of kids has nearly doubled since 2014
Daytona Beach News Journal – April 10, 2016
The number of children ages 0 to 17 in foster care or other licensed care in the three counties has almost doubled since June 2014, from 654 children then to 1,153 at the end of March. The sharp rise locally mirrors a statewide increase that local child welfare officials said is putting the system in a state of crisis.
http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20160409/NEWS/160409499/101042/NEWS0401?Title=60-foster-care-families-needed-Number-of-kids-has-nearly-doubled-since-2014

IL: Bill seeks more transparency on adoption records
Associated Press – April 10, 2016
The Illinois House is considering a measure that would allow agencies to let people know the reasons they were put up for adoption and other information that wouldn’t identify their birth parents, including details of their medical histories.
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/illinois/illinois-bill-seeks-more-transparency-on-adoption-records/article_6519de18-0c73-5dbe-818d-492a32fb8df6.html

KY: Comment | Ky. can do more to empower grandparents (Opinion) (Includes video)
Louisville Courier-Journal – April 11, 2016
Family members participating in the care and raising of children is a long-held tradition in our country. However, the reasons for the current trend toward grandparent-headed households are a reflection of contemporary problems.
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/2016/04/11/comment-ky-can-do-more-empower-grandparents/82911046/

MN: State needs to provide tools for counties to properly address child protection
Grand Rapids Herald-Review – April 09, 2016
Last Wednesday the Herald Review published a story highlighting the difficulties Itasca County has faced dealing with increases in child protection cases. The county’s caseload has nearly doubled, causing costs for out-of-home placement to rise from $1.1 million in 2013 to $4.9 million in 2015. The increased need for child protective services is exactly what the Governor’s Task Force on the Protection of Children was designed to address.
http://www.grandrapidsmn.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/state-needs-to-provide-tools-for-counties-to-properly-address/article_7a69bcdc-fdac-11e5-b0a1-ef56117d3b93.html

NC: McCrory Budget Emphasizes Dollars for Mental Health, Substance Abuse Treatment
North Carolina Health News – April 12, 2016
Flanked by lawmakers and law enforcement officers on the steps of the gubernatorial mansion, Gov. Pat McCrory rolled out his priorities for this years health and human services budget, which includes at least $48 million in money for priorities ranging from expanding drug and mental health courts to adding several hundred more children to the NC Pre-K program.
http://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2016/04/12/mccrory-budget-emphasizes-dollars-for-mental-health-substance-abuse-treatment/

NH: Domestic violence survivors deserve better court model (Opinion)
Fosters.com – April 10, 2016
But as anyone who’s been through a court case involving family violence can tell you, the story doesn?t end with the criminal verdict. Her attacker will likely be going to jail, but he’s still a free man throughout the sentencing and appeal process. Another year or more of hiding from the man who promised to kill her if she ever told. With the next hearing came another judge, to decide if and how often she?d have to bring her kids to see a man that terrified them all
http://www.fosters.com/article/20160410/NEWS/160419950/14404

NY: Advocates for abused kids applaud Albany Democrats for trying to fix child-rape law
New York Daily News – April 11, 2016
Advocates for victims of child sex abuse on Monday hailed the state Senate’s bill to eliminate the time limits to bring criminal or civil cases. “It’s about time that the communities wake up to understand that we are not trying to destroy Catholic schools or yeshivas,” said Mark Appel, founder of Voice of Justice, an advocacy group. “This is about protecting children.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/advocates-abused-kids-praise-albany-dems-bill-article-1.2597021

OH: Local foster care group opens family visitation center
Dayton Daily News – April 11, 2016
The nonprofit foster care center is located at 2300 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd. in Dayton. The new visitation center, opened last week, will focus on biological relatives. The room features a television, movies, games and numerous toys.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/local/local-foster-care-group-opens-family-visitation-ce/nq33g/

OK: YFS mission: Shelter the children
Enid News & Eagle – April 09, 2016
Youth and Family programs include transitional living for young adults, counseling, private foster care, a youth shelter, anger management classes, parenting classes, a drug court and a first time offender program.
http://www.enidnews.com/news/progress/yfs-mission-shelter-the-children/article_8716880a-fed5-11e5-b728-1b1a3f827d82.html

PA: Kinship eases foster child placement across Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Tribune Review – April 09, 2016
It’s a concept being embraced throughout Pennsylvania, where 24 percent more at-risk children were placed in the homes of friends and relatives instead of strangers between 2012 and 2014, according to data from the Office of Children and Families in the Courts.
http://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/9946311-74/kinship-foster-child

RI: Foster care failures
Providence Journal – April 12, 2016
For some time, Rhode Island has faced significant problems with its foster-care program. But a new report, from the state’s Office of the Child Advocate, highlights particular deficiencies that may have contributed to two recent child deaths.
http://www.providencejournal.com/opinion/20160412/foster-care-failures

RI: Lenette Azzi-Lessing: Hold leaders accountable for DCYF disasters (Opinion)
Providence Journal – April 12, 2016
Rhode Islanders appear to be indifferent to the children involved in the 13,000 reports of abuse and neglect DCYF fields each year. Why else would the Raimondo administration have failed to launch a search for an experienced leader for DCYF, one whose background meets the legal requirements for that position?
http://www.providencejournal.com/opinion/20160412/lenette-azzi-lessing-hold-leaders-accountable-for-dcyf-disasters?rssfeed=true

TN: DCS Reaches Compliance In All Brian A. Provisions
The Chattanoogan – April 11, 2016
Achievement Marks Complete Overall Of Tennessee’s Foster-Care System. Also: After 16 Years, Tennessee Foster Care System Has Met 136 Reform Goals (Includes audio): http://nashvillepublicradio.org/post/after-16-years-tennessee-foster-care-system-has-met-136-reform-goals#stream/0
http://www.chattanoogan.com/2016/4/11/321915/DCS-Reaches-Compliance-In-All-Brian.aspx

TX: Abbott Names New Leaders at Embattled Child Welfare Agency
Texas Tribune – August 11, 2016
Henry “Hank” Whitman, a former chief of the Texas Rangers, a state law enforcement agency, will be the department’s new commissioner. One of his top lieutenants will be Kristene Blackstone, an attorney with experience in Child Protective Services and the attorney general’s child support division, who will serve as Assistant Commissioner of Child Protective Services. Both will start at the agency on May 1. Also: Abbott picks new leaders for CPS: https://www.news-journal.com/news/2016/apr/11/abbott-picks-new-leaders-for-cps/
https://www.texastribune.org/2016/04/11/abbott-names-new-leaders-child-welfare-agency/

TX: Editorial: Turmoil at Texas? child-welfare agency is unconscionable
Dallas Morning News – April 11, 2016
If meaningful change demands a period of disruption, Texas’ child-welfare agency is the throes of revolution. From top to bottom, this is an agency in turmoil.
http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/20160411-editorial-turmoil-at-texas-child-welfare-agency-is-unconscionable.ece

TX: State CASA Introduces Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) During Child Abuse Prevention Month (Press release)
Texas CASA – April 11, 2016
Texas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) today announced its involvement in developing and launching a progressive new initiative, Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE). The goal of CFE is to create better outcomes for children in the Texas child protection system by identifying, locating and engaging family members and other committed adults so they may be involved in the child’s care and permanency planning.
http://www.sectorpublishingintelligence.co.uk/news/1394435/texas+casa+introduces+collaborative+family+engagement+cfe+during+child+abuse+prevention+month

TX: Community, CPS collaborate to care for foster children (+ video)
Sherman Denison Herald Democrat – April 09, 2016
The “Rainbow Room,” with its brightly colored illustration painted over the doorway, stands out amid the offices and desks overflowing with piled-on papers found within the Department of Family and Protective Services center in Sherman. It is a place of hope with everyday items for a child in need.
http://heralddemocrat.com/news/local/community-cps-collaborate-care-foster-children-video

TX: Overnight at CPS: Need for foster families outpaces local supply
Sherman Denison Herald Democrat – April 09, 2016
Behind a series of hallways and closed doors at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services center in Sherman, an air mattress sits on a floor. A child might be found borrowing a laptop to listen to music, playing with a toy or reading a book left in the room. But this is not a bedroom. It’s another room in the CPS offices, but this is where Grayson County children sleep when they’ve been removed from their families in an emergency situation and foster families cannot be found to take them in.
http://heralddemocrat.com/news/local/overnight-cps-need-foster-families-outpaces-local-supply

US: Here’s how witnessing violence harms children’s mental health
Deseret News – April 12, 2016
As researchers and clinicians who have studied the problem of violence over the past three decades, we have witnessed a steady increase in levels of children’s exposure to violence and its damaging effect on their mental health.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865652021/Heres-how-witnessing-violence-harms-children7s-mental-health.html?pg=all

US: Pay Foster Parents to Stay Home with Infants, Not Put Them in Daycare (Opinion)
Chronicle of Social Change – April 11, 2016
On April 1 in The Chronicle, Jeremy Loudenback reported on a California budget proposal that would allocate $31 million to provide emergency child care vouchers to foster parents caring for children ages 0 to 3. Based on my experience as a social worker for foster children in the District of Columbia, I would recommend moving in the opposite direction and using the funds to pay foster parents for staying home with younger children.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-welfare-2/pay-foster-parents-stay-home-infants-not-put-daycare/17210

US: Pregnancy, Drug Use, and Why Prison Is Not the Solution (Opinion)
Huffington Post – April 11, 2016
In New Hampshire, a bill to redefine opioid use or addiction in pregnant women as child abuse is making its way through the legislature, despite vocal objection from the state’s medical community. Much media treatment of this bill and similar bills in other states presumes women are not generally held criminally responsible for terminating?or losing?a pregnancy.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marianne-mollmann/pregnancy-drug-use-and-wh_b_9665668.html

US: The Battle Against Prisons for Kids (Opinion)
The Nation – April 11, 2016
For as long as youth prisons have existed in the United States, so too has the pretense that there are no youth prisons. And so began the unending march of euphemisms, in which children’s prisons have been known by any other name?residential treatment facilities, youth camps, youth-development centers, to name a few?exposing juveniles to many the same cruelties and racial discriminations of the adult prison system.
http://www.thenation.com/article/the-battle-against-prisons-for-kids/

INTERNATIONAL

International: Breaking the adoption taboo in Dubai
The Islamic Monthly – April 11, 2016
In the UAE and in many other Muslim countries, many people eschew the idea of adopting a child. Some concerns are religious and others are cultural. While Islam highly stresses the importance of caring for orphans, it forbids stripping away a child’s sense of his or her own biological lineage and biological rights, as commonly happens under conventional adoption procedures.
http://theislamicmonthly.com/breaking-the-adoption-taboo-in-dubai/

AK: Foster care bill tells the state to never give up on finding families for kids
Alaska Dispatch News – April 10, 2016
Rep. Les Gara, a Democrat from Anchorage, is once again pushing foster care reforms to change that. And he’s again teamed up with Amanda Metivier, a former foster child turned reformer — and foster parent. Gara’s legislation, House Bill 27, cleared the Republican-controlled state House 37 to 0. With about a week to go in the regular legislative session, the bill is set for a committee hearing in the Senate on Monday.
http://www.adn.com/article/20160410/foster-care-bill-tells-state-never-give-finding-families-kids

AR: Lawmakers return to Capitol, with focus on budget
Associated Press – April 10, 2016
Hutchinson has proposed a $5.3 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, with a $142.7 million increase in state spending. The state’s Medicaid program would receive $88 million of that, and $20.4 million would go toward the state’s child welfare programs.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/apr/10/arkansas-lawmakers-return-to-capitol-with-focus-on/

AR: When Religious Groups Do What the Government Won’t
The Atlantic – April 08, 2016
About half the parents who foster or adopt kids in Arkansas have been recruited through The Call, a nonprofit that tries to mobilize Christian families to adopt or foster children in Arkansas.
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/04/religious-groups-government-arkansas/477366/

AZ: Foster parents quitting; families urge DCS to focus on retaining families (Includes video)
ABC 15 – April 08, 2016
As social service workers focus on recruiting new families to address Arizona’s foster kid crisis, an astounding number of existing families are quitting the foster system.
http://www.abc15.com/news/state/arizona-foster-parents-quitting-families-urge-dcs-to-focus-on-retaining-families

CA: State to expand paid family leave for new parents
Reuters – April 08, 2016
California will increase the amount of money new parents can receive through the state’s paid family leave program under a bill to be signed on Monday by Democratic Governor Jerry Brown, his office said Friday.
http://929wlmi.com/news/articles/2016/apr/09/california-to-expand-paid-family-leave-for-new-parents/

CA: The Impact of Extended Foster Care: Preliminary Findings of the CalYOUTH Study
Chronicle of Social Change – April 07, 2016
CalYOUTH is a five-year research project looking at the impact of the California Fostering Connections to Success Act, a California law known as AB 12 that extended foster care to age 21 and took effect in 2012. The study examines outcomes during the transition to adulthood for foster youth and will conclude in 2017. Information Gateway Resource: https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/resources/caregivers/
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/los-angeles/calyouth-study/17245

CO: Pot-in-schools debate returns to Colorado
Associated Press – April 11, 2016
The possibility of medical marijuana in schools raises a number of questions for school officials. The law currently says that the drug must be in non-smokeable form and is to be administered by a school nurse or a caregiver, likely a parent. But those school nurses are also required to report to authorities any child who is exposed to an illegal drug, including marijuana-derived treatments. That happened to the Wann family of Highlands Ranch, which got a call from Child Protective Services last year because their epileptic 8th grader uses a cannabis-derived treatment. Amber Wann said her son doesn’t take the oil at school, but the district reported the family as possible child abusers, despite last year’s law clarifying that schools may allow marijuana treatment.
http://am860theanswer.com/news/articles/pot-in-schools-debate-returns-to-colorado

CT: State aims to end court monitoring
Greenwich Time – April 10, 2016
A quarter-century has passed since the settlement of a landmark federal lawsuit aimed at forcing Connecticut to take better care of its abused and neglected children.
http://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/State-strives-to-end-court-monitoring-7237645.php

CT: State Rolls Out Program to Improve Child Welfare Services
NBC Connecticut – April 08, 2016
The state Department of Children and Families is launching a new program aimed at improving child welfare services in Connecticut and they will be announcing what it entails today. The announcement comes during Child Abuse Prevention Month. Also: New child abuse prevention guide focuses on very young: http://wtnh.com/2016/04/08/new-child-abuse-prevention-guide-focuses-on-very-young/
http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/State-to-Roll-Out-Program-to-Improve-Child-Welfare-Services–375013291.html

