Before the news summary a reminder: TODAY (Nov. 2) at 2:00 pm ET: National Webinar Discussing the Harms of ASFA
In the news:
● On the Slate “What’s Next” podcast, Eli Hager of ProPublica discusses his investigative report on the harm done to children by the lack of due process in the “child welfare” system.
● On NY1’s Inside City Hall, David Shalleck-Klein of the Family Justice Law Center discusses the center’s work to demand due process for families, and the David Prize – the award that will help him do it.
● Still on the issue of due process: The Louisiana Illuminator reports on an audit of that state’s “central registry” of alleged child abusers and how it compares to others. The story includes this comment from NCCPR:
“The important thing to understand here is who is hurt most when the registry doesn’t have sufficient due process protections. Once again, it’s children,” Wexler said. “A listing on the central registry bars people from jobs that are often the first rung on the ladder for poor people trying to work their way out of poverty. So a needless listing in a registry drives families deeper into the poverty that may have led to the listing on the registry in the first place. And of course a false listing on the registry makes it more likely that if the family ever is falsely accused again, the children will be taken away.”
● On PBS' Washington Week Recommends, Yamiche Alcindor talks to Associated Press reporter Juliet Linderman about the horrifying case that is the subject of this story from the Associated Press. (Video starts at about 40 seconds in.) I have a blog post on key lessons from the case.
● Good news for foster children in California: The Davis Vanguard reports that Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation to discourage counties from making your parents pay ransom to get you back.
● The Imprint has a guide to the legal arguments when the Supreme Court hears oral arguments Nov. 9 on a case challenging the Indian Child Welfare Act.
● And KTOO Public Media looks at ICWA through the eyes of a Native Alaskan adopted by a native family. She compares her good fortune to what happened to some friends adopted by non-natives:
“Physically they may have lived, but spiritually and emotionally, absolutely not.”
