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Apr122018

Death of 6 Year Old Justis Burland Arnett

Child Death, Invisible Children, Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Public Policy, Resources4 Comments

Justin’s mother abandoned him years ago to the custody of her own mother. Grandmother could not manage the boy & gave custody to a couple that were grossly unfit to care for children. They killed him.

In grandmother’s defense, there is nothing easy about being 65 years old and trying to care for an out of control child traumatized child. An adopting grandmother once told me tepidly, “when that child is 18, I will be 88 – I sure hope I can make it”.

Bobbie Christine Bishop and Henry Wynhoff beat the six year old repeatedly, duct taped him to a wall & let his infections kill him (from my reading of the article). One visit from a social worker would have discovered the boys awful circumstances and impending death.

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Apr122018

Child Abuse & Well Being State by State March 2018 (VI)

Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Politics and Funding, Public Policy, Sad Stories, Statistics & Facts, The StatesLeave a comment

CA: Social Workers Concerned With Increase in Babies Exposed to Meth
Santa Barbara Independent – March 15, 2018
An increasing number of infants exposed to methamphetamine have raised concern among Santa Barbara social workers. In the last three months, about 30 babies were in need of a court-appointed special advocate, better known as a CASA. Most had been exposed to meth.
https://www.independent.com/news/2018/mar/15/social-workers-concerned-increase-babies-exposed-m/
CA: County official seeks to expand support for foster youth

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Apr142018

Child Abuse & Trauma (March 2018) VII

Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Sad Stories, Statistics & Facts, The StatesLeave a comment

Scale of child abuse survey ‘needed every 10 years’
BBC News
Thousands of children should be surveyed to build a true picture of sexual exploitation, experts have said. The government says it does not know how many girls have been groomed in the wake of questions about sexual exploitation in Telford. But the Centre of Expertise for Child Sexual Abuse is …

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Apr152018

What’s a Well Trained Social Worker Worth?

CASA, Child Death, for the record, Guardian ad-Litem, Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Politics and Funding, Public Policy, The StatesLeave a comment

It hurts me to know that I live in a state that pays the least of almost all states in training social workers and continues to underfund the federally mandated guardian ad litem program so severely that over six hundred children do not have a Court Appointed Special Advocate even today. A Court Appointed GAL is the only voice abused children have in court once they have been removed from their homes.

The list of underfunded programs for the most vulnerable citizens in our community is long and been growing (we have the money*).

Without the Star Tribune’s continued reporting on child abuse issues, trauma and abuse would still be non-issues as they were when 3-year-old Dennis Jergens was tortured to death in White Bear Lake in the 1960’s. His mother Lois Jergens went on to adopt four other children by moving out of the state.

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Apr172018

Child Abuse & Trauma State by State (March 2018) VIII

Child Death, Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Public Policy, Sad Stories, Statistics & Facts, The StatesLeave a comment

AL: & AZ: Lawsuit was catalyst for cutting caseloads in Alabama (Commentary)
Arizona Daily Star – March 08, 2018
Across the state, average caseloads were 65. Within six months, James was the only one of five people hired with him who hadn’t quit. But Alabama’s child welfare system was on the cusp of wholesale reform that took place county by county after a sweeping 1988 lawsuit filed by advocates on behalf of a foster child known as R.C.
http://tucson.com/news/lawsuit-was-catalyst-for-cutting-caseloads-in-alabama/article_c3a733aa-224b-11e8-b859-477daa1e1099.html

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Apr212018

Child Abuse, Death & Trauma March 2019 (IX)

Child Death, Politics and Funding, Public Policy, Sad Stories, Statistics & FactsLeave a comment

Tuesday morning baby death is Milwaukee’s 13th of the year
WISN Milwaukee
Tuesday morning’s death of a five-month-old girl is the 13th baby death so far this year, a medical examiner’s office spokesperson said. Emergency crews called to a residence near North 45th Street and West Glendale Avenue around 3:45 a.m. confirmed the death, which was later said to have been …
Flag as irrelevant

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Apr252018

Child Well Being State by State March 2018 (X)

Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Politics and Funding, Public Policy, Sad Stories, Statistics & Facts, The StatesLeave a comment

HI: Girl who was severely beaten after state returned her to mom gets $450K payout (Includes video)
Hawaii News Now – March 02, 2018
Twelve years ago, Shari Rodrigues suffered permanent brain and internal injuries after she was beaten by her biological mother’s boyfriend. The state initially took the girl, who was 2 at the time, away from her mother. The girl was then returned.
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/37636849/girl-who-was-severely-beaten-after-state-returned-her-to-mom-gets-450k-payout

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Apr272018

Child Friendly / Less Friendly Candidates For Governor (thank you Safe Passage For Children MN)

for the record, Links To Helpful Orgs, Politics and Funding, Public Policy, Statistics & FactsLeave a comment

Safe Passage deserves big kudos for this survey of declared candidates for MN Governor. Until recently, not many legislators understood the depth and scope of the problems facing at risk children in our state (or any state).