FL: DCF Under Fire Over LGBT Rule Change
News Service of Florida – April 08, 2016
Last fall, when DCF Secretary Mike Carroll approved provisions protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, advocates celebrated. At that point, the draft rule banned staffers at group homes from”(a)ttempt(ing) to change or discourage a child’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.” However, that language was opposed by the Florida Baptist Children’s Home and the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, and by late January, it was gone. Also: Florida backtracks on new guidelines for LGBT foster children: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/florida-backtracks-on-new-guidelines-for-lgbt-foster-children/2272531
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/04/08/dcf-under-fire-over-lgbt-rule-change/

FL: Spike in Fla. foster care numbers causes concern (Incudes video)
NBC 2 – April 08, 2016
NBC2 has discovered in just the last five months, 331 children have been taken from their parents in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties, a 17% spike.
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/31679325/spike-in-fla-foster-care-numbers-causes-concern#.VwruvHrMab8

HI: Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month Recognized by Children’s Justice Centers
Big Island Now – April 08, 2016
In recognition of Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, Children’s Justice Centers across the state are participating in a variety of activities during the month of April, including three events on the Big Island. According to Hawai’i Children’s Justice Centers, over 50 percent of reported victims of crime throughout the state are under the age of 18. In addition, research provided by the centers indicate that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually assaulted before they are 18.
http://bigislandnow.com/2016/04/08/child-abuse-awareness-and-prevention-month-recognized-by-childrens-justice-centers/

IL: DCFS director visits children’s shelter, worries for funding (Includes video)
WPSD – April 08, 2016
Children staying in foster care or shelters are often separated from their brothers and sisters, but a local Illinois shelter fights to keep them together. Visiting the Night’s Shield in West Frankfort on Friday, Illinois Director of the Department of Child and Family Services George Sheldon said he?s concerned about its future and the future of others like it in the state.
http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/story/31680081/illinois-dcfs-director-visits-childrens-shelter-worries-for-funding?clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass

MN: The need is urgent: Invest in our abused and neglected children (Opinion)
MinnPost – April 08, 2016
Here are some startling statistics that illustrate how child abuse has become an urgent health crisis: in 2014, deaths from child abuse and neglect exceeded deaths caused by childhood cancers. Nationally, 700,000 children were victims of child maltreatment in 2014, and Minnesota counties reported 70,000 cases of abuse and neglect that same year.
https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2016/04/need-urgent-invest-our-abused-and-neglected-children

MS: Video: Legal Expert Breaks Down HB 1523, Pt. 2
WCBI – April 08, 2016
“State government shall not take any discriminatory action against a religious organization. So we’re still talking about religious organizations, as it relates to adoption or foster care,” said Spruill. Pt. 1: http://www.wcbi.com/local-news/video-legal-expert-breaks-out-hb-1523-pt-1/
http://www.wcbi.com/local-news/video-legal-expert-breaks-down-hb-1523-part-2/

MT: Missoulian editorial: Focus on prevention to stop child abuse, neglect
The Missoulian – April 10, 2016
In Missoula, the number of child abuse and neglect cases jumped from 110 cases filed with the Missoula County Attorney’s Office in 2013 to 173 cases in 2015. County Attorney Kirsten Pabst noted “a direct correlation between meth and child abuse and neglect and serious domestic abuse cases,” and subsequently increased the number of civil division attorneys handling child abuse cases to three.
http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/editorial/missoulian-editorial-focus-on-prevention-to-stop-child-abuse-neglect/article_87792af5-afa2-5dab-bd92-11f3313200b2.html

NY: Senate Democrats to push bill to help child sex abuse victims seek justice against predators, public institutions
New York Daily News – April 10, 2016
State Senate Democrats are introducing a bill that would not only eliminate the time limits for child sex abuse victims to bring criminal or civil cases, but also make it easier for them to sue public institutions like schools, the Daily News has learned.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/dems-push-bill-child-sex-abuse-vics-seek-justice-article-1.2595528

PA: Advocacy Center raising awareness of child abuse
The Lebanon Reporter – April 08, 2016
Sixty-eight pinwheels whirl in the wind outside the Boone County Child Advocacy Center on East Washington Street in Lebanon this month, representing the number of child abuse cases so far investigated there, in observation of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
http://www.reporter.net/news/local_news/advocacy-center-raising-awareness-of-child-abuse/article_56b40c4b-d4d1-5537-93c2-78ecbdc5ecc3.html

PA: State seeing more heroin-addicted babies, abused children of addicted parents
Penn Live – April 08, 2016
A group of child welfare advocates is asking Pennsylvania leaders for a task force to address issues including ensuring proper care for babies born addicted to drugs including heroin, and protecting children being raised by addicted parents.
http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/04/advocates_heroin-addicted_babi.html

TX: Caseworkers, Kids Trapped in Collapsing Foster System
Texas Tribune – April 10, 2016
The Texas foster care system in which Hernandez works has been giving off increasingly desperate distress signals for months. Officials are scrambling to find homes for an influx of traumatized children, sometimes having them sleep in state office buildings or parking them in psychiatric hospitals. A recent federal court ruling condemned the state’s long-term foster care as an inhumane institution in which children “often age out of care more damaged than when they entered.”
https://www.texastribune.org/2016/04/10/children-caseworkers-under-pressure-amid-foster-ca/

TX: Report: Teen charged with killing Austin student was abused in foster care
Palm Beach Post – April 08, 2016
The 17-year-old runaway charged with murder in the homicide of University of Texas student Haruka Weiser described an unstable childhood in which he was a victim of violence while in the state’s foster care system, according to a 2014 profile published in a Texarkana high school student newspaper. Also: Foster child accused of murder while state system is in the courts: http://kxan.com/2016/04/10/child-protective-services-questioned-after-ut-homicide/
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/national/article-suspect-in-haruka-weisers-death-abused-whi/nq2zP/

WI: Gov. Scott Walker’s budget to include $29 million for mental health
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – April 08, 2016
In the wake of recent mass shootings in Wisconsin and elsewhere nationally, Gov. Scott Walker Wednesday proposed nearly $29 million more in state money for treating mental illness – a move that could have a big impact on efforts to update Milwaukee County’s outdated system of care.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/gov-scott-walkers-budget-to-include-29-million-for-mental-health-b68m2f2-190027561.html

US: Details of state legislation seeking religious protections
Associated Press – April 10, 2016
While some are narrowly tailored to protect clergy, others are written more broadly, potentially applying to an array of businesses. Some bills already have been sent to governors while others are pending in the legislature. A few already have failed to pass before legislative sessions ended.
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/news/20160408/details-of-state-legislation-seeking-religious-protections?Start=1

US: Conservative groups try to strike down Indian Child Welfare Act
Indianz – April 08, 2016
The battle is largely taking place in the courts. The Goldwater Institute of Arizona, for example, is seeking class action status for a lawsuit that claims ICWA violates the U.S. Constitution because, in the views of conservatives, it only applies to one “race” — Indian children. Also: Why A Conservative Legal Organization Is Desperately Trying To Kill The Indian Child Welfare Act: http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/04/08/3754462/indian-child-welfare-act-case-goldwater/
http://www.indianz.com/News/2016/020925.asp

US: Good Riddance to Term ‘Child Prostitute’ (Opinion)
Chronicle of Social Change – April 08, 2016
As a children’s social worker I believe the term “child prostitute” is inaccurate, misleading and should be removed from the conversation when discussing issues of sexually trafficked children. Thankfully the Associated Press now agrees. Information Gateway Resource: Child Welfare and Human Trafficking: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/trafficking.pdf
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/journalism-for-social-change/childrens-social-worker-sees-no-use-term-child-prostitute/17212

US: Poverty’s Link to Foster Care Removals? It’s in The Eyes Of The Workers (Opinion)
Chronicle of Social Change – April 08, 2016
In his recent post about financing child welfare, Sean Hughes implied that it is an exaggeration to say that children are removed from their families solely due to poverty. I suppose that depends on what one means by “due to poverty.”
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-welfare-2/povertys-link-removals-eyes-workers/17271

US: Protect Foster Parents from Unwarranted Allegations (Opinion)
Chronicle of Social Change – April 08, 2016
A major reason that many foster parents quit is the way our welfare systems handle allegations against them.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/blogger-co-op/protect-foster-parents-unwarranted-allegations/17145

US: When to Seek Out a Pediatric Social Worker – Q&A with an Expert
Huffington Post – April 08, 2016
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Liz Disterhoft & ask her a whole bunch of questions about the field of social work. Liz received her MSW from Simmons School of Social Work, & she has been working as a social worker in community health for eight years. She is currently a social worker at a unique pediatric practice that utilizes a team-based approach to care. This experience made her the perfect person to talk to about concerns that many parents have regarding their children & social work services.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shari-medini/when-to-seek-out-a-pediat_b_9638046.html

US: How Air Pollution Affects Babies Before They’re Born
Mother Jones – March 30, 2016
Air pollution leads to a whopping 16,000 premature births every year and costs the nation billions of dollars in medical costs and lost productivity, according to a study published Tuesday in Environmental Health Perspectives. This is the first study to estimate the number of preterm births due to air pollution, adding to a growing body of evidence linking air pollution to myriad health problems, from cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses to endocrine disruption and dementia.
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/03/air-pollution-premature-birth-study

INTERNATIONAL

Australia: Early start making a big difference in child protection
Brisbane Times – April 09, 2016
Child protection experts are cutting the need for children and teenagers to be removed from their families.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/early-start-making–a-big-difference-in-child-protection-20160331-gnv5z6.html

Canada: Open adoptions in Alberta hindered by online profile ban, say potential parents
CBC News – February 04, 2016
Birth moms can’t see web profiles of potential Alberta parents like they can in other provinces.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-adoption-publicity-ban-challenged-1.3432932

International: Outcomes for Orphans in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Consistent, Regardless of Care Setting
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development – April 08, 2016
Several prominent studies, mainly focused on very young children in European countries, have suggested that institutional care in a group home is more damaging to children than family-based or foster care. As a result, institutional care is often viewed as an option of last resort. The Positive Outcomes for Orphans (POFO) study explored individual, family, community, and structural factors that influence positive outcomes for orphaned and abandoned children.
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/Pages/040816-orphan-outcomes.aspx

Uganda: Cleveland pastor and his family create a family restoration center in Uganda
Chattanooga Times Free Press – April 09, 2016
On March 9, after an emotional send-off from family and friends, Bucky and Julie Rogers boarded a plane with 15 suitcases containing everything they owned. The next day, they landed in an African country that would become their permanent home — Uganda.
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/life/entertainment/story/2016/apr/09/building-community-love-uganda/359249/

AZ: April is child abuse awareness month (Includes video)
Tucson News Now – April 07, 2016
“Everyone plays a role in child abuse prevention whether you’re a teacher, you work in this field, or a neighbor watching an overstressed parent,” said Huhn. “Kids struggle in many different ways so you just need to open your eyes and what’s happening around you.”
http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/31664685/april-is-child-abuse-awareness-month

AZ: Not enough progress on child abuse
Prescott Valley Tribune – April 06, 2016
If the Arizona Legislature was serious about limiting the cases of child abuse in this state, they’d be proactive, said Rebecca Ruffner, executive director for Prevent Child Abuse Arizona.
http://pvtrib.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=64527

AZ: SV’s Gowan won’t debate same sex adoption issue in Arizona House
Sierra Vista Herald – April 06, 2016
A top House Democrat on Wednesday blasted Republican leaders for refusing to update laws that effectively give preference to heterosexual couples in adopting children–or even agree to debate the issue.
http://www.svherald.com/news/sv-s-gowan-won-t-debate-samesex-adoption-issue-in/article_cc180516-fc5d-11e5-9fda-2b422c5430ce.html

CA: Family of 8-year-old Palmdale boy vindicated after charges filed against social workers
Los Angeles Daily News – April 07, 2016
Child abuse charges filed against four Los Angeles County social workers on Thursday brought a sense of justice to the family of Gabriel Fernandez, an 8-year-old boy whose mother and her boyfriend are accused of torturing to death in Palmdale in 2013 and whose case came to symbolize indifference by child protective services staffers. Also: In case of fatal torture of Calif. 8-year-old, are his social workers responsible?: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/04/08/the-fatal-torture-of-a-calif-8-year-old-was-a-disgrace-to-our-nation-are-his-social-workers-responsible/
http://www.dailybreeze.com/general-news/20160407/family-of-8-year-old-palmdale-boy-vindicated-after-charges-filed-against-social-workers

CA: Partnership aims to aid underprivileged families
Daily Trojan – April 07, 2016
A USC-affiliated program is conducting a study that will help underserved families gain access to the resources they need for their children to be successful. The new program combines the national organization Parents as Teachers, which supports families with young children, with USC Telehealth, a virtual counseling and therapy clinic.
http://dailytrojan.com/2016/04/07/partnership-aims-aid-underprivileged-families/

CA: YouthBuild Chico offers dropouts and young offenders a diploma and vocational training
The News-Review – April 07, 2016
YouthBuild is an international organization that operates in 46 states and 27 countries. To qualify for the program, students must be between 16 and 24 years old and have been convicted of a crime or left high school without a diploma. Many students hail from low-income households and have experienced homelessness, addiction and the foster care system. Homeless students, those who’ve suffered addiction and those referred by the BCSO are placed in transitional or sober-living facilities while attending YouthBuild. The program is funded by grants.
https://www.newsreview.com/chico/second-chances/content?oid=20558330

CA: San Francisco Now Has Nation’s Most Generous Family Leave Policy
Rewire – April 06, 2016
San Francisco on Tuesday became the first place in the country to require that employers provide six weeks of fully paid leave to new parents. The sweeping benefit is the first of its kind in the country, which remains the only industrialized nation not to guarantee paid parental leave to all workers.
https://rewire.news/article/2016/04/06/san-francisco-now-nations-generous-family-leave-policy/

CO: Teens Aging Out Of Foster Care Face Difficult Challenges (Includes video)
CBS4 – April 06, 2016
Every year thousands of teens age out of the foster care system on their 18th birthday. They are on their own whether they?re ready for it or not. And statistics show they don’t fare well. Many of them end up homeless, unemployed, drug addicted, or in jail. Gordon Davidson faced that same fate.
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2016/04/06/teens-aging-out-foster-care-challenges/

