Press Releases
Children’s Rights, Local Counsel Seek Remedy for Worst Failings of Rhode Island’s Child Welfare System
(Providence, R.I.) – As longstanding, systemic failings within Rhode Island’s Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) continue to place vulnerable children in harm’s way, plaintiffs have submitted an amended federal class action lawsuit with the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island on behalf of the approximately 1,800 children in state foster care.
July 31, 2015Tennessee Child Welfare Reform Remains on a Positive Path, Report Shows
(Nashville, TN) — The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) “continues to devote the energy, attention and resources” needed to “maintain the significant progress that it has already made” and to improve its work in other areas, according to a report filed this afternoon by a team of court-appointed federal monitors.
June 30, 2015Sandy Santana Named Executive Director of Children’s Rights
(New York, NY) – Sandy Santana, who has served as interim executive director of Children’s Rights (CR) for the last 10 months, has been named executive director of the national advocacy organization, the group’s Board of Directors announced today.
June 19, 2015Kasseem ‘Swizz Beatz’ Dean Joins Children’s Rights’ Board of Directors
(New York, NY) – Grammy Award-winning producer, recording artist and global entrepreneur Kasseem ‘Swizz Beatz’ Dean has joined the board of directors of national non-profit Children’s Rights (CR), the advocacy group announced today.
April 29, 2015Connecticut Foster Care Reform Threatened by Lack of Services for Kids, Report Finds
(New York, NY) – While the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) has made significant improvements under the leadership of Commissioner Joette Katz – such as safely reducing the number of kids in state care and keeping more children in family homes and with relatives and far fewer in institutions – DCF is falling behind in crucial areas, according to a report released today.
April 22, 20151st Circuit Finds Federal Court ‘Tilted the Playing Field’
(Providence, RI) – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit found yesterday that a district court “abused its discretion” in connection with its dismissal of a federal suit calling for reform of Rhode Island’s dysfunctional child welfare system. The appeals court ruled that the district court acted improperly when it refused to allow plaintiffs to meet with counsel and when it barred them from obtaining evidence essential to their claims.
April 16, 2015#FosterTruth: Harsh Realities of Abused and Neglected Children Come to Light
(New York, N.Y.) – On May 1, in recognition of National Foster Care Month, non-profit organization Children’s Rights will launch its third annual Fostering the Future campaign to amplify the voices of those affected by state care. Each day of May, Children’s Rights will publish a blog post written by someone involved in child welfare, such as a former foster youth, foster parent or child advocate.
April 13, 2015Latest Report on Tennessee Foster Care Shows Major Improvement for Kids
(Nashville, TN) – In a federal court hearing today, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Todd J. Campbell approved a modified exit plan that reflects Tennessee’s significant progress toward fully meeting court-ordered improvements to its child welfare system.
Children Still at Risk of Harm in Michigan Foster Care; DHS’ Safety Record Remains Well Short of Federal Standards
(Detroit) — Too many children in Michigan foster care remain at risk of harm almost seven years after officials agreed to reform its failing child welfare system, and the state is unable to track its progress in other critical areas because of ongoing issues with its year-old data management system, according to a report released today.
March 27, 2015High Worker Turnover Jeopardizes Milwaukee Child Welfare Reform
(New York, NY) – Today state reviewers issued a report tracking the 2014 progress of the Wisconsin Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare (BMCW) in reforming its child welfare system, an effort spurred by national advocacy organization Children’s Rights. According to the report, 114 of the 194 case managers (59 percent) working for BMCW at the beginning of last year had left by the end of the year, and performance slipped in areas such as providing children in foster care with annual medical and dental exams and timely plans to connect them with permanent homes.