It is only by asking lawmakers to express their knowledge and views about child abuse and child protection that we can vote in people that understand the traumas these kids suffer from, heal them and l interrupt the epidemic of trauma and abuse in our community that is wrecking our schools, public health and safety.

Read candidate responses here and share this link with your friends and contacts.

Thank you Safe Passage For Children MN

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Apr272018

Child Abuse & Trauma March 2018 (XI)

Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Public Policy, Sad Stories, Statistics & Facts, The StatesLeave a comment

Jehovah’s Witnesses accused of silencing victims of child abuse
The Guardian
Former and current members, including 41 alleged victims of child sexual abuse, described a culture of cover-ups and lies, with senior members of the organisation, known as elders, discouraging victims from coming forward for fear of bringing “reproach on Jehovah” and being exiled from the …
Why are Iowa lawmakers dragging their feet over strengthening child sex-abuse laws? – DesMoinesRegister.com
Removed from churches, some priests accused of sexual abuse live near schools – Buffalo News
Trial set for stepfather charged with sexual abuse – Odessa American

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May12018

Child Suicides – what’s left unsaid

Child Death, education, Health and Mental Health, Kids At Risk Action (KARA)Leave a comment

After all these years of Prozac and drugging of children with mental health issues and so little access to mental health services, it’s refreshing to see students and their petition for improving these services in the schools.

Thank you students at Mounds View and Hopkins high schools for speaking out and your effort to create a more compassionate and safe atmosphere for troubled youth.

When child suicides make the news (today’s Star Tribune article), there is a gaping hole where failed suicide attempts and other self harming behaviors of children should be accounted for and reckoned with.

State Ward children so often have dangerous lifestyles – self harming and even life threatening behaviors that we don’t speak of and no one knows but a few people involved in these tragedies.

When foster child Kendrea Johnson hung herself the County Corornor stated that six year old children just did not have the mental capacity to execute a suicide successfully (he called her death an accident – she left a note).

The Star Tribune’s chart showing 5-14 year old children as a tiny part of child suicides would be dwarfed by including their attempted suicides, cutting and other self harming behaviors.

All Adults Are The Protectors of All Children

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May32018

CASA Trivia Night & Silent Auction (May 31)

CASA, Guardian ad-Litem, KARA events/projects, Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Links To Helpful OrgsLeave a comment

CASA Minnesota is hosting a Trivia Night and Silent Auction on Thursday May 31, 2018 at Lake Calhoun Event Center. Gather a group of friends or co-workers for a team or come and join a team to compete in a fun night of trivia.

Doors open at 5:30PM and trivia will start at 6:30PM. Come early to network and bid on some great silent auction items!

A table of up to eight people is $250 and individual tickets are $35 if purchased in advance and $40 if purchased at the door. Note: There is an additional Eventbrite fee for ticket purchases.

Included in the ticket price is a taco bar and a drink ticket. All proceeds will go to support CASA Minnesota and CASA Cares.

CASA Minnesota hopes to see you there!

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May42018

Police & Lack of Coordination (thank you Safe Passage for Children)

Child Death, Crime and Courts, Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Public PolicyLeave a comment

Today’s article at Safe Passages for children makes a very serious point.

I advocated for a boy (call him Andy) over many years who was suicidal on multiple occasions. He spoke about his own violence against cops. The hatred Andy had towards police as figures of authority are common to abused children. Andy was suicidal and could have caused his own death by his actions.

When I met Andy, he was 7 years old, covered in bruises, had been left alone in the home tied to a bed for days at a time (from 4 to 7 years of age) without food or water. He was on multiple psychotropic medications for his profound mental health issues.

Several children in my CASA guardian ad Litem caseload had multiple run ins with police -some very serious. It is dangerous to the officer and the child when there is no coordination between Child Protection & Law Enforcement. All Adults are the Protectors of All Children

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May172018

Child Welfare by State (statistics & news April 2018 (1)

Child Death, Politics and Funding, Public Policy, Sad Stories, The StatesLeave a comment

KARA (Kids At Risk Action) tracks current news about at risk children bringing transparency and attention to our youngest and most vulnerable citizens. KARA’s reporting is only sampling of what should be reported – the great majority of child trauma & abuse is never known.

American states are struggling to find answers for ending adverse childhood experiences and saving at risk children by reversing the explosive growth of child abuse and neglect. Today, many state ward children are the 4th and 5th generation of abused children raising their own families without parenting skills and with serious drug, alcohol and mental health issues

37% of children overall and 57% of Black children are reported to child protection services in America by the time they turn 18. (American Journal of Public Health 1.17)

12 million children a year are reported to child protection services each year and in many states, 1/3 of foster children are required to take psychotropic medicines

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May182018

Preventing Child Torture (thank you Safe Passage for Children)

Child Death, Health and Mental Health, Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Public PolicyLeave a comment

Government overreach or a child’s right to not be tortured? If you have been a foster or adoptive parent or someone who has worked with children abused to the point a judge removes them from their home, you know what awful things have happened to the child and how it ruins a life.

Today, Safe Passage for Children of MN has powerful thoughts about how to prevent child torture*.

*The World Health Organization defines torture as “extended exposure to violence and deprivation”.