FL: Group foster home keeps siblings together
Panama City News Herald – April 07, 2016
Though there are other group foster homes in the area, this facility is unique in that it takes in only sibling groups. In the surrounding six-county area, it is the only program equipped to handle siblings for long-term fostering; only two similar programs exist in the state. Information Gateway Resource: Sibling Groups in Out-of-Home Care: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/outofhome/casework/children/siblings/
http://www.newsherald.com/news/20160407/group-foster-home-keeps-siblings-together?rssfeed=true

FL: Some children need a GAL in their corner (Opinion)
The Times – April 06, 2016
The GAL volunteer child advocate makes a difference. Children with a GAL volunteer are less likely to linger in foster care and less likely to return to the system. They also are more likely to find a forever family if they end up going through the adoption process.
http://www.apalachtimes.com/news/20160406/some-children-need-gal-in-their-corner?rssfeed=true

GA: Considering the adoption route? In Georgia, there’s more than one path (Opinion)
AJC – April 06, 2016
More and more people are considering adoption as a way to grow their families, but the process can be a long and arduous one with many twists and turns along the road. Where do you turn for help and what can families expect as they make the journey toward parenthood?
http://www.ajc.com/news/lifestyles/parenting/considering-adoption-route-georgia-theres-more-one/nqzPd/

IA: Gov. Branstad signs 29 bills into law (Press release)
Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa Terry Branstad – April 06, 2016
Senate File 2258–an Act concerning child welfare, including provisions relating to children under the custody, control, and supervision of the department of human services and provisions relating to children who are sex trafficking victims. Link to Act: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGE/86/SF2258.pdf
https://governor.iowa.gov/2016/04/gov-branstad-signs-29-bills-into-law

IL: Rockford Mayor To Tap ‘Collective Impact’ To Tackle City’s Biggest Challenges
WNIU – April 07, 2016
Rockford’s mayor wants to expand the system his city used to end homelessness among veterans. Larry Morrissey delivered his 11th annual State of the City address Wednesday night. He says it means identifying the city’s toughest challenges, focusing the right people on solutions, and tracking results. Morrissey calls it “collective impact” and would like to tackle the problem of child abuse using the same technique.
http://northernpublicradio.org/post/rockford-mayor-tap-collective-impact-tackle-citys-biggest-challenges

LA: Cash-strapped Louisiana’s Child abuse program could scare dickens out of you
Bayou Buzz – April 07, 2016
How much have things improved in Louisiana? Not so much if you look closely at recent stories about the State Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Tom Aswell of Louisiana Voice, examined the file of the case worker arrested for falsely reporting her visits to foster homes amid claims by others that supervisors instructed them to do “drive-by” visits and see foster parents in the driveway, instead of the mandated in-home visits with both foster parent and child interviewed separately.
http://www.bayoubuzz.com/bb/item/1061612-cash-strapped-louisiana-s-child-abuse-program-could-scare-dickens-out-of-you

MA: 5 Lessons for Developing a Mobile Workforce (Industry Perspective)
Government Technology – April 06, 2016
In the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families’ journey to become a mobile agency, they learned five important lessons that human services and other agencies can use.
http://www.govtech.com/opinion/5-Lessons-for-Developing-a-Mobile-Workforce.html

MI: Lutheran Social Services Michigan changes name
Detroit Free Press – April 07, 2016
Lutheran Social Services of Michigan has changed its name to Samaritas–after the Good Samaritan story in the Bible–to avoid confusion about whether it serves or employs only Lutherans.
http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/04/06/lutheran-social-services-michigan-changes-name/82700516/

MN: Cass County Board: Growing cases mean growing staff in HHVS office
Brainerd Dispatch – April 07, 2016
State changes to child protection laws in 2015 meant the county had to adapt to 93 new rules to ensure child safety when maltreatment is reported. This has meant hiring additional staff and more closely coordinating service of HHVS social workers with those of sheriff’s deputies and the county attorney’s office for initial report responses.
http://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/4004599-cass-county-board-growing-cases-mean-growing-staff-hhvs-office

MO: Kansas City mayors work together protecting newborns (Includes video)
KCTV – April 07, 2016
Since 2002, more than fifty newborns have been saved in Missouri and Kansas by a law authorities say isn’t known well enough. Thursday, local mayors came together to make more people aware of the safe haven laws available to distraught parents
http://www.kctv5.com/story/31671580/kansas-city-mayors-work-together-protecting-newborns

MT: Research suggests children require stability to ease trauma of long foster care stays
Char-Koosta News – April 07, 2016
Limiting the time a child is in foster care improves mental health outcomes, according to Casey Family Programs research investigator Peter Pecora. For youth in prolonged foster, there are strategies for resilience.
http://www.charkoosta.com/2016/2016_04_07/Foster_Care-HGF.html

NC: Lawmakers Look for Ways to Help Foster, Homeless Kids
North Carolina Health News – April 07, 2016
Thousands of kids in the foster care system founder as they reach adulthood. But there’s movement in the General Assembly to make their lives better.
http://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2016/04/07/lawmakers-look-for-ways-to-help-foster-homeless-kids/

NC: Forcing Mental Health Merger (Opinion)
Rhino Times – April 06, 2016
Sandhills Center in West End, North Carolina, the local management entity (LME) that administers mental health and substance abuse services across Guilford County and eight other counties, is being forced to combine its services with Alliance Behavioral Healthcare. The move will add four more counties to the group Guilford County is now in and create a new collective with the seemingly haphazard mix of counties that the state has put together. Once that merger is complete, Guilford County–which is already reeling from losing local control of its mental health services several years ago–will be in an administrative collective that includes Durham, Wake, Johnston and Cumberland counties.
http://www.rhinotimes.com/Content/Default/State/Article/Forcing-Mental-Health-Merger/-3/27/1137

NJ: Action on child abuse needs to improve
Jersey Journal – April 07, 2016
A primary weakness in preventing abuse is the confounding reality that a majority of children who are abused do not get investigated by child protective services.
http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2016/04/action_on_child_abuse_needs_to.html

OR: $16M lawsuit claims DHS failed to protect kids from months of abuse (Includes video)
KPTV – April 06, 2016
A $16.32 million dollar lawsuit filed against the state claims the Department of Human Services failed to protect three kids from months of abuse and even placed them with a foster family that did not speak their own language.
http://www.kptv.com/story/31661617/16m-lawsuit-claims-dhs-failed-to-protect-kids-from-months-of-abuse

RI: Catherine Lewis: Cowardly Raimondo administration scapegoats DCYF worker (Opinion)
Providence Journal – April 08, 2016
Having worked for more than 30 years as a child welfare social worker, I’m well aware of the enormous responsibilities Rhode Island assumes when placing abused and neglected children with foster families. Licensing foster homes requires very thorough, careful work and, in an agency as large as the Department of Children, Youth and Families, it also demands adequate staff. To learn that Kevin Savage, chief of licensing at DCYF, is being “laid off” in response to the department’s refusal to adequately staff the licensing unit speaks entirely to the administration’s interest in protecting itself rather than the children it is charged to care for.
http://www.providencejournal.com/opinion/20160408/catherine-lewis-cowardly-raimondo-administration-scapegoats-dcyf-worker?rssfeed=true

RI: Senate unanimously approves new child advocate
Providence Journal – April 07, 2016
Jennifer Griffith has spent 10 years as an attorney with Rhode Island Legal Services. On Thursday, she was confirmed as the state’s new child advocate.
http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160407/ri-senate-unanimously-approves-new-child-advocate?rssfeed=true

TX: Foster Care, Dead Children and Greg Abbott’s Cognitive Dissonance (Opinion)
Houston Press – April 07, 2016
It was as if, for the first time, Abbott had been made aware of problems in the state foster care system. But his emails belie the fact that, as attorney general, Abbott vigorously fought a class-action lawsuit that was filed expressly to minimize the risks that thousands of foster children deal with while in the state’s custody. The state lost in December 2015, when U.S. District Court Judge Janis Jack ordered the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to address problems that had been dodged for decades.
http://www.houstonpress.com/news/foster-care-dead-children-and-greg-abbotts-cognitive-dissonance-8301677

US: Breaking: Federal Agency Publishes Proposed Rule, Announces Major Grant to Implement ICWA
Indian Country Today – April 07, 2016
Signaling continued federal intent to support the Indian Child Welfare Act, today the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a supplemental proposed rule that will require state child welfare agencies to collect and report data on American Indian children in foster care under the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). Proposed rule: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/04/07/2016-07920/adoption-and-foster-care-analysis-and-reporting-system Information Gateway Resource: Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA): https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/diverse-populations/americanindian/icwa/
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/04/07/breaking-federal-agency-publishes-proposed-rule-announces-major-grant-implement-icwa

US: Eight Years Later, “Foster Care to 21” Moving Toward a Majority in U.S.
The Chronicle of Social Change – April 07, 2016
The Alaska House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill late last week that would enable foster youth to remain in care until age 21.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/youth-services-insider/alaska-might-extend-care-21/17163

US: What Children’s Brains Tell Us About Trauma: Invest Early (Opinion)
The Chronicle of Social Change – March 09, 2016
If we are serious about helping children, we must ask ourselves with greater urgency: At what point should we begin to pay attention to families who are at risk?
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/featured/what-childrens-brains-are-telling-us-about-trauma-invest-early/16468

INTERNATIONAL

Finland: Partnership between Fazer and SOS Children’s Villages continues — co-operation enables building new types of children’s villages (Press release)
Fazer Group – April 07, 2016
The three-year partnership agreement between Fazer and SOS Children’s Villages was renewed in the end of March. The co-operation has continued for 40 years. During the next few years, financial support will be directed especially to the Children’s Villages in Espoo and Vantaa, representing a new type of children’s villages where foster homes are integrated into the rest of the population in the neighbourhood. Fazer supports SOS Children’s Villages’ child welfare work also in other countries.
http://news.cision.com/fazer-group/r/partnership-between-fazer-and-sos-children-s-villages-continues—co-operation-enables-building-new-,c9950323

Norway: Norwegian Christian Family Regains Custody of Youngest Son
KPDQ – April 07, 2016
Although corporal punishment is illegal in Norway, many protested the Barnevernet’s removal of the Bodnariu’s children. Christian Today reports that a petition calling for the return of all the children to their family has been signed by around 60,000 people. Additionally, hundreds of Christians have protested outside Norwegian embassies across Europe.
http://www.kpdq.com/11752733/

CA: In Compliance? A state investigation brings Humboldt’s child abuse epidemic into the spotlight
North Coast Journal – April 07, 2016
The California Attorney General’s Office has launched an investigation into the the Humboldt Department of Health and Human Services’ handling of reports of child abuse and neglect, and specifically whether it is in compliance with state law. But the department isn’t cooperating and has so far refused to turn over a host of documents requested by the state’s top law enforcement office.
http://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/in-compliance/Content?oid=3677389

CA: No Place Like Home: State bill would use bond money to house homeless
The Ukiah Daily Journal – April 06, 2016
With the recent closure of the emergency winter shelter in Ukiah, state and local agencies are drawing new plans to address the needs of inland Mendocino’s homeless population. On the state level, Sen. Mike McGuire is spreading the word about the No Place Like Home initiative, which will draw funds from a variety of sources to provide housing, rental subsidies, and mental health and addiction treatments to those who are homeless or most at risk of losing their homes.
http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/general-news/20160406/no-place-like-home-state-bill-would-use-bond-money-to-house-homeless

CA: San Bernardino City Unified’s anti-absenteeism program wins state award
The Sun – April 06, 2016
The SBCUSD SARB goes beyond just a punitive approach to fixing the problem, and instead looks at other reasons families might have trouble getting students to school on time — or at all. The review board can refer students to community services like counseling, parenting classes or clothing assistance. Information Gateway resource: Collaborations and Partnerships: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/developing/collaboration/
http://www.sbsun.com/social-affairs/20160406/san-bernardino-city-unifieds-anti-absenteeism-program-wins-state-award

DE: Beau Biden Foundation unveils mission to fight abuse (Includes video)
The News Journal – April 06, 2016
A foundation honoring the late Beau Biden shared on Wednesday its vision for how it will move forward with the former state attorney general’s mission to protect children from sexual predators.
http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2016/04/06/beau-biden-foundation-unveils-mission-fight-abuse/82667238/

FL: Woman accused of child abuse works for child protection agency
WMBB – April 06, 2016
As News 13 first reported Tuesday, one of the women works for the Florida Department of Corrections as a corrections officer. The second woman works for an agency that offers adoption, foster care and counseling services to local families.
http://www.mypanhandle.com/news/woman-accused-of-child-abuse-works-for-child-protection-agency

GA: Same-Sex Couples Still Face Hurdles To Foster, Adopt (Includes audio)
WABE – NPR – April 06, 2016
While the U.S. Supreme Court has weighed in on the legality of same-sex marriage, 10 months later, states like Georgia are still figuring how to interpret that ruling. One of the lingering questions is whether the court’s decision extends to state-run services like foster care and adoptions, especially for agencies that receive funding through government contracts.
http://news.wabe.org/post/ga-same-sex-couples-still-face-hurdles-foster-adopt

MN: County loses public services leader
Pine Journal – April 01, 2016
The Carlton County Board of Commissioners accepted Dave Lee’s resignation with regret Monday, as the director of the county’s Public Health and Human Services department prepares to take the same position in St. Louis County. The move is bittersweet for Lee, who’s worked for the county more than 16 years and been PHHS director for 11.
http://www.pinejournal.com/news/government/3999137-county-loses-public-services-leader

MO: Boone County ranked ninth in Missouri in child well-being (Correction)
Columbia Missourian – April 05, 2016
Boone County has the ninth-best living conditions for children out of 114 counties in Missouri and the city of St. Louis, according to the annual Missouri Kids Count Data Book, which was released Tuesday. Data book: http://missourikidscountdata.org/Missouri_Kids_Count_2016.pdf
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/k12_education/boone-county-ranked-ninth-in-missouri-in-child-well-being/article_fdda71a6-fb86-11e5-abc5-4f2bc623f693.html

NJ: Child abuse reporting, investigation needs to improve: Parenting with Pete (Opinion)
The Jersey Journal – April 06, 2016
We know how to prevent child abuse. A primary weakness in preventing abuse is the confounding reality that a majority of children who are abused do not get investigated by child protective services. The Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect: https://www.nis4.org/index.htm
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2016/04/child_abuse_reporting_investigation_needs_to_impro.html

