Category: For Your Information
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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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Strengthening Tribal Families Act: Safeguarding Native Children and Cultures
The Strengthening Tribal Families Act of 2023 is a significant legislative step toward protecting Native American children and preserving their cultural heritage. Introduced in the 118th Congress, this bill aims to enhance compliance of Children’s Protective Services with the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA), which establishes federal standards for the removal and placement of Indian children…
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Michigan Leads the Way in Kinship Care: A Breakthrough for Our Families and Child Protection
In a groundbreaking move, Michigan has become the first state to implement a new rule transforming kinship care practices. This rule permits states to develop an alternative path for approving kinship caregivers while receiving federal money to support these placements. Let’s delve into the details of this significant development. The Kinship Care Revolution Prominent child welfare researcher Mark Testa aptly described it as…
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What Happens to My Child While I’m in Prison?
Parents who are or may be incarcerated both share a concern about what happens to their child while they are in jail and how their arrest may affect their parental rights. The main concern may be whether the parent’s new criminal record may influence CPS’s ability to take their children. The short answer is no.…
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Should Abused Children be Held Responsible For Their Actions When They Harm Others? (Pt 1)
Anyone who has ever parented a child knows that it can be stressful. Kids, especially when they struggle with behavioral and emotional issues, or with mental health conditions, can test the limits of your patience in ways that nothing else on earth does. After all, they’re kids. Which means they haven’t yet learned to curb…
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CPS May Have a Good Reason For Not Wanting You to Smoke Weed While You’re Pregnant! (Pt 1)
CPS has always taken a dim view of moms doing drugs during pregnancy. In fact, babies who test positive for marijuana, heroin, cocaine or any other illicit substance in Michigan at birth are very often taken from their mothers and placed in foster care. With the recent legalization of recreational weed in Michigan, a lot…
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Parenting in The Online Age, Where All Your Choices (And Mistakes) Are Made Public! (Pt 2)
Welcome back and thanks for joining us. We’ve been talking about something that isn’t comfortable to discuss, but all of us are painfully aware of – the fact that parenting in the online age is extra hard! As we mentioned in the previous article, anyone can film anyone else doing just about anything in public…
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“Freezer Mom” Back in Court, Accusing Another of Pedophilia!
Remember ‘freezer mom’? The Detroit woman who starved and abused her children to death, and then hid their bodies in a chest freezer by the front door of her apartment until they were discovered during her eviction? Well, it appears her antics haven’t ended yet. She was recently back in court for a misconduct issue…