Category: Child Welfare System
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Understanding the Role of the Office of the Child Advocate in Michigan
Navigating the complexities of Michigan’s child welfare system can be daunting for families. The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) plays a crucial role in ensuring children’s rights and well-being are upheld. This independent state agency is tasked to investigate complaints and make recommendations to improve Michigan’s child welfare (CPS) system. Investigating Complaints A complaint…
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Defending Against CPS Allegations of Shaken Baby Syndrome: Insights from the Michigan Supreme Court – People v. Lemons
Children’s Protective Services (CPS) cases can be extremely stressful and have life altering consequences for parents. When allegations of child abuse, such as Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), arise, the stakes are even higher. The Michigan Supreme Court case, People v. Lemons, provides valuable insights into defending against CPS allegations and accusations. This blog explores key…
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Empowering Michigan Families: The Need for Enhanced Education in Caregiver Rights Legislation
Here in Michigan, the well-being of children and the rights of parents and guardians are of utmost importance to all of us. As with other states, Michigan has legislation to address child abuse and neglect, influenced by federal funding mandates. This legislation must balance the state’s interest in child safety with Constitutionally mandated respect for…
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Desperation Without Dignity: Just One More Reason to Keep Families Together!
If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times – taking kids away from their families only to abandon them in youth homes is a terrible idea! And this report by a federally mandated watchdog group, the National Disability Rights Network, only serves to prove our point: Families should be supported in place,…
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What Happens After Someone Reports Child Abuse to The Authorities? (Pt 2)
Hello there and welcome back. We’ve been discussing what happens after someone calls the authorities and reports suspected child abuse or neglect, and what takes place after the report has been made. As we mentioned in the previous article, regardless of who you report to, in the end the cops are told. And if CPS…
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Did You Think CPS Only Takes Kids Away From Abusive Parents? Think Again! (Pt 2)
Welcome back and thanks for joining us again for this look at why CPS removes kids from their homes, and why it’s not always for the reasons you’d think. As we mentioned in the previous article, most people think CPS workers only take children from abusive parents. And that certainly happens – we’ll be the…
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Did You Think CPS Only Takes Kids Away From Abusive Parents? Think Again! (Pt 1)
Most people think of CPS workers as angels who swoop in to save children from horribly abusive homes. From negligent or violent parents who aren’t fit to care for them. And in some cases they’re right. But that certainly isn’t the only time CPS removes a kid from their family. Sometimes it’s for something far…
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CPS Petitioned The Court to Have my Kids Taken Away! What Happens Now? (Pt 2)
Hi there and welcome back to this convo about what happens when CPS petitions the court to have your children taken away in Michigan. For a parent, the thought that a government agency can simply step in and break up your family without warning is terrifying. After all, who else can do that besides a…
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CPS Petitioned The Court to Have my Kids Taken Away! What Happens Now? (Pt 1)
A CPS worker showed up at your house because someone made a claim that your kids aren’t being properly supervised. Or maybe the allegation was that there isn’t enough food, or perhaps that you discipline too harshly. Whatever it was, CPS got involved, and now they’re petitioning the court to have your kids taken away.…
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What Happens When a Mandated Reporter Calls CPS to Report Suspected Abuse? (Pt 2)
Welcome back and thanks for joining us again for this discussion. We’ve been talking about what happens here in Michigan when a mandated reporter (or anyone, for that matter) calls CPS to report suspected child abuse. As we mentioned in the previous article, there are certain criteria the alleged abuse has to meet in order…