All the children in my caseload as a volunteer CASA guardian ad litem were tortured.

All Adults Are the Protectors of All Children

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May202018

Child Welfare by State (statistics & news April 2018 (2)

Adoption, Child Death, Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Politics and Funding, Public Policy, Sad Stories, Statistics & Facts, The StatesLeave a comment

American states are struggling to find answers for ending adverse childhood experiences and saving at risk children by reversing the explosive growth of child abuse and neglect. Today, many state ward children are the 4th and 5th generation of abused children raising their own families without parenting skills and with serious drug, alcohol and mental health issues

37% of children overall and 57% of Black children are reported to child protection services in America by the time they turn 18. (American Journal of Public Health 1.17)

12 million children a year are reported to child protection services each year and in many states, 1/3 of foster children are required to take psychotropic medicines

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May262018

Child Welfare by State (statistics & news April 2018 (4)

Child Death, Foster Care, Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Politics and Funding, Public Policy, Statistics & Facts, The StatesLeave a comment

KARA’s reporting is only sampling of what should be reported – the great majority of child trauma & abuse is never known.

American states are struggling to find answers for ending adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and saving at risk children by reversing the explosive growth of child abuse and neglect. Today, many state ward children are the 4th and 5th generation of abused children raising their own families without parenting skills and with serious drug, alcohol and mental health issues

37% of children overall and 57% of Black children are reported to child protection services in America by the time they turn 18. (American Journal of Public Health 1.17)

12 million children a year are reported to child protection services each year and in many states, 1/3 of foster children are required to take psychotropic medicines

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May292018

Child Welfare by State (statistics & news April 2018 (5 – foster child)

Adoption, Foster Care, Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Politics and Funding, Public Policy, Sad Stories, Statistics & Facts, The StatesLeave a comment

American states are struggling to find answers for ending adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and saving at risk children by reversing the explosive growth of child abuse and neglect. Today, many state ward children are the 4th and 5th generation of abused children raising their own families without parenting skills and with serious drug, alcohol and mental health issues

37% of children overall and 57% of Black children are reported to child protection services in America by the time they turn 18. (American Journal of Public Health 1.17)

12 million children a year are reported to child protection services each year and in many states, 1/3 of foster children are required to take psychotropic medicines

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Jun12018

Stealing Candy From Minnesota Babies (thank you Safe Passage for Children of MN)

Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Politics and Funding, Public Policy, The StatesLeave a comment

If you live with, work with or know at risk children, you know how your community values children. Not much. Since 2004, America had remained 3rd from the bottom on spending for children among the developed nations.

Not long ago, America ranked at the top of quality of life indices and our children had good schools, healthcare and a good chance of becoming productive citizens leading happy lives. American children don’t get healthcare, quality daycare or education and critical prenatal care is very rare.

America’s at risk youth become dysfunctional juveniles, felons and preteen moms living in poverty, jail and prison on their way to becoming the long term problem their parents were to the community.

If you live in Arizona, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, or New Mexico (states treating children the worst) you have known for many years how badly your state treats children and why your schools don’t work, public health and public safety are endangered and communities of poverty outnumber communities of hope and happiness. Share this with your friends and networks (especially your friends in Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas & New Mexico)

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Jun12018

Child Welfare International April 2018 (6) violence against children

Child Death, Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Politics and Funding, Public Policy, Sad Stories, Statistics & Facts, The StatesLeave a comment

Today, many state ward children are the 4th and 5th generation of abused children raising their own families without parenting skills and with serious drug, alcohol and mental health issues

37% of children overall and 57% of Black children are reported to child protection services in America by the time they turn 18. (American Journal of Public Health 1.17)

12 million children a year are reported to child protection services each year and in many states, 1/3 of foster children are required to take psychotropic medicines

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Jun62018

Child Welfare by State (statistics & news April 2018 (7) child sex abuse

Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Politics and Funding, Public Policy, Sad Stories, Statistics & Facts, The StatesLeave a comment

American states are struggling to find answers for ending adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and saving at risk children by reversing the explosive growth of child abuse and neglect. Today, many state ward children are the 4th and 5th generation of abused children raising their own families without parenting skills and with serious drug, alcohol and mental health issues

37% of children overall and 57% of Black children are reported to child protection services in America by the time they turn 18. (American Journal of Public Health 1.17)

12 million children a year are reported to child protection services each year and in many states, 1/3 of foster children are required to take psychotropic medicines

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Jun72018

Kendrea Johnson, Gabriel Fernandez & Child Suicide

Child Death, Health and Mental Health, Politics and Funding, Public PolicyLeave a comment

That six year old Kendrea Johnson suicided by hanging while in foster care should cause us to rethink child protection. Today’s 1.5 million dollar settlement would have provided important ACES trauma training to her foster family, hired allot of social workers, and provided many foster children the mental health help they need. Kendrea Johnson talked about suicide daily.

Suicide attempts by six year old’s are rarely successful. I’ve witnessed many children (as a volunteer CASA guardian ad Litem in child protection) who repeatedly did violent and dangerous things that put them in harms way and multiple suicide attempts.

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