NY: County officials note rise in child-abuse cases
The Daily Star – April 06, 2016
For all of the past four decades, Bill Hayes has been on the front lines of helping to strengthen the safety net for families in crisis. This year, though, he is particularly concerned with a worrisome statistical barometer–a rapid escalation of reports of child abuse and neglect across Otsego County.
http://www.thedailystar.com/news/local_news/county-officials-note-rise-in-child-abuse-cases/article_1a4b1fef-f275-5cfb-a49c-39e4c7e3ae2a.html

NY: Foster Parents Are The Best Therapy For Traumatized Children In The System (Opinion) (Includes audio)
WXXI – April 06, 2016
In 2014–the most recent year for which data is available–a total 650,000 kids spent at least part of the year in foster care. And in most places, there are not enough qualified foster parents to take them all in. About 21 percent of kids in the system are not in long term family placements.
http://wxxinews.org/post/foster-parents-are-best-therapy-traumatized-children-system

NY: New York Tries New Ways to Increase Stability for Kids in Foster Care
Youth Today – April 06, 2016
Placement in the child welfare system is traumatizing for children, says Forbes, and they frequently react with challenging, defiant behavior. Without skills to deal with that behavior, foster parents can easily become overwhelmed and tensions quickly escalate.
http://youthtoday.org/2016/04/new-york-tries-new-ways-to-increase-stability-for-kids-in-foster-care/

OR: Court advocates give vulnerable kids a voice (Opinion)
The Register-Guard – April 07, 2016
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month? Child abuse prevention should be a year-round endeavor. Currently in Lane County there are 1,500 children in the foster care system. The average time a child spends in foster care is almost two years, with an average of three changes in foster homes.
http://registerguard.com/rg/opinion/34232304-78/court-advocates-give-vulnerable-kids-a-voice.html.csp

RI: Child Welfare Officials Respond To Critical Report On Child Deaths
Rhode Island Public Radio – April 06, 2016
Child welfare officials say they are already working to correct several problems highlighted in a report from the Office of the Child Advocate, which found two infants’ deaths could have been prevented. The report looked at the deaths of three infants, two in state care and one whose parents had prior contact with the child welfare system.
http://ripr.org/post/child-welfare-officials-respond-critical-report-child-deaths

TN: Transgender bathroom bill advances over businesses’ opposition
The Tennessean – April 06, 2016
Despite rising opposition from prominent businesses, a controversial bill that would require students to use restrooms that correspond with their sex at birth received approval from a House education committee on Wednesday. Also: Legislative Assault on Trans Students in TN Advances Despite National Outcry on Similar Law in NC: http://www.hrc.org/blog/legislative-assault-on-trans-students-in-tn-advances-despite-national-outcr?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2016/04/06/more-businesses-join-opposition-bathroom-bill/82709996/

TX: Dallas State Senator: CPS System Needs a Fix (Opinion) (Includes video)
NBC5 – April 06, 2016
State Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, says North Texas’ child protective service system is a crisis that needs a solution.
http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Dallas-State-Senator-CPS-is-a-crisis-374828551.html

TX: Let’s work for ‘no child left behind’ in abuse (Opinion)
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post – April 06, 2016
Research shows that when parents possess six protective factors, the risk for neglect and abuse are diminished and the best outcomes are promoted for healthy children and families. Also: Program strives to end child abuse in Arlington: http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/program-strives-to-end-child-abuse-in-arlington/article_bc959b26-f75d-11e5-9653-934b250348b6.html Also: Breaking the cycle of child abuse (Opinion): http://www.dailytribune.net/opinion/breaking-the-cycle-of-child-abuse/article_9ffcd4b6-fb7c-11e5-afc8-376da9418140.html Also: Dallas State Senator: CPS System Needs a Fix (Opinion) (Includes video) (Opinion): http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Dallas-State-Senator-CPS-is-a-crisis-374828551.html
http://www.fredericksburgstandard.com/articles/2016/04/06/lets-work-no-child-left-behind-abuse

TX: Harris County’s most wanted offenders highlighted at Child Abuse Prevention Month kickoff
KPRC Houston – April 05, 2016
More than 66,000 children were victims of abuse in Texas last year — including over 6,000 in Harris County alone. Also: Child Abuse Prevention Month – Texas Statistics (Press release from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services): http://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/news/child-abuse-prevention-month-texas-statistics
http://www.click2houston.com/news/harris-countys-most-wanted-offenders-highlighted-at-child-abuse-prevention-month-kickoff

US: For Nontraditional Families, The Tax Code Can Be Especially Confusing (Includes audio)
National Public Radio – April 07, 2016
“Every year up until now, we’ve been fine doing our taxes,” says Franklin, who works in a warehouse. But this year, the IRS rejected both his and his fiancée’s returns. He says it could be because they aren’t married, don’t share a last name, or because the kids have different fathers. “It is hard for a blended family when you’re not married as of yet, to try to claim taxes and get the money for supporting your kids over the year,” he says. After receiving notice they would be audited, he’s spent 10 to 12 hours at tax clinics trying to refile.
http://www.npr.org/2016/04/07/472663018/for-nontraditional-families-the-tax-code-can-be-especially-confusing?ft=nprml&f=2,3,46

US: So Little to Ask For: A Home (Opinion)
New York Times – April 07, 2016
In a year in which there finally is serious talk about inequality, the ultimate poverty is lack of shelter. And the good news is that in the last decade or so, we’ve figured out what works to address it; the problem is not inevitable. The Housing First approach, which gets people quickly into permanent housing and then offers support services to keep them there, seems particularly cost-effective. Family homelessness is down almost one-fifth since 2010, and veteran homelessness is down much more — two states say they have functionally ended homelessness of veterans.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/07/opinion/so-little-to-ask-for-a-home.html

INTERNATIONAL

Australia: Olympic chief: Child abuse laws as important as anti-doping
Associated Press – April 07, 2016
The head of the Australian Olympic Committee says child abuse prevention needs to be elevated to the same importance as the anti-doping code within the Olympic charter. AOC president John Coates gave evidence on Thursday at a national commission hearing which is investigating child protection policies and strategies within sporting institutions.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2016/04/07/olympic-chief-child-abuse-laws-as-important-as-anti-doping/82735576/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=usatodaycomolymp

Commonwealth of the Bahamas: 142 Child Abuse Cases In Grand Bahama
Bahamas Tribune – April 06, 2016
There were 142 child abuse cases reported in Grand Bahama in 2015, Assistant Director of Social Services Paula Marshall said on Tuesday while announcing this year’s plans for Child Protection Month.
http://www.tribune242.com/news/2016/apr/06/142-child-abuse-cases-grand-bahama/?news

AZ: Families claim they were falsely accused of child neglect or abuse (Includes video)
Cronkite News – April 04, 2015
An activist group claims some families have been falsely accused of child abuse and neglect. State and hospital officials responded they have to balance protecting children with respecting family rights.
https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2016/04/04/families-claim-they-were-falsely-accused-of-child-neglect-or-abuse/

CA: Supervisors focus on reunification policies in child welfare cases
Davis Enterprise – April 06, 2016
Instead, under a policy approved by the board on Tuesday, a process will be created where when the county counsel determines that a case may fall into one of the exception categories, a committee of the social worker, two supervisors and the child welfare services manager would attempt to reach a consensus on whether to recommend bypass or not. If there is no consensus, the matter would go to the director of health and human services to determine what recommendation to make to the court. Also: Yolo Supervisors OK draft document for child welfare services: http://www.dailydemocrat.com/general-news/20160405/yolo-supervisors-ok-draft-document-for-child-welfare-services
http://www.davisenterprise.com/local-news/county-government/supervisors-focus-on-reunification-policies-in-child-welfare-cases/

CO: Mayor Hancock, DHS, Denver Health Announce New Program Aimed at Strengthening Family Wellness (Press release)
DenverGov.org – April 04, 2016
Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock joined Denver Human Services Deputy Executive Director Jeff Holliday and officials from Denver Health today to launch a new Nurse-Family Wellness Program designed to help strengthen families in the Mile High City. The goal of the program is to connect families who encounter the child welfare system with expertise from Denver Health nurses to help them learn positive parenting techniques.
http://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-human-services/newsroom/2016/CAPM_Kickoff_2016.html

CO: Child abuse on the rise in Mesa County, reports say (Includes video)
KJCT8.com – April 04, 2015
More than 400 kids in Mesa County were facing abuse or neglect in 2015, according to the Western Slope Center for Children.
http://www.kjct8.com/content/news/Child-abuse-is-on-the-rise-in-Mesa-County-374550771.html

FL: Tighten up child protection procedures with greater diligence (Opinion)
Bradenton Herald – April 05, 2016
In two cases involving child abuse deaths, the final disciplinary verdict has been rendered against a total of nine employees of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Child Protective Investigative Division.
http://www.bradenton.com/opinion/editorials/article69881467.html

IL: DCFS steps up monitoring after teen’s death at residential center
Chicago Tribune – April 05, 2016
State child welfare officials have stepped up monitoring and stopped placing youths at a Lake Villa residential facility as they try to piece together the circumstances that led to the death of a 16-year-old boy last week.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/rtc/ct-allendale-death-monitors-met-20160405-story.html

KY: Bill aims to help child abuse victims (Includes video)
WPSD Local 6 – April 04, 2016
Kentucky Senate Bill 60 aims to make a child’s generalized testimony count when they’ve experienced ongoing abuse over time. The law would allow victims to testify about the ongoing conduct instead of having to detail every specific incident like they have to do now.
http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/story/31642019/bill-aims-to-help-child-abuse-victims

MA: State police, child welfare agency launch new human trafficking unit (Includes video)
Boston Herald – April 05, 2016
The Baker administration today announced the creation of a Human Trafficking Unit within the Massachusetts State Police as well as a new cooperative effort between state cops and the Department of Children and families aimed at stopping sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2016/04/state_police_child_welfare_agency_launch_new_human_trafficking_unit

MN: Cass County Board: State skips Cass child protection funding
Brainerd Daily Dispatch – April 05, 2016
Cass received $108,000 last July, but expected another $27,000 by year end. The county did not receive the second payment.
http://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/4002648-cass-county-board-state-skips-cass-child-protection-funding

MS: Boone County ranked ninth in Missouri in child well-being
Columbia Missourian – April 05, 2016
Boone County has the ninth-best living conditions for children out of 114 counties in Missouri and the city of St. Louis, according to the annual Missouri Kids Count Data Book, which was released Tuesday. Data book: http://missourikidscountdata.org/Missouri_Kids_Count_2016.pdf
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/k12_education/boone-county-ranked-ninth-in-missouri-in-child-well-being/article_fdda71a6-fb86-11e5-abc5-4f2bc623f693.html

NH: Lawyers: Privacy shields DCYF in sex abuse case
New Hampshire Union Leader – April 05, 2016
Attorneys representing the adoptive parents of two children who were victims in a highly publicized Claremont sexual abuse case argued before the state Supreme Court that a lawsuit they plan to file should be filed in public court, to shed light on the way the case was handled by child protection agencies.
http://www.unionleader.com/Lawyers-Privacy-shields-DCYF-in-sex-abuse-case&source=RSS

NM: Gov. names April month to help prevent child abuse
Albuquerque Journal – April 05, 2016
Gov. Susana Martinez on Monday signed a proclamation naming April as Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.
http://www.abqjournal.com/751490/news/gov-names-april-month-to-help-prevent-child-abuse.html

PA: Child abuse prevention: Raising awareness and reporting within community
WJAC Johnstown – April 05, 2016
The Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance is urging those in the community to step up and be vigilant in the role of protecting kids.
http://wjactv.com/news/local/child-abuse-prevention-raising-awareness-and-reporting-child-abuse-within-community

PA: Philadelphia’s Child Welfare Reform Suffers Growing Pains
CBS Philly – April 05, 2016
Philadelphia’s child welfare system is suffering from overloaded case workers, who often lack the tools and training they need to protect children, according to advocates and officials inside and outside the system.
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2016/04/05/philadelphias-child-welfare-reform-suffers-growing-pains/

SD: State agency: April serves as child abuse prevention month
Associated Press – April 05, 2016
The South Dakota Department of Social Services is encouraging all state residents to work together to help keep children safe and to offer the support necessary for families to stay together. Information Gateway Resource: National Child Abuse Prevention Month: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth2015/
http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-and-regional/south-dakota/state-agency-april-serves-as-child-abuse-prevention-month/article_d3ef4f53-d8eb-5e16-aa11-12f4313aa81e.html

TX: Amid tumult in Texas protective services, Dallas region’s CPS director retires
Dallas Morning News – April 05, 2016
Jackie Freeman, who has been CPS director for a 19-county region that includes Dallas-Fort Worth, is retiring April 30, George Cannata, CPS’ deputy assistant commissioner, announced to agency employees in an email Tuesday morning.
http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2016/04/amid-tumult-in-texas-protective-services-dallas-regions-cps-director-retires.html/

TX: Emails Show Abbott’s Involvement at Child Welfare Agency
Texas Tribune – April 05, 2016
In the days following the infant’s death, Abbott’s aides sent dozens of emails to executives at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services seeking to understand how Child Protective Services had allowed Hull to live in a home where she would be murdered, and trying to determine how many other children might be at risk.
http://www.texastribune.org/2016/04/05/emails-show-abbotts-involvement-child-welfare-agen/

US: Our children must be protected — no matter the cost (Opinion)
Galveston County Daily News – April 06, 2016
When states cut budgets, the first cut is to unleveraged budget items (straight general revenue line items) while agencies maintain funding for line items receiving federal matches. Title IV-E and Title IV-B funds should be gradually shifted to paying for proven, cost-effective prevention initiatives that yield a positive return on investment.
http://www.galvnews.com/opinion/guest_columns/article_cc1ca954-0d8a-59d9-81b3-ba7c5c845cab.html

US: The IV-E “Lookback” Is a Bureaucratic Nightmare; Here’s Why We Should Keep It
The Chronicle of Social Change – April 05, 2016
Before a state can be reimbursed for much of the cost of a given placement under Title IV-E, the state has to “look back” and determine whether the birth parents from whom the child was taken would have qualified for Aid to Families with Dependent Children – based on income limits in effect when that program was abolished in 1996. Because eligibility is linked to this standard, getting rid of this approach is called “delinking.” Also: The $2 Billion Question: Why Haven’t We De-Linked? https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/finance-reform/2-billion-question-havent-de-linked/17125
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-welfare-2/iv-e-lookback-bureaucratic-nightmare-heres-keep/17193

