NCALP Weekly News Summary

November 19, 2013

Follow us: FOSTER CARE NATIONAL: “Coordinating Foster Care across the 3 Branches of Government” BY: Jonathan Walters There has been a lack of communication between the administrative, legislative, and judicial branches of government when it comes to working to solve problems in human services. The “Three Branch Institute on Child Social and Emotional Well-Being” is aimed at engaging all three branches of government, as well as the broader services and advocacy community, to improve the well-being of kids in foster care. Numerous states across the country, and an impressive list of agencies, are participating in the initiative. Tennessee and other participating states will be reporting progress and results of the initiative in 2014. Governing, November 13th, 2013 For Full Article Click Here ADOPTION NATIONAL: “Adoption in the Digital Age: The Sad Truth about ‘Re-Homing’” BY: Peg Streep In this day and age, most adoptions are now facilitated at least in part online, which caused the “re-homing” of adopted children, and the disruption of adoptions, due to the room for misrepresentation, if not falsehood, from both sides of the adoption. In addition, “re-homing” through the internet can be a gateway to child trafficking, prostitution, child abuse, as well as delivering children into the hands of sexual predators, as children have been literally handed off to strangers with no follow-up. On October 30th, Representative Jim Langevin introduced a bill, the Protecting Adopted Children Act, that would effectively put an end to internet re-homing and establish support systems for parents and children. Psychology Today, November 12th, 2013 For Full Article Click Here CHILD PROTECTION UTAH: “Lawmakers Looking at How to Help Homeless Youths” BY: Lisa Riley Roche The issue of the number of children who are thrown out of their homes or run away from home was brought to the Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel. The committee agreed to hold another meeting before the start of the 2014 Legislature in late January dedicated solely to the issue of what the state can do to help homeless youths. Currently, homeless teenagers end up in jail or back on the street where they are perfect candidates to be exploited, especially by prostitution rings. A safer shelter has been proposed for these youth and the Police Chief believes facilities where law enforcement can refer teenagers so they are not returned to a troubled home are needed. Deseret News, November 12th, 2013 For Full Article Click Here CHILD WELFARE NATIONAL: “Schools that Separate the Child from the Trauma” BY: David Bornstein In an opinion article, Mr. Bornstien stated research emerging on trauma indicates we have to change how we relate to children, especially in schools. Compared with children with no known stresses, children who have experienced some type of trauma are two to four times more likely to have problems with attendance, behavior, academics, and health. Teachers are now moving away from reflexive discipline and towards responses that help kids learn how to calm themselves. Ideas around the country are beginning to take hold. The Massachusetts state legislature is now reviewing a bill that would require all schools in the state to create “safe and supportive” environments drawing on trauma research. Other task forces and programs to address this issue have developed throughout states across the country. New York Times Opinionator, November 13th, 2013 For Full Article Click Here FOSTER CARE NEBRASKA: “Rising Disparity Seen in Rate of Native American Kids in Foster Care” BY: Martha Stoddard According to the Foster Care Review Office, Native American children currently account for nearly one of every ten foster children in Nebraska, while just a year ago the number was about one in 14 children in out of-home-care. This number reflects disparity in the foster care population as only 1.5 percent of Nebraska children are Native American. In addition, the state has been reducing the number of children overall who are removed from their families for abuse and neglect but the opposite has happened with Native American children. Juvenile Judge, Doug Johnson, believes that intentional or unintentional bias contributes to the high numbers of Native American children in foster care and that Nebraska judges and officials need to work harder at complying with the Indian Child Welfare Act. Omaha World-Herald, November 15th, 2013 For Full Article Click Here The preceding are summaries of adoption/child welfare law news articles prepared by The National Center for Adoption Law & Policy. These summaries are provided for your information only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Center. We strive to print news that reflects the diversity of our readership and a variety of viewpoints and approaches to child welfare issues. While we may not agree with a position taken, we believe in the critical importance to our constituents of impartial reporting.