The System’s Two Speeds: Maryland Moves Fast to Take Custody, Slow to Answer for It
Four Maryland cases reveal a troubling pattern: the state moves quickly to remove children from parents but far more slowly when government agencies or courts are held accountable.
Texas, Parental Rights, and the Expanding Power of the State
A recent opinion piece highlights concerns over child welfare investigations in Texas, emphasizing the need to balance child protection with parental rights. The aggressive state actions can erode constitutional protections, particularly when acting on…
Cash for Kids: How Federal Bonuses Incentivize the Destruction of Families
Senator Nancy Schaefer revealed corruption in Child Protective Services, exposing a system incentivized by the Adoption and Safe Families Act to financially reward states for adopting out children from foster care. This has led to unjust removals,…
The Silence of the Brave: How Nancy Schaefer’s Death Unmasked a Web of Government Corruption Beyond CPS
When Georgia State Senator Nancy Schaefer dared to expose the cash-for-kids corruption inside Child Protective Services, she uncovered more than bureaucratic mismanagement—she revealed a government-funded machine incentivized to destroy families. Months…
Why Family Court Reform Can’t Keep Reporters in the Room
Family court coverage suffers due to journalists facing intense hostility from both institutions and advocates, leading to attrition. Reporting challenges, such as sealed records and backlash, discourage continued coverage. Advocates' demands for…
HOTEL ROOM, NO SECOND CHANCES
Sixteen-year-old foster youth Kanaiyah Ward died in a Baltimore hotel room after a contracted caregiver failed to check on her for nearly five hours. Her death—ruled a suicide—has sparked outrage across Maryland, exposing dangerous hotel placements, weak…
Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future” Executive Order Signals a New Federal Push for Family Preservation and Accountability
The Executive Order introduced by First Lady Melania Trump signals a shift in child welfare policy, emphasizing family preservation, transparency, and support for youth aging out of foster care. It modernizes data systems, promotes kinship care, and…
The Constitutional Crisis No One Voted For
The family court system in America deviates from constitutional principles, operating without proper legal frameworks and standards. This unaccountable system harms families through arbitrary judgments, lack of transparency, and financial incentives.…
The Moral Economy of Neglect: How Maryland’s “Compassionate Governance” Betrays Its Foster Children
Maryland's foster-care system is under scrutiny following the death of Kanaiyah Ward, highlighting systemic failures and racial inequities. An audit revealed neglect and unsafe placements, particularly affecting Black children, while the state's reliance…