INTERNATIONAL

Colombia: Child welfare workers strike over starving children
Colombia Reports – April 05, 2016
Approximately 7,000 “community mothers” began an indefinite strike on Monday, amid ongoing concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian situation of the poorest of Colombia’s children.
http://colombiareports.com/colombias-community-health-workers-strike-starving-children/

Singapore: Christopher de Souza: Make compulsory adoption information in abortion counselling
The Independent – April 05, 2016
The MP asked the government to include information about adoption in the mandatory pre-abortion consultations pregnant women in Singapore have to go through before terminating their pregnancies.
http://theindependent.sg/christopher-de-souza-make-compulsory-adoption-information-in-abortion-counselling/

United Kingdom: Lack of professional assertiveness a factor in case where child died, review finds
Community Care – April 05, 2016
A lack of professional assertiveness in the face of high workloads and obstructive parents was a factor in agencies’ failure to protect a 10-day-old child who died, a serious case review has found.
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2016/04/05/lack-professional-assertiveness-factor-case-child-died-review-finds/

 

CA: Board of Supervisors Looks to Potentially Alter Bypass of Family Reunification Services Policy
Davis Vanguard – April 04, 2016
At their last meeting, on March 22, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors looked into organizational and policy changes within Child Welfare Services. As a result of that meeting, an ad hoc subcommittee of Supervisors Jim Provenza and Matt Rexroad was created.
http://www.davisvanguard.org/2016/04/board-supervisors-looks-potentially-alter-bypass-family-reunification-services-policy/

CA: Editorial: We are failing our children
Record Searchlight – April 03, 2016
The statistics hit like a kick in the gut: 1 in 14 Shasta County children will be put into foster care before their 5th birthday. One in four — that’s 25 percent — of Shasta County children will be suspected of being abused or neglected. In 88 percent of the cases where children are taken from their homes, it’s due to substance abuse. All this adds up to a dubious dishonor: Shasta County has the state’s second highest rate of children in foster care.
http://www.redding.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-we-are-failing-our-children-2f70f035-4535-017c-e053-0100007f0f7f–374328731.html

CA: Police Officer Plays Hopscotch With Homeless Girl — Cleverly Uses The Game To Learn About The Child’s Welfare
Inquisitr – April 02, 2016
When Officer Zach Pricer from Southern California realized he was dealing with a delicate situation involving a homeless mother and daughter, he decided to humanely handle the situation and playfully diffuse the tension. Instead of making the young child endure the trauma of the legal process, he chose to engage her in a game of hopscotch, while his colleagues took care of the formalities.
http://www.inquisitr.com/2953034/police-officer-plays-hopscotch-with-homeless-girl-cleverly-uses-the-game-to-learn-about-the-childs-welfare/

CA: Questions raised about effectiveness of CPS
Bay Area News Group and Democrat – April 02, 2016
The tragic deaths of Shaun and Delylah Tara, whose bodies were found last December in a Northern California storage locker, again have thrust the state’s Child Protective Services departments into a harsh spotlight, raising questions about whether the agencies can truly protect the state’s most vulnerable children.
http://www.dailydemocrat.com/general-news/20160402/questions-raised-about-effectiveness-of-cps

DE: Delaware takes aim at human trafficking
Delaware State News – April 02, 2016
Most women prostitutes became involved as teenagers, according to Ms. McDonough. “Family members sometimes put them into prostitution, and others ran away from dysfunctional families or foster care, and into the arms of the pimp who held himself out as their boyfriend.”
http://delawarestatenews.net/police/delaware-takes-aim-human-trafficking/

FL: Jim O’Malley: One year after Phoebe: We must do more to protect children
Tampa Tribune – April 05, 2016
I am virtually certain that Phoebe would be alive today if she had been assigned a guardian ad litem (GAL). There are many other cases that also should have a GAL, but we simply do not have enough to cover them all. More volunteers are needed to help children who, through no fault of their own, have been removed from their parents.
http://www.tbo.com/list/news-opinion-commentary/jim-omalley-one-year-after-phoebe-we-must-do-more-to-protect-children-20160405/#sthash.6Oos62hr.dpuf

FL: Editorial: When children aren’t protected
Southwest Florida Herald Tribune – April 02, 2016
Confronted with ambiguous hints of child abuse, investigators and their supervisors weren’t thorough enough when looking into two troubled families, new Manatee Sheriff’s Office reviews have found. In both cases a child later died, raising questions about the failure to provide effective interventions.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20160402/OPINION/160409938/-1/news0101?Title=Editorial-When-children-aren-t-protected

IL: DCFS Turnaround Is Slow
Newsradio 1240 – April 04, 2016
“Illinois has the longest length of stay in foster care of any state in the country,” he said. “The average length of stay here is 33 months. We’ve been able to get it down to seven months in Florida. “On its best day, the state is not a good parent.”
http://wtax.com/news/101101-dcfs-turnaround-is-slow/

KS: Kansas Department for Children and Families, TFI fighting requests for additional data in lawsuit over 2013 death of 4-year-old Mekhi Boone
Topeka Capital-Journal – April 04, 2016
In Kansas and federal laws, the statutes in part define the offense as the use of “force, fraud or coercion” to subject the victim to sex trafficking. If the victim is younger than 18, force, fraud or coercion doesn’t have to be shown to convict the defendant, prosecutors said. The agency is now engaged in a battle over a request for thousands of additional pages that, taken together, would amount to a sprawling mass of records on the state’s foster care system.
http://cjonline.com/news/business/2016-04-04/kansas-department-children-and-families-tfi-fighting-requests-additional?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=CJOnline%20Morning%20Headlines&utm_campaign=

KS: Sex, hope and prosecution: Prosecutors target sex traffickers, johns
Topeka Capital-Journal – April 04, 2016
Criminal prosecutions have made a major shift away from targeting the people who are prostituted. Instead, statutes go after the traffickers and sex customers. “Our focus is (protecting) the victim, the one who has been prostituted,” said Barry Grissom, U.S. attorney for the district of Kansas. “We’re not interested in arresting someone because they’ve been victimized. We don’t want to further victimize those individuals.” Information Gateway Resource: Human Trafficking: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/trafficking/
http://cjonline.com/news/2016-04-04/sex-hope-and-prosecution-prosecutors-target-sex-traffickers-johns?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=CJOnline%20Morning%20Headlines&utm_campaign=Morning%20News%2

MT: Building Connections with Traumatized Children
Flathead Beacon – April 02, 2016
As of the end of February, more than 3,000 Montana children were in the state foster care system, the first time the number has climbed over the 3,000 mark, and double 2008’s 1,500 level.
http://flatheadbeacon.com/2016/04/02/building-connections-with-traumatized-children/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+flatheadbeacon+Flathead+Beacon+Headlines

NH: State Supreme Court to Hear Arguments to Open Some Child Abuse Cases to Public
New Hampshire Public Radio – April 04, 2016
A hearing before the state Supreme Court on Tuesday will center on a sensitive question: Should lawsuits involving child abuse and neglect be open to the public?
http://nhpr.org/post/nh-supreme-court-hear-arguments-open-some-child-abuse-cases-public

NM: Dedicated Lives: Mental-health specialist works with traumatized babies, families
Santa Fe New Mexican – April 02, 2016
Dedicated Lives is a monthly feature about Santa Feans helping others. This month’s interview is with Jane Clarke, Ph.D., infant mental health specialist and instructor at The University of New Mexico.
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/dedicated-lives-mental-health-specialist-works-with-traumatized-babies-families/article_abb21835-3e31-528a-b827-90fc64385fd4.html

NY: Stop predator protection: The state Senate and Assembly must come together now to fix outrageous statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse (Opinion)
New York Daily News – April 03, 2016
With the state budget done, attention must turn to overhauling New York’s absurdly short statutes of limitations for sex crimes against children.
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/stop-predator-protection-article-1.2585782

OH: Attorney general takes on child abuse
Cincinnati Today – April 04, 2016
Child abuse is an issue that impacts everyone. Child abuse costs the United States $124 billion a year, according to Safe Horizons, a child abuse prevention agency.
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/florence/2016/04/04/attorney-general-takes-child-abuse/82621768/

PA: Child welfare system at a ‘breaking point and will soon be in crisis,’ caseworker says
Penn Live – April 04, 2016
The combination of paperwork, long hours, high stress levels, mounting caseloads, and a lack of pertinent training are making it harder to find and keep caseworkers to staff child welfare agencies.
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/04/child_welfare_system_at_a_brea.html

RI: Report: ‘Unsafe sleeping conditions’ contributed to deaths of infants in state care (Includes video)
WPRI – April 02, 2016
A new state report is shedding light on the deaths of three infants who died last year while in the care of the R.I. Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). Report: https://lintvwpri.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/ocareport-002.pdf
http://wpri.com/2016/04/02/report-unsafe-sleeping-conditions-contributed-to-2015-deaths-of-infants-in-state-care/

SC: New director chosen for state social services agency’s Anderson County office
Independent Mail – April 04, 2016
Nikita Harrison was named Monday as director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services office in Anderson County. Harrison has served as director of the agency’s Pickens County office since 2012. She will start work April 18 in Anderson, and an interim director will be named for the office in Pickens County later this week, said Karen Wingo, director of communications and legislative affairs for the Social Services Department.
http://www.independentmail.com/news/new-director-chosen-for-state-social-services-agencys-anderson-county-office-2faf95e2-2036-5c0e-e053-374548821.html

TX: 2 fired, 1 resigns amid allegations CPS could have prevented girl’s fatal beating in Grand Prairie (Includes video)
Dallas Morning News – April 04, 2016
Two people have been fired and a special investigator has resigned at Child Protective Services after the agency was accused of failing to prevent the death of a 4-year-old Grand Prairie girl last month.
http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2016/04/cps-employees-fired-investigator-resigns-after-allegations-the-agency-could-have-averted-grand-prairie-girls-fatal-beating.html/

TX: CPS scrambles over loss of child-abuse investigators in North Texas
Statesman – April 02, 2016
More than half of state child-abuse investigators in Dallas County are leaving each year, forcing Texas Child Protective Services to bring in scores of workers from other parts of the state to ensure abuse cases are properly handled.
http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional/cps-scrambles-over-loss-of-child-abuse-investigato/nqxzH/

WV: Children get matched with foster families through Try-Again Homes
Times West Virginia – April 03, 2016
When Kayla and Renee Conneway got the call on a Monday morning, it was something that would alter their lives forever. It was Try-Again Homes Inc., a private foster care agency, calling to tell them that they were approved to become parents of a pair of 3-month-old babies.
http://www.timeswv.com/news/children-get-matched-with-foster-families-through-try-again-homes/article_d84fb262-f96e-11e5-8343-932181dd9802.html

US: Federal Agencies Launch Initiative to Support the Implementation and Enforcement of ICWA
Indian Country Today Media Network – April 04, 2016
Today at the opening session of the 34th annual National Indian Child Welfare Association in St. Paul, Minnesota, acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Lawrence S. Roberts announced an interagency memorandum of understanding (MOU) in collaboration with the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services to ensure compliance with and implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act.
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/04/04/federal-agencies-launch-initiative-support-implementation-and-enforcement-icwa-164026

US: Let’s Study What Works Best for Homeless Youth
Huffington Post – April 04, 2016
As part of its laudable goal to end family, youth, and child homelessness by 2020, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued national instructions in its funding announcements, prioritizing investments in rapid re-housing, putting homeless people in apartments first, and then working to address their need for social services.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kevin-m-ryan/lets-study-what-works-bes_b_9609140.html

US: Study stresses need for home visits to ensure safety of children
Montana Standard – April 04, 2016
The Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities (CECANF) has unanimously recommended that evidence-based home-visiting programs need to be reauthorized at the federal level to ensure the safety of children at risk for death or injury from maltreatment. Report: Within our Reach: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/cecanf_final_report.pdf
http://mtstandard.com/blogs/the_publics_health/study-stresses-need-for-home-visits-to-ensure-safety-of/article_1c345b6c-7b35-562f-a6da-7cfbabc9b710.html

US: When Foster Parents Face Allegations (Opinion)
Chronicle of Social Change – April 04, 2016
Allegations against foster parents are common. They come from everywhere and nowhere, often as a surprise. No one warned you that this was likely. Someone calls in to say that you spanked your child. The child may have told her teacher that you touched him “improperly” during a bath. The birth mother charges that you left her child alone or locked him in his room. The caseworker may even charge you with neglect for failing to keep a doctor’s appointment. In order to encourage the reporting of abuse, the accuser is granted anonymity. Consequently, you cannot confront your accuser directly.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/blogger-co-op/foster-parents-face-allegations/17142

INTERNATIONAL

Australia: Frank Brennan, S.J. on the Sex Abuse Scandal in Australia
America Magazine – April 02, 2016
As a lawyer, professor and human rights activist, Frank Brennan, S.J., occupies a unique position in Australian civil and religious society. He is well known throughout the country, both inside and outside the church, for his decades-long work as an advocate in the areas of law, social justice and reconciliation with Aboriginal Australians.
http://americamagazine.org/content/all-things/frank-brennan-sj-sex-abuse-scandal-australia

AK: Bill aimed at improving Alaska’s overwhelmed foster care system clears the House (Includes video)
KTVA – April 01, 2016
On the first day of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a bill aimed at better managing the Alaska foster care system, HB27, passed the Alaska House of Representatives unanimously Friday.
http://www.ktva.com/bill-aimed-at-improving-alaskas-overwhelmed-foster-care-system-clears-the-house-626/

CA: A CPS failure: The short lives of Shaun and Delylah Tara
Inside Bay Area – April 01, 2016
Questions have been raised about failures of social workers to follow state regulations and best practices in monitoring the three siblings’ deteriorating home life, but the 135 pages of CPS documents obtained by this newspaper also paint a tragic tale of young kids passed from one troubled family to another, forced to endure squalid living conditions and a chaotic existence. Also: State officials blast Monterey County CPS handling of abuse case leading to two child deaths: http://www.insidebayarea.com/breaking-news/ci_29714166/state-officials-blast-monterey-county-cps-handling-abuse
http://www.insidebayarea.com/breaking-news/ci_29714200/cps-failure-short-lives-shaun-and-delylah-tara

