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Colorado Foster Care Adoptions Fail at 10% Rate Amid Budget Cuts

Colorado Foster Care Adoptions Fail at 10% Rate Amid Budget Cuts

A Colorado Sun analysis reveals that nearly 10% of adoptions from the state's foster care system fail each year. From 2022 to 2025, 263 children were returned to the system after adoptions fell through, primarily due to behavioral issues. Despite efforts to reduce the number of children entering foster care, budget cuts have impacted programs designed to support hard-to-place children. Recent legislative changes have also capped financial support for adoptive families, potentially affecting adoption success rates.
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Colorado Foster Care Adoptions Fail at 10% Rate

Colorado Foster Care Adoptions Fail at 10% Rate

A recent analysis reveals that 10% of adoptions from Colorado's foster care system fail, with children returning to the child welfare system. The primary reason cited for these disruptions is behavioral problems among the children. Despite efforts to reduce the number of children entering foster care, the failure rate has remained consistent over recent years. Budget cuts have impacted support programs, including financial assistance for adoptive families and kinship placements, which may contribute to the challenges faced by adoptive families.
The Columbus Dispatch The Columbus Dispatch
Vinton County case exposes strains on Ohio child welfare system

Vinton County case exposes strains on Ohio child welfare system

The rescue of 16 children in Vinton County is shining a light on Ohio's child welfare system. Here is a guide to the basics.
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Washington State Faces Potential Cut to Developmental Disabilities Program Amid Budget Troubles

Washington State Faces Potential Cut to Developmental Disabilities Program Amid Budget Troubles

Parents in Washington state are expressing concern over the potential elimination of the Parent to Parent program, a support initiative for families with children who have developmental disabilities. The program, which has been a vital resource since its inception in 1980, is facing uncertainty as state officials navigate budget constraints. The program's contract, initially set to expire in July, has been extended to August, but its future remains unclear. Parent to Parent connects families with resources and support, including therapies and educational assistance, and is overseen by The Arc of Washington State under a contract with the Department of Social and Health Services. The program's potential discontinuation is part of broader budgetary considerations by Governor Bob Ferguson, who has pledged not to propose tax increases but instead focus on cuts to address a projected multibillion-dollar shortfall.
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Nova Scotia Dentist Criticizes Short Sentence for Employee Theft

Nova Scotia Dentist Criticizes Short Sentence for Employee Theft

Dr. Phil Mintern, a dentist from the Halifax area, is speaking out against the short sentence given to a former employee who embezzled over $92,000 from his practice. The employee, Tamara Farnell, was sentenced to five months in jail but was released to house arrest after serving only five weeks. Dr. Mintern expressed disappointment, stating that the sentence does not reflect the severity of the crime or the impact it had on his practice. The theft was discovered over a period of time, with Farnell altering deposits on at least 267 occasions. Despite the financial and emotional toll, Dr. Mintern has launched a civil suit against Farnell, although he does not expect to recover the lost funds.
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Vanderburgh County CASA Seeks Gas Card Donations to Support Foster Care Visits

Vanderburgh County CASA Seeks Gas Card Donations to Support Foster Care Visits

Vanderburgh County CASA is calling on community members to donate gas cards to aid volunteers in visiting children involved in the court system who are placed in foster care outside the county. The initiative, titled 'Fuel An Advocate. Change A Child’s Story,' is running until August 9. The donations will help cover travel expenses for Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers who make regular in-person visits to children with active court cases in Vanderburgh County. These children, although placed in foster homes outside the county, continue to receive support from CASA volunteers. The organization emphasizes that distance should not hinder a child from having a consistent advocate. Gas cards from any major fuel retailer are accepted and can be dropped off at the Vanderburgh County CASA office during business hours.
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Rising Tick-Borne Illnesses in Nova Scotia Highlight Health Risks

