In a milestone for Milwaukee children in foster care served by Wisconsin’s Department of Children and Families, a federal court has ordered that the agency can exit federal court oversight of a settlement agreement that resulted in major systems change and tangible results for kids. This now closed case is a prime example of how […]
Youth Assent to Psychotropic Medication in Foster Care is a Basic Human Right Originally posted on The American Bar Association, Human Rights Magazine, on October 12, 2021 “I was a zombie,” Jimmy said. “I was on seven psychotropic medications when I was 14 years old. I couldn’t eat. I had chest pain.” Jimmy knew even at […]
My wife Laurie and I are the rabbis of Congregation Micah in Brentwood, Tennessee – a spiritual community that adopted the words of Micah (6:8), the Biblical prophet and civil rights advocate, as our congregation’s message of equality and welcome for all: “Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with thy God.” The prophet’s words call […]
Fall was in the air early in September when the people of Southampton Village opened their hearts and their town to Children’s Rights and our Bricks for Kids sculpture. We couldn’t have felt more at home. The sculpture, crafted out of 35,000 toy bricks, celebrates the innocence and joy of childhood – and encourages conversations about the joy that […]
I had the opportunity to join my colleagues at this year’s National Association of Counsel for Children’s (NACC) conference, From Crisis to Innovation: Toward a Family-Centered Justice System, in Denver, Colorado on August 13. Traveling to Denver during the pandemic was a new experience. But being surrounded by experts in the child welfare, juvenile justice, […]
“We remain steadfast in our conviction that the law requires the same support to approved relative foster caregivers as it provides to licensed foster caregivers and look forward to advancing the merits of our clients’ claims in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. We believe the law commands it, and conscience demands it.”—Ira Lustbader, Chief […]
Amidst the growing momentum to transform what has been known as the child welfare system and reimagine true support and empowerment of families and communities, my transition to this role could not be more timely. As the Director of Advocacy and Policy, I will lead Children’s Rights in expanding our use of policy and legislation to achieve […]
For some, the child welfare system appears aptly named—a system of policies and supportive services meant to ensure the safety and well-being of children and families. Yet for many among the millions who experience it, the child welfare system is an entrenched set of government structures designed to reinforce the racist history of oppression and separation of Black families in the United States.
The story of the tragic death of 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant is a stark reminder of why we do the work we do to protect and defend the rights of children in state care. Ma’Khia was shot and killed by a Columbus, Ohio police officer during an altercation at the foster home where she was living. An investigation […]
Colt Anderson is a Roman Catholic theologian who has served nine years on the faculty of a seminary, three years as the Academic Dean of a Catholic theological school, and five years as the Dean of the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education at Fordham University. He is a member of the Interfaith Coalition for Children’s Rights.