CA: LA county proposes childcare vouchers to help struggling foster parents (Includes audio)
KPCC – April 01, 2016
LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl said the vouchers will also help in recruiting new parents into the state’s overburdened foster care system. Also: Childcare Critical for California Foster Parents: https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-welfare-2/childcare-critical-for-california-foster-parents/17083
http://www.scpr.org/programs/take-two/2016/04/01/47705/la-county-proposes-childcare-vouchers-to-help-stru/

CA: Survivors of Trafficking Invited to Join Calif. Action Team
Chronicle of Social Change – April 01, 2016
The California Child Welfare Council is inviting survivors of sexual exploitation to join the ranks of its Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) Action Team, specifically as members of its advisory board.
https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/news-2/17064/17064

CO: Teens Face Hardships When ‘Aging Out’ Of Foster Care (Includes video)
CBS Local Denver – April 03, 2016
When teens age out of the foster care system without being adopted, they often face unemployment, homelessness, and in some cases jail. Having parents makes that transition to adulthood much easier.
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2016/04/03/hardships-aging-out-foster-care/

CO: Are Teenagers Who Sext Producers of Child Porn? New Law Could Decide
Vice – April 01, 2016
She is also concerned that teens who she says are “disproportionately charged for many other crimes” — teens of color, low-income teens, teens in foster care, or gay teens, for example, might be more vulnerable to prosecution. “For example, a homophobic parent can take a teen’s phone and report them and their same-gender partner for sexting,” Hasinoff says.
https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/are-teenagers-who-sext-producers-of-child-porn-new-law-could-decide

CT: Marking 16 Years of Safe Haven for Newborns (Includes audio)
Public News Service – April 04, 2016
Connecticut passed the Safe Haven for Newborns Act 16 years ago. The law allows parents of infants up to 30 days old to voluntarily give up custody to nursing staff in a hospital emergency room. Gary Kleeblatt, communications director for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), says since the law began, the program has taken in 27 infants.
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2016-04-04/childrens-issues/marking-16-years-of-safe-haven-for-newborns/a51200-1

CT: Proposed Task Force Would Consider ‘Civil Gideon’ Initiative in Conn. (Requires free registration)
Connecticut Law Tribune – April 01, 2016
State Sen. Martin Looney, D-New Haven, introduced a bill during the 2016 legislative session that would create a task force to determine the best way to address the increasing number of people representing themselves. An idea that has gained traction nationwide is for states to launch “Civil Gideon” initiatives that would guarantee parties in civil cases legal representation, just as the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1963 ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright guaranteed lawyers for all criminal defendants.
http://www.ctlawtribune.com/id=1202753940990/Proposed-Task-Force-Would-Consider-Civil-Gideon-Initiative-in-Conn?mcode=0&curindex=0

FL: Foster Shock reveals human cost of Florida’s foster care system (Press Release)
PR Web – April 04, 2016
Foster Shock, a powerful, new documentary making its world premiere at the Palm Beach International Film Festival, will share stunning accounts of whats really happening in some of Floridas privatized, foster care group homes at the taxpayer’s expense. “When children are taken out of an abusive home and put into foster care, you might think theyre in a much safer place. The truth is, for many of these children, the pattern of abuse and neglect just continues,” said Director and Producer Mari Frankel.
http://www.digitalproducer.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=4365167

FL: Abuse during childhood can produce PTSD (Pt. 2 of 2) (Opinion)
Florida Times-Union – April 01, 2016
Hundreds of children, maybe even thousands of children, each year in this city suffer the kinds of traumatic events that can lead to PTSD. Some of them make it into the child welfare system or the foster system where, fortunately, new programs ensure they will be assessed for the disorder. The ones who aren’t referred to the system remain walking wounded. Pt. 1: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2016-03-31/story/trauma-can-produce-ptsd-our-own-neighborhoods# Information Gateway Resource: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children Affected by Sexual Abuse or Trauma: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/trauma.pdf
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2016-04-01/story/abuse-during-childhood-can-produce-ptsd

FL: Pinwheels for prevention (Includes video)
WSAW – April 01, 2016
More than 70,000 blue and silver pinwheels are expected to be planted across Florida for National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.
http://www.wsaw.com/content/news?article=374314911

GA: Liz Murray to bring overcoming homelessness message to Savannah
Savannah Morning News – April 03, 2016
Liz Murray is a Harvard graduate, a best-selling author, and the mother of two. She also is a leading voice for homeless youth. That success overcame her own brutal personal experience. At 15, the New York City native was homeless, sleeping where friends had an open couch or on the streets. A determination to escape had her knocking on doors and, with the help of a nonprofit dedicated to helping homeless youth, she is living the dreams that escaped her mother.
http://savannahnow.com/news/2016-04-03/liz-murray-bring-overcoming-homelessness-message-union-mission#

IL: Troubled DCFS outlines major overhaul, but budget crisis could hurt plans
Chicago Tribune – April 03, 2016
In an ambitious effort to repair Illinois’ beleaguered child welfare system, state officials have laid out a wide-ranging reform plan that includes extensive worker retraining, expanded access to mental health services and a substantial reduction in the number of juvenile wards in residential treatment centers.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-dcfs-reform-plan-met-20160403-story.html

IN: Kinship Care: A New Kind of Family
Brazil Times – April 03, 2016
Have you noticed more middle-aged and older adults parenting young children? Perhaps you’ve seen these families in the grocery store, at school functions or eating in restaurants. In the United States, a growing number of adult relatives and non-relatives are parenting children. They are providing what is known as kinship care.
http://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/2292068.html

KY: O’Connell: Pilot of open family courts welcomed
Courier Journal – April 01, 2016
While much of the attention in this legislative session has been turned toward the budget, there was a major step forward for children with the passage of Senate Bill 40, which will finally lift the veil of secrecy in some child abuse and neglect cases in Kentucky.
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/2016/04/01/oconnell-pilot-open-family-courts-welcomed/82532270/

MA: Pols and Politics: DCF breaks record for stalling (Opinion)
Boston Herald – April 03, 2016
Gov. Charlie Baker, along with his top health and child welfare officials, convened a press conference last week, trumpeting progress inside the beleaguered Department of Children and Families through a long list of reforms. The purpose, Baker aides say, was to update the public. Such a press conference, in many ways, also serves as an effort to instill confidence, that all the talk of change is actually happening. It’s doing little, however, to convince one of the agency’s most avid watchdogs, which is getting a taste of another slowly turning gear on Beacon Hill — its public records law.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_politics/2016/04/pols_and_politics_dcf_breaks_record_for_stalling

MD: For years, Pr. George’s didn’t strengthen school sex-abuse policies
Washington Post – April 01, 2016
Long before some of the most shocking sexual abuse allegations in years rocked Prince George’s County, school officials faced questions about whether they were doing enough to protect students.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/for-years-pr-georges-didnt-strengthen-school-sex-abuse-policies/2016/03/31/03367b88-db32-11e5-81ae-7491b9b9e7df_story.html

ME: Susan Kimball: Young adults from foster care get a ‘hand up’ from Opportunity Passport
Portland Press Herald – April 04, 2016
The program teaches participants to set financial goals, establish credit, balance a checkbook.
http://www.pressherald.com/2016/04/04/susan-kimball-young-adults-from-foster-care-get-a-hand-up-from-opportunity-passport/

MI: Charities vie for tax check-off spots in Michigan
Detroit News – April 01, 2016
Additions to the list must be approved through the state Legislature. Charities vying for consideration for 2016 include the Boy Scouts, Junior Achievement, Red Cross, the Lions Foundation of Michigan, a new Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund that would provide college scholarships to current and former foster care students and the Prostate Cancer Understanding Prevention Screenings Fund.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/personal-finance/2016/04/01/charities-vie-tax-check-spots-michigan/82545184/

MN: County had 7.5 percent increase in child welfare reports
Fergus Falls Journal – April 01, 2016
Reports of child maltreatment increased by 7.5 percent from 2014 to 2015, according to a report from Otter Tail County Human Services Department. Increased drug use by parents is a key factor in the rise from 2014.
http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/2016/04/county-had-7-5-percent-increase-in-child-welfare-reports/

MO: ‘He needs me’: More grandparents taking on parental role for grandchildren
South East Missourian – April 04, 2016
Nationwide, 2.7 million grandparents are raising grandchildren, and about one-fifth of those have incomes that fall below the poverty line, according to census figures.
http://www.semissourian.com/story/2291697.html

MO: Child-abuse agencies stretched by number of cases, lack of foster homes
South East Missourian – April 03, 2016
Statewide, the most recent information from the St. Louis-based Washington University Center for Violence and Injury Prevention put child-maltreatment cases at 51.2 per 1,000 children in Missouri in 2012. That placed the state 13th in the nation for maltreatment and neglect cases.
http://www.semissourian.com/story/2292031.html

MS: Adoption ruling ‘breath of fresh air’ to LGBT couples
The Clarion-Ledger – April 01, 2016
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Daniel Jordan III said the state’s law barring the adoptions “obviously targets married gay couples and limits their rights.”Furthermore, the court argued that the Department of Human Services’ policy violates the Constitution’s equal protection clause as the result of last year’s landmark Supreme Court ruling that laws against same-sex marriage are unconstitutional. Also: Gay couples now free to adopt in all 50 states; Mississippi ban struck down: http://www.examiner.com/article/gay-couples-now-free-to-adopt-all-50-states-mississippi-ban-struck-down
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/04/01/adoption-ruling-breath-fresh-air-lgbt-couples/82513686/

MS: Legislature puts governor on the spot with religious freedom bill (Includes video)
Cable News Network – April 01, 2016
Among other things, the legislation would allow businesses and religious groups to deny the LGBT community certain services such as counseling, wedding planning and adoption support. It would also protect those groups from punishment if they act “consistent with a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction.” Also: “Freedom of Conscience” bill raises concerns in Mississippi: https://www.equities.com/news/freedom-of-conscience-bill-raises-concerns-in-mississippi
http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/01/us/mississippi-religious-freedom-bill/index.html

NE: Bill To Protect Faith-Based Child Placement Groups Dies In Legislature
KFOR – April 01, 2016
An effort to protect state funding for faith-based child placement groups that refuse to work with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender foster parents has died in the Nebraska Legislature. NE: Nebraska senators tread warily with gay, transgender issues: http://www.ktiv.com/story/31623883/nebraska-senators-tread-warily-with-gay-transgender-issues
http://www.kfor1240.com/Bill-To-Protect-Faith-Based-Child-Placement-Groups/22626750

NH: DCYF review will include cases of children who died
New Hampshire Union Leader – April 01, 2016
An outside review of the state’s child welfare agency will include the cases of two children who died while the Division of Children, Youth and Families was investigating allegations of abuse, according to a spokesman for Gov. Maggie Hassan.
http://www.unionleader.com/DCYF-review-will-include-cases-of-children-who-died&source=RSS

NJ: Rowan University opens child abuse treatment center satellite in Vineland
New Jersey 101.5 – April 04, 2016
Martin A. Finkel, professor of pediatrics at Rowan and co-director of the CARES Institute, has been involved in developing these treatment centers from the very early stages. He said the state Division of Children and Families has always been in need of access to medical resources, to substantiate abuse concerns and diagnose problems. Centers like CARES — which represents the southern third of New Jersey, from Burlington to Cape May counties — fill that role by helping to identify and treat physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and exposure to domestic violence.
http://nj1015.com/rowan-university-opens-child-abuse-treatment-center-satellite-in-vineland/

NJ: Safety is a priority for New Jersey Department of Children and Families | Opinion By Allison Blake, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families
Star Ledger – April 01, 2016
In a recent opinion piece published by the Star Ledger that was submitted by Hetty Rosenstein, director of the State’s largest public employee union, it was grossly mischaracterized that Governor Christie’s veto of legislation aimed to improve the safety of thousands of Department of Children and Families staff was a callous disregard of state workers’ lives.
http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/04/safety_is_a_priority_for_new_jersey_department_of.html

NM: New Mexico’s Truth: Stunning Vistas And Child Poverty? (Includes audio)
KRVS – April 04, 2016
“In New Mexico we have an epidemic,” Allen Sanchez, who runs a Catholic children’s organization with the biggest home visiting program in the state says. “So if you imagine a potter, and while the pot is being formed, while that clay is wet, that’s like the child’s brain as it’s spinning and they’re forming that clay. But in New Mexico before that clay can harden we like to poke holes in it. So imagine this beautiful pot, holes being poked in it. Those are adverse child experiences.”
http://krvs.org/post/new-mexicos-truth-stunning-vistas-and-child-poverty#stream/0

NY: Stop predator protection: The state Senate and Assembly must come together now to fix outrageous statutes of limitations for child sex abuse (Opinion)
New York Daily News – April 03, 2016
As the Daily News has exhaustively documented in recent weeks, boys and girls victimized by foster parents, coaches, teachers, members of the clergy and others are cruelly barred from seeking justice unless they go to the cops by what is an unreasonable deadline.
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/stop-predator-protection-article-1.2585782

OH: Observe Child Abuse Prevention Month
Vindy.com – April 02, 2016
The Diocese of Youngs-town invites Catholics in diocesan parishes, schools and institutions and all people of good faith to observe National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
http://www.vindy.com/news/2016/apr/02/diocese-promotes-awareness-of-child-abus/

OR: Spanish-speaking foster kids were placed in English-speaking home, ignored and abused, suit claims
Oregonian – April 01, 2016
The suit makes the unusual allegation that a language barrier caused the three siblings to suffer such profound isolation that they developed attachment disorder.
http://www.oregonlive.com/gresham/index.ssf/2016/04/spanish-speaking_foster_kids_w.html

PA: Group makes call to change child welfare system after deaths of local children
Fox43 – April 04, 2016
“It’s a very tangled and broken system that wasn’t broken overnight,” alliance member Cindy Weesner said, “And the death of Jared Tutko and now Ciara Meyer have really put it into the forefront.”
http://fox43.com/2016/04/04/group-makes-call-to-change-pennsylvanias-child-welfare-system-after-deaths-of-local-children/

RI: Report: More than 320 unlicensed foster homes host kids in state care
Providence Journal – April 01, 2016
In more than 100 cases, those homes have been unlicensed for more than six months in violation of state law. Report: https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2782281/OCA-MDT-Review-of-Cases.pdf
http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160401/report-more-than-320-unlicensed-foster-homes-host-kids-in-state-care?rssfeed=true