Rising Tick-Borne Illnesses in Nova Scotia Highlight Health Risks

Nova Scotia has seen a significant increase in cases of anaplasmosis, a tick-borne bacterial disease, with numbers rising from 317 in 2023 to 681 last year. This disease, spread by blacklegged and brown dog ticks, can affect both humans and pets. Symptoms often resemble the flu, including fever and chills, but can sometimes be asymptomatic, complicating diagnosis. The rise in cases is attributed to longer warm seasons, which have allowed tick populations to thrive. Health officials emphasize the importance of tick checks and immediate treatment with antibiotics like doxycycline to prevent severe outcomes.
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Congressman Glenn Thompson Introduces Bills to Support Kinship Families and Grandparents

Congressman Glenn Thompson Introduces Bills to Support Kinship Families and Grandparents

Congressman Glenn Thompson has introduced two bills in the U.S. House of Representatives aimed at providing support and resources to grandparents and kinship families raising children. The first bill, the Supporting Grandfamilies Act, seeks to reauthorize and fund the National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies & Kinship Families for another five years. This center assists grandparents and other relatives who take on the responsibility of raising children, thereby alleviating pressure on the foster care system. The second bill, the Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act, aims to enhance access to services for kinship caregivers and children who have experienced trauma. It also seeks to eliminate systemic barriers within the child welfare system, ensuring that grandfamilies are eligible for services under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). Both bills emphasize the importance of providing stability and resources to these families, which play a crucial role in the welfare of c...
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New Mexico CYFD Criticized for Handling of Teen's Border Reunification

New Mexico CYFD Criticized for Handling of Teen's Border Reunification

The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) is facing criticism for its handling of a case involving a teenage boy who was left at the U.S.-Mexico border to reunite with his mother. The agency conducted virtual home visits before escorting the boy to Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The boy, who was in temporary foster care, reportedly did not want to cross the border and spent days in a Texas shelter. CYFD defended its actions, stating that the virtual visits confirmed the mother's home was safe. However, critics argue that the agency should have collaborated with Mexican authorities for a more thorough assessment.
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U.S. House Introduces Bills to Support Grandparents and Kinship Families

U.S. House Introduces Bills to Support Grandparents and Kinship Families

Two bills have been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives aimed at providing support and resources to grandparents and kinship families raising children. Led by Congressman Glenn Thompson, these bills seek to alleviate the burden on the foster care system by supporting relatives who take on caregiving roles. The Supporting Grandfamilies Act, co-sponsored by Suzanne Bonamici, Zach Nunn, and Danny Davis, aims to reauthorize and fund the National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies & Kinship Families for another five years. This initiative is designed to help older adults who are primary caregivers access necessary resources. Additionally, the Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act, supported by Mary Gay Scanlon, focuses on ensuring that grandfamilies and kinship families are eligible for services under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). It also calls for specialized training to help caregivers navigate available services.
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U.S. House Introduces Bills to Support Kinship Families and Grandparents Raising Children

U.S. House Introduces Bills to Support Kinship Families and Grandparents Raising Children

Two bills have been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives aimed at providing support and resources to grandparents and kinship families raising children. Led by Congressman Glenn Thompson, these bills seek to address the needs of relatives who take on caregiving roles, thereby alleviating pressure on the foster care system. The Supporting Grandfamilies Act, co-sponsored by Suzanne Bonamici, Zach Nunn, and Danny Davis, aims to reauthorize and fund the National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies & Kinship Families for another five years. This initiative is designed to help caregivers navigate the child welfare system more effectively. Additionally, the Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act, supported by Mary Gay Scanlon, focuses on providing access to services for families dealing with trauma and ensuring they can navigate the child welfare system. The bill also proposes specialized training for caregivers to better utilize available services.
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U.S. House Introduces Bills to Support Kinship Families and Grandparents

U.S. House Introduces Bills to Support Kinship Families and Grandparents

Two bills have been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives aimed at providing support to grandparents and kinship families raising children. Led by Congressman Glenn Thompson, the Supporting Grandfamilies Act seeks to reauthorize and fund the National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies & Kinship Families for another five years. This initiative, co-sponsored by Suzanne Bonamici, Zach Nunn, and Danny Davis, aims to alleviate the burden on the foster care system by supporting these caregivers. Additionally, the Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act, introduced by Mary Gay Scanlon, focuses on providing access to services for families who have experienced trauma, ensuring they can navigate the child welfare system effectively.