Laws, etc. regarding Child Protection

	Information regarding law, or related to the thought processes of social workers and their staff is presented here. Since CYS uses "administrative law" -- which is just a fancy way to say that the Social Workers call the shots, due to its vagueness - we will list items here of peripheral interest to the law, such as data repositories, etc. Know Thy Enemy. We will include both federal and state information as we come across them. If you have any suggestions as to what to include here that you think might be valuable to parents, please let us know.
Click here for the NATIONAL COALITION FOR CHILD PROTECTION REFORM	The members of the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform have encountered the child welfare system in their professional capacities. Through NCCPR, we work to make that system better serve America's most vulnerable children by trying to change policies concerning child abuse, foster care and family preservation.	Organization to promote reform in child protection legislation.
	Child Protection at the Crossroads: Child Abuse, Child Protection, and Recommendations for Reform Today, with few variations, state laws surrounding child abuse and neglect look remarkably similar. All share similar definitions regarding abuse and neglect; all require professionals to report suspicions under threat of prosecution; all provide confidentiality to anyone involved in an investigation—from the person making the allegation to the children and family members involved. These similarities are not accidental, but were accomplished with relative ease a quarter-century ago. They are the intended consequences of a federal law first passed in 1974 known as the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)...	Policy study by Susan Orr, Ph.D., stressing the need for reform and the fact that CPS is unnecessarily obtrusive in most cases.
The ABA Center on Children and the Law	"Established in 1978, the ABA Center on Children and the Law's mission is to improve children's lives through advances in law, justice, knowledge, practice, and public policy. Its work includes: Strengthening laws, policies, and judicial procedures affecting children Researching and disseminating information on laws, policies, and practices affecting children and families Enhancing skills and competence of legal professionals in children's proceedings Educating non attorneys on child-related law and its impact on their work Increasing public awareness of law and justice related to children Stimulating and assisting activities and projects on children and the law"	This appears to be a good site to keep tabs on the latest laws and cases affecting our children and our rights as parents. Of course, any organization that claims to be "strengthening laws affecting children" we should be very skeptical and leery of. And the concept of LAWYERS improving OUR children's lives...?! When lawyers start offering FREE services to defend our rights, I'll believe it.
National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect	"The mission of the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect (NDACAN) is to facilitate the secondary analysis of research data relevant to the study of child abuse and neglect."	See what type of data is being collected, and how it influences the laws that are created.
Representing Yourself in Court	"The wealthy can afford experienced lawyers--the legal system's gatekeepers--while most others are at least to some extent frozen out. With lawyers' fees typically running in excess of $200 an hour, it is not hard to understand why. But fortunately you do have another alternative--you can represent yourself."	Tips on how to represent yourself in court, how to find a lawyer to "coach" you on this process, with a savings of up to 10-fold or better on legal fees. The NOLO PRESS site represents a wealth of information on the legal process aimed at the non-lawyer. Take charge of your day in court.
The Administration on Children, Youth and Families	"...administers the major Federal programs that support: social services that promote the positive growth and development of children and youth and their families; protective services and shelter for children and youth in at-risk situations; child care for working families and families on public assistance; and adoption f or children with special needs."	This is the source of the funding for the CYSes in this country. See what the funding structure is, as well as related policies.
US Code	Searchable Repository of the entire US Code.	Find useful and informative information regarding the child protection laws in our country.
APSAC	This organization is actively trying to STRENGTHEN the child-protective laws in this country. They must be watched carefully, and educated about the truth that they fail to acknowledge. They are run by the same "professionals" that run the CYSes in this country.	Our "enemy". Write them ANONYMOUSLY with your stories and testimonials regarding the pure hell you've been put through. Perhaps if enough of us respond they MAY see reason.
		All my Children have cried All my Children have died For while they were out at play The Eagle came down and swooped them away. For Many Years I cried For Many Years I died I hear the distant foam of my children's unanswered yearning for home.
		© copyright 1998 Fred Mitchell