TX: Despite Texas’ broken child welfare system, many heroes still hard at work (Opinion)
Dallas Morning News – April 01, 2016
Take Jonathan’s Place, for instance. The agency, which is marking its 25th anniversary this year, provides foster care, adoption services and a residential treatment program for girls. It’s the only licensed emergency shelter in Dallas County that accepts infants to 18-year-old children that have been abandoned, abused or neglected.
http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2016/04/despite-texas-broken-child-welfare-system-many-heroes-still-hard-at-work.html/

TX: So many Dallas CPS investigators have quit, state has to bring in backups from other areas
Dallas Morning News – April 01, 2016
From September through November, the latest quarter for which figures are available, Dallas County CPS investigators left at a rate of 57 percent a year, according to Department of Family and Protective Services spokeswoman Marissa Gonzales.
http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2016/04/so-many-dallas-cps-investigators-have-quit-the-state-has-to-move-in-backups-from-other-areas.html/

US: Reframing the Opioid Epidemic: Lawmakers Must Put Children First (Opinion)
Youth Today – April 04, 2016
In Congress, the Senate recently held a hearing to discuss policy to address the epidemic, Examining the Opioid Epidemic: Challenges and Opportunities, and recently passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). Among other provisions included in CARA, the bill would help young people with addiction gain access to treatment and create a pilot program to improve treatment for pregnant and postpartum women.
http://youthtoday.org/2016/04/reframing-the-opioid-epidemic-lawmakers-must-put-children-first/

US: Important Bipartisan Report on Child Abuse Deaths: Will It Be Ignored As With Prior Studies? (Opinion)
Huffington Post – April 01, 2016
On March 17, the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities released its long awaited report. This effort involved two years of hearings throughout the nation, contributions from experts and review by a diverse commission appointed to make recommendations to the Congress. Also: Child abuse report’s recommendations are tepid: http://m.mysanantonio.com/opinion/commentary/article/Child-abuse-report-s-recommendations-are-tepid-7223483.php
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-c-fellmeth/important-bipartisan-repo_b_9589012.html

INTERNATIONAL

Australia: These Indigenous Elders Are Fighting To Stem The Rising Tide Of Child Removals
BuzzFeed News – April 04, 2016
Gomeroi elders distraught at the high rates of Indigenous child removals in northern New South Wales have created a program designed to keep families together and keep children out of the welfare system.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/allanclarke/these-indigenous-elders-are-fighting-to-stem-the-rising-tide#.tagAkw1Vd

Canada: Children’s aid societies launch major training reforms
Toronto Star – April 03, 2016
Children’s aid societies in Ontario have launched a major reform of training for child protection workers, setting province-wide standards designed to eventually have workers regulated by a professional college. “We want to make sure that the people who are doing the work have the very best training and competence to be able to do it,'”says Mary Ballantyne, CEO of the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS)
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/04/03/childrens-aid-societies-launch-major-training-reforms.html

Senegal: & Mali: New beginnings for child beggars in Senegal and Mali
Relief Web – April 01, 2016
Child beggars, known as ‘talibés’, are a familiar sight in cities across Senegal and Mali. Far from home, and forced to beg, their situations have been likened to modern slavery. SOS Children’s Villages together with the European Commission is running a project to protect these children, bring them home to their families, and give them access to formal education.
http://reliefweb.int/report/mali/new-beginnings-child-beggars-senegal-and-mali

 

CA: Vacaville commissioner advocates for preventing child abuse
The Reporter – March 31, 2016
She’s a mom, an advocate, a businesswoman and a Vacaville Community Services commissioner, and in honor of April being a double whammy–it’s both Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month–Christina Baird is offering her expertise to help keep kids safe.
http://www.thereporter.com/general-news/20160330/vacaville-commissioner-advocates-for-preventing-child-abuse

FL: 2 sheriff’s office employees disciplined for mishandling allegations in Bradenton child abuse case
Bradenton Herald – March 31, 2016
Two Manatee County Sheriff’s Office employees were disciplined for their mishandling of allegations that 15-month-old Knowellan Kelly and his three siblings were being abused, by failing to complete or signing off on an incomplete investigation, according to internal affairs reports.
http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/crime/article69299067.html

FL: State leads nation with more than 10,000 Guardian ad Litem Volunteers
Chipley Bugle – March 31, 2016
The Guardian ad Litem Program has exceeded its goal of more than 10,000 volunteers. In Holmes and Washington Counties, 37 trained and dedicated volunteers spoke on behalf of 127 abused and neglected children from our community who are currently or previously going through court proceedings within the last year.
http://chipleybugle.com/2016/03/31/florida-leads-nation-with-more-than-10000-guardian-ad-litem-volunteers/

FL: Trauma can produce PTSD in our own neighborhoods (Opinion)
Times-Union – March 31, 2016
For too long, post-traumatic stress disorder was a mental illness associated solely with the stress of battle. Today physicians and researchers realize that this debilitating illness strikes in our own neighborhoods.
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2016-03-31/story/trauma-can-produce-ptsd-our-own-neighborhoods

IN: April is Prevent Child Abuse Awareness Month
Brazil Times – March 31, 2016
“Each day our agency must respond to reports of tragic abuse and neglect,” said Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) Director Mary Beth Bonaventura. “This month gives us an opportunity to highlight community resources to help at-risk parents and ultimately keep children safe.”
http://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/2291363.html

IN: Officials aim to educate about child abuse
Lafayette Journal & Courier – March 31, 2016
Connor, also executive director of Tippecanoe County Court Appointed Special Advocates, said a heroin epidemic nationwide and locally is driving mental health and domestic violence problems in the community. As a result, Tippecanoe County CASA currently has more than 80 children on its waiting list. “Children become victims because of those issues,” Connor said.
http://www.jconline.com/story/news/crime/2016/03/31/officials-aim-educate-child-abuse/82212520/

KY: Home of the Innocents to open E-town foster site
Courier-Journal – March 31, 2016
The Home of the Innocents is opening a new foster care office in Elizabethtown. The Louisville-based charity, that tends to abused and abandoned children, is planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the new Hardin County outlet on Friday at noon. The open house is at 11 a.m. The office is at 2608 Ring Road in the Hardin County seat.
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2016/03/31/home-innocents-open-e-town-foster-site/82463696/

KY: Republican Senate continues bipartisan accomplishments for Kentuckians (Opinion: Senator Mitch McConnell)
Franklin Favorite – March 31, 2016
The recently passed Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) would help address the opioid epidemic by providing additional tools for enhanced prevention, education, treatment and recovery programs that are already underway across Kentucky. The bill calls for the expansion of naloxone, a drug which can counter the effects of an opioid overdose. The bill would strengthen and enhance prescription drug monitoring programs, to crack down on “doctor shopping,” a practice used to obtain multiple prescriptions for drugs that can be abused.
http://www.franklinfavorite.com/opinion/editorials/article_f7b586f3-17bf-5814-88d5-bac07f8dd10e.html

MO: Audit questions Missouri’s eligibility checks for subsidized child care
Associated Press – March 31, 2016
A state audit of how Missouri spends federal funding has raised concerns about how the Department of Social Services verifies people’s eligibility to receive subsidized child care.
http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/missouri/2016/03/31/audit-questions-missouris-eligibility-checks-subsidized-child-care/82496958/

MS: & US: Judge Strikes Down Mississippi Ban on Same-Sex Adoptions (Includes video)
NBC News – March 31, 2016
A federal judge struck down Mississippi’s ban on adoption by same-sex couples Thursday–making the practice legal nationwide. Also: Federal Judge Halts Enforcement of Mississippi Ban on Adoptions by Same-Sex Couples: http://www.hrc.org/blog/federal-judge-halts-enforcement-of-mississippi-ban-on-adoptions-by-same-sex?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/judge-strikes-down-mississippi-s-ban-same-sex-adoptions-n548856

NY: Attorneys for foster kids claiming abuse fighting to obtain ACS case files needed for lawsuit
New York Daily News – March 31, 2016
Lawyers for 10 children alleging abuse while in foster care are fighting for access to the kids’ ACS case files, part of an ongoing federal lawsuit seeking reforms to the child welfare system.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/lawyers-foster-kids-fighting-obtain-acs-case-files-article-1.2584724

PA: Pennsylvania one of lowest reported child abuse rates in country (Includes video)
WHAG – March 31, 2016
Advocacy groups allege Pennsylvania has developed a culture of cover-ups. High-profiles cases like in Altoona-Johnstown, where a grand jury found Diocese members abused hundreds of children, and a similar scenario involving Penn State’s football coach Jerry Sandusky highlight the issue.
http://www.your4state.com/news/4state-in-focus/4sif-child-abuse/pennsylvania-one-of-lowest-reported-child-abuse-rates-in-country

PA: York County CASA: Child Abuse/Neglect Advocacy (Includes video)
ABC27 – March 31, 2016
In recognition of the collaboration needed to help prevent child abuse and neglect, the York County CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, program will be holding a public film screening of the documentaries Removed parts I and II on Friday April 1, 2016. These films were created with the intent of bringing to light the often unknown subjects of foster care and child abuse/neglect.
http://abc27.com/2016/03/31/york-county-casa-child-abuseneglect-advocacy/

TN: Training to help adults notice, prevent child abuse
Knoxville News Sentinel – March 31, 2016
The National Children’s Alliance has called it “the most effective tool to stop child abuse.” So the Community Coalition to Protect Children is hoping as many people as possible–parents, church leaders, teachers, foster parents, child-care workers and community members–can take advantage of the chance to get the training for free.
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/local/training-to-help-adults-notice-prevent-child-abuse-2f4ad4d6-8d56-479c-e053-0100007f8f8c-374179661.html

TX: No excuse: ChildSafe sets lofty goal to combat child abuse, neglect (Includes video)
KSAT – March 31, 2016
ChildSafe served more than 4,300 children last year, and CEO Kim Abernethy said at the end of February this year, the organization has already seen a 32 percent increase in the number of children that depend on ChildSafe for counseling.
http://www.ksat.com/features/childsafe-chooses-lofty-april-goal-1-million

UT: Sponsor of vetoed grandparents rights bill to work with Gov. Herbert to refine legislation
Deseret News – March 31, 2016
The sponsor of a grandparents’ rights bill vetoed by Gov. Gary Herbert over concerns it could jeopardize adoptive parents’ rights said Thursday he is willing to work with the governor to refine the legislation.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865651296/Sponsor-of-vetoed-grandparents-rights-bill-to-work-with-Gov-Herbert-to-refine-legislation.html?pg=all

VA: Majority of local Social Service calls deal with child neglect
The News Virginian – March 31, 2016
Nearly two thirds of the calls received last year by the local Social Services office dealt with the physical neglect of a child. That was the report delivered by the staff of the Shenandoah Valley Social Services office Wednesday, sharing information on child abuse and neglect, legal definitions and caseloads in the service area of Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County.
http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/majority-of-local-social-service-calls-deal-with-child-neglect/article_2f1e459c-f6e3-11e5-88e5-3789aa9e8e8e.html

VA: Navigating identities
Fairfax County Times – March 31, 2016
Rosen didn’t have a project in mind when she first learned about ConnectGens. This idea of conflicting identities for adoptive children had always been in the back of her mind, but it was not something she ever put into words. She also noted that when she was going through the adoptions process and when her son was younger there wasn’t a ton of information available on adoption.
http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/navigating-identities/article_117846b6-f777-11e5-99c3-7bc51331246e.html

WV: Official: Child abuse cases on the rise in West Virginia (Includes video)
WHAG – March 31, 2016
Most parents would never intentionally hurt their children, but some do and others could use some help defining what abuse is to make sure they do not cross a line harming their child.
http://www.your4state.com/news/4state-in-focus/4sif-child-abuse/official-child-abuse-cases-on-the-rise-in-west-virginia

US: A crisis with little data: States begin to count drug-dependent babies
Kaiser Health News – March 31, 2016
Many states — including some that have been hardest hit by the opioid crisis — don’t know how many of their youngest residents each year are born physically dependent on those drugs.
http://khn.org/news/a-crisis-with-little-data-states-begin-to-count-drug-dependent-babies/

US: Foster Caretaker Must Be Ready to Be Thoroughly Supportive of LGBT Youth (Opinion) 
Youth Today – March 31, 2016
For many youth, foster care can be a safe place for care and support when the biological family does not provide appropriate care. However, foster care experiences can be impacted by many factors, such as sexual and identity orientation.
http://youthtoday.org/2016/03/foster-caretaker-must-be-ready-to-be-thoroughly-supportive-of-lgbt-youth/

US: Know Someone Who Grew up in Foster Care? Three Things They Need From Us (Opinion)
The Huffington Post – March 31, 2016
As National Social Work Month winds down, I’ve been thinking about what older foster youth and those aging out of state care need from their social worker, counselor or other supportive people in their lives. What do they want and need to help them make the leap from dependence on the system to successful independent adulthood? The best way, the only way, to find out what these young people need is to listen.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-lee/know-someone-who-grew-up_b_9584598.html

US: My adopted daughter is part Native American — and I was terrified she’d be taken away (Opinion)
She Knows – March 31, 2016
“She’s legally free,” I said. “Her birth father has relinquished his rights”. “It doesn’t matter” he said, his voice tense. “Being legally free is a state law. The Indian Child Welfare Act is federal law; it supersedes everything else.”
http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/1117475/adopted-daughter-is-part-native-american

US: National Child Abuse Prevention Month: Honoring Our Most Innocent Victims (Opinion)
The Huffington Post – March 31, 2016
This April marks the 33rd anniversary of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is a time dedicated to child abuse education, awareness and prevention. The issue, which is in the media every day causes one to shiver at the thought of what happens to our children, yet it is the most ignored issue because it’s so ugly. Also: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-heroux/april-is-child-abuse-prev_b_9586460.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ross-ellis/national-child-abuse-prev_1_b_9577188.html?utm_hp_ref=impact&ir=Impact

US: Presidential Proclamation–National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2016 (Press release)
The White House – March 31, 2016
During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we recommit to giving every child a chance to succeed and to ensuring that every child grows up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment that is free from abuse and neglect. Information Gateway resource: National Child Abuse Prevention Month 2016 Community Involvement Resource Guide: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/03/31/presidential-proclamation-national-child-abuse-prevention-month-2016

