Press
Part Two of remarks given at a Capitol Hill briefing for the release of a report called: "State Secrecy and Child Deaths in the U.S." The report found that information about child abuse deaths and near-deaths that could help prevent future tragedies remains veiled behind many states' restrictive disclosure laws, highlighting the urgent need for [...]
Part One of remarks given at a Capitol Hill briefing for the release of a report called: "State Secrecy and Child Deaths in the U.S." The report found that information about child abuse deaths and near-deaths that could help prevent future tragedies remains veiled behind many states' restrictive disclosure laws, highlighting the urgent need for [...]
WASHINGTON, D.C. - MAY 10, 2012 - Despite the moral imperative and sound fiscal basis for protecting the legal rights of abused and neglected children, half of U.S. states cheat them of appropriate legal representation, denying them an effective voice in proceedings that determine their futures, according to a state-by-state study conducted by two national child advocacy organizations.
New Report Finds Too Many States Continue To Restrict Public Scrutiny Of Child Protection Programs; Some Have Improved Disclosure Laws
WASHINGTON, DC - April 17, 2012 - A new report finds that a culture of secrecy in states across the country continues to hamper efforts to stem the tide of child abuse-related fatalities and near-fatalities, estimated to be at least 1,700 a year. Information about child abuse deaths and near-deaths that could help prevent future tragedies remains veiled behind many states' restrictive disclosure laws, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reform.
First Star, a national non-profit that fights for the rights of abused and neglected children, testified on March 8 before the Judiciary Committee of the Maryland House of Delegates in opposition to HB 834. The proposed bill would establish an alternative response to reports of child abuse and neglect and would further remove the Department of Human Resources from accountability.
Washington, DC, March 16, 2011 - States across the country regularly confiscate the assets of foster children, including Social Security survivor and disability benefits - all but ensuring these youths' failure as they “age out” of the foster care system at age 18, according to a new report released today.
In addition, many foster children are becoming the victims of identity theft, as their social security numbers pass through the hands of numerous agencies and individuals throughout their time in the system, according to the report.
First Star works to improve foster care and other systems that help neglected or abused children.
The Children's Advocacy Institute (CAI) at the University of San Diego (USD) School of Law and First Star released a report entitled, "The Fleecing of Foster Children; How We Confiscate Their Assets and Undermine Their Financial Security," on March 16, 2011 in Washington, D.C. Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-Rhode Island) and Pete Stark (D-California) were on [...]
(Washington, D.C.) On January 25, 2008, the North Carolina Supreme Court denied a state appeal request in the John G. case, reaffirming that the state does not have the legal authority to divert the Social Security benefits of foster children to reimburse itself for the cost of their foster care when it is not in the best interest of the child. This decision signals the final chapter in a case that began to wind its way through the courts three years ago, bringing national attention to the plight of now 17-year-old John G.
Model Act Would Prompt States to Adopt Uniform Protections for Children in Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Proceedings
WHAT: The American Bar Association's policy-making House of Delegates will vote on the ABA Model Act Governing the Representation of Children in Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Proceedings at its Annual Meeting in Chicago. The Model Law represents a significant step forward in the representation of children in dependency hearings.