US: Relapse rates fall with use of long-acting medication to treat opioid addiction among criminal justice-involved adults
Medical News Today – March 31, 2016
Opioid addiction is a rapidly escalating public health crisis in the United States. Now, new research findings could shed important light in addressing this epidemic. “We believe our study is the first of its kind to look at the real-world effectiveness of extended-release naltrexone in community settings,” says lead author Joshua D. Lee, MD, MSc, associate professor in the Departments of Population Health and Medicine at NYU Langone. “It may be particularly effective with populations, such as recently released prisoners, who typically don’t have access to other evidence-based daily medications for opiate disorders, like methadone or buprenorphine.” Study: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1505409
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/308523.php

US: Same-Sex Couples Can Now Adopt Children In All 50 States
The Huffington Post – March 31, 2016
A federal judge ruled Thursday that Mississippi?s ban on same-sex couples adopting children is unconstitutional, making gay adoption legal in all 50 states.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mississippi-same-sex-adoption_us_56fdb1a3e4b083f5c607567f

US: Why the Lexi Page case may go to the US Supreme Court
The Christian Science Monitor – March 31, 2016
The case echoes several other cases pitting the foster care system against the ICWA. In 2013, Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl, a case involving Veronica, a young Cherokee girl, reached the US Supreme Court.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2016/0331/Why-the-Lexi-Page-case-may-go-to-the-US-Supreme-Court

INTERNATIONAL

Canada: Child welfare in Manitoba election spotlight
The Canadian Press – March 31, 2016
Manitoba’s beleaguered child-welfare system came under the provincial election spotlight Wednesday with promises from all parties to cut a record number of kids in care.
http://globalnews.ca/news/2608630/child-welfare-in-manitoba-election-spotlight/

International: Longer maternity leave linked to better infant health (Press release)
Medical News Today – March 31, 2016
For each additional month of paid maternity leave offered in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), infant mortality is reduced by 13%, according to a new study by researchers from McGill University and UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. The finding, published in the journal PLOS Medicine, marks the first time that research has examined the impact of paid maternity leave on infant mortality in LMICs. Previous work has shown that paid time off is consistently associated with lower mortality of babies under one year old in high-income countries. Report: http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1001985
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/308504.php

Mali: & Senegal: Transforming the lives of child beggars (Press release)
SOS Childrens’ Villages – March 31, 2016
A new programme is transforming the lives of 1,500 street children in Mali and Senegal by restoring their basic human rights. In collaboration with SOS Children and the European Union, child beggars are being reunited with their families and given access to quality education.
http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/news/transforming-the-lives-of-child-beggars

Kids At Risk Action (KARA)

 

18 April 2016: Florida

Dawn, a seventeen-year-old girl who was physically abused for over ten years, has recently partnered with Daniel Kids, Florida’s oldest child service agency, to speak out about her child abuse experience and to encourage other victims to do so as well. While this case represents a particularly positive incident, it also points to a major problematic amongst victims of child abuse: many victims who are physically abused, are often not aware that the abusive behavior is not normal and therefore refrain from reporting it. It is therefore essential that schools scale up their engagement in outreach and awareness raising campaigns amongst students in order to make their legal and human rights known to them.

 

19 April 2016: Wisconsin

Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin is set to sign six bills aimed at curbing child abuse and sex trafficking. All bills introduce important new measures, which will be critical for the better investigation of child abuse cases and the better prosecution of perpetrators. In addition to increasing public funding for investigations of Internet crimes against children and developing a special state-mandated procedure for investigating abuse of a disable child, the bills would also bring about important legislative changes with regard to child sex trafficking. Namely, one bill would expand the definition of child sex trafficking to include transporting a child for commercial sex. Yet another bill would make the repeated physical abuse of a child a crime in itself.

 

18 April 2016: Pennsylvania

Northampton County in Pennsylvania has witnessed a staggering increase of child abuse cases over the past year. In 2015, the number of reported child abuse cases rose by 47 percent from 723 to a record high of 1076 cases with other counties having reported similar surges. The rise in reports may be attributed to the high amount of laws, which were passed following the abuse scandals by the Jerry Sandusky case as well as the Roman Catholic Church. The laws did not only increase the amount of mandated reporters but also lowered the bar for what qualified as child abuse.

 

20 April 2016: Connecticut

Even though the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act was signed into law over forty years ago, phsyical abuse continues to impact more than 15 percent of all children living in the US per year, leaving behind harrowing consequences for the victims. A trauma psychologist at Yale has found that suffering from these kinds of interpersonal damages during childhood places a child at greater risk for a host of mental health disorders and increases their vulnerability for further abuse in adulthood. This phenomenon of re-victimization often stems from the fact that children come to view themselves as “damaged goods.”

 

KSAT San Antonio

CDC: Pediatric abusive head trauma leading cause of child abuse deaths

KSAT San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO – Pediatric abusive head trauma is the nation’s leading cause of child abuse deaths among children under the age of 5, according to …

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The Age

Child custody: Parents at war leave a legacy of trauma

The Age

That child eventually became my mother, and I can tell you the traumatic consequences echoed psychologically in her life and to the next generation.

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Arizona Capitol Times

Arizona’s children can’t languish in a malaise of more trauma and neglect

Arizona Capitol Times

Have the Legislature and governor finally given up on Arizona’s children? Is there Department of Child Safety “DCS fatigue?” Have the Legislature’s …

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INFORUM

Fresh approach to childhood trauma means different treatment, new hope

INFORUM

FARGO — For children, the wounds of a traumatic experience can run deep, and the scars can linger for years. This has long been intuitive to people …

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PBS NewsHour

To improve lifelong health, Memphis tries rooting out childhood trauma

PBS NewsHour

Childhood trauma such as abuse, neighborhood violence or the death of a parent has been found to lead to dire health and social problems later in …

Cities Begin To Count The Scars Of Childhood, And Try To Prevent New Damage – Kaiser Health News

Full Coverage

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FOX 7 Austin

State reports increase in foster children with trauma & mental illness

FOX 7 Austin

The children are winding up in psychiatric hospitalization and the state is having trouble finding placement for them when they are able to get out.

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The Guardian

Rise in referrals to social services causing trauma to families, expert says

The Guardian

A huge increase in the number of children being referred to social services has caused “catastrophic” trauma for tens of thousands of families without …

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Daily Californian

Childhood trauma

Daily Californian

I heard the screams weekly, echoing through the house, like an alarm clock set on weekday mornings. They filled the emptiness of the hollow rooms …

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The News-Press

Preventing child abuse remains a priority

The News-Press

As knowledge about the prevalence and consequences of child abuse increases, trauma-informed practices are being implemented. The relationship …

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Just For Kids to host Champions of Children Award Dinner April 26

Beckley Register-Herald

According to a release, Goodwin was instrumental in the establishment of two programs that are making a difference for traumatized children across …

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12news.com

Glendale mother of 3 arrested for child neglect

12news.com

GLENDALE, ARIZ. – – A mother of three was arrested Tuesday night after police found her and her three young children inside her apartment, which …

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WBTW – Myrtle Beach and Florence SC

Duo vacationing in Myrtle Beach jailed for child neglect

WBTW – Myrtle Beach and Florence SC

Michael Burkholder and Savannah Searles were each jailed on one count of unlawful neglect of a child. MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – A couple …

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WNCN

Couple vacationing in Myrtle Beach jailed for child neglect

WNCN

The suspected child abusers were staying at the Dunes Village Resort … and Burkholder were each jailed on one count of unlawful neglect of a child.

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Mirror.co.uk

Ex-Britain’s Got Talent finalist to appear in court on child neglect charges

Mirror.co.uk

A former Britain’s Got Talent finalist is appearing in court next month accused of child neglect. Leeroy Bailey, a member of dance troupe the Kombat …

Britain’s Got Talent finalist Leeroy Bailey facing child neglect charges – Metro

Former Britain’s Got Talent finalist charged with child neglect – The Sun

Teacher at Coventry dance troupe Kombat Breakers charged with wilful neglect of a child – Coventry Observer

Full Coverage

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WNDU-TV

It’s our duty to report child neglect, abuse

Examiner Enterprise

Last week, a 24-year-old woman was charged with child neglect after leaving her infant in a hot car with the windows rolled up when she went to …

Do your part to end child abuse and neglect – Columbus Telegram

County Board proclaims April as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month – Woodbury Bulletin

Community dialogue to help stem child abuse and neglect – Catholic Sentinel

Full Coverage

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Tulsa World

Parents of child found running naked in east Tulsa neighborhood face neglect, drug charges

Tulsa World

The parents of a child who was found running naked through an east Tulsa neighborhood were charged Monday with neglect, drug and gun crimes in …

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WSAZ-TV

Two people facing child neglect charges

WSAZ-TV

(WSAZ) — A mother of three and her boyfriend are facing child neglect charges after using heroin with the children in the car. Charleston Police say on …

Woman, boyfriend accused of using heroin, driving to hospital with kids in vehicle – WVAH

Police: couple charged after driving impaired with children in vehicle – WSAZ-TV

Full Coverage

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Community organization prevents child neglect through social networks

Alaska Public Radio Network

Foster care in Alaska is the state’s last resort for helping kids who have been abused or neglected—and the number of kids in the system is at a record …

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TCPalm

PSL man charged with child neglect

TCPalm

Who: Arcadio Roman Oyola, 40, who lives in the 1100 block of Southwest Gardenia Avenue in Port St. Lucie. Charges: Child neglect without great …

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WTVY, Dothan

Man Arrested for Drugs and Child Neglect in Warrant Search

WTVY, Dothan

As a result of possessing and maintaining illegal narcotics that could potentially cause great bodily harm or death to the child, Weatherington was also …

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WEB
ISPCAN International Webinar Series

International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN)

Join us the last week of every month for a webinar on child abuse and neglect research, programs, resources, and latest news.

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Montanans to be honored for efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect

DPHHS Home – Montana.gov

Montanans dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect will be honored at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19 at the annual Prevent Child Abuse and …

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Man Charged with Child Neglect Refused Bail

Canberra’s 2CA

Man Charged with Child Neglect Refused Bail. 1. A canberra father has been accused of child neglect after he was allegedly seen aggressively …

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The Guardian

Criminals hide child abuse images behind legal porn sites

The Guardian

Record numbers of web pages containing child sexual abuse images are being detected, a watchdog has revealed. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA …

Child sex abuse images increasingly being found and removed – BBC News

‘Staggering’ Rise In Child Abuse Images Detected – Sky News

Porn surfers at risk as paedophiles hide child abuse images on fake adult websites – International Business Times UK

Full Coverage

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WZZM13.com

Families rally to prevent child abuse

WZZM13.com

LANSING (LANSING STATE JOURNAL) – Hundreds of families planted pinwheels in downtown Lansing to show support for the victims of child abuse …

Advocates to rally in support of child abuse prevention – WZZM13.com

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month – WLOS

Advocates to rally in support of child abuse prevention – WILX-TV

Full Coverage

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WMTV

Walker signs child abuse, trafficking bills

WMTV

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker has signed six bills designed to curtail child abuse and sex trafficking in Wisconsin. The bills require the state …

Walker to sign child abuse, trafficking bills – Leader-Telegram

Walker signs child abuse package into law – The Daily Cardinal

Walker signs child abuse, trafficking bills – WRAL.com

Full Coverage

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The Tennessean

Mt. Juliet child abuse survivor use scars to help others

The Tennessean

Burn marks and scars remain on Keith Edmonds’ face from being held to an electric heater as a 14-month-old in a horrific case of child abuse.

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ICE participates in EUROPOL-led effort to identify victims of child abuse

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Newsroom

WASHINGTON – For the past two weeks, victim identification specialists from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security …

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BBC News

Turkey child abuse: Scandal shocks Karaman

BBC News

This town is still trying to recover from the shock of a child abuse scandal that was uncovered in early March. On Wednesday, the trial begins of a …

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SW News Media

Annual Walk to End Child Abuse set in Hancock

Herald-Mail Media

HANCOCK — The Walk to End Child Abuse was started in Hancock in 2011 in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. Registration now …

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The Daily News Journal

Vigil for child abuse victims tonight

The Daily News Journal

“Every April, for Child Abuse Awareness Month, the Rutherford County Coalition Against Child Abuse has an event. We do it to remember the children …

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Lifesite

‘Transgender’ conditioning is ‘child abuse

Lifesite

Conditioning children into believing a lifetime of chemical and surgical impersonation of the opposite sex is normal and healthful is child abuse.

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The Guardian

San Antonio Four: women link ‘ritual’ child abuse convictions to homophobia

The Guardian

Elizabeth Ramirez, Kristie Mayhugh, Kelly Michaels were once accused of ‘ritual’ child sex abuse. Photograph: Jessica Glenza for the Guardian.

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WEB

Monique Burr Foundation

mbfchildsafetymatters.org

MBF Child Safety Matters™ is a practical and effective, prevention education … from bullying, cyberbullying, digital abuse, and all types of child abuse.

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Serious Mental Injury

Look Out For Child Abuse

(1) renders a child chronically and severely anxious, agitated, depressed, socially withdrawn, psychotic or in reasonable fear that their life or safety is …

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What Difference Does it Make — If you DO act

Look Out For Child Abuse

If you don’t act If you don act IN THE NEWS: Mom, boyfriend charged after 2-year-old shoots himself with gun left on floor By John Beauge – Harrisburg …

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ISPCAN International Webinar Series

International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN)

Join us the last week of every month for a webinar on child abuse and neglect research, programs, resources, and latest news.

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Group Rallies Against Child Abuse

Fox16

A group fighting child abuse rallied at the State Capitol on Thursday.

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europol coordinates international operation aimed at identifying victims of child abuse

Europol

Today, the Second Victim Identification Task Force (VIDTF), hosted at Europol’s headquarters in The Hague, has come to a close after two weeks of …

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Teacher on trial for child abuse in case that shocked Turkey

The Big Story – Associated Press

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The trial has opened in Turkey of a teacher accused of sexually abusing 10 boys under his care at two religious foundations, …

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New child abuse campaign launched

Salford City Council

Salford City Council is supporting a new government campaign to encourage people to look out for and report child abuse. The campaign focuses on …

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Frederick County man arrested on child abuse charges after boy burned in butane lighter fire

The River 95.3

WINCHESTER, VA–A Stephens City man was arrested Wednesday night after being indicted on child abuse charges after a five-year-old boy …

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Chapters and CAP Month: New Jersey and Colorado

Prevent Child Abuse America

Today we’re checking in on Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey and Prevent Child Abuse Colorado during their Child Abuse Prevention Month events!

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